Why is America so ignorant when it comes to understanding evolution?

Question

I am an American so I know some of us understand it, but in general our population denies not only its validity, but its hard facts more than any other country in the world. It is very disheartening to try and have a conversation concerning it, and the other person has no grasp of its actual concepts or proofs. When/How did we become the dunces in the classroom of the world?

zero and the girl below him: Try and keep up. We are having a conversation here. If you have nothing to add then go somewhere else. Isn't there a Nascar race on somewhere?

Answer 1

I think its because some of the Christian community doens't understand it, and some don't want to listen. Its like when you have an opinion, you don't want to hear the other persons side. But for those who don't UNDERSTAND it...here's what we have:

- We know the earth is over 4 billion years old...that makes the Genesis timeline incorrect.

- We have several fossils that at about 5 million years old look very apelike, at 4 million they look ape but slightly human, at 3 million they look like a mix between the two, and become more and more human after that.

This IMPLYS evolution from ape to man. No, it doesn't prove it...but it does make for a strong case!

Before this time we don't have much. We've seen evolution in action...quickly for simple organisms like viruses, molds, etc...more slowly for more complicated organisms. However the farther back we go the more incomplete our fossil record, so its difficult to acquire overwhelming evidence.

So, we know evolution is likely from ape to man, we know its possible before that, and since we have no evidence to the contrary...that's what we're going with.

If anyone has any evidence of the opposite, please present it. However consider this: When you present your evidence that science has validated, be sure its not taken out of context. OF ALL SCIENTITS IN GEOLOGY, BIOLOGY, ANTHROPOLOGY, PALENTOLOGY, ETC...LESS THAN 1/1OTH OF 1% BELIEVE CREATION IS POSSIBLE.

THESE are the people who study this stuff their entire lives. I'll take their word for it over someone who heard in a church group that they don't know what they're talking about

Answer 2

Because more and more, religion has taken over our country and with religion comes a believe in creationism, depiste overwhelming facts that prove otherwise. Religion discourages questioning anything... it encourages blind belief in whatever one is told and if one is told that the bible is the absolute truth, then everything else must be a lie.

There are religious people in other countries too, but they are smart enough to take the bible for what it is... a guideline, not historial truth. When I see a study that shows that only Turkey has fewer people who believe evolution than America, I am very sad for our country's future.

Answer 3

Sadly, many Americans are ignorant of just about anything that can't be condensed into a 30 second sound-bite. Evolution and the science behind are simply a few examples among many.

Answer 4

I've wondered that too, as an Aussie I was stunned logging on to this site. Then I saw some of the stuff people were being fed (link below)... completely immoral propaganda. I guess religious people just don't expect to be lied to and decieved by preachers so they swallow it so easily.

Is there money involved somewhere?

Answer 5

I am not sure how old you are or how up to date you are on science so it's very difficult to give a simple answer to your question.

People are not dunces for failing to believe poor quality so-called science. Darwin's theories are not holding up under new discoveries and better science.

I would suggest you read "A Case for a Creator" by Lee Strobel published by Zondervan to get a view from a gentleman who was a trained newspaper reporter and an atheist trying to get the real facts of current science.

Answer 6

You could have just stopped with, "Why is America so ignorant?" The evangelicals are doing their best to undo 300 years of intellectual progress, and they're suceeding. How else do you explain the two-term blithering idiot in the White House and the popularity of the Fox News a$$-clowns?

Answer 7

It's because you have a cancer in your midst called religious fundamentalism. I'll put it bluntly-I regard most creationists as scum because they are intent on spreading a false agenda by any means possible to further their own ends. For some reason normal Americans seem willing to tolerate these weirdos in their midst. Americans wake up-don't concede an inch to Christian fundamentalists-don't tolerate them, get them rooted out of your society just as we in Europe have done.

Answer 8

I have no problem duscussing evolution, however I always wonder why it bothers people like yourself so much that many of us believe in Creation?

There are two theories, both should be taught and both should be discussed.

Here is an inyteresting fact.....Did you know that Darwin recanted his theory as false and a big mistake on his part?
I wonder why that little tidbit is kept hidden from the public for the most part.

It can be googled.........check it out

Answer 9

hey, i was thinking of asking the same question, im from mexico and when i started seeing all those sites that "prove" creationism, i started asking to myself why if america is the most advanced and powerful country in the world, many americans cant understand evolution

Answer 10

The opinion of many Americans about Evolution really does defy rationality...