The latest Newsweek poll shows that 91% of American adults surveyed believe in God—and nearly half reject the theory of evolution.
By Brian Braiker
Newsweek
March 30, 2007 - A belief in God and an identification with an organized religion are widespread throughout the country, according to the latest NEWSWEEK poll. 9 in 10 (91%) of American adults say they believe in God and almost as many (87%) say they identify with a specific religion. Christians far outnumber members of any other faith in the country, with 82% of the poll’s respondents identifying themselves as such. Another 5% say they follow a non-Christian faith, such as Judaism or Islam. Nearly half (48%) of the public rejects the scientific theory of evolution; 1/3 (34 percent) of college graduates say they accept the Biblical account of creation as fact. 73% of Evangelical Protestants say they believe that God created humans in their present form within the last 10,000 years; 39% of non-Evangelical Protestants and 41% of Catholics agree with that view.
Although 1 in 10 (10%) of Americans identify themselves as having "no religion," only 6% said they don’t believe in a God at all. Just 3% of the public self-identifies as atheist, suggesting that the term may carry some stigma. Still, the poll suggests that the public’s tolerance of this small minority has increased in recent years. Nearly half (47%) of the respondents felt the country is more accepting of atheists today that it used to be and slightly more (49%) reported personally knowing an atheist. Those numbers are higher among respondents under 30 years old, 62% of whom report knowing an atheist (compared to just 43% of those 50 and older). 61% of the under-30 cohort view society as more accepting of atheists (compared to 40% of the Americans 50 and older).
Still, it is unlikely that a political candidate would serve him or herself well by declaring their atheism. 6 in 10 (62%) registered voters say they would not vote for a candidate who is an atheist. Majorities of each major party — 78% of Repulicans and 60% of Democrats — rule out such an option. Just under half (45%) of registered independents would not vote for an atheist. Still more than a third (36%) of Americans think the influence of organized religion on American politics has increased in recent years. But the public is still split over whether religion has too much (32%) or too little (31%) influence on American politics. Democrats tend to fall in the "too much" camp (42% of them, as opposed to 29% who see too little influence) as Republicans take the opposite view (42% too little; 14% too much). In the poll, 68% of respondents said they believed someone could be moral and an atheist, compared to 26% who said it was not possible.
By Brian Braiker
Newsweek
March 30, 2007 - A belief in God and an identification with an organized religion are widespread throughout the country, according to the latest NEWSWEEK poll. 9 in 10 (91%) of American adults say they believe in God and almost as many (87%) say they identify with a specific religion. Christians far outnumber members of any other faith in the country, with 82% of the poll’s respondents identifying themselves as such. Another 5% say they follow a non-Christian faith, such as Judaism or Islam. Nearly half (48%) of the public rejects the scientific theory of evolution; 1/3 (34 percent) of college graduates say they accept the Biblical account of creation as fact. 73% of Evangelical Protestants say they believe that God created humans in their present form within the last 10,000 years; 39% of non-Evangelical Protestants and 41% of Catholics agree with that view.
Although 1 in 10 (10%) of Americans identify themselves as having "no religion," only 6% said they don’t believe in a God at all. Just 3% of the public self-identifies as atheist, suggesting that the term may carry some stigma. Still, the poll suggests that the public’s tolerance of this small minority has increased in recent years. Nearly half (47%) of the respondents felt the country is more accepting of atheists today that it used to be and slightly more (49%) reported personally knowing an atheist. Those numbers are higher among respondents under 30 years old, 62% of whom report knowing an atheist (compared to just 43% of those 50 and older). 61% of the under-30 cohort view society as more accepting of atheists (compared to 40% of the Americans 50 and older).
Still, it is unlikely that a political candidate would serve him or herself well by declaring their atheism. 6 in 10 (62%) registered voters say they would not vote for a candidate who is an atheist. Majorities of each major party — 78% of Repulicans and 60% of Democrats — rule out such an option. Just under half (45%) of registered independents would not vote for an atheist. Still more than a third (36%) of Americans think the influence of organized religion on American politics has increased in recent years. But the public is still split over whether religion has too much (32%) or too little (31%) influence on American politics. Democrats tend to fall in the "too much" camp (42% of them, as opposed to 29% who see too little influence) as Republicans take the opposite view (42% too little; 14% too much). In the poll, 68% of respondents said they believed someone could be moral and an atheist, compared to 26% who said it was not possible.
