Most Americans Agree with Evolution [new poll]

Angus Reid Consultants ^ | 01 September 2006 | Staff

[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.

[Texas Eagle]

Okay. So I guess that makes the THEORY of evolution a fact.

I wonder how many people believe Pluto is a planet.

[phantomworker]

What's scary is if the margin of error is 3 per cent, more adults in the United States might NOT believe the theory of evolution is correct.

[Coyoteman]

===> Placemarker <===

[coton_lover]

Well then, I and my family are in that 42% and proud of it!

[freedumb2003]

You think niceness is on the wane eh? :)

Niceosity is always under attack.

[andysandmikesmom]

Niceosity...now theres quite a word...

[Radix]

"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. "

 

Another poll taken, directly after the Pew researchers, indicated that most of the original responders were unaware that the free coffee and donuts were unconditional, and completely unrelated to their responses.

 

Coincidentally, my own poll, which I took some while ago confirmed 100% that General Motors Service Departments were run by jerks.

 

 

[Wormwood]

I'm really surprised it's not higher than 51. :~)

Surprised? I'm disgusted.

But I'm not surprised in the least.

[HairOfTheDog]

Ah - well the day ended well then. :~)

[Coyoteman]

Sorry for the double post; loooooong delay times tonight.

[Revolting cat!]

Most Americans believe in astrology. And Jesus.

[okstate]

Actually the same poll that said Bush would win 51-48.

Of course, when the ballots were tallied, rounded to the nearest percent, Bush won, 51-48.

Pew called it exactly

[HairOfTheDog]

Eh - I save disgust for weightier matters. And although it's an unpopular point of view, 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. ~Let the class discuss it, and stop trying to hush one or the other in class~. Any student is going to find both points of view in the world, they ought to find it in school. That's the way it was taught to me 20 years ago and no one was broken by it.

[babygene]

I wouldn't consider 51% most.

[Oztrich Boy]

Some people think that niceosity ia a prefectly cromulant word. Others think that it is not. Which of these comes closest to your view?

	Jul. 2006	Jul. 2005
Niceosity...now theres quite a word...	51%	48%
Never a word	42%	42%
No Habla Ingles	7%	10%

[Coyoteman]

...although it's an unpopular point of view, 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. ~Let the class discuss it, and stop trying to hush one or the other in class~.

Are you suggesting teaching non-science and anti-science in science classes based on poll results?

I would have to disagree with that strongly.

[Doctor Stochastic]

I wouldn't consider 51% most.

I take it you don't watch the Senate very often.

[Phocion]

In my dictionary here, a definition of "most" is "the majority of". "Majority" is defined as "a number or percentage equaling more than half of a total". Therefore, calling 51% "most" seems to make sense to me.

[I still care]

If it had been 51% favoring evolution, the headline would have been "Americans evenly split".

I've seen it over and over again.

[Oztrich Boy]

but not wnough to actually read the posted article