Shifting American Views on Creation & the Bible

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I grew up in parochial schools, where our religious instruction was centered around the Baltimore Catechism. We were taught that God made us and that Adam and Eve were the first humans who lived in the paradise of the Garden of Eden before their fall from grace. We were told that these were stone-cold facts supported by Biblical Scriptures. It wasn't until I reached a more secular education that the notion of evolution was brought up as a possibility.

The Gallup company has been tracking Americans' beliefs on the origins of man since 1982. A recent article titled Majority Still Credits God for Humankind, but Not Creationism shows a shift in American thinking on whether there was a Divne role in creation..

Here's a historical look at their survey data on what Americans believe by percentage:

• God created humans in present form—-1982-44%—-2024-37%
• Humans developed, God guiding——1982-38%—-2024-34%
• Humans developed without God——1982-9%——2024-24%

As you can see, a majority of Americans (71%) believe God has had a hand in who we are today. However, it's important to note that those who believe we have evolved without the assistance of God has more than doubled over the last 42 years. This suggests a gradual move away from strict creationism towards more secular evolutionary explanations.

In a related survey from Gallup, titled Fewer in U.S. Now See Bible as Literal Word of God, only 20% of Americans believe the bible is the literal word of God. 49% believe the Good Book to be inspired by God. 29% of those surveyed believe the Bible is a collection of man made myths.

What do you think?

Do you believe the story told in the Bible about creation of man?

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