According to “this recent article”:http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/31/national/31religion.html?incamp=article_popular in the New York times, I quote: “In all, 64 percent said they were open to the idea of teaching creationism in addition to evolution, while 38 percent favored replacing evolution with creationism.” I double-checked. 64+38 = 102.
I know what they meant of course. Still, it’s interesting the slant. Also not surprising, but interestingly phrased: “More of those who believe in creationism said they were “very certain” of their views (63 percent), compared with those who believe in evolution (32 percent).” I say “not surprising” because when you think about it, religion is all about faith. It’s believing something to be true in the absence of any evidence. Science, on the other hand is about doubting what you think you know. It’s about trying to make a hypothesis and prove it false.
Finally, what’s worse is the implication that facts and knowledge are majoritarian — that if most Americans think something is true, it is. A professor is quoted in the article saying
“It’s like they’re saying, ‘Some people see it this way, some see it that way, so just teach it all and let the kids figure it out.’