Entry 560, on 2007-06-25 at 18:19:30 (Rating 4, Religion)
A recent poll run in the US found the following beliefs amongst Republicans. When asked about their attitude to evolution 18% said it was definitely true, and 35% thought it was probably true. When asked about creationism (which was defined as the belief that humans were created in their current form in the last 10,000 years) 39% said it was definitely true and 27% thought it was probably true. In a separate question only 14% thought god had no part in human development, and over 80% thought god played a part, with more than half of those thinking god created humans in their current form.
Well, aren't those stats fascinating. I heard the stats specifically for Republicans, but I don't think other political groups would be significantly different so I'm going to aim these comments at Americans in general (although not all Americans of course).
First, the belief isn't even self consistent. How can over half think evolution is true, but about 66% think creationism was true. I suppose its possible that some might think that god created humans within the last 10,000 years but evolution still happened. Hey, nothing's too crazy for these people!
But a more significant problem is the simple fact that so many people reject evolution. Only 18% thought life appeared through entirely natural means. I suppose if you believe in god you have to go with that belief, but such a large percentage believing humans were created in their current form within the last 10,000 years is just insane.
Well, actually they probably aren't really insane because the majority of people just don't care. In fact I get the impression that many are proud of their ignorance. So its probably just pure lack of knowledge which leads people to take the lazy way out and believe some ancient myth which has been completely discredited many times over. I suppose it doesn't affect their daily life so why worry about whether its true or not?
I do despair somewhat over this though, because if such a large percentage of people are so willing to accept such blatant nonsense as Genesis how can we ever hope for a democratic system, where the majority theoretically rule, to work? How can we trust anyone to make a sensible voting decision when they demonstrate lack of sense by saying the world is 10,000 years old? We can't of course, which is why most political leaders are such idiots. People get the leaders they deserve.
Other countries shouldn't be too complacent though, because what happens in the US affects everyone and the general level of knowledge in many other countries isn't anything to be too proud about anyway!
Comment 1 by du01 on 2007-07-04 at 19:54:41:
I wonder what sort of affiliation these Republicans really have with the party? Many Republicans have been distancing themselves from the party because of the behaviour of certain high-level politicians.
Comment 2 by SBFL on 2008-08-27 at 23:05:24:
Evolution vs Religion
. . . a confusing "TRUTH" clarified:
A little girl asked her father: "How did the human race appear?"
The father answered, "God made Adam and Eve; they had children; and so was all mankind made."
Two days later the girl asked her mother the same question. The mother answered, "Many years ago there were monkeys from which the human race evolved."
The confused girl returned to her father and said, "Dad, how is it possible that you told me the human race was created by God, and Mom said they developed from monkeys?"
The father answered, "Well, Dear, it is very simple. I told you about my side of the family, and your mother told you about hers."
Comment 3 by OJB on 2008-08-28 at 20:17:00:
Yes, I've heard that one before, except with the two sides reversed. I thought it was moderately amusing!
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