[[Image:Michelangelo creation-of-sun-and-moon.jpg|alt=creationism|right|thumb|250px|[[Michelangelo|Michelangelo's]] painting of the [[creation]] of the [[Sun]] and [[Moon]].]]
'''Creationism''' is the belief that the [[earth]] and [[universe]] and the various kinds of animals and plants were created by a god or gods[[God]]. Those that hold the views of ''Creationism'' are referred to as ''Creationists''.<ref>"creationist." Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 21 Mar. 2007. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/creationist>.</ref> Creationism runs contrary to the beliefs of Atheists [[Atheist]]s who believe that the universe was not created by God.<ref>[http://creation.com/15-questions 15 questions for evolutionists - Question 15 deals with the idea that evolution is a religion]</ref> The vast majority of Christians and Christian leaders throughout history have accepted biblical creation.<ref name="Turpin"/>
[[Bible|Biblical]] creationism is primarily based on: the compelling testimony provided by [[Argument from beauty|God's wondrous creation]]; the [[Bible history|historical]] and [[Bible prophecy|prophetic]] evidence supporting the [[Bible]]; religious belief and on the [[science|scientific]] evidence provided through [[creation science]].
It is a very worrying trend,’ he said, ‘and I think a lot of it has come over from [[United States|America]] and [[Australia]].’<ref>http://creation.com/growth-of-creation-science-in-uk-worries-prof-dawkins</ref>}}
Within creationism in the [[Abrahamic religion]]s, there are various ideas. In regards to those religions, one form of creationism holds that the earth is approximately 6,000 years old and is referred to as [[Young Earth Creationism|Young Earth Creationism]]. The other form of creationism is called [[Old Earth Creationism]] and holds that the earth and universe are billions of years old. Creationist scientists demonstrate that the [[First Law of Thermodynamics|first law of thermodynamics]] and [[Second law of thermodynamics|second law of thermodynamics]] argue against an eternal [[universe]] and they also demonstrate that these laws point to the universe being supernaturally created. <ref>[http://godevidences.net/space/lawsofscience.php Evidences for God From Space—Laws of Science]</ref><ref>Thompson, Bert, [https://www.apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=12&article=310 So Long, Eternal Universe; Hello Beginning, Hello End!], 2001 (Apologetics Press)</ref><ref>http://www.creationscience.com/onlinebook/AstroPhysicalSciences14.html</ref> Dr. [[Norman Geisler]] stated that "Both young- and old-earthers believe that God supernaturally, directly and immediately produced every kind of animal and human as separate and [[Genetics|genetically]] distinct forms of life." <refname="johnankerberg.org">http://www.johnankerberg.org/Articles/science/SC0305W3.htm</ref> Dr. [[Norman Geisler]] also wrote that "both young- and old-earthers who are [[Evangelicalism|evangelical]] hold to the historicity of the Genesis account: They believe that [[Adam]] and [[Eve]] were literal people, the progenitors of the entire human race." <ref>http://www.name="johnankerberg.org"/Articles/science/SC0305W3.htm</ref> Creation scientists assert that the [[evolution|theory of evolution]] is in conflict with the evidence provided by the physical sciences and often cite secular scientific sources which agree with them on various points (for further details please see: [[evolution]]).<ref>http://www.creation.com/content/view/21</ref>
Those who hold to young earth creationism point out that nearly every culture in the world has a [[creation]] story and a [[Great flood|flood story]]. <refname="katapi.org.uk">http://www.katapi.org.uk/BAndS/ChII.htm</ref><refname="icr.org">http://www.icr.org/article/108/</ref><refname="http://www.icr.org/article/570">http://www.icr.org/article/570/</ref><ref>http://library.thinkquest.org/18757/creation.htm</ref><ref>http://www.grisda.org/origins/17051.htm</ref> Many of these creation accounts and flood accounts have commonalities with the account given in the book of Genesis although gross differences exist also. <ref>http://www.name="katapi.org.uk"/BAndS/ChII.htm</ref><ref>http://www.name="icr.org"/article/108/</ref><ref>name="http://www.icr.org/article/570"/</ref> The [[Institute for Creation Research]] has taken the position that the similarities in regards to creation accounts to the Genesis account demonstrates that the main points of the Genesis account has been preserved. <ref>http://www.name="icr.org"/article/108/</ref> In regards to the assertion that the similarities in flood stories around the world show common origin, young earth creationist particularly assert that there are strong similarities between the [[Global flood|Genesis flood account]] and other world flood accounts. <ref>name="http://www.icr.org/article/570"/</ref><ref>http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/am/v2/n2/flood-legends</ref> Also, there are remarkable similarities between Native American creation myths and the biblical account given in Genesis concerning [[creation]].<ref>[http://creation.com/indian-creation-myths Indian creation myths - CMI]</ref>
== Global creationism ==
[[Johns Hopkins University]] Press reported in 2014: "Over the past forty years, creationism has spread swiftly among European Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Hindus, and Muslims, even as anti-creationists sought to smother its flames."<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2015/03/johns-hopkins-university-press-reported.html Creationism spreading in Europe]</ref> See also: [[Evolutionary indoctrination]]
On October 4, 2014, the ''Vancouver Sun'' reported that evolutionism is rejected by hundreds of millions of [[evangelicalism|evangelical Christians]] and [[Islam|Muslims]] around the world.<refname="blogs.vancouversun.com">[http://blogs.vancouversun.com/2014/10/04/evolution-under-attack-from-muslims-and-evangelicals/ Evolution rejected by hundreds of millions of Muslims and evangelicals], ''Vancouver Sun'', October 4, 2014</ref>
Specifically, the ''Vancouver Sun'' declared:
An Angus-Reid survey found 43 per cent of Americans accept the creationist teaching that the Earth is less than 10,000 years old, which means they reject the...view the universe began roughly 13 billion years ago.<ref>[http://blogs.vancouversun.com/2014/10/04/evolution-under-attack-from-muslims-and-evangelicals/ Evolution rejected by hundreds of millions of Muslims and evangelicals], Vancouver Sun, October 4, 2014. 9:12 am</ref>}}
Belief in creation has regrown<ref name=== Chinese "Turpin">Turpin, Simon (December 29, 2016). [https://answersingenesis.org/reviews/articles/response-age-earth-plea-geo-chronological-non-dogmatism/ A Response to “The Age of the Earth: A Plea for Geo-Chronological Non-Dogmatism”]. ''Answers in Genesis''. Retrieved December 31, 2016.</ref><ref>It should be clearly and strongly noted that creation was the dominant theory in Europe and Christianity prior to the "Enlightenment", when Christians and XINOs began to compromise on this issue.</ref> rapidly in [[Europe]], as can be seen by secularist hysteria over the occurrence.<ref>Turpin, Simon (December 26, 2016). [https://answersingenesis.org/creationism ===/creation-invasion-in-europe/ Creation Invasion in Europe]. ''Answers in Genesis''. Retrieved January 1, 2016.</ref>
== Rapid growth of biblical creation belief in China == ''See also:'' [[EvangelicalismChina and biblical creationism]] [[Evangelical Christians|Evangelical Christianity]] is growing rapidly in China (Seesee: [[Growth of Christianity in China]]). Generally speaking, evangelicals China may have been critical one of the largest populations of biblical creationists in the world by 2030 (see: [[evolutionChina and biblical creationism]]ism).
Jun-Yuan Chen Research Professor Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology was quoted in the ''Wall Street Journal'' as saying, "In China we can criticize [[Charles Darwin|Darwin]] but not the government. In America you can criticize the government, but not Darwin."<ref>[http://www.uncommondescent.com/evolution/two-views-about-how-darwinism-stays-in-place-with-but-one-difference/ Two views about how Darwinism stays in place, with but one difference]</ref>
''See also:'' [[Atheism vs. Christian revival and Christian apologetics]]
The effect of evolutionism on the [[Western World]] and the world at large was mitigated by the growth of modern creationism and [[Christian apologetics]] in the latter half of the 20th century and today [[global creationism]], Christian apologetics and [[global Christianity]] are seeing rapid growth.<ref name="blogs.vancouversun.com"/><ref>[http://spectator.org/archives/2011/02/28/thriving-christianity Thriving Christianity]</ref><refname="brethrenassembly.com">[http://www.brethrenassembly.com/Ebooks/Apol_001A.pdf Introduction To Integrated Christian Apologetics, Dr. Johnson C. Philip & Dr. Saneesh Cherian]</ref><ref>[http://blogs.vancouversun.com/2014/10/04/evolution-under-attack-from-muslims-and-evangelicals/ Evolution rejected by hundreds of millions of Muslims and evangelicals], ''Vancouver Sun'', October 4, 2014</ref>
Johns Hopkins University Press reported in 2014: "Over the past forty years, [[creationism]] has spread swiftly among European Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Hindus, and Muslims, even as anti-creationists sought to smother its flames."<ref>[https://jhupbooks.press.jhu.edu/content/creationism-europe Creationism in Europe]</ref>
=== History of the growth of creationism and its effect on Christendom ===
From the middle of the nineteenth to the middle of the twentieth century the rationalists had their heyday, snatching away millions of young people from their Christian faith and commitment. The wounds of this loss can been seen in Christendom even today, but at the same time this loss has been greatly minimized now because of the work of Christian apologists.
Today anyone desiring to know about the Bible, and its connection with science, evolution, history, archaeology, has read any number of books on this topic. Literally thousands of titles are available, and he can choose anywhere from the most simple books to the most technically advanced ones. Thus the modern apologetics movement has been able to arrest the way in which rationalists have been bleeding the Christian church.<refname="brethrenassembly.com">[http://www.brethrenassembly.com/Ebooks/Apol_001A.pdf Introduction To Integrated Christian Apologetics, Dr. Johnson C. Philip & Dr. Saneesh Cherian]</ref>}} == Internet creationism == ''See also:'' [[Internet creationism]] On February 24, 2015, the ''Science Nordic'' website declared: {{Cquote|Creationism, the belief that a god -- not evolution -- shaped life on Earth, is ... spreading in the very stronghold of evolution, Europe. That’s the conclusion of five years of research that’s been put into new book on creationism. The book details how creationism is on the march throughout most of Europe. "Creationism is most dominant in Eastern Europe and Turkey, but even some schools in the Netherlands are teaching creationism," says one of the book’s authors Hans Henrik Hjermitslev, University College South Denmark. "Politicians in some German federal states are advocating that schools use creationist books alongside those about evolutionary theory in their lessons. This kind of struggle is going on on a small scale in many places."... "Over the last ten years we’ve seen the emergence of big-city creationism. London is a good example," says Kjærgaar. Here, noticeably more young people have been signed up to various local and religious groups. "And this doesn't just apply to young Muslims as many people might think. Christian groups are also recruiting young people... Creationism has particularly been on the rise in step with the internet, which according to Peter Kjærgaard has made it much easier for people to become activists...<ref>[http://sciencenordic.com/scientists-warn-creationism-rise-europe Scientists warn: creationism is on the rise in Europe], ''Science Nordic''</ref>}} [[Answers in Genesis]], [[Creation Ministries International]] and [[Institute for Creation Research]] have websites which consists of thousands of web pages and their respective websites receive significant web traffic. Creation Ministries International has a [http://creation.com/15-questions 15 questions for evolutionists web page] which features questions that evolutionists cannot satisfactorily answer, an interactive survey, videos and articles on various creation vs. evolution topics.
== Creationism and Intelligent Design ==
''See also:'' [[Intelligent design]]
[[Image:Intelligent design.jpg|alt= Intelligent design|thumbnail|300px|right|Intelligent design theorists contend that the core feature of life consists of information processing systems that cannot be fully explained as being the result of unintelligent causes alone. When [[evolution|evolutionist]] ist [[Richard Dawkins]] was young, he recognized that the complexity of life indicates a designer.]]
Believers in the Abrahamic faiths who hold to creationism believe that the natural world has been designed by God. Recently, there have been articles which were favorable to the [[intelligent design]] position in scientific journals which traditionally have favored the macroevolutionary position.<ref>http://www.discovery.org/scripts/viewDB/index.php?command=view&id=2640</ref> Believers in the Abrahamic faiths have points of agreement and disagreement with the intelligent design movement. They agree that the natural world has an intelligent cause and was designed as mentioned previously. However, some advocates of creationism believe that the intelligent design movement divorces the Creator from creation by not explicitly stating that the cause of creation is a supernatural being and also failing to state explicitly who that supernatural being is.<ref>http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/am/v1/n1/intelligent-design-movement</ref>
There is considerable disagreement on whether or not intelligent design amounts to a form of creationism and if so, where to place it in comparison to the other forms of creationism. This is due to the concept having many different definitions and proponents espousing different ideas.
For example, one major proponent of Intelligent Design is Young Earth Creationist Paul Nelson, while [[Michael Behe]], another major proponent, accepts [[common descent]]. [[William Dembski]] has stated unequivocally that Intelligent Design is not theistic evolution and they should not be considered the same.<ref>''What every theologian should know about creation, evolution, and design'' Center for Interdisciplinary Studies Transactions 3(2), William Demsbki</ref>. Dembski has also asserted that Intelligent Design is the [[Logos]] in terms of information theory,<ref>[http://touchstonemag.com/archives/issue.php?id=49] ''Signs of Intelligence:A Primer on the Discernment of Intelligent Design'' Touchstone Magazine, Volume 12, Issue 4 July-August July–August 1999</ref>, while Dembski and others have given other definitions that do not include any specific theological references. Arguably, intelligent design can be summarized as the notion that at some point in the past, in some way, some entity (possibly God) created life, or altered life at some point, or created the universe to be compatible with life.
Behe and others have stated that Intelligent Design is not religious in nature but in the [[Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District|Dover trial]], Judge John E. Jones III, a [[Republican]] and a US Federal District Judge, ruled as a one of his findings that Intelligent Design was essentially religious in nature. The opinion borrowed heavily from the ACLU's briefs. <ref>[http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=53330]</ref> The Kitzmiller vs. Dover case did not take into account that [[Atheism is a religion|atheistic evolution is religious in nature]].<ref>http://creation.com/atheism-a-religion</ref><ref>http://www.intelligentdesignnetwork.org/Kitzmiller%27s_error_summary.pdf</ref><ref>http://www.intelligentdesignnetwork.org/Kitzmiller%27s_Error.pdf</ref>
== Islamic creationism ==
''See also:'' [[Atheism vs. Islam]] and [[Multiculturism and European desecularization]][[File:StarCresent.png|thumbnail|125px|right|Assuming patterns of net immigration do not change significantly, the Pew Forum thinks that there will be just over 5.5 million British Muslims, representing 8.2 per cent of the UK population, by 2030.<ref>[http://blogs.channel4.com/factcheck/factcheck-will-britain-have-a-muslim-majority-by-2050/13690 FactCheck: will Britain have a Muslim majority by 2050?]</ref> See: [[Atheism vs. Islam]] ]]
According the news website ''The Commentator'': "Belief in evolution remains a minority position in virtually all Muslim societies around the world today. According to studies, 22 percent of Turks, 16 percent of Indonesians, 14 percent of Pakistanis, 11 percent of Malaysians, and 8 percent of Egyptians believe in evolution."<ref>[The Muslim theory of evolution] by Ghaffar Hussain
On 14 January 2013 10:03</ref>
== Adherents and Opponents of Creationism ==
Traditionally, [[Judaism]] supported young earth creationism.<ref>James-Griffiths, James,[http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/558/ Creation days and Orthodox Jewish tradition] ''Creation'' 26(2):53–55, March 2004.</ref> [[Orthodox Judaism]] currently has diverse opinions regarding young earth creationism.<ref>Rabbinical Council of America, [http://www.rabbis.org/news/article.cfm?id=100635 Creation, Evolution, and Intelligent Design].</ref> Ultra-Orthodox Judaism accepts young earth creationism.<ref>Winnick, Pamela R.,[http://www.arn.org/docs/ohio/toledo_winnick030702.htm Evolutionary War] ''Toledo City Paper'', March 7 , 2002.</ref>
In addition, a majority of the early church fathers supported the young earth creationist view.<ref>Bradshaw, Robert I., [http://www.robibrad.demon.co.uk/Chapter3.htm Creationism & the Early Church, chapter 3, The Days of Genesis 1].</ref> While Young Earth Creationism is prominent in many conservative [[Protestantism|Protestant]] denominations, theologically liberal Protestant and Jewish denominations generally reject it.<ref>[[Henry Morris|Morris, Henry]], [http://www.icr.org/article/816/6/ Old-Earth Creationism] ''Back to Genesis'' April 1997.</ref><ref>[http://www.beliefnet.com/story/80/story_8029_1.html What Conservative Protestants Believe] (beliefnet).</ref><ref>Jarvik, Elaine, [http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,635177399,00.html Beliefs on Darwin's evolution vary from religion to religion] Deseret Morning News 19 January 2006.</ref> The [[Roman Catholic Church]] has a cautiously positive view of the theory of evolution. <ref>http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2007-04-11-pope-evolution-creation_N.htm</ref><ref>Heneghan, Tom, [http://www.beliefnet.com/story/182/story_18220.html Catholics and Evolution: Interview with Cardinal Christoph Schönborn] (beliefnet).</ref>
Islam has a variety of opinions regarding creationism and the theory of evolution. <ref>http://www.irfi.org/articles/articles_151_200/muslim_responses_to_evolution.htm</ref>
[[Atheism|Atheists]] do not believe in young earth creationism and a vast majority of the most prominent and vocal defenders of the evolutionary position since [[World War II]] have been atheists.<ref>Batten, Don, [http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/737/ A ''Who’s Who'' of evolutionists] ''Creation'' 20(1):32
December 1997.</ref><ref>http://www.creationists.org/nas.html</ref> In his autobiography [[Charles Darwin ]] wrote about the diminishment of his religious faith and Darwin stated that he was an [[agnostic]].<refname="update.uu.se">http://www.update.uu.se/~fbendz/library/cd_relig.htm</ref> Darwin wrote the following: "The mystery of the beginning of all things is insoluble to us; and I for one must be content to remain an Agnostic."<ref>http://www.name="update.uu.se"/~fbendz/library/cd_relig.htm</ref>On the other hand, Charles Darwin in his private diaries [[Charles Darwin#Religious Views|stated he was a materialist]] which a type of atheist. While [[Agnosticism|agnostics]] do not believe in young earth creationism there have been some notable statements of skepticism regarding the theory of evolution from agnostics.<ref>Woodward, Thomas E., [http://www.apologetics.org/doubts.html Doubts About Darwin] (Apologetics Press).</ref><ref>[http://www.evolutionnews.org/2005/03/agnostic_philosopher_caught_in_conspirac.html Agnostic Philosopher Caught in Conspiracy to Question Darwinism] ''Evolution News & Views'', ([[Discovery Institute]]).</ref> On the other hand, [[Thomas Huxley]] was a staunch proponent of the theory of evolution and he stated he was an agnostic. <ref>http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/1025</ref><ref>http://www.arn.org/docs/odesign/od171/desmond171.htm</ref> The leftist [[mainstream media]], unsurprisingly, hates creation, just as it does with anything related to conservatism and biblical Christianity that contradicts left-wing views and secularism.<ref>Hallett, Vicky (December 30, 2016). [https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/now-theres-a-theory-that-dinosaurs-were-wiped-out-in-noahs-flood/2016/12/30/92bec544-cc59-11e6-a747-d03044780a02_story.html?utm_term=.fa8a013cacfc Now there’s a theory that dinosaurs were wiped out in Noah’s flood]. ''The Washington Post''. Retrieved January 1, 2016.</ref>
== Recommended books ==
===Young Earth Creationist Organizations ===
*[http://associationforcreation.org/ The International Association For Creation]
*[http://creationnetwork.org/ The Creation Network]
*[http://visitcreation.org/ The Big Map of Creation]
*[http://creation.com Creation Ministries International]
*[http://www.icr.org Institute for Creation Research]
*[http://creation.com/age-of-the-earth Age of the earth -101 evidences for a young earth and universe]
*[http://creation.com/refuting-evolution-chapter-8-how-old-is-the-earth How old is the earth?] - ''Refuting evolution'' - Chapter 8 by Dr. [[Jonathan Sarfati]]
*[http://creationsciencehalloffame.org/ Creation Science Hall of Fame] - Organization that honors and remembers biblical creationists and their work
=== Old Earth Creationists ===
* [http://www.reasons.org Reasons To Believe, an Old Earth Creationist Ministry]
==References==