Date of Award

4-1983

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Sociology

First Advisor

Dr. Gerald Markle

Second Advisor

Dr. Robert Waite

Third Advisor

Dr. Ron Kramer

Access Setting

Masters Thesis-Open Access

Abstract

A sample of literature produced by participants in the "creationist movement" is examined in an effort to delineate the ideology of the movement. This ideology is seen as a repertoire of images of science, evolution and society which is used by creationists in their efforts to propagate their movement. Based on this literature, an "ideological substructure of belief" within the creationist movement is described, consisting of their belief in a created normative order in the world and of their fear that this order is breaking down. It is argued that the various particular aspects of the creationists' social ideology, their theory of knowledge, and their images of science and evolution can all be seen as derivatives of this ideological substructure.

Included in

Sociology Commons

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