What the heck is an "Evolutionist"?

Question

I've been in the biological sciences for 20+ years and I've never heard this term before.

Answer 1

It is a fundie term. They have decided that science and evolution are religions.

Answer 2

Evolutionism, from the Latin evolutio, unrolling, refers to theories that certain things develop or change as natural (unplanned) outgrowths of those that existed before, in contrast to beliefs that these things are fixed and immutable. An evolutionist is a proponent of such a theory. Theories of change have been developed across several fields of study.

In anthropology and biology, the term Evolutionism is nowadays used specifically for historical theories or beliefs of early sociocultural evolutionism developed in the 18th and 19th century that organisms are intrinsically bound to improve themselves through progressive changes that are heritable. This idea was applied to cultures and societies as well as to living organisms. The term evolutionist is still used more widely and can refer to proponents of the theory of evolution through natural selection which has superseded the earlier biological theories, but particularly in the U.S.A. this term is used by opponents of the theory to bolster their claim that evolution theory is a belief, or ideology (compared with other ideological "isms"), rather than a scientific theory. The term is rarely used in the scientific community, as evolution is overwhelmingly accepted there. The terms are still used for theories about the development of cultures and civilisations.

Answer 3

It's a term invented by Creationists for the vast majority of the scientific community that believe in evolution.
I think its an attempt to put our beliefs on a level ground with theirs.
I'm a European and I've never heard of the term until I came on this site. I find it absolutely appalling that the theory of evolution can be somehow controversial (for non-scientific reasons) in a supposedly educated and developed country.

Answer 4

It's a level 5 lawful evil cleric, with at least 345 hit points, doing double damage on natural 20 rolls on d20.

They get an initiative bonus against all good undead.

Oh, and they all really like the song "If I Didn't Care," by the Ink Spots.

Answer 5

People who believe in religion have a hard time with others that don't and try to force them into a religious model.

For example, Freemasons are a social group, but religions try to "prove" that they are a religion or a cult. Same goes for atheism and people who accept evolution.

Answer 6

Its a term coined by some fundamentalist Christians who reject evolutionary theory. Anyone who believes or considers evolutionary theory to be valid is an "evolutionist" or when they think they are being clever an "evilutionist".

Answer 7

Are you serious? You may have heard there is some debate between scientist and theologians as to the origins of mankind....Creationist vs Evolutionists. No? Okay...go to Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evolutionist

Answer 8

It's a termed coined by Creationists to mean an instrument of the devil who contradicts the Genesis fable with actual science, fact, rational thinking, and knowledge of the creation mythologies of Egypt and Babylon that Ezra ripped off when he wrote Genesis and credited Moses who is a character named Sargon that he also ripped off from the Babylonians. he was quite the plagiarizer and should write for Joe Biden.

Answer 9

A creationist moniker for someone who doesn't adopt the wacky stance that
a) the earth is 6000 years old.
b) the universe popped up out of nowhere because god said it did
c) The first man came from a lump of dirt, and the first woman came from the man's rib

Answer 10

Fans of the Harley-Davidson Evolution engine.?

Answer 11

It is a term used by some to try to make evolution seem like a religion.

It basically means "a person who believes in evolution".

I guess that some think that if they can make it seem like evolution is a religion then they can ban it from schools or something.