Janet Hook (LA Times)
reports the latest Pew Research study of the America.
What she didn't mention:
Teaching creationism along with evolution in public schools
Oppose Favor
Enterprisers 12% 83%
Social conservatives 28% 62%
Pro-government conservatives 22% 64%
Upbeats 34% 61%
Disaffecteds 22% 60%
Conservative Democrats 33% 46%
Disadvantaged Democrats 36% 50%
Liberals 49% 49%
Source: Pew Research Center for the People and the Press
flip...
In the same study, 67% of Democrats (last three groups, majority Kerry voters) believed that it was proper to display the Ten Commandments in government buildings.
I find both of these statistics surprising and a bit depressing as a professional biologist. It initially seems that people are saying 'yes, teach my children creationism'. Maybe the Democrats who say yes to this question believe that teaching both sides of an argument allows the student to come to their own conclusions. However, it depends on the manner in which these issues are taught. If taught in an evidence-based manner, the above applies well, and I agree with it.
But I worry that many teachers may simply present belief in spiritual texts as clearly established fact, and use polling data like this to support the idea that the general populace believes in creationism.