Half of Britons do not believe in evolution, survey finds
 

Half of Britons do not believe in evolution, survey finds

More than one-fifth prefer creationism or intelligent design, while many others are confused about Darwin's theory

Riazat Butt, religious affairs correspondent

guardian.co.uk, Sunday 1 February 2009 13.52 GMT

Half of British adults do not believe in evolution, with at least 22% preferring the theories of creationism or intelligent design to explain how the world came about, according to a survey.

The poll found that 25% of Britons believe Charles Darwin's theory of evolution is "definitely true", with another quarter saying it is "probably true". Half of the 2,060 people questioned were either strongly opposed to the theory or confused about it.

The Rescuing Darwin survey, published to coincide with the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth and the 150th anniversary of the publication of On the Origin of *Species, found that around 10% of people chose young Earth creationism – the belief that God created the world some time in the last 10,000 years – over evolution.

About 12% preferred intelligent design, the idea that evolution alone is not enough to explain the structures of living organisms. The remainder were unsure, often mixing evolution, intelligent design and creationism together. The survey was conducted by the polling agency ComRes on behalf of the Theos thinktank.

A spokesman for Sense about Science, an independent charitable trust, said it was important for scientists and educators to disentangle religious belief from evidence.

James Williams, a lecturer at Sussex University, said: "Creationists ask if *people believe in evolution. Evolution is a theory and a fact. You accept it because of the evidence. What the creationists have done is put a cloak of pseudo-science to wrap up their religious belief."

Later this month scientists and academics from across Europe will meet in Dortmund, Germany, to discuss evolution and creationism. It will be the first European conference of its kind to deal with different aspects of attitudes and knowledge related to evolution. They will discuss specific difficulties regarding the acceptance of evolution theory in their home countries.

Williams, who will give a paper presenting a British perspective on evolution and creationism in school science, said: "Evolution is very badly taught in schools so the results of the survey don't surprise me. On the other hand, creationism has traditionally been an issue in North America and there is a big problem in Australia and Turkey. It matters if people don't understand how science works."

The Rescuing Darwin project includes the launch of Darwin and God, a new book on the naturalist's religious beliefs, at Westminster Abbey, where he is buried, and a debate about evolution and religion. Participants will include Dr Denis Alexander, Lord Robert Winston, Professor Steve Jones and Professor Nancy Rothwell.

Events celebrating Darwin's achievements are taking place throughout the year. Cambridge University is hosting a festival to unravel themes of science, society, literature, philosophy, theology and music arising from his writings, life and times.

The Natural History Museum, in London, is exhibiting previously unseen specimens and artefacts, while Darwin's home in Kent, Down House, opens to the public from 13 February.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/20...ey-creationism

Good good, I don't believe in evolution.

It makes sense that it would be that proprtion.
I imagine 1/2 of the people in the world who have heard about Darwin's theory, dont believe its true. I dont!

But many believe god! Lol..

http://images.play.com/bc/3313666m.jpg



I trust Richard Dawkins.


God is a old fable to me.

Charles Darwin and the Tree of Life
Highlight

Sunday 01 February
9:00pm - 10:00pm
BBC1


ON NOW!

I believe in Darwin's theory.

Darwin's theory was copied off many other sources... I still believe the "Theory of evolution" though

Can you be religious, and believe in the theory of evolution at the same time?

I'm just thinking of the car.. Bright white with green undercar neon's.

Yes, they just say it's part of god's plan.. And part of that is free will n stuff.




I'm still thinking of the car.

Yeah because you can believe God created all the sciencey stuff.

I don't believe in God,I do believe in evolution though,I thought most people did!

Some things just aren't supposed to be known

But I agree with evolution

I think a lot of adults are religious so won't believe in evolution, but a lot of younger people aren't and do. Do the same survey in 50 years and hugely different results

Thats surprised me actually... I believe in it.

I believe that there is a higher force but I believe in evolution too.

Thats a strange theory! Are you saying people become less LESS religious as time goes? I dont believe that for a second. In fact I think its the opposite.

12% creationism is the scary part.

Like the guy in the article said, the theory of evolution is something that needs to be taught properly to be understood. I had a great biology teacher who not only loved his job but also showed how the idea of natural selection is something that is happening everywhere. From the way products evolve to the way businesses grow and change, from philosophies evolving through the ages to the way technology mutates and changes but only those changes that find an application stick while the rest has to be re discovered later on. Sorry to sound geeky but it's pretty cool stuff. If on the other hand a teacher just tells students to memorise the facts then no doubt it will be in one ear and (after the exam) out the other.

Uh, no babe. More and more people do not believe in superstitious garbage. :pat:

Agreed, as time goes on there is less people believing in religion. I get surprised when I meet a teenager that believes in God, give it 50 years and Atheist's will be the majority.

Of those mentioned in the article, I'd have to say I'm more inclined to believe in the "intelligent design" idea.

Normally I am an agnostic, and don't particularly listen to organised religions (though I grew up in a Church of England school and am therefore only really familiar with the Christianity (CofE anyway) viewpoint).

But I cannot scientifically explain something as complex as life as we know it. Sentience, structure, emotion...it can't all be down to something as simple as evolution.

I'd say so. Personally I don't think God is real per se, but I have nothing but respect for dedicated Christians (and other denominations) for the time and effort they put into practicing their faith. You can believe in the theory of evolution and still live a religious life, by abstaining from morally evil things as dictated by the Bible, without necessarily believing it - if you get me?

ummm....yeah you can... read a book mate. How can you say " I cannot scientifically explain something as complex as life"... surely that's a failing on your part and not the science. Unless your claiming you've read all the science...understand it all and yet still thinks it's rubbish. But then you "believe" in creationism .... which bring no science at all to back it up.

"it can't all be down to something as simple as evolution." It isn't simple. Explain it to us if it's so simple.

What does the Greek Orthodox church say about this?

I don't believe in dinosaurs