Poll: Most Republicans Reject Evolution

Gallup Survey Finds 68% Of Republicans Disbelieve Scientific Explanation Of Creation

(AP)  The three Republican presidential candidates who indicated last month that they do not believe in evolution may have been taking a safe stance on the issue when it comes to appealing to GOP voters.

A Gallup poll released Monday said that while the country is about evenly split over whether the theory of evolution is true, Republicans disbelieve it by more than 2-to-1.

Republicans saying they don't believe in evolution outnumbered those who do by 68 percent to 30 percent in the survey. Democrats believe in evolution by 57 percent to 40 percent, as do independents by a 61 percent to 37 percent margin.

The poll also said that those who go to church often are far likelier to reject evolution than those who do not. Republicans are likelier than Democrats or independents to attend church services, according to Frank Newport, editor in chief of the Gallup Poll.

At the GOP's first presidential debate last month, the 10 candidates were asked which of them did not believe in evolution. Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo raised their hands.

The Gallup survey, conducted May 21 to 24, involved telephone interviews with 1,007 adults. It had a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

[gunownerdan]

Who needs modern scientific understanding when you've got ancient religious dogma!
Welcome to the "DARK AGES PART II".
And don't forget, THE EARTH IS FLAT TOO!

[omega39-2009]

The flaw in evolution is that most chimpanzees are smarter than Bush.

[bobnjersey]

don't accept that planet rotation/solar system theory either ... the earth IS the center of everything!

[mosesnoses]

This is not surprising considering the Republican's anti-science propaganda machine. The same tactics that they use to decry global warming in the face of overwhelming scientific evidence result in an overall distrust of any science (until they go to the doctor's office, then it's OK)!

[omega39-2009]

Republicans saying they don't believe in evolution outnumbered those who do by 68 percent to 30..

These are the people that are going to be representing us against math/science heavy China and India in the global economy....We're doomed.

[cantshutup]

***???? WHO CARES??? I can't believe this stupid debate continues...WHO CARES HOW THE EARTH WAS MADE???!!!! We are currently destroying it so it's origins shouldn't matter! I hate how people always use "Creationism" or "Evolution" as a basis for serious debate, when it really doesn't f huck ing matter!!! We should be more concerned that children are hungry or their homes have been destroyed or that we are loosing our constitutionally guaranteed rights everyday, or that New Orleans is still in a state of unbelievable dispair...EVOLUTION??? We should be thinking more of REVOLUTION!!!!!

[BlueInWI]

Yep. I'm investing most of my money in advanced foreign nations - where they are actually developing technology to reduce fossil fuel consumption, fight global warming, and develop new medicines based on research of stem cells.

Also, hope to make enough money investing in these other countries to be able to retire there and avoid paying for GWs/Lieberman's occupation of Iraq and conquest of the middle east for the next 60 years.

[mikealford3]

It's kinda like a man said one day, "I don't know how a black cow produces white milk, but I know it's true so I don't worry about how or why."

[r9119111]

GOD:

May we have relief from the intolerant self-righteous Christian a------s who try to stuff their beliefs down our throats? They are just as rotten as the Islamic Militants. Enough, already!

[blackbug99]

Wow, another poll of 1000 people out of 250 million. Although, the Republicans may actually be on to something. Their leader and party hasn't evolved in decades.

[briannorwood]

"Republicans saying they don't believe in evolution outnumbered those who do by 68 percent to 30 percent "

Well of course! Why would Republicans let the scientific facts get in the way of their opinions?

[mbcsmith]

For all you LIBS out there claiming evolution as fact, here's a science lesson. The THEORY of evolution is just that, a THEORY. A scientific THEORY is one that has yet to be proven as with the LAW of gravity. Once a theory has been proven, it then becomes a scientific LAW. Your close minded thinking seems to ignore all other possibilities, which is contrary to scintific thinking.

[hfritts4]

I don't understand why those who believe that God created all creatures can't wrap their minds around the possibility that his method of doing so was the process of evolution.

[jimfinster]

mbcsmith:
And here is your science lesson.

In science, a theory is a mathematical or logical explanation, or a testable model of the manner of interaction of a set of natural phenomena, capable of predicting future occurrences or observations of the same kind, and capable of being tested through experiment or otherwise falsified through empirical observation. It follows from this that for scientists "theory" and "fact" do not necessarily stand in opposition. For example, it is a fact that an apple dropped on earth has been observed to fall towards the center of the planet, and a theory which explains why the apple behaves so is the general theory of relativity.

You lash out at evolution because it challenges the basis of your belief system. That is why it is such an emotional subject for you...

[condumism]

This story is proof that most GOPigs are not worthy of the right to vote. No wonder the United Fakes of America are the laughing stock of the entire world. Understandable why 25% of the United Fakes of America prefer a Nazi Style government.

[king77shaw]

the dumbing down of America is on a roll.. no wonder our jobs and future prosperity have found new homes in China and India. Viva Ignorance!

[king77shaw]

the dumbing down of America is on a roll.. no wonder our jobs and future prosperity have found new homes in China and India. Viva Ignorance!

[benhocking]

"For all you LIBS out there claiming evolution as fact, here's a science lesson. The THEORY of evolution is just that, a THEORY. A scientific THEORY is one that has yet to be proven as with the LAW of gravity. Once a theory has been proven, it then becomes a scientific LAW. Your close minded thinking seems to ignore all other possibilities, which is contrary to scintific thinking."

You mean like the "law of natural selection"? Actually, in scientific parlance theories are more rigid than laws. Laws are simply observations, whereas theories are explanations. I think the word you're thinking of is "hypothesis". Do you also reject the theory of general relativity that allows GPS devices to work and the theory of quantum mechanics that allows you to listen to your CDs or watch DVDs?

[jjp735i]

I believe God created the world. I don%u2019t believe God just snapped His fingers and here we are. The Bible teaches God created the world in seven days. But, what is a day to God? I doubt it is twenty-four hours. A day to God could be millions of years in our time. Who is to say?

It%u2019s funny how the religious right picks and chooses to live by sections from the Bible that they agree with, yet disregard the parts they do not agree with.

How many of the Christian Right have stoned to death their sons or daughters for breaking Gods laws? They don%u2019t because they know to stone a disobedient son or daughter is a horrible thing to do. Just look at the out cry over honor killings in the Muslim world. Yet the Bible does instruct one to do so. The Bible does not say you can disregard stoning if you so choose.

The Bible tells you to treat your slaves well. Although many of the Christian Right would like to still own slaves, they do not because it is against man%u2019s law. It is not against Gods law though. So then why is the Christian Right not fighting to bring back slavery? The Bible tells them they can own slaves.

The bible states Jesus himself told people to give up their worldly possessions and follow him. I do not see to many Republicans giving up anything. Until they do, they are not really following the teachings of the Bible.

The Christian Right is not someone I would not trust as they cannot even follow their own rules.

[omega39-2009]

Your close minded thinking seems to ignore all other possibilities, which is contrary to scintific thinking.
Posted by mbcsmith

Hey, we're not the ones cowering before the statue of a deity, offering him sacrifices (tithing) and praying for his protection.

[benhocking]

It's also interesting to note that a modified version of evolution actually made it into the new Creationism museum:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/drjonboyg/526984893/in/set-72157600301874014/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/drjonboyg/526985025/in/set-72157600301874014/

[mbcsmith]

Hey, we're not the ones cowering before the statue of a deity, offering him sacrifices (tithing) and praying for his protection.
Posted by omega39 at 10:14 AM : Jun 12, 2007


Actually you are. His name is GORE!

[jimfinster]

benhocking:

Good posts. It is always fascinating when religion and science collide. There is a book you might enjoy, named "Why People Believe Wierd Things" (Michael Shermer).

[christiansin]

Why are these two ideas mutually exclusive in the minds of so many people? Are we so simple minded that we have to view these two ideas as diametrically opposed to one another?

This is just another sign of the predominantly adversarial nature of our culture. Why are all issues constantly presented as simply two sided?

There are at least three popular positions on this issue, but this poll does not even seem to have acknowledged the third. There are almost certainly a very large number of people in both red and blue camps that believe in creation through evolution, but that was apparently ignored in this poll.

[wfbdem]

I do not know who said this, but I love this comment and will attempt to do it justice:
I scientist was asked by a creationist when was the universe created. "Around 13.7 billion years, at least this time around".
"Ah, but what was there to create the universe? God did!" replied the creationist. "Before there was anything there was God."
"OK, I will buy that. But tell me, who created God", returned the scientist.
"No one. God has been here forever."

"So...you can wrap your mind around God being here forever, but not the universe itself re-creating itself forever? Why not get rid of the middle man, and just say the Universe has been around forever? Just switch the words God and Universe."

[tuckerndfw]

Of course Repubs don't believe in evolution. There is no evidence Repubs have evolved.

[micma-2009]

Well this is proof that Republicanism is a state of delusion, a mental illness, a flatland world view.

[bareemperor]

Rich sheep believe in money first, then anything that makes them feel good about themselves...
Doing whatever their friends say is acceptable trumps free thought any time. Baaaaa!

[jimfinster]

mbcsmith:

Do you thing Gore is the Antichrist? :)

[adventurepa]

God is man made to provide hope and answers for the unknown. Evolution is based upon the best artifactes and scientific knowledge to explain our origin. Most who claim to believe in god are unwilling to accept Evolution as truth and would rather stay in their fantasy world. They all point back to the answer as god. But that only creates more unanswered questions. It does not answer anything.

[huskerarmy]

"For all you LIBS out there claiming evolution as fact, here's a science lesson."
When we start taking science lessons from those who believe that kdis rode to school on the backs of dinosaurs 6,000 years ago, we're in deep do do for sure!

[lochlan-2009]

Poll: Most republicans will say they believe in whatever the religious elite tell them to say.

Evolution is not a belief, but if you want to go on believeing the world is flat and the center of the solar sytem, enjoy your life in ignorance.

I wouldn't expect any more from this party.

[tuckerndfw]

Why are all issues constantly presented as simply two sided?

Posted by christiansin at 10:22 AM : Jun 12, 2007

Because reporters are stupid and unable to comprehend complex concepts. "Complex concept" meaning any idea that involves more than one choice.

This is a non-story as are any stories based on polls. Polls are irrelevant and are only taken to give homeless people and winos something to do with their time.

[christiansin]

Apparently it is a lot easier to justify clearcut logging, strip mining, and similar practices for the sake of money if you believe that Jesus is coming anyway, so we don't need to keep the world in a livable state for future generations.

Since the world was created just a few thousand years ago and will not exist much longer, we can go ahead and cover it with nuclear waste that won't decay for tens of thousands of years, and slash and burn to make a few bucks before Jesus gets here.

All that I can say to that mentality is that you should be thinking that you'd better clean up the world and keep it in ship-shape, because Jesus is coming and he will kick your a$$ when he sees the mess you've made of it.

[huskerarmy]

mbcsmith:
Do you thing Gore is the Antichrist? :)
Posted by jimfinster
Yes indeed jimfinser. Plutocrats have become the profits of the right wing. If it threatens their profit margin, then certainly it's the devil!

[tejasdemo]

That's because Republicans are idiots.

[richdog_57]

People that believe in evolution are idiots.

[random_radar]

Of course I believe in evolution! Given enough time, Democrats and Republicans will evolve into intelligent life forms...

[christiansin]

Doesn't it look like G0d is picking Darwin's nose in the picture at the top of this page? ;)

[cantshutup]

christianity=cult of death

christians don't care about the state of the earth even though their bible says to be good "stewards"...they don't care, they think they are going to be spirited away by jesus...the rapture is going to save them from the mess they helped create...

what a bunch of horse s h i t!!!

i'd rather live in a neighborhood full of satanists than live in a neighborhood full of self-righteous, pompus, self-centered, judgemental, ignorant, hypocrital, right-winged-bush-supporting christians

[huskerarmy]

Because reporters are stupid and unable to comprehend complex concepts. "Complex concept" meaning any idea that involves more than one choice.
This is a non-story as are any stories based on polls...Polls are irrelevant...
Posted by tuckerndfw
Tucker,
Since when does the right believe in more than one choice on any issue? Right or wrong, good or evil, life or death, with us or against us... That's it! Don't like the message, blame the messenger (reporters.) Don't like the results, ignore the polls. Don't like how people voted, ignore the voters...

[cantshutup]

lmao christiansin!!! too funny!

[huskerarmy]

People that believe in evolution are idiots.
Posted by richdog_57
I must admit, richdog and his ilk provide excellent antecdotal evidence against the theory of evolution...

[christiansin]

It looks like both sides (there can be only two apparently) in this so called "debate" are correct!

People who view their belief in creationism (that is supposed to be based on faith) as diametrically opposed to evolution (which is based on empirical evidence) have simply not evolved. So, for them, evolution is in fact not occurring!

As for the rest of us, we've moved on and this is not a issue. This "debate" is SOooooo LAST CENTURY!

[acauble1]

" Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful."

- Seneca - Greek philosopher, author

[huskerarmy]

That is why 7 out of 10 Muslims in this country will vote Democrat.
Posted by FARTKNOCKER2
10 out of 10 inbred rednecks, survivalist and klansmen, those who figure out where and how to vote, will vote GOPer. Be sure to include fartknocker in those figures.

[bogusbones]

I worked with a woman that stole money from our employer. She got caught and was rightfully fired for her transgression. I asked her why she did it and her reply was simply that it didn't matter and that God would forgive her and she'd go to heaven.

Wow! Reduce things to the ridiculous. So that means this self righteous Christians can do whatever they want to whomever they want and it is justified because they'll go to heaven anyway?

Whatever happened to living your faith? Doing the right thing? The evidence of evolution surrounds us but there are many that would rather close their eyes to the obvious.

And oh those politicians, whatever it takes to get elected. I am starting to give up hope for America.

[billpl-2009]

most of these Republicans don't love Jesus....they just hate Liberals

[mbcsmith]

i'd rather live in a neighborhood full of satanists than live in a neighborhood full of self-righteous, pompus, self-centered, judgemental, ignorant, hypocrital, right-winged-bush-supporting christians
Posted by cantshutup at 10:41 AM : Jun 12, 2007

Did you check the LIB debates? They were ALL christians, or at least claimed to be.

[acauble1]

"The question is whether the god of nature will govern the world by his own laws or whether priests and kings shall rule it by fictitious miracles."

- John Adams - founding father of America, 2nd president