The term “creationist” is too general a term to be unambiguous. Some sort of classification needs to be implemented. Astronomers did it with stars by spectrum and magnitude, galaxy types, etc., so why not “creationists”?

So what are the variations of creationists?

YEC (Young Earth Creationists) - Believe in the 6 x 24 hour literal interpretation of duration of the initial creation. Some may accept geocentrism while others do not. Some may not be that active in their literal interpretation, while others are adamant and vocal.

Old Earth Creationists - The 6 x 24 hour days of creation is not adhered to as in YEC. The 6 days represent indeterminate time periods. The Earth (and cosmos) can be any age science prescribes. [I fit in this category but I am not fond of the “old” term. ] Some may be comfortable with evolution and others less comfortable. Maybe some may favor geocentrism.

Geocentrism Creationists - The Earth is the center of the universe (Ptolemy view). Their views may vary on evolution and a literal 6 day creation.

Non-God Creationism- Are there not some who have other ideas on how creation came about that would warrant the term creationists applied to them.

BB Creationist - Big Bang Creationist. This one will probably get axed as it implies, falsely, belief in a Creator. I just thought I’d add it to the pot for flavor. Of course, OEC’s likely accept BB Theory.

Can we not come up with some sort of classification so we all know who we’re referring to?

Are there some creationists categories I have missed? [No sense working on a mneomic till we pin all categories down. Please no demeaning mnemonic (would that be...demonic? :wink: ).]

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There is the fully gifted creation model--which goes after the intellegent design folks--by confirming that random events do happen. Not quite deist clockmaker level though.

Doesn't the term "creation" imply a creator? Usually, that's a god.

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Don't forget this category:

Flat-Earth Geocentric Creationists -- The only ones who take all of the Bible literally.

As I have pointed out elsewhere, there is a kind of pecking order among the creationists, in which Old Earth Creationists look down on Young Earth Creationists who look down on Geocentrists who look down on Flat-Earthers.

For some really impressive back-pedalling, see Does the Bible Teach a Flat Earth? over at geocentricity.com. Odd, isn't it, that the Bible that must be taken literally when it says the Earth does not move must be interpreted when it just as literally says that it is flat? :-k

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The bar has been lowered for the promotion of ATM ideas; the bar for the acceptance of ATM ideas must remain high.

I think they are talking about UFO's/ancient astronauts that modified or generated life. But either they were themselves made and/or evolved so that doesn't really answer anything.

Though it would be cool if we found AC Clarkes fossil transistor radio--or a human skull impaled on a triceratops horn.

The sad thing is that we actually might have found dino's if the young earthers were right and there might be one or two alive.

After 65 million yrs? Forget it!

Sigh.

Thanks. I should have checked there first.

Let me digest it a bit as I think even this is incomplete (ug).

I don't think all those categories and large names are pallatable for most conversations. Some snappy acronyms and an easy mnemonic would be nice.

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So Young Earth Creationists Can't Hide from Science is right out? Oh well...

Demonic Mak

BTW, in addition to the flat-earther geocentric creationists, there are the "universe has a radius of 6000 light years creationists". Not sure how one would compact that into a slick phrase/acronym.

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Not good. You must incorporate: girls, kissing, lovingly (not lustily) to have an effective mnemonic. Kinda like country has its: apple pies, prison, drinkin, gettin' run over by a train, in order to be a true country song.

Congratulations. You are our new winner to be on the following game show .... here.

Wouldn't this be part of the YEC package?

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And dogs, pick-up trucks, saluting the flag, old-time religion, huntin', the sacredness of anything my papaw believed in, the farm, cheatin', honky-tonks, the word "county", rodeos, blue jeans, 40 going on 15, and the good old days.

Thanks, I think...

Perhaps, but it would distinguish that group from the YECs who accept the size of the universe as observed, but still get it all done in 6000 years by means of a variable speed of light.

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There ya go!

Ya did? I tried that once, "but nuttin' happened". [Curly of 3 Stooges]

I was unaware there were Big Universe YEC's.

Maybe a suffix system would be easier. It makes sense to just jump in their and start with the word creationist and end it with a sub group designation. Similar to galaxy classifications (e.g. Creationst-g for geocentrism creationist ).

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Don't forget that Old Earth Creationist could refer to a Young Earth Creationism wherein the earth and universe was created with apparent age of billions of years but actually made 6000 years ago in 6x24 hours. It is also referred to as Last Thursdayism and is irrefutable as it is untestable.

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J Pax

The list at talk-origins is interesting. I had classified (Christian) creationists into these categories:

- Flat Earthers (rare, but one of them e-mailed us where I work)
- Geocentrists (also fairly rare)
- YECs (common)
- OECs
- Theistic evolutionists (common)

And, of course, non-theistic evolutionists - but they're not creationists in any sense of the word.

To me, this is still a good and simple classification scheme. The one at T-O is a bit too detailed for easy conversation, but is nice for more-detailed reference.

As I think I've pointed out before, I began as a YEC, then recently went through each category I listed below that.

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