Ask the average person what the word evolution means, and few
will say something like "the change in the genetic frequency of a population
over time". This lack of understanding is underscored by figures showing
that fewer than half of Americans accept that human beings developed from
earlier species of animals.
A study published in Science found that public acceptance of evolution
was highest in Iceland, Denmark and Sweden (over 80% of the population).
But astonishingly, this study also found that acceptance of evolution is
lower in the United States than in Japan or in any of the 32 European countries
included in the study except Turkey (25%). Even though this study was published
in 2006 (doi:10.1126/science.1126746), subsequent surveys and polls indicate
that little has changed since then.
Americans' peculiarly stubborn refusal to recognise the validity of
evolution almost seems de rigueur these days. But after watching the 2011
Miss USA contestants' pathetic and (mostly) poorly-(in)formed comments
about evolution, something clicked into place amongst a few of my science
blog colleagues. After the giggles and guffaws died down on twitter and
other social media, they decided to create a video about evolution for
the general public.
The goals of this video project were to provide a platform for scientists
to explain, in their own words, the importance of evolution to science,
medicine and society -- and to address the importance of teaching evolution
in schools. Prominent female scientists and science communicators were
specifically invited to participate because the video was a response, in
part, to the Miss USA fiasco.
LET'S
TALK ABOUT EVOLUTION
VIEW
VIDEO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-PtKayM0Vk&feature
Richard Dawkins Claims Religion Now 'Irrelevant' in
UK
The
Christian Post ~ Feb. 15, 2012
A poll instigated by atheist Richard Dawkins' foundation has claimed
that almost three quarters of British Christians believe religion should
have no role in crafting public policy, while almost two-thirds believe
same-sex couples should receive every right that heterosexual couples are
given. The Ipsos MORI poll was conducted on behalf of The Richard Dawkins
Foundation For Reason and Science after the 2011 census was collected.
The results were published Tuesday.
In a statement, Richard Dawkins – renowned scientist and noted atheist
– said the poll's findings did not surprise him nor does he think the U.K.
is a Christian nation anymore. "Britain is a secular society, with secular,
humane values," Dawkins said. "There is overwhelming support for these
values, even among those who think of themselves as Christian."
The 2011 census found that about 75 percent of U.K. residents consider
themselves Christian. The Ipsos MORI poll found that 72 percent of British
Christians say they consider themselves part of the faith because they
were baptized or because their parents were Christian; and 65 percent of
Census Christians said they would not consider themselves "religious."
Dawkins claimed that this explained why many British Christians want
to keep faith out of public policy, and went further to say that the results
meant religion was now "largely irrelevant." "Despite the best efforts
of church leaders and politicians to convince us that religion is still
an important part of our national life, these results demonstrate that
it is largely irrelevant, even to those who still label themselves Christian,"
Dawkins said.
"In the past, there have often been attempts to use the Christian figure
in the Census to justify basing policy on the claim that faith is important
to the British people. This time, any attempt to do so will clearly be
inexcusable," he added.
Simon Barrow, co-director of the British Christian organization Ekklesia,
agrees with Dawkins that the U.K. is becoming a secular nation but said
the poll should not come as a surprise. "Top-down and institutional religion
is in decline. Trying to restore or maintain the cultural and political
dominance of religious institutions in what is now a mixed-belief 'spiritual
and secular' society is a backward-looking approach," Barrow stated.
Barrow said the poll should be seen as a call to service for Christian
organizations in the country to recruit more members and be more creative
and ingenious about evangelism. "Churches have a creative opportunity here,"
Barrow said. "It is to rediscover a different, ground-up vision of Christianity
based on practices like economic sharing, peacemaking, hospitality and
restorative justice. These were among the distinguishing marks of the earliest
followers of Jesus."
Barrow urged Christians to welcome both the poll as well as Dawkins'
analysis, despite what many would claim is a clear bias in evaluating the
results. Barrow affirmed his personal belief that the poll was a fairly
good indicator of modern religiousness in the U.K.
"While Richard Dawkins may not be a subtle, unbiased or persuasive analyst
of religion overall, it would be entirely unhelpful for believers to dismiss
this survey because they disagree with its commissioner in other respects,"
Barrow said. "Its content evidently needs further and deeper analysis,
alongside other data, than the initial response to it has allowed."
Matthew Cortina
Christian Post Reporter
Copyright © Christianpost.com. All rights reserved.
BACK
TO REASON MAIN PAGE
