Why do so many Americans deny the Theory of Evolution?

Question

Before you answer this question, remember that in science a theory is the final point of the scientific method. After hypothesising, evaluating and testing the circumstances a theory is developed which means that this is the truth as we know it. The theory of relativity has never been in question, why is Evolution so hard to swallow?

How do you explain ancient fossils, bones and rocks?

How do you explain bacteria that become resistant to drugs?

If you choose to answer this question with an explanation that evolution is not true beware: There is overwhelming evidence for it and the lack of evolution in religious texts is meerly because they were written within the last 4000 years (only an eyeblink in the life of the universe).

Back to the question, is it because they are not being taught how to learn for themselves? Are they not being given enough diversity in religious education? Is the level of science teaching poor?

Ooo answers. Additional points:

You CAN get something from nothing; you're not told about this at a low level of teaching. I recommend a book on quantum mechanics and string theory.

The Idea of a god or gods most likely came about as explanations for everyday things we now take for granted. What is thunder? Why did my crops fail? etc.

As for monkeys, there are several skeletons discovered which plot a very nice course of human from monkey. But, would you be more disappointed to know that to begin with we were all fish?

To the person who believes the word of god is provable, I'd like to see your proof; show me god. Any second hand evidece is not evidence at all. Oh and secondly, which god? There are many hundreds in existance.

Yet another additional note about evolution, no one in 200 years has come up with a better explanation of why there seem to be bones everywhere that seem to show exactly that; that we evolved from something else. I don't personally see what the problem is, you can't deny evolution because of religion, it's not science. And in all likelyhood death is probably a lot like before birth; nothingness. Incomprehensible and yet the nothingness before birth has already been experianced by all.

efferells answer lacks reference. He also jumps straight in saying it's only a theory, completly disregarding my first statement. Established theory rarely changes, especially when the evidence for it is overwhelming and evolution has already been witnessed in bacteria and animal speciation. If you wish to try to deny evolution please include scientific reference in your reply. That is, include links to published articles in scientific journals.

If evolution was created by god and reflects his perfection, how do you explain birth defects? These failures in the genetic code clearly show it is an imperfect system that makes frequent mistakes in complex organisms.

Lets face it, if god existed and he wasn't the most evil being in the universe he would have just come down and said: Hey, I exist. Stop fighting each other.

Quite clearly, if god exists then he is the most evil, sadistic being in the known universe.

Answer 1

One of the things evolution explains is the origin of intelligence. Since Americans got left out of that part, they've been annoyed with the theory ever since.

Answer 2

I believe many American don't believe the theory of evolution because they are holding out for a better theory. It's easier to poke holes in a theory than to develop new evidence to support it, and so much more fun. Human nature. In science and even psychology some older theories have been rejected for newer better ones. Also, many American still take the Bible literally, word for word, called fundamentalism as I'm sure you know but not everyone reading this answer does, and with such a belief system it is inconsistent with the literal interpretation of Genesis which is that God created the earth and everything in it in just six earth days.

Those fossilized bones are very hard for creationists to explain away. Perhaps they think it's a hoax, or that the bones are of an intelligent ape species we humans killed off and they did not become us.

Answer 3

As a scientist (Ph.D. Organic Chemistry), college faculty member for 18 years, with a strong religious background (Catholic schools graduate), I have a somewhat different view about why many are so upset with the theory of evolution.

I feel that most people (not just Americans) want the truth to be simple and completely known and understood.

Knowledge of complex things is never simple or complete.

This desire for exact truth leads many to confuse the idea of theory and truth.

People become upset when theories do not correspond to their ideas. It does not occur to most people that maybe both their ideas and theories are not complete.

Faith is a matter of accepting ideas which cannot be proven. Science has many theories which are currently accepted which cannot be completely proven. Over the years many theories have been discarded because of new evidence. Science is not as exact as people want to believe either.

Answer 4

You're cute ("Oh and secondly, which god? There are many hundreds in existance." - this has been my argumentation for years...). You're only just naive, because though you're 100% right, you have no chance to win in this debate you opened.

Here's the deal:
People who are opened-minded and have post-modernistic views of the world (there is no absolute answer, no absolute solution, nothing is black-and-white) tend to try and understand, maybe even being convinced, by other people.
However, these "other people" do not try to understand, or be convinced, by them. All they want in life is to stay in their opinion (maybe even convince some people in their views on the way). They are afraid of change.

This is why, for example, people who believe in human rights and the freedom of speech will do anything to let others express their oppressing views - but those people who don't believe in human rights and the freedom of speech will do anything to shut these people who DO believe mouths up.

Same here. You are trying to understand how come people deny the Theory of Evolution (by the way, most of the world does, America is just an easy target, as primitive as most Americans are...), but they aren't trying to understand you, to understand the theory - because they are afraid they might actually be convinced, which will destroy their world of religious illusion.

I've given-up on this fight a long time ago. I hope you won't... =)
Good luck.

Answer 5

Here's my thought...evolution might have happened and if so it was because God wanted it to happen. God directed and created man and woman. I do not believe our existance could have happened without God. Humans as just too miraculous and life is just too perfect. Our existance is a reflection on the perfection of God. I have never understood why people believe it's either God or evolution. They are not conflicting ideas to me and seem to work together and make perfect sense to me.

Regarding which religion is the right one? Well, I believe Christian faiths will lead you to God but I also believe that there are those who follow other paths and live good and moral lives who find their way to God as well. I do not think God would punish those who seek Him with good and pure hearts, who believe they are doing the right thing but are in the wrong faith. I do not however believe that one can take a path of anger, bigomy, discrimination, etc... and expect to find God there.

Answer 6

the theory of evolution is just that- a THEORY.
Also I don't think most Americans will deny that there is evolution (for the examples that you listed, and also why there's so many subspecies of dogs or other kinds of animal...) its just that a lot don't believe all life originated from a single cell.

Also if someone doesn't believe in this, it wouldn't indicate anything about ability to learn for oneself, since all public schools teach evolution rather incessantly.

They still haven't proved that evolution is what created life, the jury's sill out there on that one. It would be very hard to prove i think, but there is lots of evidence going either way.
I suppose it helps to keep in mid that old statement "extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof"

Answer 7

Origins of a supernatural order is believed by most of the world not just America. Regardless of evolution or God both had to have a origin. God had to come from somewhere as well as the particle that began evolution. How can something come from nothing? It cnnot. So it is impossible for us to be here. But we are......You are wrong taht humans evolved from apes. the theory says there is a common ancestor but not a line of evolution from ape to human.

Answer 8

Deny what? That it is only a theory? And a new one at that. (1859) Don't hurry with conclusions that may prove erroneous. All the evidence so far is so scattered as to make anyone confused. Stick with one thing until you prove it and move on to the next.
When you get enough of them proved then try to tie them together. You can't come to a logical conclusion comparing different things.
For every "proof" I have seen supporting evolution, there is another that contradicts it.

Answer 9

The Theory of Evolution is not provable this is a matter of faith the same as christianity. As it stands the more research scientists learn about science the more they find out that, what the Word of God says is provable, accurate, and correct

Answer 10

A lot of people prefer simple to complicated. I think they are also more religious than us, and tend to believe what they are told. I know their education system isn't that brilliant in state schools.