Third of Americans Say Evidence Has Supported Darwin's Evolution Theory

Gallup.com ^ | 11/19/04 | Gallup

[jcsmonogram]

GALLUP NEWS SERVICE

PRINCETON, NJ -- Some 145 years after the publication of Charles Darwin's The Origin of Species, controversy about the validity and implications of his theory still rages. Darwin personally encountered much resistance after his book was published in 1859. Seventy-nine years ago, the famous Scopes Monkey Trial in Tennessee brought the issue of exactly where human beings came from into sharp public focus in the United States. Indeed, as recently as this month, a court case in Cobb County, Ga., dealing with the treatment of evolution and creationism in school textbooks received nationwide publicity. November's National Geographic Magazine asked on its cover: "Was Darwin Wrong?" and then proceeded to devote 33 pages to answering that question.

Darwin might be surprised to find such debate still raging nearly a century and a half after he published his book. He might also be surprised to find that even today there is significantly less than majority agreement from the American public that his theory of evolution is supported by the evidence.

Gallup has asked Americans twice in the last three years to respond to the following question about Darwin's theory:

Just your opinion, do you think that Charles Darwin's theory of evolution is –  [ROTATED: a scientific theory that has been well-supported by evidence, (or) just one of many theories and one that has not been well-supported by evidence], or don't you know enough about it to say?

[jcsmonogram]

Pretty interesting reading

[odoso]

Anyone ever read a book titled "How to Lie with Statistics"

When will they (Dem/Libs) learn... LOL

[skip_intro]

Aren't these polls ever going to go away? There's almost as many being posted now as there were before the election.

[Question Liberal Authority]

Do they actually publish National Geographic Magazine or does it just sort of spontaneously appear in thrift stores for a nickel a copy?

[Born to Conserve]

Now ask them if evidence has supported Newton's theories.

The actual poll results were about 1/3 yes, 1/3 no, and 1/3 I don't know.

[Question Liberal Authority]

Aren't these polls ever going to go away? There's almost as many being posted now as there were before the election.

With the same percentage of people thinking Kerry's going to win the election.

[jcsmonogram]

Actually if you read a little further down, when asked about God creating man 10,000 years ago, you get about half agreeing with that.

[trubluolyguy]

Reading this article I am once again forced to ask when was the last time monkey turned into man? Anyone seen a blue-eyed ape recently? And finally, from MXC on Spike tv;

I love the species that flings it's own feces!

[js1138]

If it's really 1/3, the trend is up.

[montag813]

Why are people of faith so afraid of Darwin? I fail to see how it is incompatible with belief in God.

[onedoug]

I don't see any conflict with my Old Testament fundamentalism.

[N. Theknow]

Well, you know, I was raised as an atheist and I have always supported evolution and everything, you know, and like even in the last election I voted for Darwin, but you know, I just have a problem with evolution these days.

I mean like how come humans are the only species to climb out of the prehistoric goop and like evolve into a higher species which can communicate with a spoken AND written language and have opposing thumbs?

I mean, it kinda like makes you wonder how come? Like not only did humans evolve but they changed from living in water to breathing air and then developed legs and lungs.

Gee, I just don't know if I can support Darwin anymore with all these things that are troubling me.

Signed,
A seminar caller to the "evolution" network

< /sarcasm >

[bella1]

The Dems are proof that some are still evolving out of primordial slime.

[lugsoul]

Now you've done it.

[Blowtorch]

Is that you Chelsea Clinton?

[Chummy]

Sure, but what about the exit polls?

[b2stealth]

This is just great:

"Yet, this is not just any theory. It is one of the most basic theories in science today, and most biologists and other scientists believe that the theory is so well supported by data that it is a basic part of the scientific firmament. As National Geographic stated in its November cover story: "The evidence for evolution is overwhelming." "

Hmm.. ok, so how the first living organism was created???
I want to see some "overwhelming evidence"!

[tkas]

It is the abuse of those who believe that God is responsible for our being that is the source of the political fallout. There are people who believe in intelligent design, or natural selection who wouldn't dream of poking fun at creationists, but most do. Even those who do believe in pure Darwinism could do so without abusing or making fun of others, but generally they don't. The fish with the word Darwin inside (on the back of cars) is simply demeaning, as does teaching the theory in a way that precludes the presence of a Creator. They are being intolerant of those who believe differently than they do.

[BillT]

The biggest reason is that if Darwin is correct then Jesus lied, which is impossible as he is God and knows everything.

[Southack]

Two thirds or more of this world once observed that the Sun revolved around the Earth, per their firsthand evidence.

Yet they were wrong...