[Buddha-l] Fwd: New Poll

[Richard P. Hayes]

Here is a newly published poll by the Pew Research Forum that offers
different (and slightly more comforting) findings than the poll than Dan
Lusthaus cited earlier today.

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NEW POLL: PUBLIC DIVIDED ON ORIGINS OF LIFE

The latest poll by the Pew Forum and the Pew Research Center 
for the People & the Press finds deep religious and political 
differences over questions relating to evolution and the 
origins of life. Overall, about half the public (48%) says that 
humans and other living things have evolved over time, while 
42% say that living things have existed in their present form 
since the beginning of time. Fully 70% of white evangelical 
Protestants say that life has existed in its present form since 
the beginning of time; fewer than half as many white mainline 
Protestants (32%) and white Catholics (31%) agree.

Despite these fundamental differences, most Americans (64%) say 
they are open to the idea of teaching creationism along with 
evolution in the public schools, while only 26% oppose this 
idea. A substantial minority (38%) favors replacing evolution 
with creationism in public school curricula. Support for 
teaching creationism in place of evolution comes primarily from 
religious conservatives, but the idea of teaching creationism 
alongside evolution has broader appeal, even among many who are 
politically liberal and who believe in evolution.

The poll report also includes findings on public opinion about 
gays in the military, politicans and their personal faith and 
familiarity with the new pope.

Read the poll report.
http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=bldylobab.0.ex5nnobab.bgkyqvn6.4495&p=http%3A%2F
%2Fpewforum.org%2Fdocs%2Findex.php%3FDocID%3D115%233
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While it never amazes me to discover that 64% of Americans are complete
idiots, I am a little surprised to discover that 64% are idiots in the
way being described in this poll. Open to teaching creationism along
with evolution? That's a good example of having a mind so open that
one's brains fall out.

Richard