Over 70 Percent Of Americans Believe In Some Form Of Creationism

A Gallup poll from May showed that 42 percent of respondents believe that God created humanity as it currently exists within the last 10,000 years.

The poll also showed 31 percent believe humans evolved with god guiding, and 19 percent believe humans evolved, but God had no part in the process.

The data shows a majority of Americans have held the belief that God created human origins since Gallup first starting asking the question in 1982 according to the Huffington Post.

The question asked was “Which of the following statements comes closest to your views on the development and origin of human beings?

1. Human beings have developed over millions of years from less advanced forms of life, but God guided this process.

2. Human beings have developed over millions of years from less advanced forms of life, but God had no part in this process.

3. God created human beings pretty much in their present form at one time within the last 10,000 years or so.

Religious and educational backgrounds of the survey respondents were tied in to their answers as well as age. More religious people were more likely to believe in creationism, as well as people over 65. Higher education level respondents had a stronger belief that God was not involved.

The survey showed that in less than high school diploma respondents, 57 percent believe God created humans in present form within the last 10,000 years. In high school graduates 46 percent believed that, while college graduates came in at 27 percent.

The poll found that in people 65 and older, 50 percent believe that God created humans in present form within the last 10,000 years, while 44 percent believed that in ages 50-59, 46 percent between 30–49. Only 28 percent of 18-29-year-olds believed that.

Dr. Brian Alters, president of National Center for Science Education said the consensus of the scientific community is in favor of evolution.

“Overall, the nation has a big problem,” he said. “Approximately half of the U.S. population thinks evolution does not occur. While 99 percent of scientists accept evolution, 40 to 50 percent of college students do not accept evolution and believe it to be ‘just a theory.'”

The 42 percent who believe in creationism is down from 46 percent the Gallup poll found in 2012. The survey was done May 8-11 with a sample of 1,028 adults.

Americans also have a political difference about creationism vs. evolution. A December 2013 Pew Research survey found 43 percent of Republicans have evolved over time to 67 percent of Democrats.

There are laws still on the books in seven states: Pennsylvania, Maryland, South Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Texas where it is prohibited to hold public office if you don’t believe in “God” or a “supreme being.”

[Image via jesuschristsavior.net]