Scientific literacy
Scientific literacy is variously described as being up to date on what scientists say on important topics as well as accepting those views. Thus there is a controversy, where the word "literacy" is stretched to include both having knowledge of a theory and making the decision to agree with it.
For some people, it's perfectly acceptable to be fully conversant with a scientific theory and yet reject it, either on scientific grounds alone or because of religious reasons. However, for some other people, rejection of a scientific theory is tantamount to ignorance; these people imply that only someone who is unaware of the facts or fails to understand them could possibly draw different conclusions.
Contents
Scientific literacy and pseudoscience
Genuine lack of basic knowledge of science is closely associated with widespread belief in astrology, homeopathy, and various other aspects of New age and paranormal nonsense. It is also associated with belief in politicized, junk science environmental ideas such as the "threat" of manmade global warming, the "need" for asbestos removal, the "danger" of secondhand smoke, and the "hazard" of using DDT as an insecticide.
Homeschooling and Public Schools
These links can all be seen in the vast difference between success in science education in homeschooling and public schools, as homeschoolers show far superior scientific literacy (typically well above the 80th percentile)[1] and are less likely to buy into politicized issues as mentioned above, or pseudoscience in general, while the general publicly schooled population has difficulty with simple facts such as the earth going around the sun and the speed of light.[2] Among the general public, a staggering 93-95% "lacked fundamental knowledge of scientific vocabulary, methodology and an understanding of science's impact on the world."