---
title: "Religious Differences on the Question of Evolution"
description: "In advance of the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birthday on Feb. 12, 2009, the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life recently released a research package exploring the evolution controversy in the U.S. The Pew Forum’s U.S. Religious Landscape Survey found that views on evolution differ widely across religious groups. Source: Pew […]"
date: "2009-02-04"
authors:
  - name: "Joseph Liu"
    job_title: "Guest Contributor"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2009/02/04/religious-differences-on-the-question-of-evolution/"
categories:
  - "Beliefs & Practices"
  - "Evolution"
---

# Religious Differences on the Question of Evolution

In advance of the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin's birthday on Feb. 12, 2009, the Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life recently released a [research package](/WorkArea/linkit.aspx?LinkIdentifier=id&ItemID=5865) exploring the evolution controversy in the U.S. The Pew Forum's [U.S. Religious Landscape Survey](http://religions.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/religion/) found that views on evolution differ widely across religious groups.

![Evolution](https://assets.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2012/07/evolution.gif)

Source: [Pew Forum U.S. Religious Landscape Survey](http://religions.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/religion/), conducted in 2007, released in 2008 For question wording, refer to the [PDF of the full report](http://religions.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/religion/pdf/report2-religious-landscape-study-full.pdf#page=99).

### In this research package

**[The Conflict Between Religion and Evolution ](/Science-and-Bioethics/Overview-The-Conflict-Between-Religion-and-Evolution.aspx)** An overview of the American debate over evolution.

[**Social and Legal Dimensions**](/Science-and-Bioethics/The-Social-and-Legal-Dimensions-of-the-Evolution-Debate-in-the-US.aspx) The battle over evolution has been largely fought in courtrooms.

[**Darwin and His Theory of Evolution**](/Science-and-Bioethics/Darwin-and-His-Theory-of-Evolution.aspx) At first glance, Charles Darwin seems an unlikely revolutionary.

[**Religious Groups' Official Positions on Evolution**](/Science-and-Bioethics/Religious-Groups-Views-on-Evolution.aspx) A breakdown of 13 major religious groups' views on evolution.

**[Evolution: A Timeline](/Science-and-Bioethics/Evolution-A-Timeline.aspx)** This timeline highlights key events in the debate surrounding evolution.

**Religious Differences on the Question of Evolution** The Pew Forum's *U.S. Religious Landscape Survey* found that views on evolution differ widely across religious groups.

**[Fighting Over Darwin, State by State ](/Science-and-Bioethics/Fighting-Over-Darwin-State-by-State.aspx)** A review of battles over whether - or how - public school students should learn about evolution and the origins of life.