Friday, July 08, 2005
Harris Poll Finds 64 Percent Believe Humans Were Created by God
A nationwide Harris Poll of 1,000 U.S. adults surveyed by telephone by between June 17 and 21, finds that nearly two-thirds of U.S. adults believe human beings were created by God. according to Harris, "approximately one-fifth (22%) of adults believe 'human beings evolved from earlier species' (evolution) and 10 percent subscribe to the theory that 'human beings are so complex that they required a powerful force or intelligent being to help create them' (intelligent design)."
"Moreover, a majority (55%) believe that all three of these theories should be taught in public schools," according to the poll's findings, "while 23 percent support teaching creationism only, 12 percent evolution only, and four percent intelligent design only."
When asked, "Do you think human beings developed from earlier species or not?" Thirty-eight percent say yes, and 54 percent say no. Eight percent gave no answer or were undecided. The percentage of respondants who said they don't believe humans developed from earlier species grew from 46 percent in 1994 -- a troubling trend line.
However, when asked, "Do you believe apes and man have a common ancestry or not?" forty-six percent said yes, 47 percent said no, and 7 percent were undecided.
Taken together, this puzzling inconsistency merits more research.
Despite the numbers of people who say they believe human beings were created by God, only 23 percent want to teach creationism only, four percent want to teach ID only, and 12 percent say evolution only. Fifty-five percent favor teaching all three "theories."
RSR finds it interesting that ID has made so little progress in gaining acceptance during a time when it has been widely covered in the media.
As reflected in past polls, some 60 percent of those with post-graduate degrees agree with the statement that human beings evolved from earlier species.
It seems clear that we have much more work to do in educating the public.
"Moreover, a majority (55%) believe that all three of these theories should be taught in public schools," according to the poll's findings, "while 23 percent support teaching creationism only, 12 percent evolution only, and four percent intelligent design only."
When asked, "Do you think human beings developed from earlier species or not?" Thirty-eight percent say yes, and 54 percent say no. Eight percent gave no answer or were undecided. The percentage of respondants who said they don't believe humans developed from earlier species grew from 46 percent in 1994 -- a troubling trend line.
However, when asked, "Do you believe apes and man have a common ancestry or not?" forty-six percent said yes, 47 percent said no, and 7 percent were undecided.
Taken together, this puzzling inconsistency merits more research.
Despite the numbers of people who say they believe human beings were created by God, only 23 percent want to teach creationism only, four percent want to teach ID only, and 12 percent say evolution only. Fifty-five percent favor teaching all three "theories."
RSR finds it interesting that ID has made so little progress in gaining acceptance during a time when it has been widely covered in the media.
As reflected in past polls, some 60 percent of those with post-graduate degrees agree with the statement that human beings evolved from earlier species.
It seems clear that we have much more work to do in educating the public.
