Opinion polling 101
The BHA is critical of a survey by Theos because the wording of the questions is a tad peculiar.
The survey first asked whether respondents believed in “theistic evolution”. This was confusingly defined as “the idea that evolution is the means that God used for the creation of all living things on earth.” The survey then asked whether respondents believed in “atheistic evolution”, again reflexively defined as “the idea that evolution makes belief in God unnecessary and absurd.”
Yes, that’s pretty obviously tendentious. It’s amusing to remember, though, that some observers have thought the BHA’s own polling wasn’t entirely up to the best standards.
(Last link fixed!)
Yes, but BTW a proper study of humankind is theological evolution – the origin and evolution of the idea of spirits and deities, based on archaeological evidence and documents such as the Bible.
Worthwhile, IMHO.
For the record, I am totally on board with “the idea that evolution makes belief in God unnecessary and absurd.” Of course, all sorts of things make belief in God unnecessary and absurd: the law of non-contradiction, basic epistemology, consistency and/or coherence, the most minimal conceivable standards of evidence and reasoning which would actually count as “standards” by any worthwhile definition.
I mean, if the real standard at issue is “things that make belief in God unnecessary and absurd,” I’m sure we can come up with ALL sorts of things that qualify…
“The interpretation that Theos layered on their data went even further, suggesting that atheists were to blame for the spread of “Intelligent Design” and Creationism because they associate evolution with nihilism and the view that there is “no purpose” in life.”
Where do Theos get the nerve? It’s the theists who associate evolution with nihilism. Presumably their reasoning went something like this:
1) Atheists claim evolution is evidence against theism.
2) This associates evolution with atheism.
3) Atheists are all nihilists.
4) Therefore, atheists are associating evolution with nihilism.