The Hindu Business Line : Poll reveals public doubts over Darwin's theory of evolution

LONDON: A week ahead of Charles Darwin's 200th birth anniversary, a survey has revealed that more than half of Britons have got doubts over the English naturalist's theory of evolution.

According to the survey, nearly 51 per cent of people in Britain believe that the theory of evolution cannot explain the full complexity of life on Earth, and a designer must have lent a hand. What's interesting is that the poll, commissioned by ComRes, has revealed that one in three respondents believe God created the world within the past 10,000 years.

In fact, in the survey, 51 per cent of those asked agreed with the statement that “evolution alone is not enough to explain the complex structures of some living things, so the intervention of a designer is needed at key stages”.

A further 40 per cent disagreed, while the rest said they did not know. And, the suggestion that a designer's input is needed reflects the “intelligent design” theory, promoted by American creationists as an alternative to Darwinian evolution, 'The Sunda y Telegraph' reported.

Asked whether it was true that “God created the world sometime in the last 10,000 years”, 32 per cent agreed, 60 per cent disagreed and eight per cent did not know. Experts are stunned by the results.

Paul Woolley, the Director of Theos, a theology think- tank, said: “Darwin is being used by certain atheists today to promote their cause. The result is that given the false choice of evolution or God, people are rejecting evolution.” - PTI

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