Does the majority of the world believe in evolution?

Question

I wasnt sure if places such as China or middle eastern countries or India actually believe in evolution. I know there are places in America that dont believe in it and dont even teach it in schools, that teach "intelligent design" instead.

Answer 1

I think the chart provided by Antony is very telling. The answer is, yes, the majority of the world agrees with the theory of evolution (not to be nit-picky, but I don't like the terminology "believe in evolution"--science is not based on belief like religion is, it is based on facts--you either agree that the facts exist, or you don't).

If you look at the chart, it seems pretty obvious that agreement with the facts of evolution correlates highly to the level of formal education in the country (as well as factors such as the existence, as lo of an "official" religion, the amount of power religion has over the country, etc.).

The only anomaly seems to be the U.S.--isn't education here supposed to be pretty good? Apparently not. I think part of the reason evolution is not as accepted here in the states, is because the explanation for it given in science classes is woefully inadequate--evolution, when explained correctly, makes perfect sense. Only when people argue from a misunderstanding of the basic concept of evolution (such as the idea that it violates the 2nd law of thermodynamics, or that it is statistically impossible, etc.), does it start to make less sense to people, which leaves them open to the ideas that Intelligent Design suggests.

Anyways, I'm sorry to go off onto a ramble that doesn't quite address the question; I think I was just put off by the first response given. Reading "something on some website somewhere" does not put you at the level of refuting the science of evolutionary biologists. If one prefers the nice cozy story of intelligent design over the messy real world, that is one's perogative, as long as you keep in mind that that is not science...that is belief. And there is nothing innately wrong with belief as a personal thing--it is what makes the world more comfortable for YOU to live in. However, it does not equal fact, and it is NOT an equally plausable, "alternative" explanation for that which science has discovered.

Answer 2

Your question is more complicated than it appears. The graph that was referenced earlier comes from a survey of mostly Western European countries and that doesn’t really address your question. Intelligence and civilization are not birthrights. The accumulated knowledge and understanding of the universe and nature must be earned with years of study, something that is unavailable to the vast majority of the world’s inhabitants. If you are reading this, that probably means that you are one of the privileged.

You also need to distinguish between “believe in” vs. “understanding” evolution. To understand evolution requires a strong foundation in math, chemistry, physics, astronomy, and biology. Not even 1% of the world’s population understands evolution and it is obvious from the posts on this forum that many of those who support evolution, do not understand it.

A Gallup poll in 1999 (I don’t think the education system in the US has improved dramatically since then) showed that some 55% of those with high school educations or less believed that “God created humans in their present form within the past 10,000 years.” That figure drops to 40% for college grads and 27% for those with postgraduate training. Pretty sad…

To rail against evolution is no different than someone going on an ignorant rant against the “theory” of relativity, “Einsteinism”, or the “theory” of quantum electrodynamics simply because they don’t understand it. Each step in understanding the world we inhabit is a lesson in how unimportant we are. People don’t like that. There was a time where teaching that Earth was not the center of the universe could get you killed. It is always easier and more comforting to think that one is the special creation of an omnipotent deity, that you have a purpose and to answer every question with “it’s the will of God”. Some people get rather upset when that view is challenged.

Answer 3

Errr,,, I can't really answer your question accurately,,,
However, from what I read in a website, how rapid and drastic a mutation is, evolution can never occur...

Dr Asker why did you bother answering with such a stupid statement?

Evolution is not something you believe in or dont as the person above me wuite rightly said its about accepting evidence or disregarding it.

I love the idiots who use the second law of thermodynamics because A) The earth isnt a closed system, infact one cause of mutation is the impact of the sun on cells and B) The sun if you wanted to look at it as a closed system infact defies the second law because it creates MORE complicated molecules.

I Think you answer comes down to whether or not people A) really care about the origins of life B) Ready to accept other arguements...let us remember Faith is something that cannot be proven therefore you cannot argue against someone with faith because they do not believe they need proof or evidence to back up their argument...I suggest you read any book by Prof Richard Dawkins / Steve Jones or someone of that Ilk.

Answer 4

The majority of people in America don't believe in evolution. I don't see what the problem between religion and evolution is. The Bible says, 'God created man in His image'. All these fundamentalists think that God wiggled his nose (a la I Dream of Jeannie) and poof, man was created. Couldn't God have started the evolutionary ball rolling way back when the universe came into existance, thus creating man gradually over billions of years?

Answer 5

The level of education and especially learning science has a great impact on how people think and reason. Rationale and logic become the basis of decisions. Faith and blind beliefs in obscure doctrines take a second place. Majority in world today thinks science and logic.That is the reason people prefer theory of evolution to creation.

Answer 6

Dig for the time of the rock and you will discover that existence wasn't continuously a similar- it replaced or enhanced. Evolution is a actuality! How we clarify that actuality is the the thought of evolution.

Answer 7

Yes, more than 50% on average.

Here is an EXCELLENT chart which breaks the belief in evolution down by various contries around the world...

http://www.livescience.com/php/multimedia/imagedisplay/img_display.php?pic=060810_evo_rank_02.jpg&cap=A+chart+showing+public+acceptance+of+evolution+in+34+countries.+The+United+States+ranked+near+the+bottom%2C+beat+only+by+Turkey.+Credit%3A+Science

Answer 8

Most people in the world believe in evolution. It is mostly the hard core Christian elements in the USA that cling to the so called Bible version.

Answer 9

so if people dont belive in evolution, where do they think we come from, or is it cos they bellive in a story of creation(religeon)

Answer 10

Errr,,, I can't really answer your question accurately,,,
However, from what I read in a website, how rapid and drastic a mutation is, evolution can never occur...

So, each person has their own opinion.. It is a very difficult thing to say...
Do you?

Dr. Asker