How familiar would you say you are with each of the following explanations about the origin and development of life on earth -- very familiar, somewhat familiar, not too familiar or not at all familiar? How about -- [ITEMS ROTATED]?
Very familiar
Somewhat familiar
Not too familiar
Not at all familiar
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
Evolution
2014 May 8-11
42
37
13
6
1
2007 Jun 1-3
41
41
12
5
1
Creationism
2014 May 8-11
38
38
13
7
4
2007 Jun 1-3
50
36
9
4
1
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
Do you think the theory of evolution is consistent or inconsistent with your religious beliefs?
Consistent
Inconsistent
No opinion
%
%
%
2014 May 8-11
46
46
7
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
Next, we'd like to ask about your views on two different explanations for the origin and development of life on earth. Do you think -- evolution, that is, the idea that human beings developed over millions of years from less advanced forms of life -- is -- [ROTATED: definitely true, probably true, probably false (or) definitely false]?
Definitely true
Probably true
Probably false
Definitely false
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
2007 Jun 1-3
18
35
16
28
3
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
Next, we'd like to ask about your views on two different explanations for the origin and development of life on earth. Do you think -- creationism, that is, the idea that God created human beings pretty much in their present form at one time within the last 10,000 years -- is -- [ROTATED: definitely true, probably true, probably false (or) definitely false]?
Definitely true
Probably true
Probably false
Definitely false
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
2007 Jun 1-3
39
27
16
15
3
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
If a presidential candidate stated that he or she DID NOT believe in the theory of evolution, would that make you -- [ROTATED: much more likely to vote for that candidate, a little more likely, not make a difference either way, would it make you a little less likely (or) much less likely to vote for that candidate]?
Much more likely
A little more likely
No difference
A little less likely
Much less likely
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
%
2007 Jun 1-3
8
7
54
13
15
3
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
Which comes closer to your view -- [ROTATED: a presidential candidate's views on evolution are a legitimate indicator of whether he or she is qualified to be president, (or) a presidential candidate's views on evolution are not really relevant and therefore should not be discussed as part of the campaign]?
Legitimate indicator
Not really relevant
No opinion
%
%
%
2007 Jun 1-3
25
70
5
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
How much have you, personally, thought about these different explanations for how human beings came to exist on earth -- a great deal, a moderate amount, not much or not at all?
Great deal
Moderate amount
Not much
Not at all
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
2005 Sep 8-11
41
35
17
6
1
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
How much does it matter to you which of those theories is correct -- a great deal, a moderate amount, not much or not at all?
Great deal
Moderate amount
Not much
Not at all
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
2005 Sep 8-11
40
26
19
14
1
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
Which comes closer to your view about the relationship between science and religion -- they generally agree with each other, they generally conflict with each other, or they are not related to each other in any meaningful way?
Agree with each other
Conflict with each other
Not related
No opinion
%
%
%
%
2005 Sep 8-11
24
35
36
5
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
Do you think each of the following explanations about the origin and development of life on earth should or should not be taught in public school science classes, or are you unsure? How about -- [RANDOM ORDER]?
Yes, should
No, should not
Unsure
No answer
%
%
%
%
Evolution
2005 Aug 8-11
61
20
19
*
Creationism
2005 Aug 8-11
54
22
23
1
Intelligent design
2005 Aug 8-11
43
21
35
1
* Less than 0.5%
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
Next, as you may know, there are two major competing ideas on how human beings came to exist on earth. If the public schools in your community taught the theory of evolution -- that is, the idea that human beings evolved from other species of animals -- would you be upset, or not?
Yes, would
No, would not
No opinion
%
%
%
2005 Mar 21-23
34
63
3
* Less than 0.5%
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
Next, as you may know, there are two major competing ideas on how human beings came to exist on earth. If the public schools in your community taught the theory of creationism -- that is, the idea that human beings were created by God in their present form and did not evolve from other species of animals -- would you be upset, or not?
Yes, would
No, would not
No opinion
%
%
%
2005 Mar 21-23
22
76
2
* Less than 0.5%
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
Just your opinion, do you think that Charles Darwin's theory of evolution is -- [ROTATED: a scientific theory that has been well-supported by evidence, (or) just one of many theories and one that has not been well-supported by evidence], or don't you know enough about it to say?
Supported by evidence
Not supported by evidence
Don't know enough to say
No opinion
%
%
%
%
2004 Nov 7-10
35
35
29
1
2001 Feb 19-21
35
39
25
1
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
How informed would you say you are about the theory of evolution? Do you feel that you are very informed about the theory of evolution, somewhat informed, only a little informed or not informed at all?
Very informed
Somewhat informed
Not too informed
Not informed at all
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
2001 Feb 19-21
34
47
11
6
2
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
How informed would you say you are about the theory of creationism? Do you feel that you are very informed about the theory of creationism, somewhat informed, only a little informed or not informed at all?
Very informed
Somewhat informed
Not too informed
Not informed at all
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
2001 Feb 19-21
40
40
10
7
3
Â鶹´«Ã½AV
Would you say that you believe more in -- [ROTATED: the theory of evolution (or) the theory of creationism] to explain the theory of the origin of human beings, or are you unsure? Do you lean more towards -- [ROTATED: the theory of evolution (or) the theory of creationism]?
A majority of Americans believe God played at least some role in humans' origin, but a majority also believe humans evolved from less advanced forms of life.
Americans' confidence in the police has increased eight points since last year, but average confidence across 14 U.S. institutions remains historically low.