Creationists vs. Evolutionists: Here's Where Americans Stand on God's Role in Creation (Plus: Take the Poll)

As the seemingly never-ending debate over evolution continues to rage, a new Gallup poll shows where the American public stands on the ever-contentious issue.

There are three camps Americans generally fall in when it comes to expressing their views on creation: they believe God created human beings in their current form, humans evolved through a God-guided process or that God was not at all involved.

According to the latest data, the largest proportion of Americans -- 42 percent -- believe that God created human beings in their present form, with just 19 percent saying that humans evolved without the Lord's guidance.

Additionally, 31 percent believe mankind evolved, but with God guiding the process.

Image source: Gallup

In sum, Gallup found that at least 73 percent of the nation believes God played a role in creation.

Two specific trends are worth noting. Overall, the proportion of Americans subscribing to a creationist worldview that God made humans in their present form doesn't appear to be decreasing. 

While it is down from 46 percent in 2012, this proportion has always fluctuated, but has not dipped below 40 percent since the question was first asked in 1982.

That said, there has been an increase in the proportion of those who believe that God had no involvement in evolution. While 19 percent of the public held this view in the most recent survey, only 15 percent did when the question was asked in 2012 -- and only 9 percent did back in 1982.

Image source: Gallup

Church attendance appears to have the biggest impact on views of evolution and creationism. Among those who attend church regularly, 69 percent are creationists. This compares to only 23 percent of those who seldom or never attend.

One of the most intriguing pieces to come from Gallup's research this year, though, is the idea that Americans are significantly less familiar with "creationism" than they were seven years ago. 

"In 2007, 86 percent were familiar, including 50 percent who were very familiar. Now, 76 percent are familiar, with just 38 percent very familiar," Gallup noted. "In short, even though the adherence to the creationist view has not changed over time, familiarity with the term 'creationism' has diminished."

Read the full results here.

What do you think? Take the poll below:

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