Only 15% of Americans accept evolution.

[Dyakovo]

Im an Adaptionist mixed with Bacterial-Viral progression explaining my views.

What the hell does that mean?

It means he is the epitome of ignorant hipsterism....
He has no clue what a scientific theory actually is, let alone knowing anything about the theory of evolution via natural selection, and thus thinks he's somehow cool for dismissing both it and creationism.

[Dyakovo]

Let them believe in what the heck they want, what is the problem?

Ignorance and denial of reality is a problem.

[Chulainan]

Let them believe in what the heck they want, what is the problem?

No real issue aside from those who wish to force everyone into their beliefs and make those beliefs the foundation of governmental policy. There's no issue til these sort of things start effect the likes of public education.

Until then I agree, live and let live.

[Czechanada]

I would like to know where exactly was this sample taken from.

A quick google search shows that Gallup dials random phone numbers. They use both landline and cell phones.

Which is completely unscientific.

[Bottle]

Let them believe in what the heck they want, what is the problem?

They vote.

[Esternial]

Let them believe in what the heck they want, what is the problem?

Ignorance and denial of reality is a problem.

I usually don't agree with you on such matters, being more of a "live and let live"

But Creatonism is a blight on the sane human mind, to put it in severely exaggerated terms.

[Farnhamia]

Let them believe in what the heck they want, what is the problem?

They vote.

They do, indeed. And I'm not at all happy with Gallup's questions, since they all assume a "God" who may or may not have been involved in the development of humanity but does exist. Gallup was seriously wrong this past autumn on another, even more important question so I'm a little hesitant to accept these numbers at face value.

[Miss Defied]

Let them believe in what the heck they want, what is the problem?

They vote.

And they exist in positions of power in government.

[Northern Dominus]

A quick google search shows that Gallup dials random phone numbers. They use both landline and cell phones.

Which is completely unscientific.

Well technically it is scientific. Rather than target a specific audience, pulling completely random numbers and cold-calling without any sort of master list of bias is in and of itself is a halmark of a good attempt to take a statistically diverse range of numbers.

The problem is WHEN those calls were made. Odds are if they were made about midday, or during business hours I would be willing to wager that most people who don't hold an extremist sort of view IE hardline creationist, are competent enough socially to hold down a regular job or are active enough in their community to do something beneficial to society rather than try and foist their personal beliefs on other people.
Its the same reason why census numbers can be screwy: people who have the time to answer such questions usually don't have anything better to do and therefore have the time to get their screwy ideas out in the public sphere.

Let them believe in what the heck they want, what is the problem?

They vote.

Case in point right here.

People can believe what they wish. It's part of the highest law in the land, and nothing precludes them from that, and voting along those lines is again their right as well.
However, when those extremist views get the backing of a fringe group with lots of money vis a vis the Discovery Institute backed by the Thomas More Law Center and therefore hijack the public school system and actively try to circumvent the 1st Amendment by wrapping up metaphorical origin of life stories in pseudo-science, that's when the problem starts.

[Bottle]

They vote.

They do, indeed. And I'm not at all happy with Gallup's questions, since they all assume a "God" who may or may not have been involved in the development of humanity but does exist. Gallup was seriously wrong this past autumn on another, even more important question so I'm a little hesitant to accept these numbers at face value.

To be honest, I don't think any question about the percentage of Americans who "accept" evolution or "believe" evolution is going to be remotely relevant at this point, due to the shitty quality of our science education. The only question I find relevant is when you ask people to DEFINE evolution, and see how many have even a basic grasp of it. If that number is lower than 100%, your nation needs to improve education.

[Dread Lady Nathicana]

Basically Im what you'd call an anti-evolutionist-anti-creationist.

So a troll then, I knew it would require a pointless amount of effort to debate with you on this and why you're wrong. I don't see how else you can explain we came to be without either creationism or evolution and I don't see you trying or even making coherent sense when you try.

*Sigh*

I think i'll go on reddit for a while, or maybe some other thread on here......

Actually, the one seeming to be acting trollish here is you. Knock it off. Either address the argument, or go sandbox elsewhere as you've suggested you are.

[Bottle]

Basically Im what you'd call an anti-evolutionist-anti-creationist ( Both are a crock of stew)

Well the important thing is that you've found a way to feel superior to both.

[Farnhamia]

Basically Im what you'd call an anti-evolutionist-anti-creationist ( Both are a crock of stew)

Well the important thing is that you've found a way to feel superior to both.

Self-esteem is important, after all.

[Czechanada]

Which is completely unscientific.

Well technically it is scientific. Rather than target a specific audience, pulling completely random numbers and cold-calling without any sort of master list of bias is in and of itself is a halmark of a good attempt to take a statistically diverse range of numbers.

The problem is WHEN those calls were made. Odds are if they were made about midday, or during business hours I would be willing to wager that most people who don't hold an extremist sort of view IE hardline creationist, are competent enough socially to hold down a regular job or are active enough in their community to do something beneficial to society rather than try and foist their personal beliefs on other people.
Its the same reason why census numbers can be screwy: people who have the time to answer such questions usually don't have anything better to do and therefore have the time to get their screwy ideas out in the public sphere.

They vote.

Case in point right here.

People can believe what they wish. It's part of the highest law in the land, and nothing precludes them from that, and voting along those lines is again their right as well.
However, when those extremist views get the backing of a fringe group with lots of money vis a vis the Discovery Institute backed by the Thomas More Law Center and therefore hijack the public school system and actively try to circumvent the 1st Amendment by wrapping up metaphorical origin of life stories in pseudo-science, that's when the problem starts.

I never was a fan of simple random sampling; It's not representative of the entire population. Although I admit that stratified random sampling would be difficult, costly, and time-consuming.

[Greed and Death]

This is a few months old, but someone showed this to me today, and I was shocked.

Only 15% of Americans fully believe in evolution. 46% reject it outright. And the latter number has risen by 6% from the year before.

(Image)
Source: Gallup

These are the sort of things that make me embarrassed to be American. This is 2013, not 1500. You would think that by now, most people would be able to accept basic science. I feel like if the religious right isn't stopped soon, we could be almost a theocracy in 20 or 30 years. Hopefully, something can change drastically. However, it's an understatement to say that I'm more than a little worried about the future of my country.


edited for grammar

Should be 47% believe in evolution.
Whether god guided or did not guide us is not a subject for science or school to address.

[Steskaya]

Perhaps the world is created, perhaps it ain't, we will only guess.

[Bottle]

Perhaps the world is created, perhaps it ain't, we will only guess.

Really? That's what you're gonna use your first post on?

[Steskaya]

Perhaps the world is created, perhaps it ain't, we will only guess.

Really? That's what you're gonna use your first post on?

Insallah

[Greed and Death]

Basically Im what you'd call an anti-evolutionist-anti-creationist ( Both are a crock of stew)

Well the important thing is that you've found a way to feel superior to both.

Everyone of intelligence knows, that an invisible and undetectable Flying Spaghetti Monster created the universe "after drinking heavily". His intoxication was the cause for a flawed Earth.

[Bottle]

Really? That's what you're gonna use your first post on?

Insallah

I do not anticipate a bright future for this new arrival.

[Steskaya]

Insallah

I do not anticipate a bright future for this new arrival.

We will see.

[Czechanada]

Perhaps the world is created, perhaps it ain't, we will only guess.

Really? That's what you're gonna use your first post on?

Now, now, we don't need that kind of welcome for him.

With the proper amount of care, we can turn him into a proper NSGer.

You probably don't even remember your first post.

[Steskaya]

Really? That's what you're gonna use your first post on?

Now, now, we don't need that kind of welcome for him.

With the proper amount of care, we can turn him into a proper NSGer.

You probably don't even remember your first post.

Define proper.

EDIT: Hippo?

[Ifreann]

Perhaps the world is created, perhaps it ain't, we will only guess.

Well, you and the mouse in your pocket are welcome to guess at whatever you want. The grown ups will be next door in lab coats drawing conclusions from observation and experimentation.

[Dyakovo]

Now, now, we don't need that kind of welcome for him.

With the proper amount of care, we can turn him into a proper NSGer.

You probably don't even remember your first post.

Define proper.

One who doesn't post mindless twaddle.