Crossposted from SmokeyMonkey.org
Gallup reports that only 39% of Americans believe in evolution. On Darwin's 200th birthday, we, the American people, still don't "believe" in evolution.
Naturally, some of this is because of educational differences. Americans who have lower levels of formal education are significantly less likely than others to be able to identity Darwin with his theory, and to have an opinion on it either way. Still, the evidence is clear that even to this day, Americans' religious beliefs are a significant predictor of their attitudes toward Darwin's theory. Those who attend church most often are the least likely to believe in evolution, and most likely to say they do not believe in it.
There is only one conclusion to draw from this poll: Americans are stupid because of religion.
I'm so furious when I see things like this in conjunction with "moderate" republicans in the Senate cutting funds for schools and education curriculum that I want to [...] (edited for taste by request). I simply cannot stand for this type of ignorance in a society that proclaims itself the greatest nation on earth.
Ridiculous! Americans are stupid, ignorant, uneducated, and fundamentalist morons. Accept science or get out of my society. I have no patience for this idiocy any more.
Of course, I over-generalize, please forgive me, true christians, and hear me out.
The Gallup numbers are disturbing. First, the general numbers suggest that the country is split in thirds whether to believe in evolution, have no opinion, or admit to ignorance. Simply put, 25%, 1 in 4, Americans specifically reject modern biological science. Slightly more than a third (36%) have no opinion. While hope remains alive with a plurality making the correct answer, it is still incredibly pathetic that 6 in 10 don't understand a simple principle of modern science.
Second, and more importantly, this ignorance is entirely based on religious misinformation.
Previous Gallup research shows that the rate of church attendance is fairly constant across educational groups, suggesting that this relationship is not owing to an underlying educational difference but instead reflects a direct influence of religious beliefs on belief in evolution.
There is no excuse for this type of blatant ignorance. Anyone that expresses a doubt that evolution is real should be taken immediately to a museum and shown a fossil. Read a book other than your favorite one, and you will actually learn something about the world around you. Until you do, you should have no place in public discourse, public education, or public policy of any sort.