In recent months, we've seen anti-evolution bills introduced in several states from Oklahoma, to Missouri, to Alabama, to Tennessee and elsewhere. With the exception of the Tennessee bill, these attempts to force creationism into classrooms have died. But according to a new Gallup Poll conducted in May, nearly half of Americans accept creationism as fact despite the overwhelming scientific evidence in support of evolution.

"Forty-six percent of Americans believe in the creationist view that God created humans in their present form at one time within the last 10,000 years. The prevalence of this creationist view of the origin of humans is essentially unchanged from 30 years ago, when Gallup first asked the question. About a third of Americans believe that humans evolved, but with God's guidance; 15% say humans evolved, but that God had no part in the process."

The poll also revealed that a majority of Republicans believe in creationism.

"Highly religious Americans are more likely to be Republican than those who are less religious, which helps explain the relationship between partisanship and beliefs about human origins. The major distinction is between Republicans and everyone else. While 58% of Republicans believe that God created humans in their present form within the last 10,000 years, 39% of independents and 41% of Democrats agree."

The most surprising number here, of course, is that 41% of Democrats believe in creationism. It certainly blows away the Republican claim that Democrats are "Godless heathens." But the number could also prove that Democrats don't force their religious beliefs onto others, and are more tolerable of science than are Republicans. Over the last few months, Republicans have made every effort to push religious doctrine into public schools. Democrats have fought these efforts every step of the way and have managed to halt them in many states. Clearly, one political group has drawn a line between what is taught in science and what should be left in church and the home.