Why do only 40% of Americans accept the theory of evolution, while over 80% of Europeans and Japanese do?

Question

What is different about the US that puts us on the same level as Turkey in responding to this question? Do Americans mistrust science more? Is there a problem with high school biology in this country? Serious answers please

http://www.livescience.com/humanbiology/060810_evo_rank.html

And by the way, I'm not really interested in anyone's particular views of evolution- pro or con. I really just want to know why Americans seem to have different views on this issue than Europeans.

I don't think my question is that difficult to understand. I notice that a couple of answerers have given explanations of why they do not accept the theory of evolution, or why nobody should accept it, but I also notice that they have not tried to answer my question. Is there a clue here? Does it mean something that people who don't accept evolution also cannot understand a simple question, or try to answer it? I want an explanation for the different rates of acceptance of this theory in different cultures. I do not want to hear whether evolution is a valid theory or not.

Answer 1

The interference of religious factions in the educational system and the narrow mindedness of the average small town American.

Answer 2

This question actually concerns religious demographics, not science. If you look up the website www.adherents.com you will notice that the religious statistics can be correlated to the statistics on belief in evolution. The more Christian or Muslim one is, the greater the likelihood that the individual will contradict the theory of macroevolution. Incidently, most Christians will accept the law (Notice I don't use the term theory) of microevolution (Change within a species).

Answer 3

Culture differences - (including the mainstream religious beliefs of the culture). You can be a serious scientist and still a Christian, believe it or not. Evolution is a Theory, not scientific law, even the most staunch supporter of evolution will acknowledge this. Remember, as scientists we must be objective, one who so blindly fights for evolution and blocks other possibilities out is not a true scientist. There is nothing wrong with high school Biology in this country - Science can be trusted, evolution is a theory about our orgins, that is it!

Answer 4

Nobody puts on fancy clothes to gather inside a large building on a weekly basis to sing, be social, and allow Darwin to save their souls. Would you rather play a video game or read a scientific dissertation? The video game ISN'T REAL, but it's a lot more INTERESTING than trying to decipher complex scientific concepts, and if EVERYONE ELSE is playing the video game, aren't you going to JOIN THEM?

This about sums it up:

"I don't know why scientist came up with such a dum theory. God made us and he died on the cross for that. Some people will take years searching for answers before they believe that. I know I didn't come from no monkey, i am willing to bet any kind of money."

It could have been finished off with, "i believe wutever im told cuz i is a dum folowr and th prezdint likes God too!" I didn't know God died on the cross, and nobody believes that any person alive today actually came from an ape's birth canal. Ignorance, plain and simple.

Answer 5

The numbers don't add up. The report talks about how the fundamentalists Christians make up a minority of the population and then seem to use that to explain the 40% figure. My feeling is that the study is badly flawed in how it was carried out. I would want to see the data and how it was collected. Who was contacted and how were they asked the questions. This is like telling me that the Republicans are the few rich folks and then telling me that these few rich people made a majority and elected a president, senate and house. It doesn't add up.

Answer 6

Well, according to the article you cite, the difference is attributed to the fact that American fundamentalist Christians tend to interpret the Bible literally, whereas in other countries they tend to interpret the Bible as metaphorical stories which give us guidance. So in that essence, it is a cultural thing. I am not a Christian but its seems that because of what they have been taught and their upbringing, Christians in America are less likely to accept the idea of evolution is part of "God's plan." Also, another reason is that there is probably more distinct seperation of church and state in those countries and the religion has less power to interfere in what is taught in schools.

Answer 7

Coz they are just too narrow sighted, too busy with their own lil world, not ready to see the bigger picture. Evolution is something that happens right in front of us. Even today viruses evolve, we have evolved, whats there to not understand in that. A religion that misguides should not be accepted. Evolution is truth and when I see biology books, I dont understand where was God required to bring life in this world? I am not a non-believer, but the adam and eve crap is just undigestable.

Answer 8

Wow, be careful of your statistical sources. It is not scientifically sound to get information from a biased source. This site is trying to sell a book that explains evolution. The last statistic that I heard was that 90% of people believed that evolution is correct. However, there is a side note that most believe that there is a divine influence that guides the process... intelligent design.

Next, it is a bad idea to compare differing philosophies. Europe is now a major bastion for atheism. If you don't believe there is a divine influence, then you seek to believe whole heartedly in anything. There is an old Southern saying, "You gotta stand for something, or you'll fall for anything."

In short, your statistics a quoted from a biased source and are therefore unreliable.

Answer 9

I would think it has something to do with christian prevalence in the US compared to europe.
But honestly I believe that it is just a matter of intelligence. It may be stereo typing but since I started participating in yahoo answers I've really read and received a whole lot of 'answers' from real idiot americans. they aren't willing to consider alternate paths of thought and are stuck in their stupid "USA, USA, USA" crap.
also I wouldn't be surprised that the a majority of the people poled weren't even aware of the theory of evolution!

Answer 10

Ugh! That is so frustrating. I would have to say that it's probably because of ignorance of biological science. Our school systems are really behind lately... but not just that, local communities, controlled by the religious right, don't teach evolution, or if people are taught evolution, their community, family, and church tells them that it is blasphemy.

You'd think that 100 years later we would have progressed past that... but nope... it will probably take a few more hundred years unfortunately. Those people are just doing themselves a disservice by staying ignorant to biological science.