Why is evolution only opposed by a significant amount of people in the US?

[leahrachelle]

Originally Posted by Reverend Rick

I guess Americans are entitled to their opinion without consequences.

Agree completely You are definately not missing the point. Americans are rebellious compared to the rest of the world. We don't have to fit in with a certain culture. We are free to think as we please.

[leahrachelle]

Originally Posted by Seyorni

I think that, except in rural backwaters, evolution was generally accepted 50 - 100 years ago. Schoolbooks, at least in northern states, covered what was then known fairly thoroughly and did not discuss magic as an alternate scheme.

This resurgence of Christian fundamentalism, with it's disparagement of science and reason, is something new, and the fundies have been pushing their agenda very aggressively to legislators and school boards.
I think there's been a decline of scientific literacy, of late. School boards are cravenly abandoning fact-based cirricula and caving to religious pressure.
The general principles of evolution theory are fairly simple and easily grasped. If an eighth-grader can sort out English spelling and elementary algebra, evolution should be duck soup.

Yes it is true that there is evolution, so fine teach it. What HASNT BEEN PROVEN is the Big Bang Theory and them teaching it to us in school is just the same thing as what you're talking about. All religions are technically a theory, just like the Big Bang THEORY.

[leahrachelle]

Originally Posted by rojse

But in other places where people are entitled to their opinion without consequences, there is no significant opposition to evolution.

America is by far the most diverse country, that I know atleast.

[Father Heathen]

[Jeremy Mason]

My seventh grade science teacher brought the two together quite eloquently. I as a Christian see this being a good solution. Talk to the students about the parallels of the two schools of thought, which are many.

[Shadow Wolf]

I don't think it is as large of a difference as it seems. I think, in reality, it is closer to there being a fairly small group who do not believe in evolution but are also extremely vocal and get lots of attention. I have yet to meet a single person in my life who did not believe in evolution.

I know quite a few.
Ultra-conservative Christians I believe are the ones who are to blame. One southern state, Alabama , used to have warning labels if a school text book had evolution.
Alabama Citizens for Science Education
In my biology class, the teacher, who was Christian, skipped everything evolution because she thought it was dumb. People also like to throw the "theory" part around, even though everything in science is just that.
And lets not forget, Turkey rejects evolution moreso than the United States.

[rojse]

Originally Posted by Luke Wolf

And lets not forget, Turkey rejects evolution moreso than the United States.

That's like bragging that you are bigger than a midget.

[Mestemia]

Originally Posted by Father Heathen

I see your


And raise you another:

[The Voice of Reason]

In response to the original question, I think it is because we have a system that encourages dissenting opinion, coupled with a (relatively speaking) high level of religious fundamentalists that are smart enough to manipulate that system. This manifests in areas like trying to stack school boards with people of their ilk, and (in some small rural areas) writing letters to the editor to spread their particular brand of willful ignorance.