On Darwin’s birthday, only 4 in 10 Americans believe in evolution

This is exactly what I'm talking about when I go off about the dangers of religion. Before everyone jumps down my throat about being a hate monger (which I'm NOT), pause to consider this information and WHY it is so.

The alternative to evolution is creationism or intelligent design, which many groups are still fighting to be taught IN SCIENCE CLASS next to evolution. I'd bet that the 25% that do not believe in evolution are religious, and the 36% is either apathetic or has been convinced that creationism is also a reasonable explanation. (It's not, at least not from a scientific standpoint!)

The lack of understanding of science in this country is dangerous and sad. While a majority of Americans are more than willing to reap the benefits of modern science in medicine, technology, etc, they will just as soon turn around and call evolution nonsense. Unbelievable!

I kinda believe in evolution, i am a atheist, but looking at nat geo channel on how supposedly turkeys used to be raptors and whales use to resemble aardvarks is nonsense.

Another result of poor leadership. The question is, can Obama undo the damage that's been done?

There's more evidence behind evolution than there is behind much of the science that we take for granted, including the pharmaceuticals we put into our bodies or DNA, for example.

So why is it that people are perfectly accepting of using DNA evidence to convict a murderer, or using DNA samples to prove paternity, yet when it comes to using DNA to show how close various animals are on the family tree, they ignore the science?

A cursory education in American history will reveal that people came to America FOR freedom of religion, BUT they also came here to escape FROM the tyranny of religious oppression.

The reasons behind the creation of the U.S. haven't changed. There is no room for religious intolerance or oppression anywhere, particularly in public institutions, like schools or universities.

How will our children ever compete in the world, much less save the world, if they aren't taught the basics of geology and biology?

The world and the universe are constantly evolving and have been from day one, that is the wonder of God!

So, six out of ten monkeys reject their primitive family members? interesting.

I'm surprised this topic even needed a poll but shocked at the responses if they're accurate. And people wonder why we're in the shit we're in?

IGNORANCE IS BLISS.

So... I am in entrenched in social science research and I need to call into question the validity of their research methods:

"Results are based on telephone interviews with 1,018 national adults, aged 18 and older, conducted Feb. 6-7, 2009, as part of Gallup Poll Daily tracking. For results based on the total sample of national adults, one can say with 95% confidence that the maximum margin of sampling error is ±3 percentage points.

Interviews are conducted with respondents on land-line telephones (for respondents with a land-line telephone) and cellular phones (for respondents who are cell-phone only).

In addition to sampling error, question wording and practical difficulties in conducting surveys can introduce error or bias into the findings of public opinion polls."

Basically, they don't qualify how they SELECTED their sample - geographically, or otherwise. Gallup is smart enough to name a deviation, but they are unspecific about how they generated their pool.

Also, not having an opinion either way - they don't outline the full questioning that lead to ambivalent response. Ambivalence doesn't mean disbelief.

Last, Gallup is a commercial entity: "Gallup consultants help organizations boost organic growth by increasing customer engagement and maximizing employee productivity through measurement tools, coursework, and strategic advisory services."

There has to be a separation of church and state in the information industry, meaning, these bottom-line motivations shouldn't be attached to influencing public opinion.

Is it true that this is just an American problem? What are the beliefs on evolution from around the world?

Although Latin America is mostly Catholic, the Vatican accepts evolution, so there is no problem teaching it in school. Fundamentalist Christian USA, on the other hand...

Well at least the do not believe in Evolution percent is lower than the do believe in Evolution percent.

Hopefully, the human race will evolve* to accept scientific fact.

*rim shot

God made evolution yo. We take the bible to literally sometimes

The good thing is that 95-99% of scientists believe in evolution. Its good to know that the people that are doing our science aren't stupid...

I am not sure which is more astonishing, the fact that 25% do not believe in evolution, or the fact that over 1/3 has no opinion either way.

I am certain that religious superstition and ignorance are responsible for much of the resistance and ambivalence.

What should be a simple fact about the world has been turned into something controversial.

Some people simply do not want to admit that human beings are animals.

People such as religious fundamentalist who have been brain washed since childhood to believe only in creationism have grown into adults who are still ignorant of scientific facts. This ignorance is kept alive by their ministers preaching about the "truth" of creationism. One argument they have is that the theory of evolution is just a theory and therefore not factual. This shows that they don't know the definition of scientific theory. When scientist speak of theory they are speaking of schemes of thought with explanatory and predictive values that have survived the test of detailed examination. Examples are the kinetic molecular theory and atomic theory. These theories along with the theory of evolution form the frame work of scientific thought. Scientist world wide have come to the conclusion that Darwin's theroy is accurate and are working on different elements within the factual information. Unfortunately when one person in this world maintaines their ignorance on something like evolution it makes the totality of mankind one person less intelligent.

This was pretty shocking. I completely understand that creationism has it's place...in religion courses but not in science class. I think the biggest problem with evolution is that most have never looked at it past the idea that we evolved from apes. To most, they take that idea, look at a monkey and think no way. Using the word "ancestor" also confuses people. It's the way the concept has taken form that is the problem. I truly hope education (in this country, the US) returns to it's rightful status as something that is not "elite" but desired and respected.

Evolution versus the Spaghetti Monster theory? Puh-lease.

all the numbers and statistics from a cellular level to an astronomical level..its all cool stuff..but after you break it all down... there still has to be a superior power involved..a simple fact..the second law of thermodynamics states that entropy of the universe always increases..and perpetual motion machines cannot exist..or basically energy doesn't just come from no where...also a good question to ask yourself...is creation all a design or is it by chance..and if it is by chance then look into the probability of everything coming together to form life as it is..and if it's by design then look for a blueprint..aka similarities around you.

Yes, but it is the nature of science that truth and accuracy are the most important parts of learning and knowing. How can we blame the scientific community for wanting to enlighten people about the truth of reality. It is sad that these parents continue to raise their children not to believe things that will have to be retaught by educators. Children deserve to hear what the best minds have to say. How can lack of knowledge have it's place anywhere?

I don't "believe in" evolution either. I have looked at the results of countless hours of work by people studying the theory and can see very clearly that it is true. I can't stand this "believe in evolution" crap. And I really don't think that it's picking nits.

The last sentence in Darwin's Origin of Species is...
"There is grandeur in this view of life, with its several powers, having been originally breathed by the Creator into a few forms or into one; and that, whilst this planet has gone circling on according to the fixed law of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being evolved."
According to Darwin you can believe in a Creator and evolution. While it may seem religion is the problem to some. I believe the problem is not being able to think outside the box. Faith and science can go hand in hand.

I don't think the word believe should be used in the title. I don't believe in evolution, I accept it based on the evidence. Just as I accept the chair I am sitting on based on the fact that I am sitting on it.

It's interesting but not unexpected that a much larger percentage(74%) of postgraduates accept evolution. It also makes sense that more(49%) of the 18-34 age group accepts it. A large section of that age group has been able to easily access the internet for much of their lives, which often puts forth a contrary position to that of their religious parents.

But just 21% in "High school or less" said yes? That's just sad.

i hope so lazer_bean