Year: 2008
Type: article
Abstract: Relying on the book of Genesis as a source text, young-earth creationists or "creation scientists" claim to find physical evidence that the earth was created in six 24hour periods less than ten thousand years ago and that most of the geologic column was laid down in a year-long worldwide flood.Unsurprisingly, these claims lead to a boundary dispute over the definition of science, in which mainstream scientists impugn the validity of creation science and creation scientists respond in kind.Although youngearth creationism is a growing movement, little is known about it.In particular, little is known about how creationists view the relationship between creationism and science or how the rhetoric of moral, cultural, environmental, and/or biological decline informs creationist practice.In order to investigate these issues, I studied the Fossil Museum (pseudonym), a local young-earth creationist institution, through a combination of naturalistic inquiry and visitor interviews.With respect to the rhetoric of decline, I found that cultural, environmental, and biological decline appear to function independently of one another in Fossil Museum rhetoric.With respect to views of the relationship between creationism and science, I found that despite having limited training or experience in science and despite to complete this study.First among these is the director of this dissertation, Dr. Wendy Sherman Heckler, who ably mentored me as a scholar and as a teacher, got me unstuck when I was bogged down, and redirected me when needed.Drs.Andrew Gilbert and Nathan Myers contributed numerous valuable comments and directions along the way.Dr. Declan Keane, who helped to steer me onto a scholarly path some ten years ago, provided numerous productive criticisms which have strengthened the final product.Finally I was privileged to be part of a dissertation study group, informally known as the "data therapy" group, where I benefited from the insights of fellow students Richard Emch, Sheri Leafgren, Nida'a Makki, Cherie Parsons, and David Wojnowski.I am particularly indebted to Nida'a Makki, who shared her wisdom and support in countless discussions.I am also grateful to the participants in this study who welcomed me into the Fossil Museum and shared their lives.Ben was particularly generous with his time, notified me of numerous events, introduced me to other Fossil Museum
Author: Paul J. Wendel
Institution: Kent State University
Language: English
Subfield: History and Philosophy of Science
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W22314236