Evolution Less Accepted in U.S. Than Other Western Countries, Study Finds

[scott1]

People in the United States are much less likely to accept Darwin's idea that humans and apes share a common ancestor than adults in other Western nations, a number of surveys show.

A new study of those surveys suggests that the main reason for this lies in a unique confluence of religion, politics, and the public understanding of biological science in the United States.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/08/060810-evolution.html"

 

[pcorbett]

So I guess there's no downside to rejecting the notion that human beings share common ancestors with other species.

 

[Gokul43201]

So I guess there's no downside to rejecting the notion that human beings share common ancestors with other species.

Based on what study?

 

[Evo]

So I guess there's no downside to rejecting the notion that human beings share common ancestors with other species.

Yeah, like there is no downside to rejecting the fact that the Earth is round or truth in general. No, no downside at all to being abysmally stupid.

 

[Schrodinger's Dog]

Hardly a shock since something like 96% of US citizens are religous, might as well of had a pole asking if the US was a country in North America? Would of been more revealing, and anyone who got it wrong could be weeded out of the population by "natural" selection i.e. thrown to the lions.

 

[neurocomp2003]

a better question would have been where are Canada and mexico relative to US. or what are the 12-13 provinces of Canada. Love those types of questions on jeopardy

 

[George Jones]

or what are the 12-13 provinces of Canada.

How many provinces?!

 

[jtbell]

How many provinces?!

I count either 10 or 13, depending on whether you include the territories:

Newfoundland (& Labrador)
Nova Scotia
PEI
New Brunswick
Quebec
Ontario
Manitoba
Saskatchewan
Alberta
British Columbia
NW Territory
Yukon Territory
Nunavut (territory)

Aside: Does your browser support the Inuktitut language?

http://www.gov.nu.ca/inuktitut/

It works for me in Foxfire 1.5.0.2 (MacOS).

 

[Schrodinger's Dog]

Wrong Quebec isn't part of Canada

 

[Astronuc]

Wrong Quebec isn't part of Canada

Well at least they (or some) try not to be.

 

[Smurf]

Hardly a shock since something like 96% of US citizens are religous, might as well of had a pole asking if the US was a country in North America? Would of been more revealing, and anyone who got it wrong could be weeded out of the population by "natural" selection i.e. thrown to the lions.

Lots of countries are more religious than the US. I don't think that alone means much at all.

 

[selfAdjoint]

Lots of countries are more religious than the US. I don't think that alone means much at all.

Not among the "other western nations" that were considered in the study. The US is WAY more religious than the countries of Western Europe. This includes famous Catholic countries like Ireland, Poland, and even Italy.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

Not among the "other western nations" that were considered in the study. The US is WAY more religious than the countries of Western Europe. This includes famous Catholic countries like Ireland, Poland, and even Italy.

And much of it is not just any religion, it's fundamentalism.

I've spent a lot of time in the South in recent years: Scary stuff!

 

[Schrodinger's Dog]

Lots of countries are more religious than the US. I don't think that alone means much at all.

Well in order to prove this assumption you would have to show that countries that are secular have no difference in their belief or disbelief in creationism between more religous countries, and frankly It would take a lot of internet searching, I'm not sure you'd find much because the US is the only country that cares enough about the issue to produce figures about this topic, and that I'd say is precisely because of fundementalist lobbyists.

However what I can say is that the loudest voices on the creationism debate are US citizens and they are fundementalist in the main. So this deep rooted religous backbone to the US I would say is very relevant. Unless you can show me why religion isn't an important factor in deciding whether you believe in Evolution or something else, considering the only other theories come from religion; Creationism, ID, Budhism and Hinduism, and Vodon and Celtic mysticism(or druidism) Etc, etc, etc. all have creation myths.

AAMOI I wonder what Muslims believe?

 

[Bystander]

'Tain't religion --- it's "self-esteem" and "outcome based education."

 

[ptabor]

I've spoken to many so called bible thumpers, who accept the bible as the literal truth of creation.

I think the reason they accept this is that it is static - the ideas of science are constantly in revision - as if that's a BAD thing.

I think the problem has multiple roots. The first being tradition. Many people in this country are religious, and as children don't want to be ostracized from their social group so they pile in rank and file to the creationism camp.

Later on in life they are failed by the public school system that does not require science education in the later years of high school. Evidence is evidence in so far as it does not contradict the all mighty book of genesis.

This lack of education (specifically on the fundamentals of the scientific method) leads students to accept all sorts of straw man arguments about evolution (ie we evolved from apes) to the point where any rational person would have to reject "evolution" (read: straw man arguments not the actual theory).

As an aside - off topic - students in america are also not capable of digesting relatively complex economics. This is why we fall prey to the demogoguery of "tax the big oil companies! they make too much money!". Take 10 high school graduates and ask them the difference between profit and profit margin and I'm willing to bet 10 of them cannot.

 

[Bystander]

Hardly a shock since something like 96% of US citizens are religous, might as well of had a pole asking if the US was a country in North America? Would of been more revealing, and anyone who got it wrong could be weeded out of the population by "natural" selection i.e. thrown to the lions.

http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=237

______________________________________________________________

The christian fundamentalists here seem to outdo even the Islamic ones at times-although they have not resorted to detonations---yet.

Few abortion clinics, might throw Ok. C. into the category, few other incidents that are a little tough to account for motive-wise --- killing each other over cartoons in Danish newspapers? No. Dancing in the streets over the '04 Xmas quake & tsunami? No. Wearing ski masks, kidnapping, extortion, pushing people in wheel chairs overboard from cruise ships? No.

'Nuff with the off-topic hijack attempt --- 20-30% of the population attends church regularly (whatever that means), and what fraction are "fundamentalist" to the point of literal interpretation of Genesis --- we'll go with half (fewer than 10% if I've read religious demographics correctly), and that accounts for the ignorance of 15% of the total population. Still got to come up with another 35% to match the NG figure --- might be a "geriatric" pop. fraction in there (age and impending mortality affect some peoples' views), prison evangelism --- doubt it's any more effective than other rehabilitations --- and ain't going to pick up more than tenths of a percent, what else? Public schools: pass 'em on; less is more; whole language; outcome based; respect other peoples' opinions (even when they're totally wrong); never trust your own judgment, but find an "authority" to help you make decisions; group-think; the whole, "touchy-feely," socially engineered nine yards.

 

[Schrodinger's Dog]

By religous I mean believe in God. I supose I should of made that clear. For example My mother is deeply religous but has never attended church other than for marriages, christenings etc. Interesting we have a high proportion of liars here in the UK, thanks for the info

On topic it does throw up the question of are these people simply trying to fit in or do they really disbelieve Evolution? Be fair at least Ptabor has remained on topic and posed a very interesting question, which I have gratuitously almost plageurised.

 

[Bystander]

(snip)On topic it does throw up the question of are these people simply trying to fit in or do they really disbelieve Evolution?(snip)

$64k question. Near's I can tell, the poll gave three options, "believe, disbelieve, and don't know;" run three no-name candidates for some insignificant public office in this country, and you'll get the same "tri-"furcated vote breakdown --- people pick one answer at random --- the "dunnos" (ca. 20%) times 3 is my estimate of "random" responses; means true "believers" are 28 - 20, or 8%, true "disbelievers" are 52 - 20, or 32% --- still scary, but a little closer to church membership and attendance. Other national results? How many people are answering to "go along with the crowd," official positions, because they feel a certain answer is expected? Tough poll to interpret.

 

[Schrodinger's Dog]

Mmm interesting do they give a +- statistical error value? I know they do that with political poles, I believe it's 2.5%.

 

[Anttech]

Not among the "other western nations" that were considered in the study. The US is WAY more religious than the countries of Western Europe. This includes famous Catholic countries like Ireland, Poland, and even Italy.

Well Greece (If you classify Greece as 'western') is more religious and also Cyprus than the states. Greece is the most religious country in Europe, it is completely intertwined into the culture, for millennia.

 

[Schrodinger's Dog]

Actualy what I meant to say was it's 2.5% margin of error for number of votes, actually it works out more like a figure of +-5% of totals. If they know the poles are going to be off by 20% it's hard to see why they'd bother.

Now all we need to know is how many people in Greece disbelieve evolution? Any thoughts...

 

[Anttech]

Some but its not the norm, from my personal experience. They are in general well educated. To a degree that it is a problem, there are to many Degree holders for jobs positions in Greece now.

 

[Gokul43201]

$64k question. Near's I can tell, the poll gave three options, "believe, disbelieve, and don't know;" run three no-name candidates for some insignificant public office in this country, and you'll get the same "tri-"furcated vote breakdown --- people pick one answer at random --- the "dunnos" (ca. 20%) times 3 is my estimate of "random" responses; means true "believers" are 28 - 20, or 8%, true "disbelievers" are 52 - 20, or 32% --- still scary, but a little closer to church membership and attendance. Other national results? How many people are answering to "go along with the crowd," official positions, because they feel a certain answer is expected? Tough poll to interpret.

About a year or longer ago I posted the results of a poll by Zogby (I think) that asked Americans if they believed in things like (i) common ancestry from Adam and Eve, (ii) immaculate conception, (iii) heaven and hell, etc. I think I remember a surprisingly large percentage (closer to 50% than to 25%, I think) of respondents saying they believed all these things to be true. Can't seem to find that thread anymore!

Couldn't find what I was looking for but ended up finding original sources for the poll mentioned in this thread (and another similar one):

http://www.discovery.org/scripts/viewDB/filesDB-download.php?command=download&id=719

http://www.harrisinteractive.com/harris_poll/index.asp?PID=581

From the Harris poll:

A majority of U.S. adults (54%) do not think human beings developed from earlier species, up from 46 percent in 1994.

Bingo! Found the other poll I was talking about - it was done by Harris.

http://www.harrisinteractive.com/harris_poll/index.asp?PID=112

Some results from that poll:

[b]TABLE 1

BELIEF IN GOD, AND OTHER SUPERNATURAL FORCES, PLACES AND EVENTS[/b]

"I will read you a list of things some people believe in. 
Please say for each one if you believe in it, or not."

                                   [b]ALL ADULTS(%)[/b]

God                                     94

Heaven                                  89

The resurrection of Christ              86

The Virgin birth (Jesus born of Mary)   82

The devil                               72

Hell                                    73

 

[Astronuc]

The christian fundamentalists here seem to outdo even the Islamic ones at times-although they have not resorted to detonations---yet.

Timothy McVeigh was influenced by some so-called fundamentalist or 'apocalyptic' groups, or possibly some 'Christian Patriot' groups, a term which may apply to some anti-government or supremacist groups. McVeigh's action (bombing the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_City_bombing) was in part his retaliation for the 'Waco' incident in which followers of David Koresh and Koresh himself died in a fire after a standoff with US government law enforcement.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Koresh
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Branch_Davidians

 

[George Jones]

About a year or longer ago I posted the results of a poll by Zogby (I think) that asked Americans if they believed in things like (i) common ancestry from Adam and Eve,

Reminds me of the start of Martin Chuzzlewit by Charles Dickens.

"As no lady or gentleman, with any claims to polite breeding, can possibly sympathize with the Chuzzlewit Family without being first assured of the extreme antiquity of the race, it is a great satisfaction to know that it undoubtedly descended in a direct line from Adam and Eve"

 

[George Jones]

I count either 10 or 13, depending on whether you include the territories:

The territories are not provinces; provinces and territoies are subject to different rules. I think something similar happens in the U.S. For example, the U.S. Virgin Islands is not subject to NAFTA, so when I worked there, I needed an H-1B visa, but when I worked in West Virginia, I needed only TN status, since, as a state, West Virginia is subject to NAFTA.

 

[DaveC426913]

The territories are not provinces; provinces and territoies are subject to different rules.

Yeah, Canadians know that. They also know that they can't think of a single practical distinction between the two, and treat them as synonymous in all situations except trivia questions.

 

[JasonRox]

About a year or longer ago I posted the results of a poll by Zogby (I think) that asked Americans if they believed in things like (i) common ancestry from Adam and Eve, (ii) immaculate conception, (iii) heaven and hell, etc. I think I remember a surprisingly large percentage (closer to 50% than to 25%, I think) of respondents saying they believed all these things to be true. Can't seem to find that thread anymore!

Couldn't find what I was looking for but ended up finding original sources for the poll mentioned in this thread (and another similar one):

http://www.discovery.org/scripts/viewDB/filesDB-download.php?command=download&id=719

http://www.harrisinteractive.com/harris_poll/index.asp?PID=581

From the Harris poll:


Bingo! Found the other poll I was talking about - it was done by Harris.

http://www.harrisinteractive.com/harris_poll/index.asp?PID=112

Some results from that poll:

[b]TABLE 1

BELIEF IN GOD, AND OTHER SUPERNATURAL FORCES, PLACES AND EVENTS[/b]

"I will read you a list of things some people believe in. 
Please say for each one if you believe in it, or not."

                                   [b]ALL ADULTS(%)[/b]

God                                     94

Heaven                                  89

The resurrection of Christ              86

The Virgin birth (Jesus born of Mary)   82

The devil                               72

Hell                                    73

Are you serious?!

I don't know whether or not I believe in God or not. It makes no sense to me to argue about it or even ponder about it. Whatever conclusion you come up with will ultimately make no logical sense.

I don't believe in Heaven though. I'm so shocked at how 89% of people can believe in Heaven. That's just absurd.

I'm not surprised though considering the fact that most Americans want instant gratification and this life of materialism (American dream). What's even more sad that most people think they are good enough to go to Heaven, which I totally disagree. I have met very few people that I think would qualify for Heaven if it existed. A lot has to do with the fact that these people do things regardless of the existence of Heaven.

Anyways, I'd like to say more, but I don't want to rant on.

 

[DaveC426913]

I'm so shocked at how 89% of people can believe in Heaven. That's just absurd.

I'm not surprised though considering the fact that most Americans want instant gratification and this life of materialism (American dream).

Not to rain on your shock but I'm pretty sure the "belief in Heaven" was around a year or three before " the American Dream" came along.

 

[selfAdjoint]

Not to rain on your shock but I'm pretty sure the widespread "belief in Heaven" predates " the American Dream" by a year or three.

In a general way, but the history of religion is non trivial. The "Great Awakening" with its implied promise of easy access to heaven (contra the Catholics, Calvinists, and others) only occurred after the American Revolution.

 

[DaveC426913]

How dare you misquote me.

 

[Astronuc]

Joseph Tracy, the minister and historian who gave this religious phemonenon its name in his influential (and still, to many, definitive) 1842 book The Great Awakening, saw the First Great Awakening as a precursor to the War of Independence.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Awakening#Influence_on_American_political_life On the other hand, I strongly doubt the first Great Awaking was a strong influence on Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, Madison, Jay, and many others who were inspired to take up the Revolution against the King of England.

The first Great Awakening was apparently established in 1740, and followed the activities of Jonathan Edwards from 1731-1739.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Great_Awakening
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Edwards_(theologian)

Most historians agree that the revolutionary era began in 1763,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Revolution

However, while it would appear that this thread has drifted off course from the OP, which was concerned with the fact that evolution is less accepted in America, the rejection of evolution by many in America is the result of the evolution of religious belief that precludes acceptance of evolution.

 

[Kalimaa23]

Turn out they just did the same poll over here in a popular radio show

What do you think about evolution?

86% Of course I believe in evolution, it seems to most logical explanation
06% It's a possibility, but I'd rather believe that God created us
08% I don't buy it, I think it went differently.

People were shocked (and I as well) that SO FEW people over here think evolution is correct!

 

[Rach3]

Mmm interesting do they give a +- statistical error value? I know they do that with political poles, I believe it's 2.5%.

Hey, can't a Pole be political without being accused of error?