Why do some evolutionists seem to hate being called evolutionists?

Question

An evolutionist is someone who believes in evolution and a creationist is someone who believes in creation. I don't mind being called a creationist, yet some people have reacted rather vehemently against being called an evolutionist, even though they believe in evolution. I certainly didn't intend any insult. Is this an insult

Answer 1

I for one don't take insult, but I think I may be able to explain this to you.

By applying the term "evolutionist", it doesn't neccessarily come across as "people who believe that evolution occured", rather it makes it sound like a religion unto itself, and its not. There are people of all stripes, whether they be christian, jew, or atheist who accept evolution, whereas ALL "creationists" believe in a higher power who willed it all into being.

Answer 2

Because it's not an "ism." The word has meaning only to creationists, and only as an antonym to "creationist."

I also "believe in" nuclear fission and photosynthesis and plate tectonics and the nitrogen cycle and so forth.

Do I get an "ism" for each of those?

People who study evolution as a career are called evolutionary biologists. None of them use the term "evolutionist."

( and people who study creationism for a career are called "cranks.")

Answer 3

I don't mind being called an evolutionist. I don't see why anyone would. The definition of an evolutionist:

1. a person who believes in or supports a theory of evolution, esp. in biology.

Answer 4

I do not "believe" in evolution. I am a scientist who studies biology. I observe evolutionary processes all the time. I am not an "evolutionist". This was a term designed to lower scientists to the level of the "Scientific" Creationists by implying they were blindly following Darwinistic dogma. I won't let you rename me for political purposes.

Answer 5

i don't think many evolutionists object to being called "Evolutionists". I have never seen people defensive of the title. but, i think that one reason why people might not like being identified at all like that (even more so with the title "atheist") is because they know that most christians don't know enough about the very rational and earnest arguments against christianity, yet they sure know what the words "evolutionist" and "atheist" mean. To the unthinking, it means someone who doesn't believe in the bible, and to them that is all they care to know.

Answer 6

It's like calling someone a "gravitationalist" because they believe in gravity, and another group believes in magical spirit lizards that invisibly hold everything to the ground.

Not that I've ever even heard anyone object to being called an "evolutionist".

Answer 7

"does not we purely rape, kill, and eat all day lengthy? Why flow to artwork? college? stay in crappy relationships? Killing and raping looks extra interesting and significant except there is honestly some type of non secular responsibility." This says plenty about you and by no potential about atheists. purely because you may want to dedicate such atrocities without some variety of punishment putting over your head doesn't recommend those those who're atheist might want to do an similar. and also you're meant to be the moral ones.

Answer 8

if they believe in evolution then thats what they are, evolutionists. no need to get insulted about it right

Answer 9

Okay, what if they mistook you for a Catholic? Would you then be offended? I don't consider myself an evolutionist. That is a theory to me, and at the moment, a great theory, and one in which I clearly see the Hand of God, but I guess you don't think that way. Labelling people you've never met is rude. People get offended.

Answer 10

well im not an evolutionist so i can't say for sure, but maybe because the term evolutionist implies that evolution is a theory, which it is, but many evolutionist see their theory as the only possible explination for how things came to be, and consider it nothing short of a fact.