Religion vs. Evolution

In a timely new study in light of the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth, the Pew Research Center looks at what religious denominations/faiths accept evolution as the best explanation for the development of human life. What is interesting in my view is that the religions that Christianists view as false religions are the ones most receptive to Darwin's theory while the Kool-Aid drinking, anti-knowledge Christian fundamentalists and Mormons are the least receptive to the theory as shown in the chart below.

Here are some highlights from the Pew article accompanying the graph:
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This view [teaching creationism along side evolution] is not shared by the nation's scientists, most of whom contend that evolution is a well-established scientific theory that convincingly explains the origins and development of life on earth. Moreover, they say, a scientific theory is not a hunch or a guess but is instead an established explanation for a natural phenomenon, like gravity, that has repeatedly been tested through observation and experimentation. Indeed, most scientists argue that, for all practical purposes, evolution through natural selection is a fact. These scientists and others dismiss creation science as religion, not science, and describe intelligent design as little more than creationism dressed up in scientific jargon.

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So if evolution is as established as the theory of gravity, why are people still arguing about it a century and a half after it was first proposed? The answer lies, in part, in the possible theological implications of evolutionary thinking. For many, the Darwinian view of life . . . goes beyond contradicting the biblical creation story and conflicts with the Judeo-Christian concept of an active and loving God who cares for his creation.

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I believe that the battle over evolution is central to the future of the USA and its society. Will science and knowledge prevail, or will the beliefs of the simple minded and fearful who need to put God in a box and read the Bible as literal fact prevail. One can only hope that it is the former and not the latter. Otherwise we can expect a further decline of the USA overtime.