Poll finds evangelicals stand apart on evolution, climate change

WASHINGTON (RNS) White evangelicals and Tea Party members are less
likely to believe in evolution and climate change than most Americans, a
finding that could pose a particular problem for Republican presidential
hopefuls.


A new poll released Thursday (Sept. 22) also showed that a majority
of Americans (57 percent) believes in evolution, and an even larger
majority (69 percent) believes in climate change -- though many still
disagree that the phenomenon is based on human activity.


But most Americans do not insist that their presidential candidates
share their views on these issues, nor do they believe scientists have
come to a consensus on them, according to the poll conducted by the
Public Religion Research Institute in partnership with Religion News
Service.


The views of white evangelicals and Tea Party members stand apart.


Even though these issues aren't deal-breakers for most voters, they
are "symbolically important for two groups that play an outsize role in
Republican primary politics: white evangelical Protestants and members
of the Tea Party," said Robert P. Jones, CEO of PRRI.


"Because evangelicals and Tea Party members hold views that are
significantly different than the general population, the challenge for
Republican candidates is to talk about these issues now in a way that
will not hurt them later in the general election," Jones said.


On evolution, a third (32 percent) of white evangelicals affirm a
belief in evolution, compared to two-thirds of white mainline
Protestants, six in 10 Catholics and three-quarters of the unaffiliated.


On climate change, though strong majorities in every religious group
say they believe the earth is getting warmer, white evangelicals (31
percent) are significantly less likely to believe the change is caused
by human activity. That compares to 43 percent of white mainline
Protestants, 50 percent of Catholics and 52 percent of the unaffiliated.


The poll reveals an unusual political schism on climate change.
Typically, Republicans come down on one side of a question, Democrats on
the other, and independents in the middle, said Dan Cox, PRRI's research
director.


On climate change, Republicans (49 percent) cluster with Tea Party
members (41 percent) on whether there is solid evidence that the earth
is warming. That compares to 81 percent of Democrats and seven in 10
independents.


"There is no reason for climate change to be a partisan issue," said
Cox. "But the political leadership on the issue has led to a
polarization of opinion, with Democrats and independents on one side and
Republicans on the other."


Many Americans say they do not care much about a candidate's stance
on either evolution or climate change: more than half (53 percent) say a
belief or disbelief in evolution wouldn't affect their vote, and about
as many say the same about a candidate who doesn't believe climate
change is caused by human activity.


White evangelicals, however, care.


Only four in 10 evangelicals say a candidate's views on evolution
would make no difference in their vote, and those who say they cared
about a candidate's position say they would be less likely to vote for
someone who believes in evolution. By contrast, Americans overall who
cared about evolution say they'd be more likely to vote for a politician
who believes in it.


Tea Party members (33 percent), more than any other group, are more
likely to support a candidate who does not believe in climate change.
That compares to 16 percent of Republicans and 5 percent of Democrats.


Americans also doubt a strong consensus exists among scientists on
climate change, a phenomenon that has frustrated the vast majority of
climatologists who consider it a problem caused by human activity. Only
four in 10 Americans believe a consensus exists.


A slight majority (51 percent) says a consensus of scientists
believes in evolution, though evolution is overwhelmingly endorsed
throughout the scientific community.


In other findings:


-- On stewardship of the earth, 57 percent say God wants humans to
live responsibly with animals and plants. A sizable minority (36
percent), however, prefers the idea that "God gave human beings the
right to use animals, plants and all the resources of the planet for
human benefit."


-- Black Protestants are evenly divided on evolution, with 47
percent affirming it and 46 percent affirming creationism.


-- Though most Americans believe in evolution, they disagree on its
driving force. Of those who believe in evolution, 30 percent say it's
driven by natural selection or another natural process, compared to 22
percent who say a divine being guides it.


The PRRI/RNS Religion News Survey was based on telephone interviews
with 1,013 adults between Sept. 14 and 18. The poll has a margin of
error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.