Vast Majority of Americans See God's Hand in Creation, Evolution

According to the latest Gallup poll, a combined 78 percent of Americans see God's work in the creation and evolution of human beings, with four in 10 believing in strict creationism -- that God created humans in their present form about 10,000 years ago -- and 38 percent believing God has guided an evolutionary process by which modern-day humans developed over millions of years from less-advanced life forms.

Just 16 percent of Americans reportedly believe that human have developed without God's involvement.

Despite the small percentage, Gallup notes that the number of Americans holding this "secular" view of evolution has risen from just 9 percent in 1982, while the percentage of Americans is down 7 percentage points from its 47 percent high in 1993 and 1999.

According to Gallup, Americans' views on human origins vary significantly by level of education and religious involvement, with those with college and postgraduate degrees more likely to believe in evolution than creationism.  Meanwhile, those who attend church regularly are more likely to believe in creationism.