Difference between revisions of "Creationism" - New World Encyclopedia

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[[Image:Creation of Light.png|thumb|right|200px|"The Creation of Light" by [[Gustave Doré]].]]
 
[[Image:Creation of Light.png|thumb|right|200px|"The Creation of Light" by [[Gustave Doré]].]]
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'''Creationism''' at its core is the belief that all humanity, life, the Earth, or the universe as a whole was [[creation (theology)|created]] by a [[deity|supreme being]] (often referred to as [[God]]<ref>http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/features/dictionary/DictionaryResults.aspx?refid=1861671003 Encarta World English Dictionary [North American Edition], "creationism", accessed September 26, 2006</ref>) or by other forms of [[supernatural]] intervention. Taken further, creationism is the belief in a literal interpretation of specific religious works referring to God creating the universe.<ref>http://www.wordreference.com/definition/creationism WordReference.com, "creationism"</ref><ref>http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=creationism Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, "creationism"</ref>  This latter sense is often referred to as "strict creationism".<ref>For example, ''The Creationists: The Evolution of Scientific Creationism'' by Ronald L. Numbers, ''Abusing Science: The Case Against Creationism'' by Philip Kitcher</ref>
 
  
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This divine intervention may be seen either as an act of creation from nothing ([[ex nihilo]]) or the (re)-emergence of order from pre-existing chaos (''[[demiurge]]'').  Various forms of creationism are found; principally in religions of the [[Abrahamic religion|Abrahamic faiths]] such as [[Christianity]], and in some [[Dharmic religion|Dharmic faiths]] such as [[Hinduism]], although such beliefs can be found in many other theistic religions. In modern usage, the term ''creationism'' has come to be most strongly associated with the brand of conservative [[fundamentalist Christianity|Christian fundamentalism]] which rejects various aspects of [[evolution]], [[geology]], [[Physical cosmology|cosmology]], and other natural sciences that address the origins of the natural world.
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Creationism in its most widely used sense is the extension of the religious doctrine of [[creation]] to controversies over materialistic views of the origin of the universe and of living things. In an unrelated sense, creationism also refers to a religious doctrine about the origin of the human soul. Both senses are described here.
  
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Many who believe in a supernatural creation consider the idea to be an aspect of religious [[faith]] compatible with, or otherwise unaffected by, scientific descriptions.  However, "''creationism''" in common usage typically connotes a religious, political, and social campaign&mdash;for instance, in [[creation and evolution in public education|education]]&mdash;to assert the dominance or widespread acceptance of a spiritual view of nature and of humanity's place in it.  This view is in direct conflict with certain interpretations of the [[scientific method]] or [[naturalism (philosophy)|naturalism]] that are rejected by such creationists as [[materialism|materialistic]], [[secularism|secular]], or even [[antireligion|antireligious]].
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In controversies over materialistic views of cosmic and biological origins, creationism takes two general forms: young-Earth creationism (YEC) and old-Earth creationism (OEC). The former interprets Genesis to mean that God created the universe and the basic kinds of living things in six 24-hour days a few thousand years ago; the latter holds that the universe is much older and that God created it and living things through a long process of change.
  
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Those who hold strict creationist views reject scientific theories that they feel contradict their religious texts. Most notable is the rejection of the [[scientific consensus]]<ref>{{cite news | first=PZ | last=Myers | authorlink=PZ Myers | title=Ann Coulter: No evidence for evolution? | date=2006-06-18 | publisher=scienceblogs.com | url =http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2006/06/ann_coulter_no_evidence_for_ev.php | work =Pharyngula | pages = | accessdate = 2006-11-18}}</ref><ref>National Association of Biology Teachers [http://www.nabt.org/sub/position_statements/evolution.asp Statement on Teaching Evolution]</ref><ref>[http://www.interacademies.net/Object.File/Master/6/150/Evolution%20statement.pdf IAP Statement on the Teaching of Evolution] Joint statement issued by the national science academies of 67 countries, including the [[United Kingdom|United Kingdom's]] [[Royal Society]] (PDF file)</ref><ref>From the [[American Association for the Advancement of Science]], the world's largest general scientific society: [http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2006/pdf/0219boardstatement.pdf 2006 Statement on the Teaching of Evolution] (PDF file), [http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2006/0219boardstatement.shtml AAAS Denounces Anti-Evolution Laws]</ref> on evolution and [[common descent]] by most creationists. They do not accept [[abiogenesis]] and often also reject the scientific consensus regarding the [[Age of the Earth|geologic history of the Earth]], [[solar nebula|formation of the solar system]], and [[Big Bang|origin of the universe]]. Creationism is also separate from, and should not be confused with the separate Christian tradition of "[[Creation Spirituality]]" which draws upon the theology of [[Matthew Fox (priest)|Matthew Fox]].
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Regarding the origin of the human soul, Christian theologians have debated whether it is created directly by God (“creationism”) or produced by human parents (“traducianism”). The former is more consistent with the immaterial and eternal nature of the soul, while the latter is more consistent with the transmission of original sin.
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{{creationism2}}
 
  
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==Overview==
 
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The term creationism is most often used to describe the belief that creation occurred literally as described in the book of [[Genesis]] (for  both [[Judaism|Jews]] and [[Christianity|Christians]]) or the [[Qur'an]] (for [[Islam|Muslims]]). The terms creationism and creationist have become particularly associated with beliefs conflicting with the Theory of evolution by mechanisms acting on [[genetic variation]]. This conflict is most prevalent in the [[United States]], where there has been sustained [[creation-evolution controversy]] in the public arena, centering over the issue of the science curriculum in public schools.  Many adherents of the Abrahamic denominations, however, believe in divine creation and accept evolution by natural selection, as well as, to a greater or lesser extent, scientific explanations of the origins and development of the [[universe]], the [[Earth]], and [[life]] &ndash; such beliefs have been given the name "[[theistic evolution]]","evolutionary creationism" or "progressive creationism".
 
  
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In a Christian context, many creationists adopt a [[literal]] interpretation of the Biblical creation narratives, and say that the Bible provides a factual account, given from the perspective of the only one who was there at the time to witness it: [[God]].  They seek to harmonize [[science]] with what they believe to be an eye-witness account of the origin of things (see [[Young Earth Creationism]], for example). Opponents argue that this throws doubt upon [[scientific evidence]] as an [[empirical]] source for information on [[natural history]], questioning the scientific nature of the literalistic Biblical view.  Creationists take the position that neither theory is verifiable in the scientific sense, and that the scientific evidence conforms more closely to the creation model of origins than it does to the evolutionary model. <ref> see e.g. http://www.creationresearch.org/crsq/articles/12/12_1a1.html or http://www.creationresearch.org/creation_matters/pdf/2003/cm08%2003.PDF page 2, or http://www.creationresearch.org/creation_matters/pdf/2001/cm0605.pdf page 1</ref>
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==Young-Earth Creationism==
  
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Almost all churches teach that God created the cosmos. Most contemporary Christian scholars from mainstream churches, such as [[Roman Catholic]], [[Anglican]] and [[Lutheran]], reject reading the Bible as though it could shed light on the physics of creation instead of the spiritual meaning of creation. The [[Roman Catholic]] Church now explicitly accepts the theory of Evolution <ref> see eg [[John Paul II]] address here [http://www.newadvent.org/library/docs_jp02tc.htm] </ref>, as do pretty well all [[Anglican]] scholars Of which Rev Dr [[John Polkinghorne]] [[FRS]] is a paradigm, arguing that evolution is one of the principles through which God created living beings. Earlier examples of this attitude include [[Frederick Temple]], [[Asa Gray]] and [[Charles Kingsley]] who were enthusiastic supporters of Darwin's theories on publication<ref> see eg [[John Polkinghorne]]'s ''Science and Theology'' pp6-7</ref>, and the French Jesuit priest and [[geology|geologist]] [[Pierre Teilhard de Chardin]], saw evolution as confirmation of his Christian beliefs, despite condemnation from Church authorities for his more speculative theories. Another example is that of [[Liberal Christianity|Liberal theology]], which assumes that Genesis is a poetic work, and that just as human understanding of God increases gradually over time, so does the understanding of His creation. In fact, both Jews and Christians have been considering the idea of the [[Allegorical interpretations of Genesis|creation history as an allegory]] (instead of an historical description) long before the development of Darwin's theory of evolution. Two notable examples are [[Saint Augustine]] ([[4th century]]) that, on theological grounds, argued that everything in the universe was created by God in the same instant, (and not in seven days as a plain account of Genesis would require) <ref>http://www.asa3.org/ASA/topics/Bible-Science/PSCF3-88Young.html Davis A. Young, "THE CONTEMPORARY RELEVANCE OF AUGUSTINE'S VIEW OF CREATION" (From: Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith 40.1:42-45 (3/1988)), The American Scientific Affiliation</ref>; and the [[1st century]] Jewish scholar [[Philo of Alexandria]], who wrote that it would be a mistake to think that creation happened in six days, or in any set amount of time. <ref>http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/yonge/book2.html ''The Works of Philo Judaeus'', Chapter 2, translated by Charles Duke Yonge</ref>
 
  
  
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However, many believers in a literal interpretation argue that once a poetic view of the creation account in [[Genesis]] is adopted, one begins to question the historicity of other central topics of that book. Furthermore, the liberal approach suggests, sometimes outright, that [[Jesus]] as seen in the New Testament, or the writers of the Bible, had a mistaken understanding of the reliability of the Bible, and erroneously believed the book of Genesis to be literal history: a proposition that, if adopted, could have radical implications for Christian faith and the reliability of the Bible. {{fact}}
 
  
  
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==Political context==
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==Old-Earth Creationism==
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[[Image:Truth fish.JPG|thumb|right|The Truth fish, one of the many creationist responses to the Darwin fish.]]
 
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{{main|Creation-evolution controversy|Creation science}}
 
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In the secular sense, "creationism" refers to a [[politics|political doctrine]] which asserts the validity and superiority of a particular religiously-based origin belief over those of other [[belief systems]], including those in particular espoused through secular or scientific rationale (see [[Creation-evolution controversy]]). The meaning of the term "creationism" depends upon the context wherein it is used, as it refers to a particular origin belief within a particular political culture.
 
  
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In the [[United States]], more so than in the rest of the world, creationism has become centered in political controversy, in particular over [[public education]], and whether teaching evolution in science classes conflicts unfairly with the creationist worldview. Currently, the controversy has come in the form of whether advocates of the [[Intelligent Design movement]] who wish to "[[Teach the Controversy]]" in science classes have overstepped the boundaries of [[separation of church and state]].<ref>[http://www.pamd.uscourts.gov/kitzmiller/kitzmiller_342.pdf Full text of Judge Jones' ruling, dated December 20, 2005]</ref>
 
  
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[[Creation Science]] is a branch of creationism that aims to reconcile modern science with a creationist worldview. Advocates of [[Creation Science]] believe that scientific evidence best supports the [[Bible|Biblical]] account of [[creation]]. The scientific status of [[Creation Science]] is disputed by most of the [[scientific community]] as [[pseudoscience]] because Creation Science begins with a desired answer and attempts to interpret all evidence to fit in with this predetermined conclusion. According to the [[scientific method|methodological]] [[Demarcation problem|demarcation]] principle of the [[Critical rationalism|rationalistic]] [[Falsifiability|falsificationism]], justified by [[Karl Popper]] as a [[philosophy of science]] and broadly supported by scientists, scientific theories need to be falsifiable. Opponents of Creation Science see this as in direct conflict with the assumption that the literal interpretation of the Bible is absolutely true and cannot be refuted even in principle.
 
  
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The most widely accepted [[Postmodern philosophy|postmodern]] [[Irrationalism|irrationalistic]] [[philosophy of science]] was proposed by [[Thomas Kuhn]] and contrasts this rationalistic view. He held that only such theories are accepted (by [[paradigm shift]]) that show a ''superior ability to solve problems''. The scientific consensus is that this is not the case for either creation science or intelligent design{{fact}}. Yet, Kuhn's philosophy was partly welcomed and embraced by creation science and intelligent design proponents, since it lacks universal methodological rules that could rule out their views from science{{fact}}. This intentional and inherent provision has been a frequent cause of attack and criticism on Kuhn's philosophy, especially by those opposing [[relativism]]. (See [[The Structure of Scientific Revolutions#Relevance of SSR|Relevance of ''The Structure of Scientific Revolutions'']] for details.)
 
  
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==History==
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==Origin of the Soul==
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{{main|History of creationism}}
 
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The history of creationism is tied to the [[history of religions]]. Creationism in the West primarily had some of its earliest roots in [[Judaism]]. For example, [[Abraham ibn Ezra]]'s (c. 1089–1164) commentary on Genesis is greatly esteemed in traditional rabbinical circles and he was a creationist.
 
  
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In the [[18th century|18th]] and [[19th century|19th]] centuries, [[natural history|naturalist]]s challenged the [[Biblical]] account of [[Creation theology|creation]] as to be in conflict with [[empiricism|empirical observations]] of [[natural history]] from [[science|scientific inquiry]].  Creationists consider their primary source to be the ancient [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] text describing [[creation according to Genesis]].  While the term ''creationism'' was not in common use before the late [[19th century]] they see themselves as being the philosophical and religious offspring of the traditions that held that text sacred.
 
  
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The biblical account of history, [[cosmology]] and [[natural history]] was believed by [[Judaism|Jews]], [[Christianity|Christians]] and [[Islam|Muslims]].  But, both Jews and Christians have been considering the idea of the [[Allegorical interpretations of Genesis|creation history as an allegory]] (instead of an historical description) long before the beginning of modern history. <ref>[http://www.asa3.org/ASA/topics/Bible-Science/PSCF3-88Young.html Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith]</ref><ref>[http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/yonge/book2.html Early Christian Writings]</ref> Most people in [[Europe]], the [[Middle East]] and other areas of the [[Islam]]ic world believed that a supreme being had existed and would exist [[eternal]]ly, and that everything else in existence had been created by this supreme being, known variously as [[God]], [[YHWH]], or [[Allah]].  This belief was based on the authority of [[Genesis]], the [[Qur'an]], and other ancient histories, which were held to be historically accurate and no systematic or scientific inquiry was made into the validity of the text.
 
  
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Islamic scholars preserved ancient [[Greece|Greek]] texts and developed their ideas, leading to the [[Renaissance]] which brought a questioning of [[Biblical cosmology]].  With [[the Enlightenment]] a variety of scientific and philosophical movements challenged traditional viewpoints in Europe and the Americas. [[Natural history]] developed with the aim of understanding God's plan, but found contradictions, which in revolutionary France were interpreted as science supporting [[evolution]].  Elsewhere, particularly in England, clerical naturalists sought explanations compatible with interpretations of biblical texts, anticipating many later creationist arguments.
 
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While the concept of an ancient earth became widely accepted, [[Charles Darwin]]'s theory of [[natural selection]] directly challenged belief in God's immediate involvement in creating [[species]], and in response Creationism arose as a distinct movement aiming to justify and reassert the literal accuracy of sacred texts, particularly the words of [[Genesis]].
 
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The history of creationism has relevance to the [[creation-evolution controversy]].  Proponents of creationism claim that it has a rich heritage grounded in ancient recorded histories and consistent with scientific observation.  Opponents describe creationism's offspring, [[creation science]] and [[intelligent design]],  as [[pseudoscience]]s and argue that these are reactionary movements against science.
 
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==Types of creationism==
 
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Creationism covers a spectrum of beliefs which have been categorized into the broad types listed below.  As a matter of popular belief and characterizations by the media, most people labeled "creationists" are those who object to specific parts of science for religious reasons, though many (if not most) people who believe in a divine act of creation do not categorically reject those parts of science.
 
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===Young Earth creationism===
 
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{{main|Young Earth creationism}}
 
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The belief that the Earth was created by [[God]] within the last ten thousand years, literally as described in [[Creation according to Genesis|Genesis]], within the approximate timeframe of biblical genealogies (detailed for example in the [[Ussher chronology]]).  (They may or may not believe that the [[Universe]] is the same age.)  It rejects not only [[radiometric dating|radiometric]] and [[isochron dating]] of the [[age of the Earth]], arguing that they are based on debatable assumptions, but also approaches such as [[ice core]] dating and [[dendrochronology]].  Instead, it interprets the geologic record largely as a result of a [[Noah's Ark|global flood]].  This view is held by many Protestant Christians in the USA, and by many [[Haredi Judaism|Haredi Jews]].  It is also estimated that 47% of Americans hold this view, and a little under 10% of Christian colleges teach it<ref>[http://www.answersingenesis.org/docs2006/0131colleges.asp Creation crisis in Christian colleges]</ref>.  For Christian groups promoting this view, see the [[Institute for Creation Research]] (ICR), [[El Cajon, California]], USA, and the ''Creation Research Society'' (CRS), [[Saint Joseph, Missouri]], USA.  [[Answers in Genesis]] (AIG) Ministries based in the Greater Cincinnati area is currently constructing the first [[Answers in Genesis#The Creation Museum|Creation Museum]].
 
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Because Young Earth creationists believe in the literal truth of the description in Genesis of divine creation of every "kind" of plant and creature during a week about 6,000 years ago, they dispute parts of [[evolution]] (specifically [[common descent|universal common descent]]) which describes all [[species]] developing from a common ancestor, independent of divine intervention, by [[mutation|gene mutation]] and [[natural selection]], over a much longer time.
 
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====Modern geocentrism====
 
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{{main|Modern geocentrism}}
 
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The view that God recently created a spherical world, and placed it in the center of the universe.  The [[Sun]], [[planets]] and everything else in the universe revolve around it.
 
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====Omphalos hypothesis====
 
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{{main|Omphalos hypothesis}}
 
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The Omphalos hypothesis argues that in order for the world to be functional, God must have created the [[Earth]] with mountains and canyons, trees with growth rings, and that therefore ''no'' evidence that we can see of the presumed [[Age of the Earth|age of the earth]] and [[age of the universe|universe]] can be taken as reliable.<ref>Gosse, Henry Philip, 1857. Omphalos: An Attempt to Untie the Geological Knot. J. Van Voorst, London
 
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</ref> The idea has seen some revival in the twentieth century by some modern creationists, who have extended the argument to light that [[starlight problem|appears to originate]] in far-off [[star]]s and [[galaxy|galaxies]].
 
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====Creation science====
 
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{{main|Creation science}}
 
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The technical arm of the creationist movement, most adherents to creation science believe that God created the Earth only recently, and the scientific evidence supports their interpretation of scripture. Various claims of these creation scientists include such ideas as [[creationist cosmologies]] which accommodate a universe on the order of thousands of years old, explanations for the fossil record as a record of the destruction of the [[global flood]] recorded in [[Genesis]] (see [[flood geology]]), and explanations for the present [[biodiversity|diversity]] as a result of rapid degradation of the perfect [[genome]]s God placed in "[[created kinds]]" (see [[creation biology]]).
 
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===Old Earth creationism===
 
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{{main|Old Earth creationism}}
 
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The view that the [[universe|physical universe]] was created by God, but that the creation event of Genesis is not to be taken strictly literally.  This group generally believes that the [[age of the Universe]] and the [[age of the Earth]] are as described by [[astronomers]] and [[geologists]], but that details of the [[evolutionary theory]] are questionable.
 
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Old-Earth creationism itself comes in at least three types:
 
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====Gap creationism====
 
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{{main|Gap creationism}}
 
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Also called "Restitution creationism" this is the view that life was immediately created on a pre-existing old Earth. This group generally translates Genesis 1:2 as "The earth ''became'' without form and void," indicating a destruction of the original creation by some unspecified cataclysm. This was popularized in the ''[[Scofield Reference Bible]]'', but has little support from Hebrew scholars.
 
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====Day-age creationism====
 
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{{main|Day-Age Creationism}}
 
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The view that the "six days" of [[Genesis]] are not ordinary twenty-four-hour days, but rather much longer periods (for instance, each "day" could be the equivalent of millions, or billions of years of human time).  This theory often states that the [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] word "yôm", in the context of Genesis 1, can be properly interpreted as "age." Some adherents claim we are still living in the seventh age ("seventh day").
 
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====Progressive creationism====
 
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{{main|Progressive creationism}}
 
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The view that species have changed or evolved in a process continuously guided by God, with various ideas as to how the process operates (often leaving room for God's direct intervention at key moments in Earth/life's history).  This view accepts most of modern physical science including the age of the earth, but rejects much of modern evolutionary biology or looks to it for evidence that [[evolution]] by [[natural selection]] alone is incorrect. This view can be, and often is, held in conjunction with other Old-earth views such as Day-age creationism or framework/metaphoric/poetic views.
 
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===Theistic evolution===
 
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{{main|Theistic evolution}}
 
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Also known as "evolutionary creationism", this is the general view that, instead of faith being in opposition to biological evolution, some or all classical religious teachings about [[God]] and [[creation theology|creation]] are compatible with some or all of modern [[scientific]] [[scientific theory|theories]], including specifically [[evolution]].  It generally views evolution as a tool used by God, and can synthesize with gap or day-age creationism. Most adherents consider that the first chapters of Genesis should not be interpreted as a "literal" description.  It can still be described as "creationism" in holding that divine intervention brought about the [[origin of life]] or that divine Laws govern formation of species, but in the [[creation-evolution controversy]] its proponents generally take the "evolutionist" side. This sentiment was expressed by Fr. [[George Coyne]], (Vatican's chief astronomer between 1978 and 2006):
 
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:''...in America, creationism has come to mean some fundamentalistic, literal, scientific interpretation of Genesis. Judaic-Christian faith is radically creationist, but in a totally different sense.  It is rooted in a belief that everything depends upon God, or better, all is a gift from God.''<ref>http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=18504</ref>
 
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While supporting the [[naturalism (philosophy)|methodological naturalism]] inherent in modern science, the proponents of theistic evolution reject the implication taken by some [[atheism|atheists]] that this gives credence to [[Ontology|ontological]] [[materialism]].  In fact, many modern philosophers of science<ref>[http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/product-description/026216180X The Tower of Babel] by [[Robert T. Pennock]], [http://www.freeinquiry.com/naturalism.html Naturalism is an Essential Part of Science and Critical Inquiry] by [[Steven D. Schafersman]], [http://webapp.utexas.edu/blogs/archives/bleiter/001072.html The Leiter Reports], [http://www.arn.org/docs/odesign/od182/ntse182.htm Report on "Naturalism, Theism and the Scientific Enterprise" conference], [http://www.oxfordscholarship.com/oso/public/content/philosophy/0195138090/acprof-0195138090-chapter-12.html The Oxford Handbook of Philosophy of Religion, 11: GOD, SCIENCE, AND NATURALISM] by [[Paul R. Draper]], [http://www.philosophynow.org/issue46/46pigliucci.htm Philosophy Now: The Alleged Fallacies of Evolutionary Theory], [http://www.biology.uiowa.edu/ID.html Statement on Intelligent Design], [http://www.nature.com/embor/journal/v6/n12/full/7400589.html Science and fundamentalism] by [[Massimo Pigliucci]], [http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/michael_martin/naturalism.html Justifying Methodological Naturalism] by [[Michael Martin (philosopher)]]</ref>, including atheists,<ref>[http://www.butterfliesandwheels.com/articleprint.php?num=158 Butterflies and wheels article] by [[Raymond Bradley]], Emeritus Professor of Philosophy in New Zealand.</ref> refer to the long standing convention in the [[scientific method]] that [[observation|observable]] events in [[nature]] should be explained by natural causes, with the distinction that it does not assume the actual existence or non-existence of the supernatural. Among other things, it means that science does not deal with the question of the existence of a Creator, and argues neither for nor against it.
 
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Many creationists (in the strict sense) would deny that the position is creationism at all, while on the other hand many scientists support such faiths which allow a voice to their spiritual side.
 
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===Neo-Creationism===
 
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{{main|Neo-Creationism}}
 
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Neo-Creationists intentionally distance themselves from other forms of creationism, preferring to be known as wholly separate from creationism as a philosophy.  Its goal is to restate creationism in terms more likely to be well received by the public, education policy makers and the [[scientific community]].  It aims to re-frame the debate over the [[Origin belief|origins of life]] in non-religious terms and without appeals to scripture, and to bring the scientific debate before the public.  One of its principal claims is that ostensibly [[Objectivity (science)|objective]] orthodox science is actually a dogmatically [[atheism|atheistic]] [[religion]].  Its proponents argue that the [[scientific method]] excludes certain explanations of phenomena, particularly where they point towards supernatural elements.  This effectively excludes religious insight from contributing to understanding the [[universe]].  Neo-Creationists also argue that science, as an "atheistic enterprise", is at the root of many of contemporary society's ills (social unrest, family breakdown). The most recognized form of Neo-Creationism in the [[United States]] is the [[Intelligent Design movement]].  Unlike their philosophical forebears, Neo-Creationists largely do not believe in many of the traditional cornerstones of creationism such a [[Young Earth creationism|young Earth]], or in a dogmatically [[Biblical inerrancy|literal interpretation of the Bible]].  Common to all forms of Neo-Creationism is a rejection of [[Naturalism (philosophy)|naturalism]], usually made together with a tacit admission of [[supernaturalism]], and an open and often hostile opposition to what they term "[[Darwinism]]", which generally is meant to refer to [[evolution]].
 
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====Intelligent design====
 
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{{main|Intelligent design}}
 
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Intelligent design (ID) is the concept that "certain features of the universe and of living things are best explained by an intelligent cause, not an undirected process such as natural selection." Its leading proponents, all of whom are affiliated with the [[Discovery Institute]], a conservative Christian think tank [http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3944/is_200502/ai_n9521923], claim that intelligent design is a scientific theory that stands on equal footing with, or is superior to, current scientific theories regarding the origin of life.
 
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==Jewish creationism==
 
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{{main|Judaism and evolution}}
 
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Judaism has a continuum of views about creation, the origin of life and the role of evolution in the formation of species. The major [[Jewish denominations]], including many Orthodox Jewish groups, accept evolutionary creationism or theistic evolution. Reform and Conservative Judaism do not take the [[Torah]] as a literal text, but rather as a symbolic or open-ended work.  For Orthodox Jews who seek to reconcile discrepancies between science and the Bible, the notion that science and the Bible should even be reconciled through traditional scientific means is questioned. To these groups, science is as true as the Torah and if there seems to be a problem, our own epistemological limits are to blame for any apparent irreconcilable point. They point to various discrepancies between what is expected and what actually is to demonstrate that things are not always as they appear.  They point out to the fact that the even root word for "world" in the [[Hebrew language]] &mdash; עולם (oh•luhm) &mdash; means hidden.  Just as they believe God created man and trees and the light on its way from the stars in their adult state, so too can they believe that the world was created in its "adult" state, with the understanding that there are, and can be, no physical ways to verify this.  This belief has been advanced by Rabbi Dr. Dovid Gottlieb, former philosophy professor at Johns Hopkins University. Also, relatively old Kabbalistic sources from well before the scientifically apparent age of the universe was first determined are in close concord with modern scientific estimates of the age of the universe, according to Rabbi [[Aryeh Kaplan]]. Other interesting parallels are brought down from, among other sources, [[Nachmanides]], who expounds that there was a [[Neanderthal]]-like species with which [[Adam and Eve|Adam]] mated (he did this long before Neanderthals had even been discovered scientifically).<ref>Aviezer, Nathan. In the Beginning: Biblical Creation and Science. Ktav, 1990. Hardcover. ISBN 0-88125-328-6</ref><ref>Carmell, Aryeh and Domb, Cyril, eds. ''Challenge: Torah Views on Science'' New York: Association of Orthodox Jewish Scientists/Feldheim Publishers, 1976. ISBN 0-87306-174-8</ref><ref>Schroeder, Gerald L. ''The Science of God: The Convergence of Scientific and Biblical Wisdom'' Broadway Books, 1998, ISBN 0-7679-0303-X</ref><ref>Jeffrey H. Tigay, ''Genesis, Science, and "Scientific Creationism"'', Conservative Judaism, Vol. 40(2), Winter 1987/1988, p.20-27, The [[Rabbinical Assembly]]</ref>
 
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==Christian God as absolute origin==
 
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Nearly all denominations of Christianity assert that God is the origin, the [[Cosmological argument|first cause]].  The [[Roman Catholic Church]] holds as an unchangeable tenet of Christian faith, that "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth". Here, creation is described as an absolute beginning, which includes the assertion that the very existence of the universe is contingent upon a necessary higher being, [[God]], who is not Himself created.  Therefore the doctrine of biblical creation places the knowledge of God central in the pursuit of the knowledge of anything, for everything comes from God.  Nevertheless, this view does not mandate the concept of separate human creation; it says nothing about the mechanism by which any thing was created.
 
−
 
−
==Prevalence of creationism==
 
−
===United States===
 
−
[[Image:Creationist car.jpg|250px|right|thumb|Anti-evolution car in [[Athens, Georgia]]]]
 
−
According to a 2006 [[Gallup]] poll,<ref name="timespoll">See [http://washingtontimes.com/national/20060608-111826-4947r.htm Americans Still Hold Faith In Divine Creation].</ref> about 46% of Americans believe in strict creationism, concurring with the statement that "God created man pretty much in his present form at one time within the last 10,000 years," and 36% believe that God guided the process of evolution.  Only 13% believe that humans evolved over millions of years, without any supernatural intervention.  Belief in creationism is inversely correlated to education; of those with post-graduate degrees, only 22% believe in strict creationism.<ref name="timespoll" />
 
−
 
−
In 1987, [[Newsweek]] reported: "By one count there are some 700 scientists with respectable academic credentials (out of a total of 480,000 U.S. earth and life scientists) who ascribed to Biblically literal creationism."<ref>{{cite news|publisher=[[Newsweek]]|date=June 29, 1987|pages=23|title=Keeping God Out of the Classroom}}</ref><ref>http://www.religioustolerance.org/ev_publi.htm US poll results - "Public beliefs about evolution and creation", religioustolerance.org</ref>
 
−
 
−
In 2000, a poll by the left wing <ref>See [http://www.discoverthenetwork.org/groupProfile.asp?grpid=6400].</ref> think-tank [[People For the American Way]] <ref>{{PDFlink|[http://media.pfaw.org/pdf/creationism/creationism-poll.pdf Evolution and Creationism In Public Education: An In-depth Reading Of Public Opinion]}}</ref> estimated that:
 
−
:20% of Americans believe public schools should teach evolution only;
 
−
:17% of Americans believe that only evolution should be taught in science classes &mdash; religious explanations should be taught in another class;
 
−
:29% of Americans believe that Creationism should be discussed in science class as a 'belief,' not a scientific theory;
 
−
:13% of Americans believe that Creationism and evolution should be taught as 'scientific theories' in science class;
 
−
:16% of Americans believe that only Creationism should be taught;
 
−
 
−
According to a study published in ''[[Science (journal)|Science]]'', between 1985 and 2005 the number of adult Americans who accept evolution declined from 45 to 40%, the number of adults who reject evolution declined from 48 to 39% and the number of people who were unsure increased from 7% to 21%. Besides the United States the study also compared data from 32 European countries (including Turkey) and Japan. The only country where acceptance of evolution was lower than in the United States was Turkey (25%). <ref name="Science survey">{{cite journal|journal=Science|date=[[11 August]] 2006|volume=313|issue=5788|pages=765-766|title=Public Acceptance of Evolution|id={{doi|10.1126/science.1126746}}}}</ref> (See the [http://www.livescience.com/php/multimedia/imagedisplay/img_display.php?pic=060810_evo_rank_02.jpg&cap=A+chart+showing+public+acceptance+of+evolution+in+34+countries.+The+United+States+ranked+near+the+bottom%2C+beat+only+by+Turkey.+Credit%3A+Science chart])
 
−
 
−
Less-direct [[anecdotal evidence]] of the popularity of creationism is reflected in the response of [[IMAX]] theaters to the availability of ''[[Volcanoes of the Deep Sea]]'', an IMAX film which makes a connection between human [[DNA]] and [[microbe]]s inside undersea [[volcano]]es. The film's distributor reported that the only U.S. states with theaters which chose not to show the film were [[Texas]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], [[North Carolina]], and [[South Carolina]]:
 
−
:We've got to pick a film that's going to sell in our area. If it's not going to sell, we're not going to take it," said the director of an IMAX theater in Charleston that is not showing the movie. "Many people here believe in creationism, not evolution." <ref>[http://www.artistsnetwork.org/news15/news708.html Evolution Reference Hurts Volcano Film]</ref>
 
−
 
−
===The western world outside the United States===
 
−
Most vocal creationists are from the United States, and creationist views are much less common elsewhere in the western world.
 
−
 
−
According to a [[PBS]] documentary on evolution, Australian Young Earth Creationists claimed that “five percent of the Australian population now believe that Earth is thousands, rather than billions, of years old.”  The documentary further states that “Australia is a particular stronghold of the creationist movement.”  Taking these claims at face value, Young Earth Creationism is very much a minority position in Western countries.
 
−
 
−
In [[Europe]], creationism is a less well-defined phenomenon, and regular polls are not available. However, evolution is taught as scientific fact in most schools. In countries with a [[Roman Catholic]] majority, [[pope|papal]] acceptance of evolution as worthy of study has essentially ended debate on the matter for many people. In the [[United Kingdom]] the [[Emmanuel Schools Foundation]] (previously the Vardy Foundation), which runs three government-funded 13 to 19 schools in the north of England (out of several thousand in the country) and plans to open several more, teaches that creationism and evolution are equally valid “faith positions”. One exam board (OCR) also specifically mentions and deals with creationism in its biology syllabus <ref>[http://education.guardian.co.uk/schools/story/0,,1728235,00.html Exam board brings creationism into science class]</ref>. However, this deals with it as a historical belief and addresses hostility towards evolution rather than promoting it as an alternative to naturalistic evolution. Mainstream scientific accounts are still expressed as fact. In [[Italy]], former prime minister [[Silvio Berlusconi]] wanted to retire evolution from schools in the middle level; after one week of massive protests, he reversed his opinion.<ref>[http://www2.onnachrichten.t-online.de/dyn/c/19/01/33/1901336.html We put the clock back a 1000 years (German language)]</ref>.
 
−
 
−
According to a study published in ''[[Science (journal)|Science]]'', a survey over the United States, Japan and Europe showed that public acceptance of evolution is most prevalent in Iceland, Denmark and Sweden at 80% of the population.<ref name="Science survey"/> (See the [http://www.livescience.com/php/multimedia/imagedisplay/img_display.php?pic=060810_evo_rank_02.jpg&cap=A+chart+showing+public+acceptance+of+evolution+in+34+countries.+The+United+States+ranked+near+the+bottom%2C+beat+only+by+Turkey.+Credit%3A+Science chart])
 
−
 
−
Of particular note for [[Eastern Europe]], [[Serbia]] suspended the teaching of evolution for one week in 2004, under education minister [[Ljiljana Čolić]], only allowing schools to reintroduce evolution into the curriculum if they also taught creationism.<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/09/09/wdarw09.xml&sSheet=/news/2004/09/09/ixworld.html Darwin is off the curriculum for Serbian schools]</ref> "After a deluge of protest from scientists, teachers and opposition parties" says the BBC report, Čolić's deputy made the statement, "I have come here to confirm Charles Darwin is still alive" and announced that the decision was reversed.
 
−
<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3642460.stm Serbia reverses Darwin suspension]</ref> Čolić resigned after the government said that she had caused "problems that had started to reflect on the work of the entire government." <ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3663196.stm 'Anti-Darwin' Serb minister quits]</ref> [[Poland]] saw a major controversy over creationism in 2006 when the deputy education minister, [[Mirosław Orzechowski]], denounced evolution as "one of many lies" taught in Polish schools. His superior, Minister of Education [[Roman Giertych]], has stated that the theory of evolution would continue to be taught in Polish schools, "as long as most scientists in our country say that it is the right theory." Giertych's father, [[Member of the European Parliament]] [[Maciej Giertych]], has however opposed the teaching of evolution and has claimed that dinosaurs and humans co-existed.<ref>"[http://www.wbj.pl/?command=article&id=35336&type=wbj And finally...]", Warsaw Business Journal, 18 December 2006.</ref>
 
−
 
−
In the [[United Kingdom]], it is notable that The Archbishop of Canterbury, and head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, [[Rowan Williams]] views the idea of teaching creationism in schools as a mistake. <ref>[http://education.guardian.co.uk/schools/story/0,,1735731,00.html]</ref>.  A 2006 poll on the "origin and development of life" asked participants to choose between three different perspectives on the origin of life: 22% chose creationism, 17% opted for intelligent design, 48% selected evolution theory and the rest did not know. The poll had the effect of reinforcing a [[culture war]] [[Creation-evolution controversy#False dichotomy|false dichotomy]] on the subject in an attempt by the news organization to demonstrate the extent of the controversy. As the poll lacked nuanced [[statistical survey|survey techniques]] and [[Creation-evolution controversy#Defining evolution|equivocated on origin definitions]] as well as forced participants to make choices as though there were only three options, its results do not necessarily indicate the views of the general public concerning mainstream science or religious alternatives.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4648598.stm Britons unconvinced on evolution]</ref><ref>[http://www.mori.com/polls/2006/bbc-horizon.shtml BBC Survey On The Origins Of Life]</ref>
 
−
 
−
==Criticism of creationism==
 
−
===Scientific critique of creationism===
 
−
Since the origins of modern [[geology]] in the 18th and 19th centuries, forms of creationism have become increasingly separated from mainstream science. As modern science called into question the [[biblical literalism|literal interpretations]] of [[Creation according to Genesis|biblical account of creation in Genesis]], creationists (especially Young Earth creationists) began to actively oppose the [[scientific consensus]] on questions of origins.
 
−
 
−
There is a fundamental difference between the scientific approach to explaining the natural world and the creationist approach. The scientific approach uses the [[scientific method]] as a means of discovering information about nature. Scientists use observations, hypotheses and deductions to propose explanations for natural phenomena in the form of [[Theory#Science|scientific theories]]. Predictions from these theories are tested by experiment. If a prediction turns out to be correct, the theory survives. This is a [[Meritocracy|meritocratic]] form of systematic enquiry, where the best ideas supported by evidence and positive experimental results survive. In principle, the scientific method does not seek answers that fit a certain pre-determined conclusion, but rather works to construct viable, testable, and provable theories based on a solid evidential foundation.  The evidential foundation therefore precludes any reference to revelation. 
 
−
 
−
Creationism, on the other hand, works by taking theologically conservative interpretations of scripture as the primary or only source of information about origins. Creationists believe that since the Creator created everything and also revealed scriptures, the scriptures have pre-eminence as a kind of evidence. Consistency with their interpretations of scripture is the measure by which they judge all other evidence. They then accept or reject scientific accounts based on whether or not they agree with their beliefs, discounting that which contradicts their understanding of scriptural revelation.  This perspective can be seen as a type of [[Luddite|luddism]] or [[anti-modernism]] since any seemingly opposing ideas are either ignored or dismissed. Those who oppose creationism point out that such positions are fundamentally unscientific and a hallmark of [[pseudoscience]]. Additionally, aspects of the scriptures which are not subject to scientific examination are not considered as reliable evidence to scientists.
 
−
 
−
Certain adherents to creationism have declared that there exist versions of creationism (namely [[creation science]]) that are based on the [[scientific method]]. It was such claims that were the basis for the legal arguments that creationism deserved equal-time in the science classroom. [[Scientific skepticism|Skeptical critics]] charge that creation science is not a theory that has come about through a systematic and scientific accumulation of evidence. It is predominantly based on the assumption of a literal interpretation of religious scripture and the emphasis of the authority of scripture over other sources of knowledge is evident in creation science literature.
 
−
 
−
All scientific [[theory|theories]] are [[falsifiability|falsifiable]]; that is, if evidence that contradicts any given theory comes to light, or if the theory is proven to no longer fit with the evidence, the theory itself is shown to be invalid and is either modified to be consistent with all the evidence or is discarded. Scientific theories can be (and often are) found to be incorrect or incomplete. Since creationism rests on an article of [[faith]], its construction assumes that the narrative accounts of origins can never be shown falsified, no matter how strong the evidence is to the contrary.
 
−
 
−
[[Modern synthesis|Evolutionary modern synthesis]] is the theory that fits all known biological and genetic evidence while being backed up by overwhelming evidence in the [[fossil record]]. Contrary to frequent claims by many opponents of the theory of evolution, [[transitional fossil]]s exist which show a gradual change from one species to another. Moreover, evolutionary selection has been observed in living species (evolution of resistance in bacteria is routinely produced in high school biology experiments, and for a macroscopic example, see “tuskless elephants” in [[elephant]]).
 
−
 
−
In the last ten years, [[DNA]] analysis techniques applied to many organisms have demonstrated the genetic relationship between all forms of known life (humans share 50% of their DNA with yeast, 96%<ref>[http://www.genome.gov/15515096 New Genome Comparison Finds Chimps, Humans Very Similar at the DNA Level]</ref> with chimpanzees). Even if the theory of evolution was disproved, this would not imply separate human creation, which is the main feature of creationism in the Abrahamic religions. It is exclusively in the public sphere, where [[Young Earth creationism|young Earth creationists]] (especially in the U.S.) have fought for recognition of their [[world view]], that the [[Creation-evolution controversy|debate about creationism and evolution]] continues.{{cn}}
 
−
 
−
===The Christian critique of creationism===
 
−
In "Intelligent Design as a Theological Problem", George Murphy argues against the common view that [[life on Earth]] in all its forms is direct evidence of God's act of creation (Murphy quotes Phillip Johnson's claim that he is speaking "of a God who acted openly and left his fingerprints on all the evidence."). Murphy argues that this view of God is incompatible with the Christian understanding of God as "the one revealed in the cross and resurrection of Jesus." The basis of this theology is [[Isaiah]] 45:15, "Truly, thou art a God who hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Savior." This verse inspired [[Blaise Pascal]] to write, "What meets our eyes denotes neither a total absence nor a manifest presence of the divine, but the presence of a God who conceals himself." In the ''Heidelberg Disputation'', [[Martin Luther]] referred to the same Biblical verse to propose his "theology of the cross": "That person does not deserve to be called a theologian who looks upon the invisible things of God as though they were clearly perceptible in those things which have actually happened ... He deserves to be called a theologian, however, who comprehends the visible and manifest things of God seen through suffering and the cross." 
 
−
 
−
Luther opposes his [[Theology of the Cross|theology of the cross]] to what he called the "[[Theology of Glory|theology of glory]]":
 
−
:A theologian of glory does not recognize, along with the Apostle, the crucified and hidden God alone [I Cor. 2:2]. He sees and speaks of God's glorious manifestation among the heathen, how his invisible nature can be known from the things which are visible [Cf. Rom. 1:20] and how he is present and powerful in all things everywhere.
 
−
For Murphy, Creationists are modern-day theologians of glory. Following Luther, Murphy argues that a true Christian cannot discover God from clues in creation, but only from the crucified Christ.
 
−
 
−
Murphy observes that the execution of a Jewish carpenter by Roman authorities is in and of itself an ordinary event and did not require Divine action. On the contrary, for the crucifixion to occur, God had to limit or "empty" Himself. It was for this reason that Paul wrote, in Philippians 2:5-8,
 
−
:Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.
 
−
 
−
Murphy concludes that,
 
−
:Just as the son of God limited himself by taking human form and dying on the cross, God limits divine action in the world to be in accord with rational laws God has chosen.  This enables us to understand the world on its own terms, but it also means that natural processes hide God from scientific observation.
 
−
For Murphy, a theology of the cross requires that Christians accept a ''methodological'' naturalism, meaning that one cannot invoke God to explain natural phenomena, while recognizing that such acceptance does not require one to accept a ''metaphysical'' naturalism, which proposes that nature is all that there is.<ref>Murphy, George L., 2002, "Intelligent Design as a Theological Problem," in ''Covalence: the Bulletin of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Alliance for Faith, Science, and Technology'' </ref>
 
−
 
−
In March 2006, Archbishop of Canterbury [[Rowan Williams]], the leader of the world's Anglicans, reported that he was opposed to teaching creationism in schools. "My worry is creationism can end up reducing the doctrine of creation rather than enhancing it," Williams explained.  Archbishop Williams also explained that creationism was "a kind of category mistake, as if the Bible were a theory like other theories." Williams's position is in line with that of the Episcopal Church, the American branch of the Anglican Communion.<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/religion/Story/0,,1735730,00.html '''The Guardian''', Archbishop: Stop teaching creationism, Williams backs science over Bible]</ref>
 
−
 
−
==See also==
 
−
{{col-begin}}
 
−
{{col-2}}
 
−
* [[Abrahamic religions]]
 
−
* [[Adnan Oktar]]
 
−
* [[Allegorical interpretations of Genesis]]
 
−
* [[Biblical cosmology]]
 
−
* [[Biblical inerrancy]]
 
−
* [[Clockmaker hypothesis]]
 
−
* [[Cosmogony]]
 
−
* [[Cosmological argument]]
 
−
* [[Cosmology]]
 
−
* [[Creation evolution controversy]]
 
−
* [[Creation (mythology)]]
 
−
* [[Creation science]]
 
−
* [[Creation (theology)]]
 
−
* [[Creator deity]]
 
−
* [[Dating Creation]]
 
−
* [[Devolution (fallacy)|Devolution]]
 
−
{{col-2}}
 
−
* [[Deism]]
 
−
* [[Divine simplicity]]
 
−
* [[Evolution]]
 
−
* [[Evolution denial]]
 
−
* [[Existence]]
 
−
* [[Intelligent design]]
 
−
* [[Irreducible complexity]]
 
−
* [[Origin belief]]
 
−
* [[Natural theology]]
 
−
* [[Starlight problem]]
 
−
* [[Teleological argument]]
 
−
* [[Theism]]
 
−
* [[Watchmaker analogy]]
 
−
* [[William Paley]]
 
−
{{col-end}}
 
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
Line 223: Line 31:
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
−
==Additional References==
 
−
* [[Ronald L. Numbers]]: ''The Creationists'' (University of California Press, 25. November 1993), 458pp, ISBN 0-520-08393-8
 
−
* [[Bernhard Anderson|Anderson, Bernhard W.]] (editor) ''Creation in the Old Testament'' (ISBN 0-8006-1768-1)
 
−
* [[Bernhard Anderson|Anderson, Bernhard W.]] ''Creation Versus Chaos: The Reinterpretation of Mythical Symbolism in the Bible'' (ISBN 1-59752-042-X)
 
−
* [[Ian Barbour]] ''When Science Meets Religion'', 2000, Harper SanFrancisco
 
−
* Ian Barbour ''Religion and Science: Historical and Contemporary Issues'', 1997, Harper SanFrancisco.
 
−
*[http://www.robibrad.demon.co.uk/Chapter3.htm  Bradshaw, Robert I.,  "The Early Church & the Age of the Earth"]
 
−
* [[Stephen Jay Gould]] ''Rocks of Ages: Science and Religion in the fullness of life'', Ballantine Books, 1999
 
−
* Scott, Eugenie C., 1999 (Jul/Aug). The creation/evolution continuum. Reports of the National Center for Science Education 19(4): 16-17,21-23.
 
  
−
==Further reading==
+
==Select Bibliography==
−
* Joel R. Primack and Nancy Ellen Abrams ''In a Beginning...: Quantum Cosmology and Kabbalah'', Tikkun, Vol. 10, No. 1, pp. 66-73
+
 
−
* Aryeh Kaplan, ''Immortality, Resurrection, and the Age of the Universe: A Kabbalistic View'', Ktav, NJ, in association with the Association of Orthodox Jewish Scientists, NY, 1993
+
R. L. Numbers. ''The Creationists: From Scientific Creationism to Intelligent Design''. Expanded Edition. (Cambridge. MA: Harvard University Press.) ISBN 0-674-02339-0
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
 
<div style="-moz-column-count:2; column-count:2;">
 
<div style="-moz-column-count:2; column-count:2;">
−
<!-- overviews of creationism, i.e. all these links are similar because they describe the variety of viewpoints that have been described as creationist. —>
 
−
* [http://www.creationontheweb.com CreationOnTheWeb] A creation website for Creation Ministries International, an apologetics ministry that supports a 6-day biblical creation worldview
 
−
* [http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/creationism/ Stanford Encyclopedia entry on Creationism]
 
−
* [http://www.howstuffworks.com/creationism.htm How creationism works]
 
−
* [http://www.harunyahya.com Muslim viewpoint]
 
−
* [http://www.darwinismrefuted.com Darwinism Refuted]
 
−
* [http://othello.alma.edu/~07tmhopk/creationevolutionboth.html Creation and Evolution Both?] Examines whether Biblical creation and neo-darwinistic evolution can be reconciled.
 
−
* [http://www.allviewpoints.org/RESOURCES/EVOLUTION/timeline.htm Evolution, Creationism & ID Timeline] Focuses on major historical and recent events in the scientific and political debate
 
−
* [http://images.derstandard.at/20051012/Evolution-and-Creationism.pdf Evolution and Creationism]. A Guide for Museum Docents (PDF)
 
−
* [http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/wic.html What is creationism?] from [[talk.origins]]
 
−
* [http://www.ncseweb.org/resources/articles/1593_the_creationevolution_continu_12_7_2000.asp The Creation/Evolution Continuum] by [[Eugenie Scott]].
 
−
*[http://www.stephenjaygould.org/ctrl/azimov_creationism.html Armies of the Night] by [[Isaac Asimov]].
 
−
*[http://www.themilitant.com/2005/6935/693551.html ''Workers have stake in defending science''] a [[Dialectical materialism|materialist]] statement on creationism by ''[[The Militant]]'', 2005.
 
−
* Edward J. Larson and Larry Witham ''Leading scientists still reject God'' in ''Nature,'' Vol. 394, No. 6691 (1998), p. 313. Online at [http://www.freethought-web.org/ctrl/news/file002.html Freethought-web.org]
 
−
*[http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/mom/groves.html Creationism: The Hindu View]
 
−
</div>
 
  
−
===Organizations===
+
===Pro-YEC Internet Sites===
−
[[Talk.origins]] maintains an extensive list of [http://www.talkorigins.org/origins/other-links.html general links relevant to creationism] and [http://www.talkorigins.org/origins/other-links-cre.html a full list of creationist websites].  The following are links to the main organizations espousing a variety of viewpoints:
 
  
−
<div style="-moz-column-count:2; column-count:2;">
+
* [http://www.answersingenesis.org/ Answers in Genesis]
−
'''Young Earth Creationism'''
+
* [http://www.icr.org/ Institute for Creation Research]
−
* [http://www.creationscience.com In the Beginning - Compelling Evidence for Creation and the Flood] By [[Walt Brown (creationist)|Walt Brown]]
+
* [http://www.creationresearch.org/ Creation Research Society]
−
* [http://www.answersingenesis.org/ Answers in Genesis] A group promoting Young-Earth Creationism.
 
−
* [http://www.creationontheweb.com/ Creation Ministries International] formerly Answers in Genesis. Headquarters in Australia
 
−
* [http://worldwide.familyradio.org/zusa/graphical/literature/calendar/calendar_contents.html The Biblical Calendar of History]
 
−
* [http://www.icr.org/ Institute for Creation Research] "A Christ-Focused Creation Ministry"
 
−
* [http://www.creationresearch.org/ The Creation Research Society]
 
 
* [http://www.trueorigin.org/ The True.Origin Archive]
 
* [http://www.trueorigin.org/ The True.Origin Archive]
−
* [http://creationwiki.org/Main_Page CreationWiki]
+
* [http://www.creationmoments.com/ Creation Moments]
−
 
+
* [http://www.creationontheweb.com/ Creation Ministries International]
−
'''Old Earth Creationism'''
+
* [http://www.midwestcreationfellowship.org/html/ Midwest Creation Fellowship]
−
* [http://www.reasons.org Reasons to Believe] led by [[Hugh Ross]]
+
* [http://www.grisda.org/ Geoscience Research Institute]
−
* [http://www.answersincreation.org Answers In Creation] led by [[Greg Neyman]]
 
  
−
'''Intelligent design'''
+
===Pro-OEC Internet Sites===
−
* [http://www.arn.org/ Access Research Network]
 
−
* [http://www.discovery.org/csc/ Discovery Institute Center for Science and Culture]
 
  
−
''' Evolutionary creationism''' <!-- These are a bit thin on the ground. —>
+
* [http://www.reasons.org/ Reasons to Believe]
−
* [http://koning.ecsu.ctstateu.edu/religion/scifaith.html Faith of a scientist: a personal witness]
+
* [http://www.answersincreation.org/ Answers in Creation]
−
 
+
* [http://www.newcreationism.org/ New Creationism]
−
'''Evolution'''
 
−
* [http://richarddawkins.net/foundation,ourMission Foundation For Reason And Science]
 
−
* [http://www.talkorigins.org talk.origins Archive]
 
−
* [http://www.ncseweb.org/ National Center for Science Education]
 
−
* [http://www.mineralogie.uni-wuerzburg.de/palbot/evolution/creationism.html Evolution Sciences versus Doctrines of Creationism and Intelligent Design] A pro-evolution or anti-creationism link directory
 
−
*[http://www.evowiki.org The EvoWiki]
 
−
</div>
 
  
−
{{credit|97336226}}
+
===Anti-Creationist Internet Sites===
  
−
Also used: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Creation_biology&oldid=26110527
+
* [http://www.ncseweb.org/ National Center for Science Education (NCSE)]
−
Also used: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Creation_science&oldid=26176026
+
* [http://www.aclu.org/religion/gen/16154res20020311.html American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)]
 +
* [http://www.talkorigins.org/ TalkOrigins]
 +
* [http://www.pandasthumb.org/ The Panda’s Thumb]
 +
* [http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/ Pharyngula: P. Z. Myers’s blog]
 +
* [http://www.csicop.org/intelligentdesignwatch/ Creation & Intelligent Design Watch]
 +
* [http://www.talkreason.org/ Talk Reason]
 +
* [http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/science/creationism/ The Secular Web]
 +
* [http://www.aaas.org/news/press_room/evolution/ American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)]
 +
* [http://www.actionbioscience.org/evolution/index.html American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS)]
 +
* [http://bcseweb.org.uk/ British Centre for Science Education (U.K.)]
  
 
[[category:Philosophy and religion]][[category:Religion]]
 
[[category:Philosophy and religion]][[category:Religion]]
 
[[category:Life sciences]]
 
[[category:Life sciences]]

Revision as of 18:21, 28 March 2007


"The Creation of Light" by Gustave Doré.

Creationism in its most widely used sense is the extension of the religious doctrine of creation to controversies over materialistic views of the origin of the universe and of living things. In an unrelated sense, creationism also refers to a religious doctrine about the origin of the human soul. Both senses are described here.

In controversies over materialistic views of cosmic and biological origins, creationism takes two general forms: young-Earth creationism (YEC) and old-Earth creationism (OEC). The former interprets Genesis to mean that God created the universe and the basic kinds of living things in six 24-hour days a few thousand years ago; the latter holds that the universe is much older and that God created it and living things through a long process of change.

Regarding the origin of the human soul, Christian theologians have debated whether it is created directly by God (“creationism”) or produced by human parents (“traducianism”). The former is more consistent with the immaterial and eternal nature of the soul, while the latter is more consistent with the transmission of original sin.


Young-Earth Creationism

Old-Earth Creationism

Origin of the Soul

References
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R. L. Numbers. The Creationists: From Scientific Creationism to Intelligent Design. Expanded Edition. (Cambridge. MA: Harvard University Press.) ISBN 0-674-02339-0

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