Young Earth Frustration

[_Ceeboo]

Hi Runtu,

I am not labeling you as ignorant

I know you are not (by the way: although it should make little difference as we all share/discuss all this stuff, I am not a YEC)

As far as I can tell, the only reason people assert a young earth is a literal reading of Genesis. To me, that's not a good reason.

Friend, I realize that you do not think/believe that it's a good reason, but might I suggest that you consider that the YEC's do?

Very short reply (for my own reasons)
Depending on your take on exactly what Holy Scripture is, were it came from, who authored it, and by what authority we have it, play enormous roles concerning your above post.

Anyhoo, I have always enjoyed your contributions here and I did not intend to imply that you were calling me ignorant. (Sorry for that) :)

Peace,
Ceeboo

[_Ceeboo]

Hi Scottie,

Ceeboo,

I think we have all asked, in good faith, for the reasons and evidence why a YEC is a valid theory. We have laid out multiple evidences that support old earth.

Thus far, I have seen nothing but anecdotal "I know a guy who is really smart and he believe in YEC!" types of responses.

In fact, Hoops flat out said he would NOT provide evidence to support his case.

How are we supposed to respond? Should we not challenge them? Since it is a belief derived from scripture, does it make it above criticism (which, as always, is re-labeled an attack)?

If the only reason someone believes something is because they have faith that it is true, even in the face of insurmountable evidence to the contrary, then yes, this should be subject for ridicule. Time to grow up and see the world for what it is. You can't keep believing in Santa Claus forever, no matter how much you really, really want him to exist.

First, thanks for the reply.

I have very little to offer you regarding the majority of your post to me (Hoops, Santa, growing up, how you should respond, etc).

As far as evaluating/discussing/understanding the positions/beliefs of my beloved YEC brethren, I offered a link earlier in this thread. (The reason I offered said link was in case anyone was interested in hearing the perspectives/positions of the YEC's directly from a YEC)

Anyhooo, I appreciate the back and forth.

Peace,
Ceeboo

[_stemelbow]

If the only reason someone believes something is because they have faith that it is true, even in the face of insurmountable evidence to the contrary, then yes, this should be subject for ridicule.

Scottie, that is ridiculous. To criticize belief, to discuss and offer argument is one thing, but to ridicule because someone stays true to belief in discussion is not helpful for anyone and only makes you come off as bully.

[_Scottie]

Scottie, that is ridiculous. To criticize belief, to discuss and offer argument is one thing, but to ridicule because someone stays true to belief in discussion is not helpful for anyone and only makes you come off as bully.

Why?

When we have offered numerous examples of scientific data that supports our belief in an old earth, only to be met with "LA LA LA LA!!!! I DON'T CARE! I BELIEVE IN THE YOUNG EARTH BECAUSE THE Bible SAYS SO!", what are we to think?

Why are we all required to tread so lightly around fairy tales? Does acting politely help anyone? Shouldn't you figuratively smack someone who believes in something that is so absurdly false that it has no place in the conversation of intelligent adults??

I would do the same thing to Bigfoot supporters, flat earthers and moon landing hoaxers. The evidence is so vastly weighted against you that to claim you should be taken seriously is an assault on my intellect.

At some point, coddling these people just becomes enabling them. The Earth IS NOT 6000 years old!! END OF STORY!! If you don't want to admit that, then you are living in a delusional world and I invite you to join the rest of us in the real world.

I go back to my story of the Earth riding around the sun on the back of a giant turtle. I ask you, would you entertain this possibility if someone came to you and told you that is what their scriptures said, and they believe it to be true? And don't give me some BS "they can believe what they want" answer. I want a serious answer to this question. Would you consider that this might be fact?

[cacheman]

Friend, I realize that you do not think/believe that it's a good reason, but might I suggest that you consider that the YEC's do?

I fully recognize that, which is why I said, "To me, it's not a good reason."

Very short reply (for my own reasons)
Depending on your take on exactly what Holy Scripture is, were it came from, who authored it, and by what authority we have it, play enormous roles concerning your above post.

I guess I have always been willing to adjust my understanding in light of new information. When I was a child, I was probably a young-earth creationist, though I don't remember explicitly thinking that. (I do remember thinking Joseph Fielding Smith was right that evolution was impossible if there were no death before Eden.) As I got older, I realized that such a position was not defensible in light of the evidence, so I adjusted my understanding of the creation account to accommodate an improved understanding of the evidence (and I adjusted my thinking about evolution for similar reasons). To me, that is the only reasonable response when my understanding is shown to conflict with the evidence, but I recognize that others disagree.

Anyhoo, I have always enjoyed your contributions here and I did not intend to imply that you were calling me ignorant. (Sorry for that) :)

Peace,
Ceeboo

Don't worry about it. I didn't think you were referring to me in particular, but I wanted to clarify that I don't have any reason to insult YEC believers. I happen to think they wrong, and demonstrably so, but that's not to say I think they're stupid.

[_Ceeboo]

When we have offered numerous examples of scientific data that supports our belief in an old earth, only to be met with "LA LA LA LA!!!! I DON'T CARE! I BELIEVE IN THE YOUNG EARTH BECAUSE THE Bible SAYS SO!", what are we to think?

Why are we all required to tread so lightly around fairy tales? Does acting politely help anyone? Shouldn't you figuratively smack someone who believes in something that is so absurdly false that it has no place in the conversation of intelligent adults??

I would do the same thing to Bigfoot supporters, flat earthers and moon landing hoaxers. The evidence is so vastly weighted against you that to claim you should be taken seriously is an assault on my intellect.

At some point, coddling these people just becomes enabling them. The Earth IS NOT 6000 years old!! END OF STORY!! If you don't want to admit that, then you are living in a delusional world and I invite you to join the rest of us in the real world.

I go back to my story of the Earth riding around the sun on the back of a giant turtle. I ask you, would you entertain this possibility if someone came to you and told you that is what their scriptures said, and they believe it to be true? And don't give me some BS "they can believe what they want" answer. I want a serious answer to this question. Would you consider that this might be fact?

Wow!


Peace,
Ceeboo

[_just me]

Well, honestly, the reason I started this thread was because I wanted to know how a YEC would explain away the fact we can see stars that are over 6000 light years away. In addition, it would be awesome to know how they explain away tree rings and ice cores that are over 6000 years old.

These are pieces of evidence that to most people prove that the Earth is much older than 6000ish years. We don't even have to look at C-14.

But, now I am thinking that there are no YEC on this board and my simple search of the net has yielded nothing. Maybe there is nothing to be found.

[_EAllusion]

I think it’s worth mentioning that most people who adhere to Young Earth views don’t come to that belief by some kind of ‘scientific’ evidence alone, but came to that conclusion after being persuaded about the inerrancy of the Bible and then convinced Genesis should be read in a way that lends itself to a YEC view.

I've known people persuaded by the "scientific" evidence of young earth apologia who changed their Biblical exegesis accordingly, so I know this can't be entirely accurate.

[_Quasimodo]

These are pieces of evidence that to most people prove that the Earth is much older than 6000ish years. We don't even have to look at C-14.

I've stood at the edge of dinosaur footprints (along with large piles of dinosaur poop) in northern Arizona. It's hard to do that and still think the earth is 6000 years old.

[_GR33N]

Well, honestly, the reason I started this thread was because I wanted to know how a YEC would explain away the fact we can see stars that are over 6000 light years away. In addition, it would be awesome to know how they explain away tree rings and ice cores that are over 6000 years old.

These are pieces of evidence that to most people prove that the Earth is much older than 6000ish years. We don't even have to look at C-14.

But, now I am thinking that there are no YEC on this board and my simple search of the net has yielded nothing. Maybe there is nothing to be found.

Maybe the problem is associating the young earth theory and the creation event together. Can they not be separate?

So the question is, can creation, biblical history (young earth theory), and old earth theory all be true at the same time. I believe they can.