ABSTRACT

This book examines why the religion-science skirmishes known as the Evolution Wars have persisted into the 21st century. It does so by considering the influences of mass media in relation to decision-making research and the Elaboration Likelihood Model, one of the most authoritative persuasion theories.

The book’s analysis concentrates on the expression of cues, or cognitive mental shortcuts, in Darwin-sceptic and counter-creationist broadcasts. A multiyear collection of media generated by the most prominent Darwin-sceptic organizations is surveyed, along with rival publications from supporters of evolutionary theory described as the pro-evolutionists. The analysed materials include works produced by Young Earth Creationist and Intelligent Design media makers, New Atheist pacesetters, as well as both agnostic and religious supporters of evolution. These cues are shown to function as subtle but effective means of shaping public opinion, including appeals to expertise, claims that ideas are being censored, and the tactical use of statistics and technical jargon.

Contending that persuasive mass media is a decisive component of science-religion controversies, this book will be of keen interest to scholars of Religion, Science and Religion interactions, as well as researchers of Media and Communication Studies more generally.

chapter 1|23 pages

Rethinking the Evolution Wars

Columbine and mass persuasion

chapter 2|43 pages

This age of propaganda

Media effects and persuasion research

chapter 3|35 pages

Echoing credibility

Source cues and repetition

chapter 4|35 pages

Casting doubt and conspiracies

Asking questions in the Evolution Wars

chapter 5|41 pages

Comparisons and suppression

The contrast principle, negativity, and scarcity effects

chapter 6|32 pages

Three kinds of lies

Statistics, jargon, and social consensus

chapter 7|21 pages

Cues, culture, and moral values

Assessing the hypotheses

chapter 8|29 pages

From science-skepticism to intervention

Enhancing pro-evolution communications