Religions > Atheism > Gallup: Third of Americans Say Evidence Has Supported Darwin's Evolution Theory
| Topic: |
Religions > Atheism |
| User: |
"Jason Spaceman" |
| Date: |
19 Nov 2004 05:58:09 AM |
| Object: |
Gallup: Third of Americans Say Evidence Has Supported Darwin's Evolution Theory |
Gallup has released the results of a recent poll concerning American's attitudes
towards evolution, creationism, the Bible, etc. Looks like 45% of Americans
still believe "God created human beings pretty much in their present form at
one time within the last 10,000 years or so.". Which is the same percentage as
the last time (Feb. 2001) this poll was conducted.
Read it at http://www.gallup.com/poll/content/?ci=14107
J. Spaceman
--
My email address (notreally@jspaceman.homelinux.org) is fake. Email sent to it
will only get caught in my spam tarpit.
.
|
|
| User: "Alexander" |
|
| Title: Re: Gallup: Third of Americans Say Evidence Has Supported Darwin's Evolution Theory |
19 Nov 2004 07:04:33 AM |
|
|
"Jason Spaceman" <notreally@jspaceman.homelinux.org> wrote in message
news:5ZmdnZfqPNAofwDcRVn-sQ@rogers.com...
Gallup has released the results of a recent poll concerning American's
attitudes
towards evolution, creationism, the Bible, etc. Looks like 45% of
Americans
still believe "God created human beings pretty much in their present form
at
one time within the last 10,000 years or so.". Which is the same
percentage as
the last time (Feb. 2001) this poll was conducted.
Read it at http://www.gallup.com/poll/content/?ci=14107
J. Spaceman
Cheers J - another little gem of web trawling.
What's interesting about this poll is that it seems opinions haven't shifted
much over 22 years. Although the sample set is small and, apparently,
random you would expect to see some shift in attitudes to one degree or
another.
I'm rarely convinced by quantative social surveys on their own as they never
give a complete picture (and to go from a sample of c.1000 to 'Americans
believe' is stretching things a little) but the historicity of this little
foray is quite interesting.
--
My email address (notreally@jspaceman.homelinux.org) is fake. Email sent
to it
will only get caught in my spam tarpit.
.
|
|
|
| User: "Bob Pease" |
|
| Title: Re: Gallup: Third of Americans Say Evidence Has Supported Darwin's Evolution Theory |
19 Nov 2004 10:42:56 AM |
|
|
"Alexander" <alexander.hudson@virgin.net> wrote in message
news:2nmnd.94$FO2.32@newsfe1-win.ntli.net...
"Jason Spaceman" <notreally@jspaceman.homelinux.org> wrote in message
news:5ZmdnZfqPNAofwDcRVn-sQ@rogers.com...
Gallup has released the results of a recent poll concerning American's
attitudes
towards evolution, creationism, the Bible, etc. Looks like 45% of
Americans
still believe "God created human beings pretty much in their present
form
at
one time within the last 10,000 years or so.". Which is the same
percentage as
the last time (Feb. 2001) this poll was conducted.
Read it at http://www.gallup.com/poll/content/?ci=14107
J. Spaceman
Cheers J - another little gem of web trawling.
What's interesting about this poll is that it seems opinions haven't
shifted
much over 22 years. Although the sample set is small and, apparently,
random you would expect to see some shift in attitudes to one degree or
another.
I'm rarely convinced by quantative social surveys on their own as they
never
give a complete picture (and to go from a sample of c.1000 to 'Americans
believe' is stretching things a little) but the historicity of this little
foray is quite interesting.
According to Statistical theory,It's not stretching things very far.
(I am sympathetic to skepticism of statistics in general because they're
often fudged.)
They have to be willing to bet you 20-1 that a"Randomly" (Whatever that
means or can be determined) selected larger sample will be within 3
percentage points of their sample .(important qualifiers apply as to WHICH
answers )
response breakdown by subgroup is somewhat more nebulous.
In any poll, the main design factor is that they are unwilling to spend what
it would cost, in time and resources, to survey a sample a lot larger than
necessary so they can cover their bet to ,say, 100-1.
They have made the usual disclaimers at the end of the article.
Bob Pease
---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.740 / Virus Database: 494 - Release Date: 8/16/04
.
|
|
|
| User: "Alexander" |
|
| Title: Re: Gallup: Third of Americans Say Evidence Has Supported Darwin's Evolution Theory |
19 Nov 2004 11:09:33 AM |
|
|
"Bob Pease" <robertjp@askmeinapost.com> wrote in message
news:cnl8g4$nha@dispatch.concentric.net...
"Alexander" <alexander.hudson@virgin.net> wrote in message
news:2nmnd.94$FO2.32@newsfe1-win.ntli.net...
"Jason Spaceman" <notreally@jspaceman.homelinux.org> wrote in message
news:5ZmdnZfqPNAofwDcRVn-sQ@rogers.com...
Gallup has released the results of a recent poll concerning American's
attitudes
towards evolution, creationism, the Bible, etc. Looks like 45% of
Americans
still believe "God created human beings pretty much in their present
form
at
one time within the last 10,000 years or so.". Which is the same
percentage as
the last time (Feb. 2001) this poll was conducted.
Read it at http://www.gallup.com/poll/content/?ci=14107
J. Spaceman
Cheers J - another little gem of web trawling.
What's interesting about this poll is that it seems opinions haven't
shifted
much over 22 years. Although the sample set is small and, apparently,
random you would expect to see some shift in attitudes to one degree or
another.
I'm rarely convinced by quantative social surveys on their own as they
never
give a complete picture (and to go from a sample of c.1000 to 'Americans
believe' is stretching things a little) but the historicity of this
little
foray is quite interesting.
According to Statistical theory,It's not stretching things very far.
(I am sympathetic to skepticism of statistics in general because they're
often fudged.)
They have to be willing to bet you 20-1 that a"Randomly" (Whatever that
means or can be determined) selected larger sample will be within 3
percentage points of their sample .(important qualifiers apply as to WHICH
answers )
response breakdown by subgroup is somewhat more nebulous.
In any poll, the main design factor is that they are unwilling to spend
what
it would cost, in time and resources, to survey a sample a lot larger than
necessary so they can cover their bet to ,say, 100-1.
They have made the usual disclaimers at the end of the article.
Yeah I saw the disclaimer. Gallup are reasonably good at collating
information I was just speaking out loud really. I'll get back in my box
Bob Pease
---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.740 / Virus Database: 494 - Release Date: 8/16/04
.
|
|
|
|
|
| User: "Matt Giwer" |
|
| Title: Re: Gallup: Third of Americans Say Evidence Has Supported Darwin'sEvolution Theory |
20 Nov 2004 02:27:55 AM |
|
|
Alexander wrote:
I'm rarely convinced by quantative social surveys on their own as they never
give a complete picture (and to go from a sample of c.1000 to 'Americans
believe' is stretching things a little) but the historicity of this little
foray is quite interesting.
The pollsters earn their keep by 1) producing the results desired for
opinion makers and 2) when real information is desired such as in
election polls where they make their reputations and set their rates
by accuracy, knowing how to select the representative 1000 people. Any
1000 people would not be considered legitimate by any polling agency.
Half have to be women. The people have to spread across education
levels, urban/suburban/rural, difference parts of the country and
different populaltion densities. And all spread over a reasonable age
range, this would be 18 to 80. And probably a lot of other factors I
haven't listed.
--
It comes down to the war on Iraq was because
Hussein had less than maidenly thoughts.
-- The Iron Webmaster, 3264
.
|
|
|
| User: "Bob Pease" |
|
| Title: Re: Gallup: Third of Americans Say Evidence Has Supported Darwin'sEvolution Theory |
20 Nov 2004 10:48:44 AM |
|
|
"Matt Giwer" <jull43@tampabay.rr.RoMeVE.com> wrote in message
news:ZpDnd.46716$6w6.30592@tornado.tampabay.rr.com...
Alexander wrote:
I'm rarely convinced by quantative social surveys on their own as they
never
give a complete picture (and to go from a sample of c.1000 to 'Americans
believe' is stretching things a little) but the historicity of this
little
foray is quite interesting.
The pollsters earn their keep by 1) producing the results desired for
opinion makers and 2) when real information is desired such as in
election polls where they make their reputations and set their rates
by accuracy, knowing how to select the representative 1000 people. Any
1000 people would not be considered legitimate by any polling agency.
Half have to be women. The people have to spread across education
levels, urban/suburban/rural, difference parts of the country and
different populaltion densities. And all spread over a reasonable age
range, this would be 18 to 80. And probably a lot of other factors I
haven't listed.
I don't know how many polls deliver ad hoc results and ignore others, but I
certainly share your cynicism that the practice is widespread.
Even this poll is suspicious because it represents a population of people
who were at home and would cooperate in a telephone survey
As you have pointed out the demographics involved the obvious problem,
rather than the popular ridicule of the sample size itself.
Bob Pease
---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.740 / Virus Database: 494 - Release Date: 8/16/04
.
|
|
|
| User: "John M Price PhD" |
|
| Title: Re: Gallup: Third of Americans Say Evidence Has Supported Darwin'sEvolution Theory |
21 Nov 2004 04:11:00 PM |
|
|
In article <cnnt7f$kp4@dispatch.concentric.net> from sci.skeptic
Pease wrote:
: As you have pointed out the demographics involved the obvious problem,
: rather than the popular ridicule of the sample size itself.
Did they present their goodness of fit results in the original poll
release?
(c) 2004. Copyright, John M. Price, PhD. All Rights Reserved.
Contents may not be republished in any form or medium without prior
written consent of the author with the express and only exception of
followup postings limited to and within usenet.
--
John M. Price, PhD
Life: Chemistry, but with feeling! | PGP Key on request or FTP!
Email responses to my Usenet articles will be posted at my discretion.
Comoderator: sci.psychology.psychotherapy.moderated Atheist# 683
Double-Blind Experiment, n.:
An experiment in which the chief researcher believes he is
fooling both the subject and the lab assistant. Often accompanied by a
belief in the tooth fairy.
.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| User: "Susan S" |
|
| Title: Re: Gallup: Third of Americans Say Evidence Has Supported Darwin's Evolution Theory |
19 Nov 2004 03:32:17 PM |
|
|
In talk.origins I read this message from Jason Spaceman
<notreally@jspaceman.homelinux.org>:
Gallup has released the results of a recent poll concerning American's attitudes
towards evolution, creationism, the Bible, etc. Looks like 45% of Americans
still believe "God created human beings pretty much in their present form at
one time within the last 10,000 years or so.". Which is the same percentage as
the last time (Feb. 2001) this poll was conducted.
Read it at http://www.gallup.com/poll/content/?ci=14107
How does this compare to other countries?
Susan Silberstein
.
|
|
|
| User: "Alexander" |
|
| Title: Re: Gallup: Third of Americans Say Evidence Has Supported Darwin's Evolution Theory |
19 Nov 2004 06:41:43 PM |
|
|
"Susan S" <otoeremovethis@ix.netcom.com> wrote in message
news:b8ksp0d23rq2fiahj0bdv3pjvv5lrmq83a@4ax.com...
In talk.origins I read this message from Jason Spaceman
<notreally@jspaceman.homelinux.org>:
Gallup has released the results of a recent poll concerning American's
attitudes
towards evolution, creationism, the Bible, etc. Looks like 45% of
Americans
still believe "God created human beings pretty much in their present form
at
one time within the last 10,000 years or so.". Which is the same
percentage as
the last time (Feb. 2001) this poll was conducted.
Read it at http://www.gallup.com/poll/content/?ci=14107
How does this compare to other countries?
Not sure about YEC beliefs exactly but here in the UK and Europe we are just
a tad more secular. I can dig out figures of a precise nature if you like
but belief in literal Bible drops dramatically here in the UK it seems.
Perhaps as low as 10%-20%
Susan Silberstein
.
|
|
|
|
| User: "Tim Christensen" |
|
| Title: Re: Gallup: Third of Americans Say Evidence Has Supported Darwin'sEvolution Theory |
22 Nov 2004 04:28:10 PM |
|
|
Susan S wrote:
How does this compare to other countries?
I have a few numbers from Denmark (done by Gallup in 2000)
10% goes to church 1 time or more every month. (USA: 54%)
On the question "On a scale from 1-10 how important is God to you" the
average was 4.6 (USA: 8.5)
16% Believes in a personal God (like in the Bible) (USA 64%), 51%
believes in a sole or life force (USA: 28%), 15% are true atheists (USA
2%) , the rest are dont knows.
49% pray or meditate. (USA: 87%)
10% thinks there are only one true religion (USA: 21%).
.
|
|
|
|
| User: "Roy Culley" |
|
| Title: Re: Gallup: Third of Americans Say Evidence Has Supported Darwin's Evolution Theory |
19 Nov 2004 07:57:36 PM |
|
|
begin <b8ksp0d23rq2fiahj0bdv3pjvv5lrmq83a@4ax.com>,
Susan S <otoeremovethis@ix.netcom.com> writes:
In talk.origins I read this message from Jason Spaceman
<notreally@jspaceman.homelinux.org>:
Gallup has released the results of a recent poll concerning American's attitudes
towards evolution, creationism, the Bible, etc. Looks like 45% of Americans
still believe "God created human beings pretty much in their present form at
one time within the last 10,000 years or so.". Which is the same percentage as
the last time (Feb. 2001) this poll was conducted.
Read it at http://www.gallup.com/poll/content/?ci=14107
How does this compare to other countries?
A poll carried out for the BBC:
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/04/world_what_the_world_thinks_of_god/html/1.stm>
.
|
|
|
| User: "Daave" |
|
| Title: Re: Gallup: Third of Americans Say Evidence Has Supported Darwin's Evolution Theory |
19 Nov 2004 10:39:36 PM |
|
|
Roy Culley wrote:
A poll carried out for the BBC:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/04/world_what_the_world_thinks_of_god/html/1.stm
From the same Web site:
"Nearly 30% of atheists questioned admitted that they prayed sometimes."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/04/world_what_the_world_thinks_of_god/html/5.stm
Am I the only one who is perplexed by this?
Dave
.
|
|
|
| User: "David Canzi -- non-mailable address" |
|
| Title: Re: Gallup: Third of Americans Say Evidence Has Supported Darwin's Evolution Theory |
20 Nov 2004 12:00:45 AM |
|
|
In article <84And.4290$Qh3.4110@newsread3.news.atl.earthlink.net>,
Daave <dcwashNOSPAM@myrealboxXYZ.invalid> wrote:
Roy Culley wrote:
A poll carried out for the BBC:
[snip]
"Nearly 30% of atheists questioned admitted that they prayed sometimes."
[snip]
Am I the only one who is perplexed by this?
Is "Oh my God" a prayer?
--
David Canzi
.
|
|
|
| User: "John Wilkins" |
|
| Title: Re: Gallup: Third of Americans Say Evidence Has Supported Darwin's Evolution Theory |
22 Nov 2004 03:38:25 PM |
|
|
David Canzi -- non-mailable address <dmcanzi@remulak.ads.uwaterloo.ca>
wrote:
In article <84And.4290$Qh3.4110@newsread3.news.atl.earthlink.net>,
Daave <dcwashNOSPAM@myrealboxXYZ.invalid> wrote:
Roy Culley wrote:
A poll carried out for the BBC:
[snip]
"Nearly 30% of atheists questioned admitted that they prayed sometimes."
[snip]
Am I the only one who is perplexed by this?
Is "Oh my God" a prayer?
It is if "Holy *****!" is a prayer...
--
John S. Wilkins
web: www.wilkins.id.au blog: evolvethought.blogspot.com
God cheats
.
|
|
|
| User: "Highly Annoyed Rodent of Unusual Size & Typing Ability" |
|
| Title: Re: Gallup: Third of Americans Say Evidence Has Supported Darwin's Evolution Theory |
26 Nov 2004 12:19:21 PM |
|
|
(John Wilkins) pulled the needle out his vein
long enough to rant thusly:
news:1gnobn6.m0ij78mlzby2N%:
David Canzi -- non-mailable address <dmcanzi@remulak.ads.uwaterloo.ca>
wrote:
In article <84And.4290$Qh3.4110@newsread3.news.atl.earthlink.net>,
Daave <dcwashNOSPAM@myrealboxXYZ.invalid> wrote:
Roy Culley wrote:
A poll carried out for the BBC:
[snip]
"Nearly 30% of atheists questioned admitted that they prayed
sometimes."
[snip]
Am I the only one who is perplexed by this?
Is "Oh my God" a prayer?
It is if "Holy *****!" is a prayer...
What about "*****-a-doodle-doo"?
--
"As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and
more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious
day the plain folk of the land will reach their heart's desire at last,
and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron."
--H.L. Mencken
.
|
|
|
|
| User: "David Canzi -- non-mailable address" |
|
| Title: Re: Gallup: Third of Americans Say Evidence Has Supported Darwin's Evolution Theory |
23 Nov 2004 09:55:48 PM |
|
|
In article <1gnobn6.m0ij78mlzby2N%johnSPAM@wilkins.id.au>,
John Wilkins <johnSPAM@wilkins.id.au> wrote:
David Canzi -- non-mailable address <dmcanzi@remulak.ads.uwaterloo.ca>
wrote:
In article <84And.4290$Qh3.4110@newsread3.news.atl.earthlink.net>,
Daave <dcwashNOSPAM@myrealboxXYZ.invalid> wrote:
Roy Culley wrote:
A poll carried out for the BBC:
[snip]
"Nearly 30% of atheists questioned admitted that they prayed sometimes."
[snip]
Am I the only one who is perplexed by this?
Is "Oh my God" a prayer?
It is if "Holy *****!" is a prayer...
I guess not, then. Too bad... I was becoming fond of the theory that
"Jesus Christ!" is a prayer but "Jesus H. Christ!" isn't.
--
David Canzi
.
|
|
|
|
| User: "satyr" |
|
| Title: Re: Gallup: Third of Americans Say Evidence Has Supported Darwin's Evolution Theory |
05 Dec 2004 11:55:51 PM |
|
|
On Mon, 22 Nov 2004 21:38:25 +0000 (UTC), (John
Wilkins) wrote:
David Canzi -- non-mailable address <dmcanzi@remulak.ads.uwaterloo.ca>
wrote:
In article <84And.4290$Qh3.4110@newsread3.news.atl.earthlink.net>,
Daave <dcwashNOSPAM@myrealboxXYZ.invalid> wrote:
Roy Culley wrote:
A poll carried out for the BBC:
[snip]
"Nearly 30% of atheists questioned admitted that they prayed sometimes."
[snip]
Am I the only one who is perplexed by this?
Is "Oh my God" a prayer?
It is if "Holy *****!" is a prayer...
Reminds me of the little boy who asked his father if he could just say
the short prayers like daddy and mommy do. When the father asks what
he means, the little boy tells his father that he heard him say, "Oh
God, I'm coming." and his mother say, "Jesus Christ, wait for me."
--
satyr #1953
Chairman, EAC Church Taxation Subcommittee
Director, Gideon Bible Alternative Fuel Project
Supervisor, EAC Fossil Casting Lab
.
|
|
|
|
|
| User: "kemchan" |
|
| Title: Re: Gallup: Third of Americans Say Evidence Has Supported Darwin's Evolution Theory |
22 Nov 2004 07:08:05 PM |
|
|
In article <cnmn9u$bsh$1@rumours.uwaterloo.ca>,
(David Canzi -- non-mailable address)
wrote:
Is "Oh my God" a prayer?
Oh Chirst no!
.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| User: "RHertz" |
|
| Title: Re: Gallup: Third of Americans Say Evidence Has Supported Darwin's Evolution Theory |
20 Nov 2004 07:34:34 PM |
|
|
It would be interesting to see a "blue state- red state" comparison.
.
|
|
|
|
| User: "Matt Giwer" |
|
| Title: Re: Gallup: Third of Americans Say Evidence Has Supported Darwin'sEvolution Theory |
20 Nov 2004 02:46:52 AM |
|
|
Jason Spaceman wrote:
Gallup has released the results of a recent poll concerning American's attitudes
towards evolution, creationism, the Bible, etc. Looks like 45% of Americans
still believe "God created human beings pretty much in their present form at
one time within the last 10,000 years or so.". Which is the same percentage as
the last time (Feb. 2001) this poll was conducted.
In a matter that is based in part upon education who would expect a
change over three years? Twenty years is a more reasonable time
between polls. That gets another generation through basic education
and out into life.
And only the college prep high school cirriculum requires sciences.
In my day it was two out of three, physics, chemistry, biology. But
the requirement has nothing to do with an interest in science and one
chance in three of not picking biology even in an interest. So even at
20 year intervals changes are expected to be incremental.
Other than distasteful, who really gives a damn as long as it is not
religion taught as science?
In perspective, if finding Iraq on a map could have disqualified
voters it would have been a Kerry landslide. In fact a credible answer
as to where gasoline comes from could have done the same thing.
There is a traditional (hoarey, dull, repetative) interest in the
evolution/creation issue. It is not even in the top 100 currently
important issues for modern society. It is not even among the
interesting issues.
--
The foundation of the Republican hatred of Islam is
the African-American Nation of Islam movement. Old
style hate-the-niggers is the root.
-- The Iron Webmaster, 3282
.
|
|
|
| User: "Jeffrey Turner" |
|
| Title: Re: Gallup: Third of Americans Say Evidence Has Supported Darwin'sEvolutionTheory |
20 Nov 2004 11:40:23 AM |
|
|
Matt Giwer wrote:
In perspective, if finding Iraq on a map could have disqualified
voters it would have been a Kerry landslide. In fact a credible answer
as to where gasoline comes from could have done the same thing.
Bosh! Gasoline comes from the gas station. May I vote now?
--Jeff
--
It is only those who have neither
fired a shot nor heard the shrieks
and groans of the wounded who cry
aloud for blood, more vengeance, more
desolation. War is hell.
--William Tecumseh Sherman
Egotism is the anesthetic that dulls
the pain of stupidity.
--Frank William Leahy
.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Related Articles |
|
|
