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June 1st, 2012
03:46 PM ET
Survey: Nearly half of Americans subscribe to creationist view of human originsBy Dan Merica, CNN (CNN) - Forty-six percent of Americans believe that God created humans in their present form at one point within the past 10,000 years, according to a survey released by Gallup on Friday. That number has remained unchanged for the past 30 years, since 1982, when Gallup first asked the question on creationism versus evolution. Thirty years ago, 44% of the people who responded said they believed that God created humans as we know them today - only a 2-point difference from 2012. "Despite the many changes that have taken place in American society and culture over the past 30 years, including new discoveries in biological and social science, there has been virtually no sustained change in Americans' views of the origin of the human species since 1982," wrote Gallup's Frank Newport. "All in all, there is no evidence in this trend of a substantial movement toward a secular viewpoint on human origins." The second most common view is that humans evolved with God's guidance - a view held by 32% of respondents. The view that humans evolved with no guidance from God was held by 15% of respondents. Survey: U.S. Protestant pastors reject evolution, split on Earth's age Not surprisingly, more religious Americans are more likely to be creationists. Nearly 70% of respondents who attend church every week said that God created humans in their present form, compared with 25% of people who seldom or never attend church. Among the seldom church-goers, 38% believe that humans evolved with no guidance from God. The numbers also showed a tendency to follow party lines, with nearly 60% of Republicans identifying as creationists, while 41% of Democrats hold the same beliefs. Republicans also seem to be more black-and-white about their beliefs, with only 5% responding that humans evolved with some help from God. That number is much lower than the 19% of both independents and Democrats. According to Newport, a belief in creationism is bucking the majority opinion in the scientific community - that humans evolved over millions of years. "It would be hard to dispute that most scientists who study humans agree that the species evolved over millions of years, and that relatively few scientists believe that humans began in their current form only 10,000 years ago without the benefit of evolution," writes Newport. "Thus, almost half of Americans today hold a belief ... that is at odds with the preponderance of the scientific literature." The USA Today/Gallup telephone poll was conducted May 10-13 with a random sample of 1,012 American adults. The sampling error is plus or minus 4 percentage points. |
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The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
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I believe in the Big Bang Theory. Good math, good physics.
Let there be light...and God found it was good. Thanks Fr. LaMatrie.
The big bang was light (and other things). Seems big bang and the Bible agree at that point.
People will do and say anything to cling to power.
Yes...funny how so many people claim that religious believe the world is only 6,000 years old. The Father of the Big Bang Theory is a Belgian Priest, Fr. Georges LaMatrie. The Catholic Church completely supports this and teaches it.
My guess is the people that tout this misconception are the ignorant ones.
Hugo, out of all of the elements of physics, light was one of the last things that started to show clearly in the Universe, at the recombination epoch. It took light almost 300,000 years before photons could be generated and light could shine up in the Universe (while all other elements matured within one millionth of a second after the Big Bang). Even atoms and basic stellar physics formed before the light began. So no – light was never a part of the Big Bang, it was a much, much, much later effect of atoms causing photons to whiz around. I'm agnostic and do not fully rule out religions, but I'm sorry – the phrase 'let there be light' has no relation to Big Bang. In fact, most of the other religions give a better description of Big Bang (like hindu idea of cycles of the universe, or the islamic idea where their god just says 'happen' to start the universe, etc, etc)
Fearful people need a guiding hand to make it threw their life.
Every Day a new I wonder about beeing existent at all. And at the same frequence I look into all sorts of sientific journals to keep up with recent findings in any field. Thats what I do to find answers. I don´t fear anything coming after my life on earth. If God exists, God will forgive me anyway. Why? I don´t repeal the Idea of God to be existent, the only thing is I don´t see suficient proof of it. And if God rules everything it should be no Problem to provide some.
Any form of believe is just opinion. I haven´t heard of any believe that wasn´t contradicted by another, so each of them is worth the same, or nothing.
My suggestion for a regular reading, National geographic, Sientific American, Eric Kandel, Stephen Hawking, etc.
Have peaceful Day with reading them
You might try a dictionary also. Spellcheck works in a pinch.
Don't forget the dictionary tomorrow. It will help you with your....spelling and grammer.
Josh's spelling and grammar may be atrocious but what he's saying is actually rather intelligent.
This figure is absolutely startling. What does it say about our educational system if nearly half of all Americans believe that the world is only 10,000 years old? If we are not careful, we could see a return to something akin to the Dark Ages, which set humanity back hundreds of years as we rejected outright scientific truths and wasted time learning them again. While the exact science of evolution is not 100% demonstrable, the age of the earth IS. There is nothing wrong with believing in a God that guided the evolutionary process. But believing in an Earth that is only 6-10,000 years old is unbelievable nonsense. Our kids deserve better than this.
Funny think about a 6,000-year Universe is that it is wrong by a factor of 2.2 million. That's hard to reconcile! Bolstering the education system is a very good start, but turning 13.7 billion years into 6,000 years takes more than sloppy arithmetic. It takes cultish zeal.
It's fascinating that humans are set apart from the rest of nature by their ability to think and talk about not only their own existence, but their history, their future, and even about the possibility of a creator. As clever as chimpanzees and dolphins are, they don't have these sorts of discussions. Nor do they consider the past or future to the extent that mankind does. We humans are truly unique in nature. I appreciate the logic and science behind the idea of the evolution of life on our planet. But then again, it's difficult to make the leap and embrace a point of view that has no answers for the incredible uniqueness of humankind.
I wonder what the outcome would have been if the entire southern United States had no input.
So 46% of the people surveyed are delusional, believe in a supreme make believe friend and that talking to yourself with your hands clasped will grant wishes while reading a book written by unknown nomads in a desert about 1700 years ago.
Sure why not. Ok, the earth was created 5 to 10,000 years ago, and all fossils were faked because man and dinosaurs lived at the same time. I think it's time for 46% of the people to take their medication. I thought it was called "intelligent design" since "creationism" didnt sell.. Wake up, think for yourself and keep your collection plate money...
Christianity is not collection plates or believing in mans thoughts. It accepting Gods Word as the Supreme Authority and trusting in it. You Believe that modern day intelligence overrides Gods Word but Gods Word will stand. Read Revelations 21-22.
Did he use a typewriter, or did he dictate "his word". The argument that since a lot of people believe in this, it must be true is amazing. Does he talk to you lke he talked to Jerry Falwell, Michelle Bachman and Newt Gingrich? What are his plans for John Edwards now? When he drives up in a Cadillac on CNN and says I am here, great. Otherwise we'll have to settle on Morgan Freeman in the movies.
i DO BELIEVE IN MATHEMATIC BUT NOT AS A FAITH MATH DOES NOT CORRECT GODS WORD, i BELIEVE IN DNA BUT ONCE AGAIN IT DOES NOT EXPLAIN CREATION OTHER THAN TO SHOW A SUPREME PLAN OF THE CONTINUED PLAN THAT MAN BEGATS MAN AFTER CREATION.ATOMIC THEORY IS ALSO IN GODS PLAN AND ALL THESE THEORIES ARE GIVEN FOR US TO HAVE UNDERSTANDING OF NOT THE BEGINNING BUT THE CONTINUEING OF MANKIND AND GODS CREATION.
THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So, Tim, what is your objection to evolution? (Again, not what is your objection to conclusions from evolution. I understand such an objection and am not debating that. What is your objection to evolution?)
Hugo I hope you will evaluate your belief in science and ask if your Faith in such will carry you Through at the time of death. Satan will do all he can to cloud your mind with false belief and not in the True God. Look at what God has done for you and seek God!
Tim, or perhaps you don't object to the Theory of Evolution but only to a conclusion drawn from that theory. Could that be accurate? Could it be that you accept both Creationism and Evolution?
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-FyKoU2uRo&w=560&h=315%5D
Tim, I'm not debating God existing. I'm not even saying that God didn't create people 10,000 years ago. I do have an odd theory about the Garden of Eden - in that it didn't exist on the Earth as we know it but instead existed on the Earth as God knows it. (Our brains aren't big enough to understand.)
What I'm debating is that the actual theory of evolution is correct. But I am not saying that Creationism is false. I'm saying your beef with evolution is that conclusion that some people have drawn from the theory and not the actual theory. Do you understand the actual theory?
Here's one of my favorite videos on some of the ways we know the earth is NOT 10,000 years old, but 4.65 Billion: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-FyKoU2uRo
Mark, how do you know that God didn't create the world 10,000 years ago with a bunch of evidence in place indicating the world is 4.5B years old.
In fact, how do you know the world wasn't created 2 seconds ago and God gave you memories of your lifetime?
How can you tell?
The poll results are more of a statement about the lack of education in the US than religion.
lack of education mean, they don't know both evolution and creationism, but the survey say creationism over evolution, which mean they were brain wash.
I evolved from an oyster 50 years ago.
If evolution is correct and man just appeared over time then you would say that after death there is nothing. Gods word states that after death there is a day of great rejoicing for the Christian and a day of sad judgment for the unbeliever. Why is it so hard to not believe Gods word and trust that there is a Supreme Creator that Loves man and wants a relationship with man. This same God has made a plan that all man can know Him and have fellowship with Him. This requires Faith in Him and this comes by believing in wORD
Tim, you aren't answering the questions. Why not? Do you have something to fear? If so, perhaps you should pray first. Ask for words from the Holy Spirit. Then answer the questions.
Here's a great quote for you Tim, “If every trace of any single religion were wiped out and nothing were passed on, it would never be created exactly that way again. There might be some other nonsense in its place, but not that exact nonsense. If all of science were wiped out, it would still be true and someone would find a way to figure it all out again.” -Penn Jillette
A day of great rejoicing for the Christians?? What about the 5 billion on this Earth who are NOT Christian? Are they just "throw-aways"? Your arrogance is astounding.
Tim, I'm going to try to help you. God is all powerful. Right? (I assume you'll answer yes.)
Then God is able to create the world with evolutionary evidence intact. Right? (I hope you'll say yes because otherwise you have to take the position that God isn't all powerful.)
Also, God is able to setup a system where DNA and radiation exist. In that environment mutation will occur. Some mutation will be beneficial and survive and some mutation won't. That's all I need to prove evolution.
It doesn't really matter to evolution is God created the world 10,000 years ago with all the evidence in place. Such evidence would exist and the conclusion wouldn't change.
Evolution doesn't actually say that man evolved from a common ancestor with the apes. Evolution predicts what will happen (statistically) and what the evidence indicated what happen barring supernatural action.
I fail to see why you are against evolution or see a conflict between evolution and Creationism.
Can you explain? (Remember, it doesn't really matter to evolution that God created the world with evidence intact.)
Why is it so hard to grasp that after life there may be nothing? What were you before you were born?
Just look at science's failed attempts to explain satellites, fossil fuels, nuclear reactors, hospitals, electricity. These are all clearly explained by Creationism. Science – WHAT A BUNCH OF MULARKY! Wake up people. Creationism. Word.
For those who think that everyone who rejects evolution is uneducated, I am an educated American who has taken numerous advanced chemistry and biology courses and I have a Master's and a doctorate. I am not an expert in science by any means, but I am also not an idiot. While I do not believe people the Earth is only 10,000 years old, evolution does not make sense to me for many reasons, one of which is its reliance on mutations. I believe that if people read more deeply about evolution, they will see that it is a nonsensical proposition. People who believe in evolution should be more tolerant of others who hold different beliefs. Yes, you cannot see God but you also cannot see evolution. Take care.
Perhaps with those science classes, you'd be up to answering my questions. Or will you run?
Position on atomic theory?
Position on the existence of DNA?
Position on mathematics?
Being "educated" doesn't rule them out from being an imbecile. Yea, what do you think of DNA, and radiocarbon dating? It must be a bunch of Tom Foolery! There's a man in the sky that made everything! You're right! That makes SO much more sense.
Take a look in the mirror. Are you aware that the size of the human skull is still evolving? Our brains are becoming larger than they were 200 years ago. Our bodies are larger and our children are reaching puberty sooner. Yes these changes can be attributed to some environmental factors. But changing environments are what drives evolution.
Amir, if mutations do not take place and do not get mass-forwarded into new generations, then how do you explain the junk DNA in our bodies that was useful in the past but now has gone useless, the goosebumps, Extra Ear muscles, Plantaaris Muscles, The recent trends where humans in many cultures have stopped growing the useless wisdom teeth, the third eyelid, the Coccyx (why do we have this little tailbone, just a funny design flaw ? in case we never had a tail) ? Why is all of this stuff in our bodies that is now either diminishing or has no use at all ? Why do the corpses of our far ancestors so radically different to our own, if we were all created at a single point in time ? Of course we evolved ! What other proofs do you need ? I'm a finance professional and even I know this stuff ... Being a medical expert, I thought you'd know better about this stuff than I do !
I wonder if a Creationist is ever going to answer one of my direction questions...
I believe that science does not override scripture. Miracles are things that occur and can not be explained by man. I believe in science but I believe in Gods word more.God created the world out of nothing, That being the case he does not need theories to do it.
Oh, maybe I got a nibble. Regardless of what you believe, you didn't answer the questions.
Tim, we could start with the easy question. What is your position on math. Math isn't science so you didn't even address it.
Can 1+1 be anything other than 2?
As long as I'm on math, can God lie?
The question the poll didn't ask was "What is the age of the Universe?" It's even easier to disprove a 6,000-year Universe than a 6,000-year human race. The root of Creationism is fear. There is a mindset that if one part of the belief structure is flawed, the whole structure might topple like a house of cards. The old-Earth, pro-evolutionist theists need to speak up and proclaim there is life beyond biblical literalism.
Actually, it sort of did. The questions were:
1) Human beings have developed over millions of years from less advanced forms of life, but God guided this process?
2) Human beings have developed over millions of years from less advanced forms of life, but God had no part in this process?
3) God created human beings pretty much in their present form at one time within the last 10,000 years or so?
Answers 1 and 2 accept evolution over millions of years.
Answer 3 is within the last 10,000 years or so ~ 6,000 years fits there.
32% of Americans are your pro-evolutionist theists.
Stipulating that a lot of people belive in God, I don't understand why there aren't more people in this category, and why there are so many literalists.
I don;t think most of the creationists even know or study about what's out there in the Universe. If they adhere to the Bible version that says there is a god sitting up there and that's all, then of course they'll write off the whole universe as 6000 years old. Although if they knew the humongous vastness of space out there – and how the earth, the solar system and even our galaxy even do not count as 'anything' on the scales of the universe's vastness, then they might be more compelled to rethink their idea that everything was created 6000 years ago.
Wow, it takes alot of faith to believe the we just came into existance and evolved into what we are today. I choose to believe that God made us along with all the other stuff that proves HE created the universe and all that is in it. Just look into the night sky and you cannot argue that there is a highter power that keeps it all streight and not crashing into each other. Easy for me to believe in a God that created us and all we enjoy today, and it dosent take much faith to do so, just common sense !!!!
Yea, who needs all that science and evidence and education, right? God placed those dinosaur bones to test your faith, uh huh
Gravitation formed all the objects in the night sky. Momentum (and a lot of empty space) stop the stars and planets from crashing into each other. One doesn't "choose" to believe in science. One simply follows the available evidence. Oh, and common sense does not get you very far in science, much of which is counter-intuitive. Common sense used to tell us the Earth was flat.
I think you do "choose to believe in science". I think there are a lot of good reasons to do so, but it is intrinsically a belief.
Science should not be confused with truth. It is our best explanation based on the evidence and our ability to measure things. It is subject to change with new evidence and new theories.
Common sense? If we relied on common sense we wouldn't have discovered quantum mechanics. Without quantum mechanics, no transistor. No transistor means no integrated circuit. No IC means no computer on your desk. That means you, Sydney, didn't make the post I'm replying to. But you did.
Common sense just got trashed. Please don't use it ever again to defend a position involving science.
Actually, I can look into the night sky and reject a creator, because I have an understanding of elementary physics.
As a born again Christian I choose to believe Gods word that teaches God created the world in 6 literal days. I also believe that mankind will face that same God some day and find that mans way to try and explain away God will ultimately cause his personal demise. God created the world and sent his only begotton Son to die for the world. I also believe that after 3 literal days that Gods son arose from the grave. THis is taught in the scriptures. Read John 3:16, Romans 10:9-13. May the Lord open your eyes to Gods truth of His plan for man and Gods Plan of salvation.
OK, Tim.
What is your position on atomic theory? Do you accept it or not?
How about DNA? Accept it or not?
Mathematics? Accept it or not?
Hugo,
I've seen your same response more than once. Your questions have nothing to do with wether we came from non-living chemicals and they are nothing more than red herrings.
1) What is your position on atomic theory? Do you accept it or not?
Response) Accept it. There are some unknown things about the strong and weak forces and also what gives mass to the atom. Things known about the atom are repeatable and testable and observable. Unlike evolution where all creatures are supposed to come from a common ancestor. Evolution is neither repeatable, testable, nor observable. I'm not talking the false but common argument for evolution which is just variation within kinds. Finches are still finches. I'm talking about the kind of evolution necessary for a common ancestor – adding useful information to a genome to add new features such as would turn a scale into a feather.
2) How about DNA? Accept it or not?
– Accepted. The most beautiful computer program ever written. There is nothing out there in the scientific world that is repeatable, observable and testable, which explains how non-living chemicals would come together with the same chirality to form DNA and from that a living cell. On this point there is 0 evidence that evolutions can point to.
3) Mathematics? Accept it or not?
Accepted. My B.S. degree was in Mathematics. I still haven't quite figured out if mathematics is discovered or created.
Jiddy, you are correct but you miss my point.
My argument actually breaks down to this - that which is most likely to happen is most likely to happen. I'm sure you know what that is in mathematics.
Put in evolutionary terms, those genes which give their organisms a competetive advantage will tend to dominate the genome (over time).
HAHA, lazy kids don't paid attention in school so god did it...
speaking from experience?
oh yeah, because it's so clear we came from those monkeys over there in that cage.
Well, okay, maybe some of the people in this chat. Now THAT is plausible.
Evolution by natural selection doesn't assert that we came from "monkeys over in that cage".
It says we humans, and apes, evolved from a common ancestor. Not the same thing.
"God", Americans are ignorant.
If you are going to attack evolution, at least attack what it actually says and not something someone made up about it. OK?
Well, I still have yet to see substantial geological evidence to support this.
Na, what do you mean by "this?" Could you please work on being clear?
The fact that we evolved from the same ancestor as an ape
Thanks for the clarification. Why do you think geological evidence is necessary?
Do you accept that DNA and radiation exist as advertised?
If you're suggesting that we evolved from monkeys, it's evident that you've exerted no effort in understanding evolution at al.
Sorry, submitted previous message before I could correct "all."
Well, I had been wondering how so many Americans could possibly fall for the idiotic rhetoric of politicians like Rick Santorum, Rick Perry, Michele Bachmann, and Sarah Palin. After learning the results of this poll, I'm no longer wondering.
The correlation between ignorance, and voting Republican, is staggering.
You mean like how Obama said he was going to close Guantamino prisons...
..and weren't the troops supposed to be totally out of Iraq and Afghanistan?
Or how Obama was against Gay marriage until Romney came out of the GOP primaries tied with him in a few polls. Now he needs the LGBT community and he is suddenly for Gay Marriage ...I mean in talk at least.
to nate and schmoogalicious: you are absolutely right spot on! I am astounded by the results of this poll! the state of education in America's schools today is shockingly low. and what is so outrageous is the smug acceptance by the 'born again' types that 'God will provide and protect me'.