Majority of Republicans Doubt Theory of Evolution

[sabra]

Source: Gallup

PRINCETON, NJ -- The majority of Republicans in the United States do not believe the theory of evolution is true and do not believe that humans evolved over millions of years from less advanced forms of life. This suggests that when three Republican presidential candidates at a May debate stated they did not believe in evolution, they were generally in sync with the bulk of the rank-and-file Republicans whose nomination they are seeking to obtain.

Independents and Democrats are more likely than Republicans to believe in the theory of evolution. But even among non-Republicans there appears to be a significant minority who doubt that evolution adequately explains where humans came from.

The data from several recent Gallup studies suggest that Americans' religious behavior is highly correlated with beliefs about evolution. Those who attend church frequently are much less likely to believe in evolution than are those who seldom or never attend. That Republicans tend to be frequent churchgoers helps explain their doubts about evolution.

The data indicate some seeming confusion on the part of Americans on this issue. About a quarter of Americans say they believe both in evolution's explanation that humans evolved over millions of years and in the creationist explanation that humans were created as is about 10,000 years ago.

Read more: http://www.galluppoll.com/content/?ci=27847

---

[maxsolomon]

1. anyone else find the 37% of democrats who "don't believe" disturbing?

who the hell is Gallup calling?

[Hand]

2. I'd find 1% of ANYBODY disturbing. nt

[DixieBlue]

9. Me too.

nt.

[robinlynne]

4. Yes. not only that; it looks as if half of the country does NOT believe in evolution

(i.e. science, i.e. reality)...
I doubt that is possible.
althought it would explain how we walked so quickly into fascism with nary a whimper....

[endarkenment]

10. 40% of democrats. 37% of independents. And yes it is disturbing.

Both numbers. Even more disturbing is that vast majority of Republicans.

[Supersedeas]

15. my thoughts exactly

[YOY]

14. I smell a BS poll...thank you Gallup.

No self respecting Dem would think that. I wonder how they worded it...

[damntexdem]

24. Here in Texas, there are Democratic pols in office who attack evolution.

But it's still only the state GOP that puts anti-science planks into its state platform.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

50. no wonder our country is in such shit.

especially with the texas mafia running the administration of this country into the ground.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

79. I'm smelling with you...

Based on a roughly one-third distribution (1/3 Republican, 1/3 Democratic, 1/3 Independent) this poll would indicate that barely half of Americans accept evolution. I know that roughly half the country is dumber than a sack of doorknobs, which explains the Bush Administration, but I'm sure these numbers are not right.

On Edit: Further Google research indicates that, I'm sorry to say, these numbers might actually be correct. Multiple polls -- including a poll in Great Britain -- indicate that only a slim majority (if that) accept the Theory of Evolution.

No wonder this world is so fucked up.

[Barrett808]

21. The great irony is there's never been more evidence in favor of evolution than now

Mountains of evidence from Genomics support evolutionary theory, while at the same time providing startling new insights into the mechanisms of gene transfer. It's so strange that ignorance should thrive in such a rich environment of knowledge.

[slackmaster]

69. Yes, it means Democrats as a group are only slightly less ignorant than Republicans

Which doesn't surprise me at all.

[BOSSHOG]

3. Those who don't believe in Evolution argue against global warming by

saying the earth has heated up naturally and cyclically by orbiting a tad bit closer to the sun, EVERY SEVERAL HUNDRED THOUSAND YEARS. On that part they are right.

white men can do no wrong, the conservative argument in a nutshell.

But what about that 40% of dems??

[tandot]

5. Here is a useful website for the anti-evolution crowd:

Join the Flat Earth Society

The Flat Earth Society is always pleased to welcome new members into its ranks. After all, the organization has been around for 451 years. If we failed to allow outsiders to join us, the whole organization wouldn't really be able to last too long, now, would it?

But we also cannot take the risk of simply letting anyone in that feels so inclined. Followers of Efimovich's teachings are always eager to infiltrate our group and undermine what we are trying to accomplish. So, to deal both with the painstakingly time-consuming task of interviewing each individual applicant separately, and to avoid being overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of those wishing to be a member of the Flat Earth Society, we have developed an easier way to screen applicants, and get them out and working in as short a time as possible.

To that end, we have put together this survey. Fill in every blank below, and then press the "Send" button to transmit your application for approval by one of our fine Flat Earth Society officers. The results will be sent back to you as pass/fail only, and you should receive notification and further instructions within two weeks.

---> sign up here : http://www.alaska.net/~clund/e_djublonskopf/Flatearthsociety.htm

[uberllama42]

73. Wow I actually thought the F.E. Society was for real

until I got to the part about gravity. This is a parody with impressive internal consistency.

[slackmaster]

85. Here's one that's even more bizarre - Geocentrism

I'm a little weak at reading between lines and connecting dots, but I think these people are actually serious:



http://www.geocentrism.com

[tandot]

95. I wonder how many Republican flat-earthers have ordered that CD

:evilgrin:

[shain from kane]

6. Give it another 1,850 years. Or maybe 4,850 years.

Creationism, The Bible --- an idea that is, say 5,000 years old.




On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or The Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life (usually abbreviated to The Origin of Species) went on sale to booksellers on 22 November 1859.

[LiberalFighter]

61. The Bible is less than 2000 years old

[greyl]

70. Huh? Please check again. nt

[Nihil]

72. Why? He's right.

Now *some* of the episodes in it are quite a bit older but many
chapters were created less than 2000 years ago - many of the older
ones having interesting revisions along the way - while the collection
maintained through the ages (even in its more historical versions)
is still less than 2000 years old.
:shrug:

[uberllama42]

74. The ideas about creation in the Bible are much older than

2000 years, however.

[Nihil]

77. Not disputing that in any way ...

... nor getting into the source of most of the stories for that matter;
I was merely commenting on the sub-thread relating to the book itself ...

[Javaman]

88. when was the bible written...

here is the answer to everything! Our new modern bible...google.

http://www.carm.org/bible/biblewhen.htm

[LiberalFighter]

94. Actually that has the dates the books, letters, etc were individually written.

[Nihil]

96. I trust there was an implicit "sarcasm" in your post ...

... especially when the site linked to describes itself as

> ... a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose purpose is to
> equip Christians and refute error. The faith once for all
> delivered to (sic) the saints is under attack all over the world.
> More and more we need to know the truth and be able to articulate it.

and follow it up with

> It should be obvious that the biblical documents, especially in the
> New Testament documents, are superior in their quantity, time span
> from original occurrence, and textual reliability.

... (thus conflicting with many Christian (and non-Christian) experts
on the subject) ... and ...

> The question is not into documents a reliably transmitted to us.
> In the question is whether or not the biblical documents record
> actual historical accounts.

I love the way they "articulate it" ... it gives me such confidence
in their historical accuracy ... :P

[LiberalFighter]

81. Nope don't have to check.

The process for creating the Bible began around the 4th century CE.

[shain from kane]

97. I'll let you choose whatever date with which you are comfortable. My point was that we are measuring

a theory, or, basically, a group of ideas, that is only 150 years old in comparison with the claim of a much older religious belief system that has been promoted for centuries.

To the Republican debaters that did not believe in evolution, I would say --- you may not believe in evolution, but your great-great-great grandchildren will.

[LiberalFighter]

99. That's the problem... beliefs are beliefs that have not been proven

Scientific theories can be as old as 1 month old and would have more validity than a religious belief because they have been tested. There are theories that are much older than evolution only because

1. A set of statements or principles devised to explain a group of facts or phenomena, especially one that has been repeatedly tested or is widely accepted and can be used to make predictions about natural phenomena.
2. The branch of a science or art consisting of its explanatory statements, accepted principles, and methods of analysis, as opposed to practice: a fine musician who had never studied theory.
3. A set of theorems that constitute a systematic view of a branch of mathematics.


Theory as religious side use does not apply to scientific theories.
6. An assumption based on limited information or knowledge; a conjecture.

Religious beliefs have been more than just promoted. They have been enforced. They have intimidated others to believe or face retribution and/or loss of life.

[azurnoir]

7. Well I guess inf they're (the GOP) speaking

for themselves, they're right!! Oh yah G-D created the earth WITH fossils already present to test our faith or some such.

[NoodleyAppendage]

8. The difference lies in Magical Thinking vs. Realism

I'm convinced that most, if not all, religious tenets and eschewing of science is grounded in a deep seated fear of life and its viscissitudes. Essentially, those evolution-doubting folks are scared shitless of reality and that life on Earth is filled with "grey" areas on a full-range of subjects.

Believing in something that purports certainty over uncertainty is a psychological defense.

J

[Yavin4]

11. WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER!!

You are 100% correct, NoodleyAppendage!! Religion is primarily a psychological defense to the reality that we all are going to die. On the individual level, it's a death coping mechanism. On a societal level, it's a means to control an entire population of people. For example, Christianity was adopted by the Romans as the state religion because of its control over the poor and the slaves.

[Arugula Latte]

16. Agreed. I wish more people could see the dogma and superstition for what it truly is.

:thumbsup:

[Ishoutandscream2]

44. "it's a death coping mechanism." EXACTLY!!

So very, very true.

[Marnieworld]

17. And it's that same mentality that the GOP appeals to

It's so scary dealing with nuance. It's much more comforting to say fight them over there so we don't have to fight them over here. The terrorists hate us for our freedom. America is safer with George Bush. All votes are counted. There are no conspiracies. True? No. Comforting? You bet. The anti-science/evolution crowd is always the same percent as his approval rating. To admit that they may have been mistaken about him or any of his policies would be tantamount to doubting the existence of God for them. Too frightening to bear. I'd pity them if they weren't fucking everything up for the rest of us.

[Barrett808]

26. I think you could invoke "cognitive dissonance" in your analysis

Cognitive dissonance is uncomfortable, especially for people who have no education in critical thinking skills.

[DBoon]

31. or reason vs. dogma

one group is always questioning and thinking for themselves

The other group believes what they are told and is too terrified to question

Guess which group believes in evolution? Guess which group votes republican?

[DuaneBidoux]

57. I would say not realism, but rationalism.

Evolution also has occured in cultural modes of thought. First there was animistic and magical. This was followed by mythical and then mythical/rational (where many people such as these Republicans are now--it simply means you try and use rationalism to prop up your mythical beliefs). After that cultures and individuals evolve into rational (probably a country that would qualify would be Sweden). Some believe that rationalism is not the final step of cognitive evolution by any means but that there is instead modes of being on that variously called, transrational, nondual, mystic-rational, etc.

[NoodleyAppendage]

60. Agreed. It should be "Magical Thinking vs. Rationalism"

Point well taken...

J

[uberllama42]

76. That's what religion really breaks down to

My reading of Christianity in particular is that it relies on an elaborate metaphysical construction to protect its adherents from the knowledge that their suffering will be unredeemed and that there is no purpose behind the physical and emotional anguish of life on earth.

This comes largely from my exposure to Nietzsche. Unfortunately N looked at science the same way- according to him it is just another grasp at permanence, in the fatuous tradition of all Western thought. I see science as a courageous endeavor focused on critical examination of the world and greater understanding of human suffering, but also human circumstances and human capabilities.

"For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring." -- Carl Sagan

[NoodleyAppendage]

93. I love that Sagan quote. I may have to use that one. Sums up things nicely.

Cheers.

J

[LiberalFighter]

83. Religion is a form of government

It is a way to control people

[LiberalEsto]

12. Obviously that's because

Repugs have yet to evolve!

[melody]

13. Gallup methodology sucks

Check out what is meant by "evolution". If there is any openness to a non-causal
mechanism (which even a lot of anthropologists are open to) behind evolution, where
are the respondents ranked? The questions are way too squishy and crafted to give
philosophically "correct" answers.

But anyone who'd buy the current Republican BS will believe in anything.

[sinkingfeeling]

18. Congratulations USA! You're now officially number ONE with the most people to be

total superstitious fools!

[Socal31]

53. I dont know about that......

You are telling me we are the only country with religion-freaks? You might need to dive into world culture a little before you make sweeping statements like that. Last time I checked there were a couple conflicts going on because of "My God V. Your God"

[aquart]

19. Good reason to exclude them from top universities.

But, hey. There's always Regent.

[Bitwit1234]

20. Well when you think about this

what in the world happened for something to evolve into George W. Bush.

[FloridaJudy]

A Top Secret Recombinant DNA Experiment That Failed

"There are some things, my good Dr. Frankenstein, that man was not meant to know..."

[Acadia Blue]

22. The also doubt science unless it benefits them. Watch them flee

to other countries for stem cell treatments that will help their illness. Ignorance is their bliss.

[damntexdem]

23. As stupid as Americans are ...

Republicans are stupider than the rest.

Oh, joy. ;-)

[depakid]

25. All I need to know is that source = Gallup

No credibility.

[daleo]

27. This is obviously a difficult point for some people

There is a lot of doublethink going on (or flat out confusion regarding the question):

3% said evolution is definitely true, and creationism is also definitely true.
5% said evolution is probably true, and creationism is also definitely true.
1% said evolution is definitely true, and creationism is also probably true.
14% said evolution is probably true, and creationism is also probably true.

So some 14% of the sample held internally inconsistent views. It is like saying you believe that the earth is round and flat at the same time.

[Bretttido]

34. Those numbers make sense to me

I don't believe those 14% of people necessarily have internally inconsistent views. I'm not sure how someone would answer the survey who believes that life was created 6,000 years ago but also continues to evolve.

[OnionPatch]

45. Here's the deal

I know tons of people, mostly of liberal leaning, that believe in evolution but also believe in creation. In fact, the majority of people I know believe this. They all suggest that the time-line in the Bible is probably different than the way we measure time now (or corrupted by numerous translations). They feel that the story in Genesis is actually more of metaphor than literal fact and that it parallels the idea of evolution quite nicely aside from the time-line: God created light first, then water, then the plants and animals and so on....most of it fits the theory of evolution quite well if you don't take the Bible so literally or rely on the translated timeframe. God created us all....and evolution was the tool he used to do it with.

Makes enough sense to me. :shrug:

[Mz Pip]

54. Carl Sagan

wrote a Putlizer Prize winning book call "The Dragons of Eden" where Genesis as a metaphore for evolution is discussed.

Sometimes I think we are returning to another Dark Ages with these anti science, anti common sense folks weilding more power than they should ever be entitled to. It's scary.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[daleo]

55. The questions were pretty explicit though

They phrased it as "humans evolved over millions of years" vs "humans were created within the last 10000 years".

I understand what you are saying, though. I have heard that interpretation referred to as "theistic evolution" or "deistic evolution". A forced choice survey generally doesn't capture those sorts of subtleties.

[Duppers]

71. a sideline

The problem with religion and evolution is how to ascertain when, how, and what species of apes, humanoids, or DNA grouping developed a 'soul.'

After all, animals cannot have 'souls'. :sarcasm:

[eridani]

68. How do you define creationism?

Scientists define evolution, but there are many different notions that are subsumed under the heading of creationism. If you think that God is the inventor of natural law and that evolution is an expression of natural law, saying that you believe in both evolution and creationism isn't logically inconsistent.

[truth2power]

28. Americans are profoundly ignorant when it comes to science..

and those Republican candidates who said they didn't believe in evolution top the list.

When asked that question, instead of pandering to the troglodytes who are their base, they should have had the courage to say that evolution isn't about "belief." And that "theory" to a scientist means something quite different than the meaning as used in everyday conversation. People who confuse the two are either ignorant or deliberately misrepresentating the issue. The scientific theory of evolution has withstood repeated testing to the point of widespread acceptance by the reputable scientific community.

I wish someone with brains would lay this issue to rest, once and for all. There's science and then there's belief. People have a right to "believe" anything they please, but they shouldn't confuse that with fact-based reasoning.

As Judge Jones stated in his opinion re: Kitzmiller v. Dover "...while ID <Intelligent Design> arguments may be true, a proposition on which the Court takes no position, ID is not science." p. 64.

[dysfunctional press]

30. when it comes to science-

has no business being in your subject line.

[truth2power]

32. LOL!!...

:rofl: Touche!

[tmlanders]

42. When I was on a plane approaching Hawaii

the captain came on and told us to look out the window at the 3,000,000 year old Hawaiian islands. The guy next to me, in the window seat, looks at me and says "how does he know how old those islands are". I replied that it was probably carbon dating and geology and stuff. He just looked at me like I had 2 heads and says "that stuff doesn't work!" I just had no words to reply to his comment.
:banghead:

[daleo]

56. Yet he trusted science enough to sit in an airplane, thousands of feet above the ground

I wonder what the Bible says about aircraft? Surely flight is the province of God and angels alone.

[uberllama42]

75. And the Flying Spaghetti Monster n/t

[LiberalFighter]

82. Could had responded... how do you think they confirmed

the dates of some of the religious artifacts?

If he still didn't believe then the dates are all wrong.

[tmlanders]

92. If I wasn't so dumbfounded

and had not been on airplanes for 12 hours I guess I could have responded. But this guy was the first person I had ever met who was so clearly anti-science. Sheltered life here in Massachusetts, I guess!

[DBoon]

29. modern medical science is firmly based on evolutionary biology

Maybe those who do not believe in evolution should abstain from using antibiotics, vaccines, etc. developed by science and should instead rely on faith alone

Like another good argument - Why don't oil companies hire "creationist geologists" to find oil? If biblical creation is true, then why don't mineral extraction companies use the bible instead of science when prospecting?

[OnyxCollie]

41. There was a great Doonesbury cartoon that addressed that.

A man is being examined by a doctor. The doctor says to the patient, "You have a serious disease. Before I prescribe drugs to you, I have to ask: Do you believe in evolution?"

"Why do you ask that?" the patient replies.

"Because if you don't believe in evolution, I'll prescribe the drugs that were used to treat your illness before the strain mutated into a more resistant variation."

"Tell me about the drugs."

"They're intelligently designed."

[LiberalFighter]

84. It sure doesn't take long for those strains to mutate

Those that believe in ID should be treated with cave magic medicine

[kimmylavin]

33. "who doubt that evolution adequately explains where humans came from"

But a 2000 year old book's got all the answers on this???
Yikes!

[LibertyorDeath]

35. Rec! needs one more for the greatest

If even close to accurate

This is sickening and scary.

[jhain]

36. Majority of Republicans are assholes. n/t

[rexcat]

90. It would appear that a large minority of Democrats and Independents...

would also fit the bill!

[jollyreaper2112]

37. Doonsbury solution for these people

They don't wanna believe in science, they don't have to make use of it. Cut the power to the house, don't go to the doctor, live like a backwards stone age primitive fuck. If you are going to share the fruits of our god Science, you'd better worship at his temple.

[ananda]

38. proof positive..

.. that the USA educational system is so broken.

[arewenotdemo]

39. Idiot knuckledraggers are living proof of evolution

[bamacrat]

40. Because they are still stuck in the monkey stage.

When they make it to human they will see.

[hunter]

51. No way, this is a human thing.

Monkeys don't doubt REALITY for the sake of some story. Hand a monkey an apple and he will eat it.

Eve wasn't stupid, she wanted children. Adam was psychotic, and he was always resentful that Eve had dragged him away from his impossible dreams.

But he ate the apple anyways, and it was good.

Now a monkey would have been very pleased to eat an apple, and maybe found some more fruit to please his wife in return.

Instead crazy fucker Adam claimed that his imaginary world had been horribly upset, and blamed Eve and his dick for all his troubles. He "couldn't help himself, she was naked," and all that.

Then someone wrote his story down and every crazy fucker Adam since then has latched onto that sad story and repeated it.

Give the monkeys some credit, man. They live in the real world. Many humans don't.

[BootinUp]

43. Now I'm kinda curious what a DU poll would reveal.

:freak:

[slackmaster]

89. It's been done

There are some sincere Creationists and evolution doubters on DU.

[hunter]

46. Wallowing in extreme ignorance, and proud of it...

If the United States was a person, it would be a demented old man with a shotgun, sitting on the front porch screaming nonsense and obscenities at the people passing by, and occasionally shooting them dead.

It's a damn shame he is still the sheriff, and nobody is brave enough to have him committed.

[EVDebs]

47. Pope John Paul II and now Pope Benedict 'believes in evolution'

Pope Benedict 'believes in evolution'
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/worldnews.html?in_article_id=447930&in_page_id=1811

pandering to a 'base' can't beat the facts, dear Republicans.

[Roland99]

48. I have but ONE thing to say in response to this poll.....

BAA-AAA-AAA-AAA-AAA!!!

[Ian David]

49. And my wife yelled at me for telling my daughter that! n/t

[truthisfreedom]

52. More proof that thugs are knuckle-draggers... They don't believe in evolution because they didn't

evolve.

[DuaneBidoux]

58. Has anyone ever seen acceptance of evolution by educational attainment?

I think that in general republicans are less educated than democrats. What is really wacky however is that there are more independents (albeit slight) that accept science than dems.

[muriel_volestrangler]

63. Acceptance of evolution increases with education; belief in creationism decreases

See Table 7 here: http://www.harrisinteractive.com/harris_poll/index.asp?PID=581

"What is really wacky however is that there are more independents (albeit slight) that accept science than dems". Why? Independents think for themselves, more or less by definition. So do most Democrats, I believe (though you may get a few 'hereditary Democrats', more gullible than average). Republicans are very gullible.

[progressoid]

59. This just in...the sky is blue.

[LiberalFighter]

62. Is it really? Or is it a different color if the atmosphere was removed?

[progressoid]

64. Dang - I knew somebody would call me on that one.

note to self: next time, use different metaphor to state the obvious.

[RadiDem]

65. They never add 'and that means every human is descended from Adam & Eve'

and that 'Eve was carved from Adam's rib'. I bet if they did, the numbers would go down. A little.

[BushOut06]

66. Personally, I'm beginning to doubt the validity of evolution

Millions of years of human existence, and we come up with this?

[WildClarySage]

80. the exception that proves the rule?

the missing link?

the very definition of 'throwback'?

[LiberalFighter]

86. That is called in-breeding

[ismnotwasm]

67. What a bunch of monkey brains

Apologies to monkeys everywhere, of course.

[LeftishBrit]

78. Wow - Republicans need dragging into the 20th century, never mind the 21st!

Well, observing their president DOES make it difficult to believe in evolution. But it also makes it difficult to believe in intelligent design!

[slackmaster]

87. Britons unconvinced on evolution - BBC News

Just under half of Britons accept the theory of evolution as the best description for the development of life, according to an opinion poll.
Furthermore, more than 40% of those questioned believe that creationism or intelligent design (ID) should be taught in school science lessons.

The survey was conducted by Ipsos MORI for the BBC's Horizon series.

Its latest programme, A War on Science, looks into the attempt to introduce ID into science classes in the US....

It's not just us - About as many Brits as US Democrats are backward on this. Full article at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4648598.stm

[NeedleCast]

91. Wow, 40% of Dems

That's really surprising. Well, maybe it's not, but I'm surpirsed by that number.

As a Christian, I've always wondered why other Christians have such a hard time believing in evolution. I mean, the evidence is pretty clear. You don't get to be a theory without a lot of fact to support the idea. I've never seen crreationism and evolution as directly opposing each other. God creates the big bang and laws of physics, everything else happens on it's own. I guess what I'm talking about would be considered intelligent design, but it's a far cry from bible stories like Adam and Eve.

[superconnected]

98. The majority of republicans didn't evolve as far as the rest of the human

race either.

And, one of them is still a chimp!

[BreweryYardRat]

100. And the majority of Republicans are mindless, simpering fools, barely a step up from the apes.

Honestly, people, it's a fairly simple, understandable theory.