Poll shows belief in evolution, creationism

[DigitaLVampirE]

WASHINGTON — Majorities of Americans in a new USA TODAY/Gallup Poll say evolution and creationism are both likely explanations for life on Earth — underscoring the complexities of an issue that has put Republican presidential candidates on the spot in recent weeks.
Two-thirds in the poll said creationism, the idea that God created humans in their present form within the past 10,000 years, is definitely or probably true. More than half, 53%, said evolution, the idea that humans evolved from less advanced life forms over millions of years, is definitely or probably true. All told, 25% say that both creationism and evolution are definitely or probably true.


POLL RESULTS: Public views on the origin of life on earth

Geoffrey Layman, a politics and religion expert at the University of Maryland, says people are trying to reconcile science and religion. "They might believe the science, or they might see the science as hard to dismiss, and they don't necessarily take Genesis to be literal," he says. "But they do think that God played some role in directing this evolutionary process."

At a May 3 debate of GOP candidates, Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback, Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo and former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee indicated they did not believe in evolution. The subject has arisen repeatedly since then.

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Brownback wrote last week in The New York Times that "man was not an accident" and that he accepts parts of evolution consistent with that belief. Huckabee told reporters Wednesday that "for me it's as simple as 'In the beginning, God created the heavens and the Earth.' "

Nearly three in 10 in the new poll said they'd be less likely to vote for a candidate who rejects evolution; 15% said they'd be more likely, and 53% said it would make no difference. Huckabee says the issue is not relevant to a White House race and seven in 10 in the poll agreed with him.

Lawrence Krauss, a physicist and astronomer at Case Western Reserve University, said evolution is an important campaign issue. "Evolution happened whether or not a candidate believes in it," he said, and presidents shouldn't let "religious or ideological beliefs trump reality."

By Jill Lawrence, USA TODAY

Gallup Poll results

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[ANDY-J3]

I think there is an element of these candidates saying what some of the electorate wants to hear- a large percentage of Americans believe in the fantasy of creationism so it's an obvious vote winner for candidates in certain parts of the US to express such a belief. Evolution is a proven fact- it isn't just a theory as many people seem to believe but why there is still such difficulty in accepting that in America is a mystery. In the field of biology the US is currently behind many third world countries.

[aNonnyMoose]

A sad indictment on the American education system, I fear...

[oneofthefew]

How can anyone seriously believe in Creationism? Also if there is a significant percentage that believe in both creationism and evolution then why are there only two options in the poll?

[aNonnyMoose]

Are you following me?

[oneofthefew]

Nope, just reading the latest posts rather than looking through the rest of the forum. I'm just lazy I guess!

[aNonnyMoose]

Religious freaks are fun to tease, though. They remind me of Tommy, of Who fame...