Oh, my, god. Or should I say: "Oh, my, evolution"?

And I thought that we in Serbia have a problem with religion. : )

It's really hard for me to comprehend that in a nation as developed as the U.S. the majority of politicians can give up on the theory of evolution and say that it shouldn't be taught in schools. What a prime example of superstition and populism winning over basic reason and progress!

We have some problems like manipulation with statistics - during censuses, the persons who conduct them often have a tendency of inducing the answer "Orthodox Christian" by, after receiving an answer "I am a Serbian", asking "Orthodox, right?" instead of asking "What is your religious view?" or something like that.

That said, the theory of evolution is taught in our schools in an unquestionable way and religion is optional - students get to choose between having a subject "civil education" or a subject "religious education" once per week.

I love your parallel with the the sun's a ball of ice. :D

I think that in order for this to change (before the sentient AIs take over) a couple of U.S. influences (politicians, celebrities, etc.) need to be brave enough to sacrifice their popularity by coming up and saying "Wake up! We're in the XXI century, the inquisition is over and the science is here!"

Cheers! : )