Wow. Further to how Dawkins, Darwin’s foremost defender, seems to be losing his base, the most recent poll one analyst could find was from 2009, in which,
Indeed, as reported by the UK’s Guardian; Half of Britons do not believe in evolution, survey finds (Riazat Butt, February 1, 2009 AD) and Teach both evolution and creationism say 54% of Britons (Jessica Shepherd, October 25, 2009 AD). Thus half do not believe in it and more than half believe that both views should be taught.
Keep in mind that while the UK does have RE (religious education) in public schools; it is a very, very, very secular society which is saturated with Darwinism. Logically, they would be the most Darwinian society and yet, “More than one-fifth prefer creationism or intelligent design, while many others are confused about Darwin’s theory.” Ah, the good ol’ we have been explaining Darwinism for over a century and a half and the hoi polloi still do not get it!!! Well, there may be other reasons for rejecting it such as understanding it and realizing that biology is a science but Darwinism is a philosophy and since it makes unsubstantiated claims it is therefore being rejected.
Certainly, the results might have swung more to naturalist atheism and evolution in the intervening five years. But, Dawkins’ growing loss of popularity with his own base might result in more people actually questioning certain claims made for Darwinian evolution. They might even get interested in the science evidence for non-Darwinian evolution, like horizontal gene transfer, epigenetics, etc. It could be fun. Too much to hope?
Which reminds: What about Nicholas Wade’s attempt to revive Darwinian racism in A Troublesome Inheritance (see here, for example, for fallout at Scientific American)? How will that play out Britside? Stay turned.
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