My friend's and family's answers to "Do you believe in evolution."

My husband and I had a disagreement about people's common and general understanding regarding the theory of evolution. He said I would be surprised at the ignorance reflected in our friends/family's understanding of this theory. so I decided to take a poll. These are the answers from those who felt comfortable answering. I guess I was a bit ignorant about people's ignorance...and probably need to make more friends.... (The majority of these people live/are from the Inland Empire, Southern California)

Side note: I found it very interesting that after receiving an answer form all these people, not a single person responded by asking me the same question back. Since the most standard social response to a question is the reflection of that question... I'm interested in what uncomfortable variables stops people from wanting to know what those close to them think on this issue. Sorry for this ramble... as you can probably tell from the distribution of education, I'm a psych grad student as well.

Highest education: high school graduate (mid 20’s)

• Like Darwinism? Because everything evolves one way or another. But I believe we were put here by god.

Specific education:

• (Fire Fighter mid 20s) Like Darwin’s theory of evolution? Or the ability of a species to evolve i.e. adaptation over time? o Me—If those aren’t the same then what is Darwin’s theory? o Him—Well I guess they are the same. I’m just thinking on a smaller scale. I might be getting Dawrin and big bang theory confused. o Me—generally speaking the big bang explains the development of the universe while Darwin’s theory explains the development/complexity of life. o Then I guess I believe in what I said earlier. The ability of species to evolve and adapt to its environment. But I believe God created all things and gave those things the ability to adapt as necessary, as the world changes. • (homemaker, previously a paralegal-40s) Um. I don’t know. I guess I’m neutral. I mean, I guess I haven’t really thought about it. I think it should be taught in schools, I definitely think that. I just don’t know if I believe it. I’m not black and white. I know we have appendixes and we don’t really need those, so maybe we needed them at some point. Also I heard that there was a connection between birds and dinosaurs, so I definitely think it happens a some level, but I don’t have enough information. Maybe if I read a book about genetics I would believe it.

• (Surgical tech-mid--20s) No

• (Electrician, early 60’s) Not in Darwin’s sense no. I don’t believe I came from an ape, no.

Some college (mid 20’s- 30s)

• The theory that facts best support, so yes.

• Yes, lol. As much as I’m of the “belief” that we are revolving around the sun.

• No

College graduates (mid 20s-30s)

• Psychology—Yes

• Political science—Yes. I believe evolution is a scientific fact.

• Graphic design--I believe we and the universe were created by God, but since then things have evolved. Humans have evolved too. Not as drastic as monkey to man but evolved over thousands of years.

• Computer science—Yeah, absolutely.
• Computer science--I believe in micro-evolution for sure. But I’m not sure about the whole coming from goo and electricity theory.

• Film---Ummmmm give me a few are we talking extreme evolution or just the beginning stages….my answer is no o Me--Evolution in any sense o Her--Any sense? Then yes I think I do. Animals, lesser beings than humas lol o Me—animals evolve but humans don’t? o Her—Maybe. Shit I think I believe in part evolution but god made us lol. So my answer is yea I suppose.

Nursing student (mid 20’s)

• No

Physician's Assistant (mid 20's)

• Creation vs. Evolution? Cause I believe we were created but I do believe the world evolves. o Me—In what way do you think the world evolves? o Her—Lol you're bringing me back to philosophy class o Me—Haha I was hoping to bring you back to science classes o Her—Hahaha I'll think of my answer and let you know :)
  (no response after that)

MBA graduates

• Sure

• Not evolution as origin of species. Evolution as in things evolve and natural selection sure. But not single celled organisms evolving into complex multi-cell ones. Evolution is a weak theory that doesn’t really explain lots of things. There is no evidence to suggest what created humans.

Doctoral students in psychology (20’s)

• Yes ma’am

• Hell yes and/or DUH!!!

• Yes

• Oui

• Yes to a certain extent… But I still believe in god…they are not mutually exclusive from my perspective…. That’s my complicated answer lol

• Yes

Interestingly, all of these psych grad students attend a private Christian university