Monday, April 02, 2007

Newsweek Poll - We really are the Stupid Americans.






Newsweek came out with a poll that is little that bolsters ones hope and optimism about the United States. May not be patriotic to say. It may not be nice. But, COME ON! Faith trumps science with us? How can I respect that?



So, Newsweek's poll looked at Americans and religion, and science.

America's Faith -1 / America's Well Being - 0

Nearly half (48 percent) of the public rejects the scientific theory of evolution; one-third (34 percent) of college graduates say they accept the Biblical account of creation as fact. Seventy-three percent of Evangelical Protestants say they believe that God created humans in their present form within the last 10,000 years; 39 percent of non-Evangelical Protestants and 41 percent of Catholics agree with that view.



These poll results come just a few months after an international study was conducted to measure which countries were the most accepting on evolutionary biology. Of the 34 countries involved, the United States ranked 33rd. Only Turkey ranked lower.


Yeah, great. Us and Turkey. Wonderful.

And then you have the MSNBC view.

Although one in ten (10 percent) of Americans identify themselves as having "no religion," only six percent said they don’t believe in a God at all. Just 3 percent of the public self-identifies as atheist, suggesting that the term may carry some stigma.


Excuse me...DUUUHHHHHH!!!

May? MAY! Geez.


Still, the poll suggests that the public’s tolerance of this small minority has increased in recent years. Nearly half (47 percent) of the respondents felt the country is more accepting of atheists today that it used to be and slightly more (49 percent) reported personally knowing an atheist. Those numbers are higher among respondents under 30 years old, 62 percent of whom report knowing an atheist (compared to just 43 percent of those 50 and older). Sixty-one percent of the under-30 cohort view society as more accepting of atheists (compared to 40 percent of the Americans 50 and older).


Sure, the country is more accepting...sure. And many people have known...and maybe even petted one of those atheist. Atheist, once rumored to be myths, like the Panda. But, yeah, society is so much more cooler on the whole atheists thing. Especially if atheists keep their mouths shut and don't express any opinion that indicates their lack of faith.


In the poll, 68 percent of respondents said they believed someone could be moral and an atheist, compared to 26 percent who said it was not possible.


Gee, thanks. Can I...


Still, it is unlikely that a political candidate would serve him or herself well by declaring their atheism. Six in ten (62 percent) registered voters say they would not vote for a candidate who is an atheist.


Ah, that's a no. 68% think an atheist CAN BE moral. But most all of them also wouldn't trust one with any real power.


Doesn't that REALLY say it all?

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