Evolution Makes God "Less Likely" According to New Survey of Americans Who Have Lost Their Faith

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Nov 14, 2016, 12:55 ET

SEATTLE, Nov. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- According to a new survey released today by the non-partisan Discovery Institute, nearly 7 in 10 atheists and more than 4 in 10 agnostics in America report that chemical and biological evolution made the existence of God less likely for them personally.

"To my knowledge, this is the first time a nationwide survey has tried to quantify the impact of evolutionary theory on faith and ethics," said Dr. John West, Associate Director of the Center for Science and Culture at Discovery Institute, which sponsored the survey.

The survey asked questions of a representative sample of nearly 3,700 American adults, including more than 1,100 self-identified atheists and agnostics. Respondents were given a list of ideas about science and nature and asked "for you personally, which of the following ideas have made the existence of God less likely, more likely, or have had no impact on your belief in the existence of God."

Unguided chemical and biological evolution were the two scientific ideas respondents identified most frequently as eroding their belief in God.

Evolutionary theory has had a similarly corrosive impact on ethics, with 7 in 10 atheists and agnostics agreeing that "evolution shows that moral beliefs evolve over time based on their survival value in various times and places."

On the positive side, the survey also showed just how powerful the evidence of intelligent design in nature can be. Nearly 6 in 10 theists and even 2 in 10 agnostics report that the exquisite design and complexity seen throughout nature made the existence of God more likely for them personally.

The complete 17-page survey report can be downloaded for free. For more information or to schedule an interview please contact Robert Crowther at (206) 292-0401 x107, [email protected].

SOURCE Discovery Institute