More than Half the British Population Doesn't Accept Theory of Evolution...

[Lyle]

The BBC is reporting (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4648598.stm) that more than half the British population does not accept the theory of evolution:
Furthermore, more than 40% of those questioned believe that creationism or intelligent design should be taught in school science lessons.What wasn't clear to me from the article was whether creationism and/or intelligent design are currently taught (alongside evolution) in British schools.

[Ugg]

The BBC is reporting (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4648598.stm) that more than half the British population does not accept the theory of evolution:
What wasn't clear to me from the article was whether creationism and/or intelligent design are currently taught (alongside evolution) in British schools.


44% said creationism should be included
41% intelligent design
69% wanted evolution as part of the science curriculum.
Participants over 55 were less likely to choose evolution over other groups.

It's unremarkable that those least likely to have children in school were also the least likely to choose evolution. Older people are naturally more conservative. It also raises the question of who should choose, parents or society at large.

It would be better to have a clearer idea of how the questions were represented and what percentage of those questioned identified as religious. Nonetheless, it shows that the Brits are just as confused as Americans when it comes to science.

[edesignuk]

I'm ashamed.

[Kernow]

I'm also ashamed - I've always ridiculed the fact that parts of America are determined to believe in this nonsense, and now it's catching on over here. :mad:

[toontra]

I'm also ashamed - I've always ridiculed the fact that parts of America are determined to believe in this nonsense, and now it's catching on over here. :mad:

Quite! I find these results very surprising - I'd like to know more about the methodology.

If accurate, this is a disturbing portent. As far as I know these people don't have any organised political representation at the moment. I presume they are mainly Christian fundamentalists.

Religion is causing enough trouble around the world at the moment. Let's try and hang on to our sanity here.

[3rdpath]

you're as dumb as us, you're as dumb as us...

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

you're as dumb as us, you're as dumb as us...Yes, it does indeed look like stupidity is contagious... :(

[Peterkro]

see,see we're as dumb as you nah nah nah.Mind you I don't know where they got these nutters from,for its certainly not true of London(except for those nutters outside tube stations with megaphones) smacks of PR for the beeb TV show.:rolleyes:

[iGav]

What sensationalist crap. From 2000 people... we get half the population. :rolleyes:

[WinterMute]

What sensationalist crap. From 2000 people... we get half the population. :rolleyes:

Nice to see you back Gav.

It's not a representational sample true, but this merely confirms what I have long suspected...

The majority of the public is stupid...

and ugly...

and fat...

...probably.

[freeny]

Stop the planet! I want to get off!!!

[freeny]

Nice to see you back Gav.

It's not a representational sample true, but this merely confirms what I have long suspected...

The majority of the public is stupid...

and ugly...

and fat...

...probably.
Don't forget "and with the urgent need of dental work".:D

[.Andy]

I tend to believe it's more along the lines of more than 50% of the British population doesn't understand the theory of evolution.

A layman's understanding of Darwin's theory is so superfluous that it's easily challenged by the simply constructed, apparently convincing (albeit completely non-sequitur) creationist/ID arguments.

[Qoxiivi]

The majority of the population probably doesn't understand evolution. That, in my view, is mostly the reason. It's not like the majority of the population, after carefully mulling over the available evidence and supporting research surrounding both viewpoints, have decided in favour of creationism/ID. It's still deeply lamentable though.

[skunk]

Well, they didn't ask me!

[.Andy]

Well, they didn't ask me!
They wouldn't have faith in your answers skunk.

[skunk]

They wouldn't have faith in your answers skunk.I don't find any answers in their faith.

[mkrishnan]

I love it when a thread about ignorance isn't focusing on the American population! :eek: ;) :D

[skunk]

It isn't all about you, you know. Isn't that just typical of you Americans! :rolleyes: :D

[.Andy]

I don't find any answers in their faith.
Unfortunately it appears the majority of the congregation does find answers in the church of journalistic surveys.

[pseudobrit]

It isn't all about you, you know. Isn't that just typical of you Americans! :rolleyes: :D

It appears as though we have not yet cornered the market on dumb. We are out to an early lead, though.

[Ugg]

It appears as though we have not yet cornered the market on dumb. We are out to an early lead, though.

Ah, you know those Brits, always a decade behind the US. Their obesity levels are only just now starting to equal what ours were 10 years ago. Hmmm, I wonder if there's a correlation there. The obesest states seem to be the most religious according to The American Obesity Association (http://www.obesity.org/subs/fastfacts/obesity_US.shtml) .

[Thomas Veil]

Gee, things are going so well.

Half of US and Britain now refuse to accept evolution.

Canada has elected a conservative government.

The US, stuck in a horrible quagmire, is running out of soldiers.

Bush signs executive order giving himself broader martial law powers.

ECHELON is listening to everything.

Hamas has taken power democratically.








* (shoots self) *

[solvs]

Gee, things are going so well.
You guys think I'm joking when I say that these are signs of the apocalypse. It's coming faster than I expected. I keep telling you, it's a self-fulfilling prophecy. ;)

[Thomas Veil]

Oh, I know you're not joking. When I see war-like right-wing extremists taking power all over the world, I can definitely believe the end is in sight.

[skunk]

And to think I thought that was a light at the end of the tunnel....

[Qoxiivi]

And to think I thought that was a light at the end of the tunnel....

Nope, it's an approaching train I'm afraid.

[skunk]

Nope, it's an approaching train I'm afraid.D'you think perhaps that if we all flatten ourselves against the walls it'll miss us?

[Qoxiivi]

D'you think perhaps that if we all flatten ourselves against the walls it'll miss us?

Good idea. Some of the fatter ones might not make it but, that's natural selection I suppose ;)

Me? I'm planning to run down the tracks and meet it head-on.

[skunk]

Me? I'm planning to run down the tracks and meet it head-on.Mind if I watch?:)

[MacSA]

I find those numbers very dubious indeed especailly taken with the tiny precentage of the population who even attend church now - Britain is quite a secular nation, sadly it's also quite illiterate when it comes to science.

[skunk]

I find those numbers very dubious indeed especailly taken with the tiny precentage of the population who even attend church now - Britain is quite a secular nation, sadly it's also quite illiterate when it comes to science.
Belief in Creationism can be nothing more than anti-intellectualism, a trait common in Britain, which I believe translates roughly to "dumbing down" in the American argot.

[Qoxiivi]

Mind if I watch?:)

You won't be able to see much, but if you face away from the wall when you're flat against it you might just catch a glimpse of my stain when the train comes rushing past you.

All aboard the ignorance train.

[IJ Reilly]

Belief in Creationism can be nothing more than anti-intellectualism, a trait common in Britain, which I believe translates roughly to "dumbing down" in the American argot.

More nearly, "pig-ignorance."

[skunk]

More nearly, "pig-ignorance."Creationism=Cretinism???:eek:

:D


:rolleyes: (oblig.)

[IJ Reilly]

This calls for coining a new term. May I suggest:

cretationism

[skunk]

This calls for coining a new term. May I suggest:

cretationismHow about the Cretinaceous Period, geologically-speaking?

[Ugg]

cretin |?kr?tn| noun

a stupid person (used as a general term of abuse). • dated Medicine a person who is deformed and mentally handicapped because of congenital thyroid deficiency. DERIVATIVES cretinism |-?iz?m| noun cretinous |-?s| adjective ORIGIN late 18th cent.: from French crétin, from Swiss French crestin ‘Christian’ (from Latin Christianus), here used to mean [human being,] apparently as a reminder that, though deformed, cretins were human and not beasts.

I've always like the oriigins of cretinism:D

[Don't panic]

This calls for coining a new term. May I suggest:

cretationism

would that be equivalent to IDiotism?

[zimv20]

would that be equivalent to IDiotism?
well done, sir.

[skunk]

well done, sir.Indeed. Give that man a cigar.