Returning to the Dark Ages
The New York Times has more bad news with regards to science education here in Bushworld. Teachers are becoming more afraid to discuss evolution in class out of fear of protests from fundamentalists in their communities. The article cites a 2001 survery conducted by the National Science Foundation, showing that 53% agreed with the statement "human beings, as we know them, developed from earlier species of animals."
They found this somewhat favorable, being the first time one of their surveys showed a majority believing in evolution. (Last fall we reported on a Gallop Poll showing only about a third believing in evolution.) In other industrialized countrie, 80 percent or more typically accept evolution, with most of the others saying they are not sure and very few people outright rejecting the idea.
The religious right isn't content with limiting teaching of evolution. They are also challenging geology for disputing their beliefs as to the age of the earth, and disputing physics for teaching that the universe began with the big bang.
They found this somewhat favorable, being the first time one of their surveys showed a majority believing in evolution. (Last fall we reported on a Gallop Poll showing only about a third believing in evolution.) In other industrialized countrie, 80 percent or more typically accept evolution, with most of the others saying they are not sure and very few people outright rejecting the idea.
The religious right isn't content with limiting teaching of evolution. They are also challenging geology for disputing their beliefs as to the age of the earth, and disputing physics for teaching that the universe began with the big bang.
posted by Ron Chusid at 4:51 PM
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