Is that how you spell it? It's a foreign concept to me. Do people really believe (even if they believe in Him) that God made the world in 6 days even though scientific evidence confirms the theory of evolution? I've listened to a couple of interesting programmes on Radio 4 over the last few weeks and some quite intelligent sounding Americans believe fervently in this theory - or say they do. To me this is further evidence of the immaturity of American society in that they prefer to believe in this fairy story, disney style beginning to the world rather than the more down to earth reality of the big bang! Seriously though, is there anyone out there who really believes in creationism?

Millions of Americans totally believe the Bible is the 'Word of God', handed down, in many debateable translations. That God sat around and made the world in seven days. (One might enquire how he/she/it made such a mess of things, peopling it with the cruel,malicious,insensitive - I could go on at length - mankind).

The unfortunate issue is that due to the bigotry of the ignorant - the 'we are RIGHT' brigade, we are forced by their vocalism to pay attention to a myth, which in the distant past served as well as any as an explanation.

Personally I am greatly alarmed by the spread of Christian fundamentalism in the UK, a fundalmentalism which is on a crash course with its opponent, Muslim fandamentalism, and it would be interesting to know their take on the Creation fable, as indeed it would be with the theories of other religions.

Granniekool

Hi granniekool,

(This is quite long, I got a bit carried away!)

Muslims believe a very similar creation story to Christians, which has Allah as creator spending the seventh day on his throne, ruling the universe, rather than resting. Whilst I was looking for the information, I came accross a number of rather alarming website, where people were debating the finer points of this story ie - did Allah create the heavens and the earth in six days or eight, did he rest afterwards or sit on his throne to rule (the Bible idea was rejected and ruling won). This is undoubtedly common to most religions, fanatical bickering doesn't do anything to win any of them any support in my opinion.

Buddhism is not a theistic religion and doesn't have a creation story, concentrating on cycles of life and taking things as they are now, a made whole, which leads to Zen Buddhism.

Hindu philosophy states that creation and evolution are governed by three separet God: Brahma (the Creator), Visnu (the Sustainer) and Shiva (the Destroyer). As they see time as cyclical rather than linear, creation and evolution are one.

In Japan, the god Izanagi and goddess Izanami churned the ocean with a spear to make a small island of curdled salt. Two other deities then went down to the island, mixed again, and formed more islands, deities, and forefathers of Japan.

The Maori have a very sweet one - 'heaven and earth were once joined as Ranginui, the Sky Father, and Papatuanuki, the Earth Mother, who lay together in a tight embrace. They had many children who lived in the darkness between them. The children wished to live in the light and so separated their unwilling parents. Ranginui and Papauanuk continue to grieve for each other to this day. Rangi's tears fall as rain towards Papatuanuku to show how much he loves her. When mist rises from the forests, these are Papa's sighs as the warmth of her body yearns for him and continues to nurture mankind.'

All of them are ridiculous if you take them literally, but more an more people seem to be doing so. What makes us need to believe in stories like this in the face of increasing scientific knowledge? (*scratches head*)

ll

Granniekool and Lennylover, you have my vote!

yes, exactly!
what interesting, intelligent people they must be

When you put it like that, it sound kind of thick, really. Mass brainwashing?!
hello, it's the 21st century...

I read that it had been put on the curriculum in some schools recently - I think in today's more secular society, the education system is going to find it difficult presenting certain beliefs/remaining unbiased and allowing children to make their own minds up.

But isn't that what Christianity is about?
If people believe in the First Testament, then they must believe in the story of creation and the book of Genesis.
Many people the world over believe this, I can't see anything wrong with it.

Not necessarily so blondebabe. You can believe in the spirit of christianity - putting others before oneself, valuing the earth and everything on it,etc without believing in creationism. I don't think it was ever intended that we should take the bible literally, I think the old testament was written to give ancient man some guidelines in life.

That's not necessarily the spirit of Christianity though is it? I think those sentiments are at the root of most religions. People who believe in Christ are likely to take the Bible more seriously as it is his story, you can't pick and choose, you either believe or you don't!

Not all of the bible is 'Christ's' story, only the new testament and surely the point at issue with Creationism is the very beginning of the old testament where it says that God made the world in 6 days and on the 7th he rested. Nothing to do with Christ! I don't agree that you either believe it or you don't and you definitely can pick and choose. For example we no longer use 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth' as our yardstick when it comes to punishing wrong doing - thank goodness. What about 'If thy hand offends thee, cut if off' I'll leave you to imagine the punishment which would be handed out to male adulterers under that maxim! I definitely don't think you should take the bible literally!

I agree with your live-and-let-live sentiments there Blondebabe, but when faith starts to obscure reason, ie Bush trying to make abortion illegal in the US and starting unecessary wars, then the faith itself becomes and issue and things get a little less black and white.

I suppose creationism goes hand in hand with Christianity, no? this basically refutes the basic tenets of the faith, so it's not surprising that the US, as a predominantly Christian nation is into it. Especially with a Bible-wielding contraception-hating (am going to start another thread about that!) war-starting nutter at it's helm.
I agree with you about the immaturity of American society, but we can't really generalise, there are plenty of people who don't fall into that category, most of whoml canb be found on the West coast. It's just unfortunate that the media always pick US experts when they do programmes on weird beliefs/developments, that the rest of the world laughs at. I can't help.
Let's not forget it is an enormous country with a great diversity... and also a very powerful media which does everything the President says.
Sorry if I have caused any offence to anyone