(no subject)

[disneydream06]

I guess I am use to being in the minority.
I am kind of mixed on this issue. Although I do believe in God, I also believe in the theory of evolution. I don't think Man and Dinosaurs lived together. As for creationism, if you want to teach/learn it go to parochial schools.


In the 150 years since he published his groundbreaking On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, and the 200 years since the date of his birth celebrated this week, Charles Darwin has failed to convince the majority of Americans of the validity of his theories; an August 2006 survey by the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life and the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, found that 63% of Americans say they believe that humans and other animals have either always existed in their present form or have evolved over time under the guidance of a supreme being while only 26% say that life evolved solely through processes such as natural selection. A similar Pew Research Center poll, released in August 2005, found that 64% of Americans support teaching creationism alongside evolution in the classroom.

Comments

[maymorning.livejournal.com]

Well, I'ma Pagan, so I do believe in some form of Divine being. But I also believe in evolution. I've never thought that the two were contrary in any way. Mind you, I also believe that we originated on Mars, so, y'know.

I'd say that it would be harder for the creationist folks to get a foothold in UK schools, but sadly, I think this may be one facet of the US that we may adopt one day eventually.

[thespian15.livejournal.com]

One of the things that saddens me about Christianity here is, they/we are the prodominant(sp?) religion, and yet they are so afraid all all other religions and non religious. Atheists have tried for decades to get In God We Trust taken off our money and out of our Pledge. Does anybody serious think that will ever happen? Not me. And let's admit it folks. The In God We Trust wasn't there to start with. It was all added in later years.
I am really surprised there isn't a bigger Isolationist movement in this country. Blah.............

[tintaglia30.livejournal.com]

Oh gods, that's depressing!

[thespian15.livejournal.com]

You can say that again. :o

[silverfae.livejournal.com]

Well, look who did the "research"! I wouldn't take it at face value.
I would imagine you'd get a much different result if the survey were done by say.. MIT.

[thespian15.livejournal.com]

Ahh, I didn't even pay attention to that. Thank you so much pointing that out. :)

[bozotkutya.livejournal.com]

Interesting....

[peccavo.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure how much creationism you'll find in US parochial schools. I'm a good catholic boy, and the former pope stated that evolution was fact and in complete accord with catholic dogma-- while creationism is considered a 'poetic' understanding of God's love.

I'm sure the statistics are skewed. There are many creationists in the US, more than in any other civilised country-- but not that many.

[thespian15.livejournal.com]

I thought the numbers seemed awfully high. Must have only questioned people below the Mason Dixon Line. :p

[peccavo.livejournal.com]

My friends in GA told me their biology book came with a big sticker on the cover saying that evolution was 'only' a theory and not conclusive 'truth.' Talk about ridiculous.

[thespian15.livejournal.com]

I think I would have to ask for another book, and keep asking for books until they gave me one without the sticker. ARGH..............

[whobyfire78.livejournal.com]

I don't see those numbers as particularly depressing. For one thing, "evolved over time under the guidance of a divine being" should NOT be lumped in with, "humans and animals have always existed in their present form." One can believe in evolution through Natural Selection while still believing that the process was/is guided by a divine force, or at least originally set into motion by said divinity.

And while I no longer classify myself as a Christian and haven't for some time, I think it's important to emphasize that the majority of Christians are not represnted by the intolerant fringe you speak of, any more than the majority of athiests are militant assholes. As with any group of people, the extreme fringe is the most heard because they're the most vocal, but even that is slowly changing. The majority of mainline Christian denominations do not reject evolution, and are quite tolerant of other faiths to varying degrees.

[peccavo.livejournal.com]

Sort of a spin on this, I prefer to think that evolution is a manifestation of the divine.

[owlstorm_9]

Too deep. My head hurts now....

[thespian15.livejournal.com]

*pass the Tylenol*

[owlstorm_9]

thanks!