I think you guys are overthinking this.
A scientist is by definition someone who practices the scientific method. A creationist is not a scientist. A child touching a hot kettle to confirm his suspicions that it will hurt is technically a scientist.
Degrees don't mean anything other than you've been accredited by an educational institution. Of course, that means you have learned a great body of knowledge, but that doesn't automatically make you a "scientist".
It's like saying having a driver's license makes you a mechanic.
A scientist is by definition someone who practices the scientific method. A creationist is not a scientist. A child touching a hot kettle to confirm his suspicions that it will hurt is technically a scientist.
Degrees don't mean anything other than you've been accredited by an educational institution. Of course, that means you have learned a great body of knowledge, but that doesn't automatically make you a "scientist".
It's like saying having a driver's license makes you a mechanic.