Overview

• Motivated reasoning within religious communities is the strongest predictor of evolution rejection in the United States.
• Brain imaging studies link reduced dorsolateral prefrontal cortex activity among fundamentalists to decreased analytical thinking and belief rigidity.
• Only 64% of Americans accept human evolution compared to 73% of Britons, illustrating deeper cultural polarization.
• Anti-evolution bills persist in state legislatures despite longitudinal data showing acceptance rises with education and age.
• British Anglican 'via media' tradition enabled clergy to embrace evolution by the late 19th century, fostering broader public acceptance.