Young Earth Creationism

Young Earth Creationism is the belief that the Earth (and generally the universe) is 6000 to 10,000 years old as opposed to the current common view that Earth is 4.5 Billion years old and that the universe is at least 13 Billion years old. Young Earth Creationism is a subset of creationism most commonly found among members of the Abrahamic faiths, especially Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Most young earth creationists believe that the first few chapters of Genesis are straightfoward narrative meant to be interpreted in a nearly literal fashion. Thus, young earth creationists believe that the universe was created by God. Young earth creationists scientists reject naturalistic explanations on the origins of the galaxies, stars, planets, and how life, animals, and plants arose in the present universe. [1][2][3] Also, young earth creationists believe in a 6 day creation with each day being 24 hours, the subsequent expulsion of humanity from the Garden of Eden, a gloabl Noachian flood and the dispersal of humanity after the Tower of Babel. Creationists generally argue that the available evidence, both scientific and Biblical supports their viewpoint and that all natural features, such as the Grand Canyon, could be formed within the last few thousand years. While Young Earth Creationism is prominent in many conservative Protestant denominations, most theologically liberal Protestant denominations as well as Catholics generally reject it.

Popularity

Roughly 45% of the United States are Young Earth Creationists and this number has stayed roughly constant for the last 20 years [4] [5]. Among professional scientists, the fraction who are young earth creationist is much smaller and is by some estimates around 5% overall.[6] [7] [8]