Disturbing Statistic

[Farlian]

Today I read a disturbing statistic. This being that only 45% of Americans believe in evolution. What do you think?

[Bucky Ball]

Very disturbing.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Views_...lution.svg

[valpohawkeye]

I've seen that number even lower. It's horribly troubling. What's worse is I've had former classmates (I'm 34) who used to believe in evolution but no longer do because of their involvement with evangelical groups.

[Chas]

(16-12-2012 07:10 PM)valpohawkeye Wrote:  I've seen that number even lower. It's horribly troubling. What's worse is I've had former classmates (I'm 34) who used to believe in evolution but no longer do because of their involvement with evangelical groups.

That's truly sad.

[Janus]

(16-12-2012 06:54 PM)Farlian Wrote:  Today I read a disturbing statistic. This being that only 45% of Americans believe in evolution. What do you think?

I think that it infers that the majority of Americans – 55% – are mentally challenged.

[BryanS]

There are a number of individuals who are unsure of the truth of evolution and have been influenced by the trite argument that 'it's only a theory'. The graphic Bucky Ball posted shows that population to be on the order of 20%, with a minority (40%) denying evolution altogether.

What is more disturbing is that those who deny evolution then go on to be science deniers of all sots of topics and to portray science as another form of religion. Just like the religious foist the trappings of theology onto atheism (which is by definition a lack of theistic belief), they try to make science into religion so they can justify their rejection of science as just another belief system.

[Carlo_The_Bugsmasher_Driver]

(16-12-2012 06:54 PM)Farlian Wrote:  Today I read a disturbing statistic. This being that only 45% of Americans believe in evolution. What do you think?

Yeah. And I seem to work around most of them!

[Refuting_Ignorance_Every_Day]

(16-12-2012 06:54 PM)Farlian Wrote:  Today I read a disturbing statistic. This being that only 45% of Americans believe in evolution. What do you think?

Yep. Only religion can cause people to favor the belief that the Earth was created 6000 years ago and that a loving God got pissed at two naked people for eating an apple.

[Chas]

(19-12-2012 07:56 AM)Refuting_Ignorance_Every_Day Wrote:  

(16-12-2012 06:54 PM)Farlian Wrote:  Today I read a disturbing statistic. This being that only 45% of Americans believe in evolution. What do you think?

Yep. Only religion can cause people to favor the belief that the Earth was created 6000 years ago and that a loving God got pissed at two naked people for eating an apple.

No wonder you don't understand; it was a fig.

[TheBeardedDude]

(16-12-2012 07:29 PM)Janus Wrote:  

(16-12-2012 06:54 PM)Farlian Wrote:  Today I read a disturbing statistic. This being that only 45% of Americans believe in evolution. What do you think?

I think that it infers that the majority of Americans – 55% – are mentally challenged.

Careful there. I don't think it means they are mentally challenged but I do think it speaks to a number of issues.

First, out education system
Second, the undue respect religion and religious opinion is given
Third, our lack of critical thinking skills (I too suffer from this and struggle to correct it)
Fourth, the general apathy towards correcting people who are wrong. The notion that someones else "opinion" is just as valid as everyone else's is absurd.