Jamie Jensen

Evolution, Faith, and the Next Generation: What We’re Learning

Many people experience tension between evolutionary science and religious belief, not necessarily because of the science itself, but because of how they understand scientific and religious epistemologies. Drawing on research with Latter-day Saint and other religious audiences, this presentation explores the reasoning patterns and epistemic assumptions that shape how individuals approach evolution and faith. I will share what I’ve learned about why this tension arises, what makes it more or less threatening, and how parents, grandparents, and Church leaders can respond in ways that support both faith and intellectual integrity. The goal is to offer practical frameworks that help the next generation engage scientific ideas without feeling that their religious identity is at risk.