Young earth creationism: Difference between revisions
imported>Richard Jensen (small tweaks) |
imported>Richard Jensen (add anti-Darwinism) |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
'''Young earth creationism''' is a religious belief regarding the origin of the universe and life on earth. Proponents base their beliefs on their reading of the book of [[Genesis]] in the [[Bible]]. They argue that the Bible says the earth is only 6000 years old, that the Bible is always true, and that they correctly interpret the Bible, despite disagreement of a majority of Christian and Jewish theologians. | '''Young earth creationism''' is a religious belief regarding the origin of the universe and life on earth. Proponents base their beliefs on their reading of the book of [[Genesis]] in the [[Bible]]. They argue that the Bible says the earth is only 6000 years old, that the Bible is always true, and that they correctly interpret the Bible, despite disagreement of a majority of Christian and Jewish theologians. | ||
Young earth creationism was developed by two American theologians in the early 1960s<ref>John C. Whitcomb, Jr. and Henry M. Morris, ''The Genesis Flood'' (1961). In turn they followed George McCready Price, a self-taught Seventh-day Adventist author of ''The New Geology'' (1923). </ref> and is largely confined to Protestant [[fundamentalism|fundamentalists]]. The chronology was originally developed in 17th century Britain, and appeared in some English language bibles starting in 1701. Bishop Ussher, an Anglican, in 1651 argued that Adam’s birth came at 9 AM on October 23, 4004 BC. <ref>However, the year 4004 BC was already well known to theologians. J. G. C. M. Fuller, "A date to remember: 4004 BC," ''Earth sciences history'' 2005, vol. 24, no1, pp. 5-14 </ref> The 4004 date was abandoned in the 1870s by the more liberal theologians, and in 1890-1920 was abandoned by the conservatives and fundamentalists, who concluded the Bible does NOT speak to the age of the earth or the dates of Adam. <ref> Numbers (2000)</ref> Activists, especially in Australia, claim several supporters have credentials as scientists. <ref>See [http://www.creationists.org/outstanding.html List of Creation Scientists] </ref> | Young earth creationism was developed by two American theologians in the early 1960s<ref>John C. Whitcomb, Jr. and Henry M. Morris, ''The Genesis Flood'' (1961). In turn they followed George McCready Price, a self-taught Seventh-day Adventist author of ''The New Geology'' (1923). </ref> and is largely confined to Protestant [[fundamentalism|fundamentalists]], especially in the United States and Australia. The chronology was originally developed in 17th century Britain, and appeared in some English language bibles starting in 1701. Bishop Ussher, an Anglican, in 1651 argued that Adam’s birth came at 9 AM on October 23, 4004 BC. <ref>However, the year 4004 BC was already well known to theologians. J. G. C. M. Fuller, "A date to remember: 4004 BC," ''Earth sciences history'' 2005, vol. 24, no1, pp. 5-14 </ref> The 4004 date was abandoned in the 1870s by the more liberal theologians, and in 1890-1920 was abandoned by the conservatives and fundamentalists, who concluded the Bible does NOT speak to the age of the earth or the dates of Adam. <ref> Numbers (2000)</ref> Activists, especially in Australia, claim several supporters have credentials as scientists. <ref>See [http://www.creationists.org/outstanding.html List of Creation Scientists] </ref> Few activists have training in biology let alone research experience, but they are bitterly opposed to what they call "Darwinism," and indeed ridicule and attack modern biology at every opportunity. | ||
The scientific community as a whole rejects young earth creationism. In addition, religious creationists who believe in [[old earth creationism]] also reject the assertion that the earth is only approximately 6000 years old. | The scientific community as a whole rejects young earth creationism. In addition, religious creationists who believe in [[old earth creationism]] also reject the assertion that the earth is only approximately 6000 years old. | ||
Revision as of 20:24, 28 May 2007
Young earth creationism is a religious belief regarding the origin of the universe and life on earth. Proponents base their beliefs on their reading of the book of Genesis in the Bible. They argue that the Bible says the earth is only 6000 years old, that the Bible is always true, and that they correctly interpret the Bible, despite disagreement of a majority of Christian and Jewish theologians.
Young earth creationism was developed by two American theologians in the early 1960s[1] and is largely confined to Protestant fundamentalists, especially in the United States and Australia. The chronology was originally developed in 17th century Britain, and appeared in some English language bibles starting in 1701. Bishop Ussher, an Anglican, in 1651 argued that Adam’s birth came at 9 AM on October 23, 4004 BC. [2] The 4004 date was abandoned in the 1870s by the more liberal theologians, and in 1890-1920 was abandoned by the conservatives and fundamentalists, who concluded the Bible does NOT speak to the age of the earth or the dates of Adam. [3] Activists, especially in Australia, claim several supporters have credentials as scientists. [4] Few activists have training in biology let alone research experience, but they are bitterly opposed to what they call "Darwinism," and indeed ridicule and attack modern biology at every opportunity.
The scientific community as a whole rejects young earth creationism. In addition, religious creationists who believe in old earth creationism also reject the assertion that the earth is only approximately 6000 years old.
Young earth creationists allege that the evidence supporting their theories has been suppressed by mainstream science, and occasionally have brought lawsuits alleging censorship, one of them by Robert V. Gentry. Believers in 2007 opened the Creation Museum theme park near Cincinnati, Ohio, showing early humans at play alongside vegetarian dinosaurs.[5]
Notes
- ↑ John C. Whitcomb, Jr. and Henry M. Morris, The Genesis Flood (1961). In turn they followed George McCready Price, a self-taught Seventh-day Adventist author of The New Geology (1923).
- ↑ However, the year 4004 BC was already well known to theologians. J. G. C. M. Fuller, "A date to remember: 4004 BC," Earth sciences history 2005, vol. 24, no1, pp. 5-14
- ↑ Numbers (2000)
- ↑ See List of Creation Scientists
- ↑ Associated Press, "New Bible-Based Museum Has Dinosaurs," in New York Times May 26, 2007 at [1]
Bibliography
- Numbers, Ronald L. The Creationists (2nd ed. 2006)
- Numbers, Ronald L. "The Most Important Biblical Discovery of Our Time": William Henry Green and the Demise of Ussher's Chronology," Church History, Vol. 69, No. 2 (Jun., 2000), pp. 257-276 in JSTOR
External links
- Northwest Creation Network Summary of Biblical Young Earth Creationism, with numerous links
- In Evolution Debate, Creationists Are Breaking New Ground Washington Post article on the Creation Museum (free registration required)
- The Young Earth Creation Club Arguments and publications from Young Earth creationists.
- godandscience.org Young Earth vs. Old Earth arguments from Old Earth creationists.