Where do we
come from?

In June I shared preliminary results of my January 2006 survey of students who were enrolled in my classes. On the issue of “creationism vs. evolution,” 61 percent of students polled say they believe in creationism. Those in the majority tend to be politically conservative, politically active and infl exible on social issues.

In a January 2006 survey given to government students, students were asked one multiple choice question.
Which do you think is more likely to actually be the explanation for the origin of human life on Earth?
1. The theory of evolution.
2. The biblical account of creation.
3. Both are true.

When asked to choose among the three answers, 40 percent of those polled said they believe in the biblical account of creation, 22 percent believe in evolution and 38 percent believe in both creationism and evolution.

Gender variation?
Men divide their answers equally: 35 percent for evolution, 33 percent for both creationism and evolution and 32 percent for creationism. A total of 46 percent of women selected both evolution and creationism, 36 percent creationism and only 18 percent evolution.

Any academic influence?
Of those polled, 60 percent are first-year government students. Among the second-year government students, only 40 percent believe in creationism.

Cultural diversity?
African-American students firmly believe in creationism (76 percent) with only 4 percent believing in evolution, the lowest of any ethnic group. Mexican-Americans, students who are non-US citizens and Anglos believed in both, evolution and creationism equally (51 percent, 45 percent, and 40 percent respectively).

Ideological difference?
Students who label themselves as politically conservatives are solidly behind creationism (50 percent) while liberals split their choice between evolution (34 percent), creation (34 percent) and a combination of both (32 percent). Independents trend slightly toward evolution as do those with “no ideological preference.”

Approximately 235 participated in the January 2006 survey. Males accounted for 108 of the respondents; 127 were female. Thirty-five are younger than 18; 149 are between 18 and 24; 22 respondents are between age 25 and 29; 25 are older than age 30; four did not provide their age. Open Forum is a public arena that regularly features student and faculty opinion. The opinions expressed here are those of the writer and do not reflect the opinion of the News-Register or North Lake College.

—Dr. Bach is a professor of Government at North Lake.