Monday, June 27, 2005
Kansas Evolution, Intelligent Design, Creationism Poll
The Kansas City Star published the results of a poll on public attitudes toward teaching evolution, intelligent design, and creationism in the Sunday edition. Unsurprisingly, the data show that:
- Thirty-one percent said the Kansas State Board of Education should require that theories other than evolution be offered; 24 percent said criticism of evolution should be allowed; 25 percent said only evolution should be taught; and 20 percent were not sure.
- When asked which best described their view on the origin of life, 39 percent said creationism; 26 percent said evolution; 16 percent said intelligent design; and 19 percent said other.
As with other polls on this subject, respondents with more education view evolution more favorably than those with less education. RSR believes that scientists, educators, and culturally literate citizens are not doing enough to educate the public about science issues in general and biological evolution in particular.
The issue is more complicated that simple education, of course, but surely that is where we must start.
