About 6 Out Of 10 Americans Believe Humans Evolved

I couldn't let the birthday of Charles Darwin go by without noting the status of belief in his finding that humans evolved (like all other animals). The chart below is from a survey done by the prestigious Pew Research Center back in August of 2014 -- but I doubt much has changed in the few months since the survey was done.

It turns out that currently a little more than 6 out of 10 Americans (61%) believe in the evolution of humans. About 22% say this evolution was guided by a god, while 32% say it was just through the scientific process of natural selection. Another 7% believe in the evolution of humans, but are unsure whether a god had anything to do with it or not.

Meanwhile, 31% believe humans have always existed in their present form and did not evolve (a sad comment on a nation that supposedly values education). About 8% say they don't know whether humans evolved or not.

Meanwhile, 98% of scientists (members of the American Association for the Advancement of Science) believe humans evolved like other animals. But 29% of the general public says scientists don't agree about evolution. It just goes to show that some people will believe what they want to believe, regardless of any available facts.

Happy Darwin Day !!

Today is the birthday of naturalist Charles Darwin. He is perhaps best know for discovering the fact of evolution (and it is a fact that evolution is a reality, regardless of whether you believe man evolved or not). People still call evolution a theory and many in this country don't want it taught in school science classes, but biologists have proven over and over that evolution is a scientific fact and is still happening today.

I don't see celebrating today as Darwin Day as an atheist vs. christian thing. Many christians also believe in evolution and accept Darwin's discoveries as they accept other advances in science. I think this day should be celebrated as support for all the scientists and science teachers out there, in the hope that they will be able to stand up against the creationists and teach real science (not religion) in our classrooms.

Last Wednesday, Rep. Pete Stark (D-California) introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives that would have designated today as Darwin Day. It would have been wonderful if the House had passed the resolution, but instead they sent it to the Committee on Science, Space and Technology. Considering the present make-up of the House of Representatives (where many members are anti-science creationists), I expect the resolution will die in that committee without making it to the House floor for a vote.

It just goes to show that the fight to keep religion out of science classrooms is far from over. It's no wonder that other countries are starting to eclipse students in the United States in science. Hopefully, we can someday take our schools back from the Luddites.

Here is the text of Stark's ill-fated resolution:

RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for designation of February 12, 2011, as Darwin Day and recognizing the importance of science in the betterment of humanity.
Whereas Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by the mechanism of natural selection, together with the monumental amount of scientific evidence he compiled to support it, provides humanity with a logical and intellectually compelling explanation for the diversity of life on Earth;
Whereas the validity of Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection is further strongly supported by the modern understanding of the science of genetics;
Whereas it has been the human curiosity and ingenuity exemplified by Darwin that has promoted new scientific discoveries that have helped humanity solve many problems and improve living conditions;
Whereas the advancement of science must be protected from those unconcerned with the adverse impacts of global warming and climate change;
Whereas the teaching of creationism in some public schools compromises the scientific and academic integrity of the United States’ education systems;
Whereas Charles Darwin is a worthy symbol of scientific advancement on which to focus and around which to build a global celebration of science and humanity intended to promote a common bond among all of Earth’s peoples; and
Whereas, February 12, 2011, is the anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin in 1809 and would be an appropriate date to designate as Darwin Day: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives–
(1) supports the designation of Darwin Day; and
(2) recognizes Charles Darwin as a worthy symbol on which to celebrate the achievements of reason, science, and the advancement of human knowledge.