Why is the US is at the bottom of this list regarding Evolution?

Question

click on the chart under related images.

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

Blue supports evolution, red creationism.

Why does Europe accept evolution so much more strongly, despite being the origin of much of Christianity, and despite the populations being overwhelmingly religious?

Even religion has been forced to make concessions...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Level_of_support_for_evolution#Evolution_and_the_Roman_Catholic_Church
not total, of course, but why has the US held on so strongly to Creationism?

For you experiment minded folks, which is what this is, I am posting this question in the Religion & Spirituality category as well, just to see the varying responses from the fanatics on both sides :)

Answer 1

Europe is indeed mainly Christian. However, most of the countries are either Catholic or mainline Protestant, both of which accept evolution. And most European countries are a lot less concerned about biblical morality, with things like condom museums, nudity in locker rooms, and lower church attendance, which are very rare here in America.

Creationism is very much an American phenomenon, in part because it is the home of many fundamentalist movements and leaders, and in part because of poor education, where most people have no understanding of basic scientific principles. For instance, in the movie Supersize Me, many many random people interviewed had no idea what a calorie is. This is a very basic concept that directly affects everyone's lives, health, and weight issues. And look at how many people believe in psuedosciences like astrology. Scientific literacy is a profound problem here, and a lot of people are receptive to ideas like "Carbon dating is extremely innacurate."

Answer 2

We are a strange lot. I think it has to do with a fear that if we write the first chapter of the Bible off as fiction, then the rest is also pulled into question. Instead of looking at the Bible as a history and way to explain life, many Americans view it as an absolute truth. We must remember when it was written and the general education of those it was written for. And yet on the opposite side evolutionist see their view as an absolute. I see the creation story as simplified way to explain the beginning of life. It is interesting the order in which things were created follow a basic organic and biological process. If you took at the phrases on the first day and so on out, it would follow the same basic flow as evolution. Although I do not hold the story of creation as true, I do believe in a Creator. The process is not important.

Answer 3

We are a unusual lot. I suppose it has to do with a worry that if we write the primary bankruptcy of the Bible off as fiction, then the leisure could also be pulled into query. Instead of watching on the Bible as a historical past and means to provide an explanation for existence, many Americans view it as an absolute reality. We have got to consider whilst it used to be written and the regular schooling of the ones it used to be written for. And but at the reverse aspect evolutionist see their view as an absolute. I see the production tale as a simplified means to provide an explanation for the opening of existence. It is exciting the order wherein matters have been created comply with a fundamental natural and organic procedure. If you took on the terms at the first day and so forth out, it could comply with the equal fundamental waft as evolution. Although I don't maintain the tale of production as real, I do feel in a Creator. The procedure isn't primary.

Answer 4

We're way behind Europe because Europe sent all its fundies over here. Starting with the Puritan Pilgrims, who arrived in 1620 fleeing religious moderation to establish a theocracy, America has absorbed all sorts of religious misfits. In the absence of established social order, they were able to pretend they were normal. In many cases, communities were founded by religious fundamentalists with no moderating influences, leaving us today with many people who haven't evolved from anything.

Answer 5

Without looking at the chart you mentioned (I trust you) America is still holding it's ground in it's deepest of conscience that EVOLUTION IS A LIE! The vast majority of American's can not agree that we came from monkeys and I believe we will not. Our Christian roots are deeper and more real of an experience than the Europeans. The USA is stubborn and knows it's role in leadership and has too much appreciation for truth, reality, and Christian worldview. Only Christianity (especially Genesis 1-11 in the OT) explains the origins and reasons for life etc. You just can't beat it!

Answer 6

Actually, 'Cuteboy' unwittingly provides the answer:

> "Europe is more accepting to evolution because it's such a large diverse country."

And there's your answer ... our "superior" educational system (that, for example, produces people who think Europe is a country).

Answer 7

we can't contradict with the results but iguess, the chart only symbolizes the truth in which people in united states are faithful christians and that those who believed in evolution are so rare inspite of the fact that famous evolution fanatics mostly came in line w/ U.S.

Answer 8

The US is at the bottom because America is based upon God; that is what America was founded on. "In God We Trust". Also, Europe is more accepting to evolution because it's such a large diverse country. Lastly, Europeans are much more likely to admitting in their belieft of Evolution rather that Americans are.

Answer 9

I think this is a question for P.T.Barnum!