Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Most Americans Agree with Evolution [new poll]
Angus Reid Consultants ^ | 01 September 2006 | Staff

Posted on 08/31/2006 7:42:01 PM PDT by PatrickHenry

More adults in the United States believe the theory of evolution is correct, according to a poll by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press. 51 per cent of respondents think that humans and other living things evolved over time, while 42 per cent say they existed in their present form since the beginning of time.

Charles Darwin’s "The Origin of Species" was first published in 1859. The book details the British naturalist’s theory that all organisms gradually evolve through the process of natural selection. Darwin’s views were antagonistic to creationism, the belief that a more powerful being or a deity created life.

In the United States, the debate on the topic accelerated after the 1925 Scopes trial, which tested a law that banned the teaching of evolution in Tennessee public schools. In 2004, Georgia’s Cobb County was at the centre of a controversy on whether science textbooks that explain evolutionary theory should include disclaimer stickers.

The theory of intelligent design suggests certain biological mechanisms are too complex to have developed without the involvement of a powerful force or intelligent being.

Last month, Austrian cardinal Christoph Schoenborn said the two views are not necessarily incompatible, declaring, "There is no conflict between science and religion, but a debate between a materialist interpretation of the results of science and a metaphysical philosophical interpretation. (...) The possibility that the Creator used evolution as a tool is completely acceptable for the Catholic faith."

Polling Data

Some people think that humans and other living things evolved over time. Others think that humans and other living things existed in their present form since the beginning of time. Which of these comes closest to your view?

Jul. 2006

Jul. 2005

Evolved over time

51%

48%

Existed in their present form
since the beginning of time

42%

42%

Don’t know / Refused

7%

10%

Source: Pew Research Center for the People and the Press Methodology: Telephone interviews with 2,003 American adults, conducted from Jul. 6 to Jul. 19, 2006. Margin of error is 3 per cent.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Philosophy
KEYWORDS: believeinevolution; consensusscience; crevolist; genesis1; niceosity; thewordistruth
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 121-140141-160161-180 ... 501-502 next last
To: Junior

An instant classic.


141 posted on 09/01/2006 3:59:14 AM PDT by PatrickHenry (The universe is made for life, therefore ID. Life can't arise naturally, therefore ID.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 140 | View Replies]

To: PatrickHenry

I have always believed that Jimmy Carter , John Kerry Hillary Clinton , Ted Kennedy , Howard Dead , Jesse , Rev. Al and too many more dimocrats to name , evolved from a lower form of life spieces .


142 posted on 09/01/2006 4:11:46 AM PDT by lionheart 247365 (( I.S.L.A.M. stands for - Islams Spiritual Leaders Advocate Murder .. .. .. ))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ButThreeLeftsDo
However, I work with some folks that did.

I work with some that are still in the process.

143 posted on 09/01/2006 4:13:26 AM PDT by Non-Sequitur
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: HairOfTheDog
I see you on these threads all the time, so I know you find this subject fascinating to debate. I bet you learn a lot about both the subject, and your fellow citizens from such discussion and debate. Let the kids do the same.

Would you complain if the school system decided to teach alchemy as an alternative to chemistry or astrology vs. astronomy in science class?

144 posted on 09/01/2006 4:32:56 AM PDT by RadioAstronomer (Senior member of Darwin Central)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: HairOfTheDog
I'm pretty sure I discussed many of those subjects in classrooms of my youth. Some in high school, some in college.

Not in your HS science classes I would bet. I certainly do not remember studying alchemy when taking an organic chemistry class as an undergrad. (Nor in grad school for that matter)

145 posted on 09/01/2006 4:35:51 AM PDT by RadioAstronomer (Senior member of Darwin Central)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 50 | View Replies]

To: RadioAstronomer
I certainly do not remember studying alchemy when taking an organic chemistry class as an undergrad.

I don't remember that either, although my memories of organic are hazy -- one of those trauma-induced mental coping devices I suspect.
146 posted on 09/01/2006 4:51:30 AM PDT by self_evident
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 145 | View Replies]

To: self_evident

ROFL! :-)


147 posted on 09/01/2006 4:57:42 AM PDT by RadioAstronomer (Senior member of Darwin Central)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 146 | View Replies]

To: jennyp; DaveLoneRanger
Bump to the top so everyone can admire RW's work in post 136 and post 138
148 posted on 09/01/2006 4:59:41 AM PDT by Virginia-American
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 137 | View Replies]

Krebs cycle placemark


149 posted on 09/01/2006 5:00:36 AM PDT by dread78645 (Evolution. A doomed theory since 1859.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 147 | View Replies]

To: jennyp; ml1954

Why don't evos have the nerve to address their placemarkers but instend tend to post their intended to be insulting placemarkers anonymously when everybody knows who they referring to anyway?


150 posted on 09/01/2006 5:13:54 AM PDT by metmom (Welfare was never meant to be a career choice.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 137 | View Replies]

To: LiteKeeper

"other polls reverse the numbers and make it more like 60% don't believe in evolution"

Source???


151 posted on 09/01/2006 5:17:11 AM PDT by Lunatic Fringe (Man Law: You Poke It, You Own It)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: RunningWolf
Ernesto is very illustrative to the limits of technology and scientific knowledge.

And don't forget, Pluto has been recently demoted, too. So much for science not being done but popular vote.

152 posted on 09/01/2006 5:17:46 AM PDT by metmom (Welfare was never meant to be a career choice.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 134 | View Replies]

To: Texas Eagle

Please read the definition of a "scientific theory" before starting the "it's just a theory" argument.


153 posted on 09/01/2006 5:19:00 AM PDT by Lunatic Fringe (Man Law: You Poke It, You Own It)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: babygene
"I wouldn't consider 51% most."

most /moʊst/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[mohst] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective, superl. of much or many with more as compar.

1. in the greatest quantity, amount, measure, degree, or number: to win the most votes.
2. in the majority of instances: Most operations are successful.
3. greatest, as in size or extent: the most talent. –noun
4. the greatest quantity, amount, or degree; the utmost: The most I can hope for is a passing grade.
5. the greatest number or the majority of a class specified: Most of his writing is rubbish.
6. the greatest number: The most this room will seat is 150.

154 posted on 09/01/2006 5:22:33 AM PDT by Lunatic Fringe (Man Law: You Poke It, You Own It)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 34 | View Replies]

To: HairOfTheDog
I think the fairly even nature of this poll represents where our students come, and therefore those who say both points of view ought to be discussed in school are correct.

BUZZ! Oh, sorry... we have some nice consolation prizes for you...

155 posted on 09/01/2006 5:24:05 AM PDT by Lunatic Fringe (Man Law: You Poke It, You Own It)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: HairOfTheDog
I'm suggesting it's rude and confusing to teach a subject that the parents of nhearly half the class don't believe in, without acknowledging those beliefs.

And I suggest that enabling mythological beliefs and ignorance of science in the schools is wrong. If half of parents refused to believe in gravity, would we simply stop teaching it so we don't offend???

156 posted on 09/01/2006 5:27:04 AM PDT by Lunatic Fringe (Man Law: You Poke It, You Own It)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: RunningWolf
Tut-tut. Didn't anyone ever tell you that hotlinking graphics uses up other people's bandwidth and is therefore stealing?
157 posted on 09/01/2006 5:28:07 AM PDT by ahayes ("If intelligent design evolved from creationism, then why are there still creationists?"--Quark2005)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 138 | View Replies]

To: Lunatic Fringe; HairOfTheDog
I think the fairly even nature of this poll represents where our students come, and therefore those who say both points of view ought to be discussed in school are correct.

However, to imply that either faction, ID or Biblical/Koranic/Hindu/Raelian/etc creationism, of the anti-evolution coalition is science is a lie. If a teacher is caught doing this, they should be fired, and, IMO, impeached and convicted by the Legislature so that they can never again be a public employee. Sound harsh? Well, the law specifies that science be taught. Teaching pseudoscience is a violation of the law by a public servant. The way to deal with that is impeachment for high crimes.

Until ID or creationism has produced some testable hypotheses, and passed the tests, and makes more and/or more accurate predictions about experiments and field observations, they cannot be accepted as science. Calls for teaching them as though they were are affirmative action, as well as high crimes.

158 posted on 09/01/2006 5:35:30 AM PDT by Virginia-American
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 155 | View Replies]

To: RadioAstronomer; HairOfTheDog
I sure remember going over alchemy, humors, flat earth, and the geocentric nature of the universe when I was in school. No, they didn't teach is AS science but that's where I heard it. They had time to *teach the controversy*, explain to us why those concepts weren't valid, and still teach us everything we needed to know.

My son had Bio this year and his teacher said he'd rather not even teach evo at all because it's such a hot button issue but that he had to. They spent all of two or three days on it and opened up the discussion to *other* ideas of where life came from.

Then he told them that he was going to teach them what answers they needed to put down on the test in order to be considered *correct*, so they would get it marked right. He didn't care what they really thought and told them not to put down what made sense to them, just put down the answers that they needed to to pass. (So much for teaching kids to think for themselves.)

Public school, BTW.

159 posted on 09/01/2006 5:37:30 AM PDT by metmom (Welfare was never meant to be a career choice.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 145 | View Replies]

To: DaveLoneRanger
The rest of the story:

Only among seculars – who have no religious affiliation – does the majority (69 percent) accept the process of natural selection for evolution.

Which is kind of weird if you think about it -- 31 percent of seculars don't accept undirected evolution.

160 posted on 09/01/2006 5:37:55 AM PDT by Tribune7
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 88 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 121-140141-160161-180 ... 501-502 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson