EMERGING DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY?:

Many in state support teaching creationism: Despite split, poll shows room for religious thought (TOM HEINEN, Jan. 25, 2003, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Half of Wisconsin's residents favor requiring that public schools teach the biblical theory of creation along with evolution, according to a poll conducted by the University of Wisconsin Survey Center.

Such support for some exposure to creationism was one of the most striking results, said G. Donald Ferree Jr., director of the Badger Poll and the center's associate director for public opinion research. [...]

The poll showed an almost equal split over whether public schools should teach about religious festivals, with 52% in favor and 47% wanting such matters left to parents.

However, respondents more strongly supported "requiring public schools to set aside some time each day for voluntary prayer," with 58% in favor and 38% in opposition.

And, while a majority objected to a public school teacher wanting to post a picture of Jesus and the Virgin Mary - with 58% opposed and 40% in favor - a similar majority said it would be OK if a teacher wanted to post the Ten Commandments in his or her classroom. That was favored by a 56% to 41%.

Given such results--and that one of the distinguishing features of the Democratic Party is its hostility to traditional morality and opinion derived from faith--it seems hardy surprising that they're having trouble connecting with voters. Posted by Orrin Judd at February 3, 2003 10:23 PM