Difference between revisions of "Belief in evolution"
(not so simple: there are 3 distinct aspects) |
(nearly all religious people accept the concepts of mutation and inheritance) |
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| − | '''Belief in evolution''' usually takes any of three forms. If "[[evolution]]" is defined as any hereditary change at all in a group of similar living things, then everyone in the world believes in this; you may as well say "I believe in water." All scientists and nearly all religious people accept the concepts of mutation and inheritance (see [[Genetics]]). | + | '''Belief in evolution''' usually takes any of three forms. If "[[evolution]]" is defined as any hereditary change at all in a group of similar living things, then everyone in the world believes in this; you may as well say "I believe in water." All scientists and nearly all religious people accept the concepts of [[mutation]] and [[inheritance]] (see [[Genetics]]). |
If "evolution" means the appearance of major new forms of life during pre-Biblical times, then around 60% of Americans believe in this; a substantial minority of 40% of Americans reject this aspect of evolution since it contradicts their religious belief that God created all forms of life less than 10,000 years ago. <!-- insert reference to Gallup Poll or Pew poll --> | If "evolution" means the appearance of major new forms of life during pre-Biblical times, then around 60% of Americans believe in this; a substantial minority of 40% of Americans reject this aspect of evolution since it contradicts their religious belief that God created all forms of life less than 10,000 years ago. <!-- insert reference to Gallup Poll or Pew poll --> | ||
Revision as of 18:38, November 4, 2008
Belief in evolution usually takes any of three forms. If "evolution" is defined as any hereditary change at all in a group of similar living things, then everyone in the world believes in this; you may as well say "I believe in water." All scientists and nearly all religious people accept the concepts of mutation and inheritance (see Genetics).
If "evolution" means the appearance of major new forms of life during pre-Biblical times, then around 60% of Americans believe in this; a substantial minority of 40% of Americans reject this aspect of evolution since it contradicts their religious belief that God created all forms of life less than 10,000 years ago.
Finally, if "evolution" refers to the Theory of Evolution associated with Charles Darwin, that the principle of natural selection can account for the appearance of new forms of life, then only about 15% of Americans believe this.
So when someone is reported to "believe in evolution", you need to be sure what sort of belief is being discussed.