Title: Evolution and Creationism in Public Education - People For the American Way
Headings: Evolution and Creationism in Public Education
People For the American Way Foundation
Evolution and Creationism in Public Education
Methodology
Main Findings
Context for Understanding the Main Findings

Content: In science, emphasize Evolution: The overwhelming majority of Americans (83%) want Evolution taught in public schools. While many Americans also support the in-school discussion of religious explanations of human origins, the majority do not want these religious explanations presented as “science”. They would like these Creationist ideas to be taught about in separate classes other than science (such as Philosophy) or taught as a “belief”. Only a minority of the public (fewer than 3 in 10) wants Creationism taught as science in public schools. Evolution is compatible with a belief in God: A substantial majority of Americans (about 7 in 10) believe the scientific Theory of Evolution is compatible with a belief in God – one does not preclude the other. Need for a national approach: According to most Americans (66%), the issue of whether or not to teach Evolution in the public schools is too important to leave to individual localities to decide. They endorse a national approach.