Poll finds support for teaching evolution, creationism

Posted 14 March 2000
By a wide margin, a new poll finds that Americans think evolution and creationism should be taught in the public schools. Fully 83 percent of respondents thought evolution was appropriate to the classroom. Almost the same proportion -- 79 percent -- felt the same about creationism. However, many respondents said creationism -- under various definitions -- should be regarded as a belief, not a scientific theory. The poll's margin of error was below 3 percent.

A majority consider the contrasting views of human origins to be mutually compatible. Sixty-eight percent thought it was possible to believe in evolution and some form of Divine origin and guidance. At the two extremes, 30 percent thought creationism should be taught as scientific theory, while 20 percent thought evolution should be taught without mentioning creationism. Evolution had more support among people who were younger and better educated.

The survey provided a rare moment of encouragement to both sides of the debate. The New York Times quoted Duane Gish, a leading creationist, as being "generally pleased" with the results. David Haig, an evolutionary biologist, said he was "cheered that the majority of people are happy for evolution to be taught in the schools."

For more information about the Evolution/Creation debate, check out Evolution Devolution.

See" "Survey Finds Support Is Strong for Teaching 2 Origin Theories," James Glanz, The New York Times, Mar. 11, 2000, p. A1.

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