USA TODAY/Gallup Poll on Evolution

 
Check out the USA Today website for information on the latest poll [USA TODAY/Gallup Poll results].

Let's look at the result of two questions on Creationism and Evolution.

23. Next, we'd like to ask about your views on two different explanations for the origin and development of life on earth. Do you think -- [ITEMS ROTATED] -- is -- [ROTATED: definitely true, probably true, probably false, (or) definitely false]?

A. Evolution, that is, the idea that human beings developed over millions of years from less advanced forms of life

B. Creationism, that is, the idea that God created human beings pretty much in their present form at one time within the last 10,000 years

The interesting thing about these results is that only 18% think that evolution is a fact and only 15% believe that a 6000 year old Earth is definitely false. That's pretty frightening if you think about it.

But here's something even more puzzling.

24. How familiar would you say you are with each of the following explanations about the origin and development of life on earth -- very familiar, somewhat familiar, not too familiar, or not at all familiar? How about -- [ITEMS ROTATED]?

A. Evolution

Almost everyone (82%) thinks they understand evolution well enough to have an opinion. They're almost certainly wrong.

It shows us where we need to start. We need to get out the message that evolution is a scientific fact and that evolutionary theory is complicated enough that it requires some study in order to get the basic concepts down pat. Before we can teach we have to convince people that they need to learn.

I wonder how many of the people who think that evolution is true actually understand it?