The Big Bang Theory: Half of Americans 'Doubtful' it Happened

First Posted: Apr 21, 2014 05:33 PM EDT
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Most of us are familiar with the Big Bang theory, a cataclysmic explosion responsible for the expansion of the universe. However, for many Americans, they're just not so sure it even happened. In fact, a recent study shows that half of study respondents said they were "not too confident" or "not at all confident" that "the universe began 13.8 billion years ago with a big bang."

Based on a poll conducted by GfK Public Affairs & Corporate Communications, findings revealed that 51 percent of those surveyed questioned the controversial theory.

The "Science and Engineering Indicators" survey, conducted every year since the 1980s by the National Science Foundation, has shown that only about a third of Americans consistently believe that the universe came about in this way.

The Big Bang theory is not the only controversial science topic questioned. About four in 10 polled also said they did not believe in global warming as a result of human influence, according to The Associated Press (AP).

"Science ignorance is pervasive in our society and these attitudes are reinforced when some of our leaders are openly antagonistic to established facts," said 2013 Nobel Prize in medicine winner Randy Schekman of the University of California, Berkeley, via The New York Daily News.

Political opinions showed a common connection between progressive views and religious thinking. For instance, findings revealed that Democrats were more apt to show support for evolution, the Big Bang theory and climate change than Republicans. However, conservative individuals were more likely to have religious beliefs than their liberal counterparts. 

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