DEVIL THAN DARWIN

More people believe in a literal hell and the devil than Darwin’s theory of evolution, according to a new Harris poll released on Thursday.

It is the latest survey in the US to highlight America’s deep level of religiosity, a cultural trait that sets it apart from much of the developed world.

It also helps explain many of its political battles which Europeans find bewildering, such as efforts to have "Intelligent Design" theory — which holds life is too complex to have evolved by chance — taught in schools alongside evolution.

The poll of 2,455 US adults from November 7 to 13 found that 82% of those surveyed believed in God, a figure unchanged since the question was asked in 2005.

It further found that 79% believed in miracles, 75% in heaven, while 72% believed that Jesus is God or the Son of God. Belief in hell and the devil was expressed by 62%.

Darwin’s theory of evolution met a far more skeptical audience which might surprise some outsiders as the United States is renowned for its excellence in scientific research.

Only 42% of those surveyed said they believed in Darwin’s theory which largely informs how biology and related sciences are approached. While often referred to as evolution it is in fact the 19th century British intellectual’s theory of "natural selection".

There are unsurprising differences among religious groups.

"Born-again Christians are more likely to believe in the traditional elements of Christianity than are Catholics or Protestants. For example, 95% believe in miracles, compared to 87% and 89% among Catholics and Protestants," according to the poll.

"On the other hand only 16% of born-again Christians, compared to 43% of Catholics and 30% of Protestants, believe in Darwin’s theory of evolution."

What is perhaps surprising is that substantial minorities in America apparently believe in ghosts, UFOs, witches, astrology and reincarnation.