Difference between revisions of "Belief in evolution"
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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 half of Americans believe in this;<ref>According to the aggregated data, 47% of Americans agree that God created humans pretty much in their present form either exactly as the Bible describes it or within the last 10,000 years. That leaves about half of Americans who agree that humans developed or evolved, either with or without God's help in the process. [http://www.gallup.com/poll/21811/American-Beliefs-Evolution-vs-Bibles-Explanation-Human-Origins.aspx Gallup Poll] </ref> | + | If "evolution" means the appearance of major new forms of life during pre-Biblical times, then around half of Americans believe in this;<ref>According to the aggregated data, 47% of Americans agree that God created humans pretty much in their present form either exactly as the Bible describes it or within the last 10,000 years. That leaves about half of Americans who agree that humans developed or evolved, either with or without God's help in the process. [http://www.gallup.com/poll/21811/American-Beliefs-Evolution-vs-Bibles-Explanation-Human-Origins.aspx Gallup Poll]</ref> |
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 --> | 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 --> | ||
| − | 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% | + | 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. (Around 45% <ref>http://www.religioustolerance.org/ev_publi.htm</ref> of Americans believe that new forms of life have indeed appeared as indicated in the [[fossil record]], but they think this was due to God's intervention rather than natural processes alone.) |
So when someone is reported to "believe in evolution", you need to be sure what sort of belief is being discussed. | So when someone is reported to "believe in evolution", you need to be sure what sort of belief is being discussed. | ||
Revision as of 08:39, April 26, 2009
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 half of Americans believe in this;[1] 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. (Around 45% [2] of Americans believe that new forms of life have indeed appeared as indicated in the fossil record, but they think this was due to God's intervention rather than natural processes alone.)
So when someone is reported to "believe in evolution", you need to be sure what sort of belief is being discussed.
References
- ↑ According to the aggregated data, 47% of Americans agree that God created humans pretty much in their present form either exactly as the Bible describes it or within the last 10,000 years. That leaves about half of Americans who agree that humans developed or evolved, either with or without God's help in the process. Gallup Poll
- ↑ http://www.religioustolerance.org/ev_publi.htm
