It's a bit shocking to read that almost two-thirds of Americans recently told a poll-taker that creationism should be taught alongside evolution in public schools. Forty-two percent of respondents self-identified as creationists and almost certainly voted in favor of teaching the idea. But how does one explain the others who voiced support? Gadfly wonders if the phrasing of the survey questions may have affected the results. Pick the statement with which you most agree: 1) Humans have always existed in their present form, or 2) Your Great Aunt Alma is one-quarter orangutan. What would you say?
"Teaching of Creationism Is Endorsed in New Survey," by Laurie Goodstein, New York Times, August 31, 2005