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To: Christian_Capitalist
The questions asked by the homeschoolers in the video: 1) are you a Christian, 2) how old is the Earth, and 3) will you let the UN take our children.

I guess every group needs its shibboleths. That doesn't, though, mean the shibboleths necessarily have anything to do with reality.

Take the age of the earth for instance. The mindset of those who attempt to count generations using genealogical lists in the Bible, assigning an estimated length of time for each generation, and coming up with a figure for how long people have been on earth since its creation are using exactly the same approach as people who attempt to measure the age of the earth by measuring ratios between parent and daughter elements of radioactive decay.

Both assume a lot. Those using radioactive decay are measuring actual quantities but have to assume an original ratio of parent/daughter elements and that the specimen hasn't been selectively enriched or depleted of parent or daughter elements over the period of time in question. Those using genealogical lists usually ignore the fact that there are no complete genealogical lists given anywhere in the Bible because the ones that are given are telescoped, truncated, edited for specific purposes having to do with considerations either of space to write or of theological/narrative objectives.

That someone uses one method of dating in an attempt to discredit another method of dating may serve a sociological purpose in defining in and out groups, but it doesn't have much to do with ascertaining the truth.
16 posted on 06/29/2010 4:43:41 AM PDT by aruanan
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To: aruanan

Best post I’ve seen on the age of the earth debate.

That’s a keeper.

Thank you.


109 posted on 06/29/2010 9:25:06 AM PDT by metmom (Welfare was never meant to be a career choice.)
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