Definition

1. Noun:
   • A religious belief that the universe and living organisms originate from specific acts of divine creation: Creationism is the belief, based on the literal interpretation of religious texts (especially the Book of Genesis in the Bible), that the universe and all life were created by God, rather than having developed through natural processes like evolution.

Usage

• Noun:
  • The school board debated whether to include creationism in the science curriculum.
  • His belief in creationism is based on a literal reading of the Bible.

Advanced Usage

• "Young Earth creationism": A specific form of creationism that posits the Earth and all life were created by God in six literal days, a few thousand years ago.
  • Young Earth creationism often conflicts with geological and archaeological evidence.
• "Intelligent design": A modern concept sometimes associated with creationism, proposing that certain features of the universe and living things are best explained by an intelligent cause, not an undirected process like natural selection.
  • Proponents of intelligent design argue it is a scientific theory, while critics view it as a form of creationism.

Variants and Related Words

• Creationist (noun): A person who believes in or advocates for creationism.
  • The creationist argued against the museum's evolutionary exhibit.
• Creationist (adjective): Relating to or characteristic of creationism.
  • He holds creationist views on the origin of species.

Synonyms

• Anti-evolutionism: Opposition to the theory of evolution.
• Biblical literalism (in the context of origins): The literal interpretation of the Bible's creation account.

Related Phrases and Concepts

• "Creation science": A term used by some creationists to describe the search for scientific evidence to support the creation narrative.
  • The conference focused on topics in creation science.
• "The creation-evolution controversy": The ongoing cultural, political, and theological debate about the origins of the Earth, humanity, and other life.
  • The creation-evolution controversy remains a significant issue in some school districts.

Noun

1. the literal belief in the account of Creation given in the Book of Genesis
   • creationism denies the theory of evolution of species