Answer: Beliefs on Grand Canyon origins

Hi.

I'm afraid we couldn't find any reference to a poll matching your memory: specifically on American beliefs regarding a biblical origin of the Grand Canyon. In addition to Google, I checked the LexisNexis Academic database and the ProQuest National Newspapers database---both are indexes including many US newspapers and magazines. Couldn't find any news report of such a poll, using search terms such as [canyon" and noah].

I have found some resources that might be of use to you, however.

Your question may be related to a controversy that erupted in 2004 over a book being sold at the Grand Canyon US Park Service gift shop that presented the "Noah's Flood" explanation of the origin of the Grand Canyon. According to a USA Today article, the book was called "Grand Canyon: A Different View" by Tom Vail, a Colorado River guide. ["School science debate evolves; Critics of evolution say intelligent design also should be taught" by Laura Parker, USA Today, December 1, 2004].

Another article about the controversy is "Creationism and Science Clash at Grand Canyon Bookstores", by Cornelia Dean, New York Times October 26, 2004. Section F; Column 2; Science Desk; Pg. 4.

Here's one article posted online about the controversy (which seems to have been covered extensively by Canadian and UK press generally):

http://www.ehmac.ca/archive/index.php/t-21719.html

It's unclear from the articles I found whether the book is still being sold in the park bookstore at this point, although the indications are that it is. If that's something you're curious about, feel free to ask as a followup question and we can try and track it down.

There are also a variety of polls available on Americans views of creationism generally.

Here is a November 2004 summary of some Gallup polls on the subject:
http://www.ncseweb.org/resources/news/2004/US/724_public_view_of_creationism_and_11_19_2004.asp

"To assess public opinion on creationism, Gallup asked:

Which of the following statements comes closest to your views on the origin and development of human beings?
1) Human beings have developed over millions of years from less advanced forms of life, but God guided this process,
2) Human beings have developed over millions of years from less advanced forms of life, but God had no part in this process,
3) God created human beings pretty much in their present form at one time within the last 10,000 years or so?

Polled in November 2004, 38% of respondents chose (1), 13% chose (2), 45% chose (3), and 4% offered a different or no opinion. These results are also similar to those from previous Gallup polls, which extend back to 1982."

A variety of other Gallup polls of interest can be found by searching for "evolution" or "creationism" on Gallup's web site at www.gallup.com, but the actual results of the polls is only available for a price from that site.

Another report of Gallup polls on this topic, which goes into some more detail about the demographic charecteristics of those who believe in creationism vs evolution, was released via the Gallup News Service as "Substantial Numbers of Americans Continue to Doubt Evolution as Explanation for Origin of Humans; Some Americans appear uncertain as to meaning of terms, however by Deborah Jordan Brooks March 5, 2001." The text isn't available for free, however.

Sorry we weren't able to find exactly what you are looking for, but I hope this information still helps you. If you tell us more about more specifically what you are looking for, why you are looking for it, and what you plan to use it for, we may be able to find additional information of value to you. Please feel free to ask a followup question if we can be of additional help. Thanks for using Radical Reference.