Creationists and Lemmings

So, I was listening to a pod cast the other day talking about lemmings and the lemming cycle.The "lemming cycle" is a periodic spike and crash in lemming populations. It's pretty steady and fairly easily observed assuming you are in the top most part of the world.Apparently for some time it was a bit of a mystery as to why lemming populations would suddenly explode every four years or so. There were many explainations offered - including one very interesting one.It seems that during the 16th and 17th century a certain contengent felt that lemmings were an atmospheric phenomena of that latitude. In other words, lemmings are weather.Now, we may laugh at this - but is this theory all that different from the modern creationist theory? After all, we're talking about animals appearing spontaneously.While I'm sure that virtually no one holds this theory as true today, it begs the question: Why not?What has changed in creationist thinking that they have abandoned this theory in favor of the more reasonable "Lemmings reproduce just like all other mammals" theory?Certainly, in 1650, a "creationist" would point to various passages in the Bible as proof positive that lemmings were weather.Does this mean, we need only wait another 400 years for the Creationist of today to accept what's already been scientifically proven?Edited by Nuggin, : editting to clarify

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The question is - do our modern Creationists still hold that Lemmings are a form of weather today? Or have they been swayed from their belief? And, if they have, why?

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Are you saying that the group that felt that the lemmings were an atmospheric phenomena were Christian Creationists? If yes, what timeframe was that in, since you ask if it still holds today?Seems rather disjointed. I don't see the connection between what you heard and the question you are asking Creationists.

The belief that Lemmings were spontaneously generated atmospheric phenomena was popular in the 16th and 17th century.I can not find who first floated the idea, but I can find who defeated it. The awesomely named Danish naturalist, Ole Worm.The thought process behind the lemming theory was the same one behind the idea that flies were spontaneously generated by rotting meat, etc.As for the question as to whether or not this was a "creationist" theory, let's look at the time line. It predates ToE and involves the spontaneous "creation" of animals out of nothing. That's creationism at the core.So, obviously the supporters of the original theory are all long dead. The people living today are unlikely to have even heard of the theory.But the question still remains -- since the creationist belief system is, by the literallists own standards, set in stone. Do modern creationists still hold this theory to be accurate? And, if not, why don't they support what their creationist breathren once believed? Further, do they no concede that if they no longer believe what was previously held to be the work of God, then isn't it possible/likely that future "creationists" will look back on them with the same aloof smirk modern creationists are looking back at these lemming creationists?

OK I see your rational, but I think you need to check your timeline concerning creationism and the TOE.My reasoning is that I think you're asking a question that can't be answered because of an error in your reasons for the connection.If nothing else, I feel you need to include your reasons for connecting the creationist with this old belief in your OP since the broadcast didn't, which would explain why you are asking creationists this question.Unfortunately, I see this turning into a discussion on why your assumption is wrong and not really about the question you posed to the creationists.

My thought process is simple:The belief is that lemmings were spontaneous "created" out of nothing.That's creationism. It may not be Biblical literalism, but it's creationism all the same.Repeatedly and on many threads, various creationists, BLs and IDers have suggested that new species simply pop into existance instantly, rather than evolve from earlier forms.Here's one particularly well defined example of that theory - Lemmings.After all, if it had been true that lemmings suddenly popd into existance, that would be an enormous asset to the Creationist argument.I full suspect that modern Creationists no longer believe this theory. My question is why?I mean, after all, the whole premise of Creationisms is that their theory can not be proven wrong.

I understand your point, but I still feel you need to make it clear in the OP since you state: You are asking "do our modern Creationists still hold that ....Explain in the OP why you came to the conclusion that Creationist held that belief concerning lemmings since your source does not make that claim.The OP is what they will see. It is still disjointed and doesn't make it clear why you feel the Creationists, as a group, have anything to do with that old thought about lemmings.Did you have an idea of what forum you wanted this in?

editted original post for clarity, etc.

Thread copied to the Creationists and Lemmings thread in the Social Issues and Creation/Evolution forum, this copy of the thread has been closed.