22 November 2004

Poll on evolution

Gallup poll: Third of Americans Say Evidence Has Supported Darwin's Evolution Theory.

I don't know why, but I expected the headline to read "Two-thirds of Americans Don't Believe Darwin's Evolution Theory." I guess it depends on how the question was asked ... although that still doesn't explain my impulse. The findings:

  • 33% believe Darwin
  • 33% believe it's one of many theories and is not supported with evidence
  • 33% don't know enough to choose
  • 45% believe god created man 10,000 years ago
  • 33% believe the bible should be taken literally

The poll results are register-and-pay, but this article has some more details and comparisons with the same poll from three years ago.

In Evolution's "High Priest" Returns With New "Tale" from National Geographic News, Richard Dawkins said:

I know perfectly well that these people are not stupid but ignorant. Ignorance is no crime and it is easily cured by education. What annoys me is the religious groups who actively work to prevent scientific education. And it doesn't just annoy me. It annoys respectable theologians who worry that creationism besmirches the reputation of true religion.
[ posted by sstrader on 22 November 2004 at 2:03:28 PM in Science & Technology ]