Difference between revisions of "Old Earth"

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'''Old Earth''' theories propose that the Earth has existed for billions of years. These theories developed in connection with the [[theory of evolution]], which would could not have possibly occurred in the thousands of years that people had previously estimated the age of the Earth to be.
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''See [[Counterexamples to an Old Earth]]''
  
Old Earth theories struggle to explain youthful characteristics of the earth, such as the massive fresh water Great Lakes.  Over long periods of time fresh water reservoirs would inevitably dissipate.  Theories of [[Ice Age]]s developed as a way to explain fresh water reservoirs.  Underground wells provide a similar challenge for Old Earth advocates.
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'''Old Earth''' theories propose that the Earth has existed for billions of years. These theories were largely developed by British and European geologists in the 18th and 19th centuries and led to the development of the [[Theory of Evolution]], whose postulated changes could not have possibly occurred in the thousands of years that people had previously estimated the age of the Earth to be.
  
Flooding is another challenge for Old Earth advocates, as it would wipe out any evolutionary path, particularly among mammalsThe likelihood of a massive flood increases with the period of time, and an older Earth means more disruptive flooding.
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A principle basis for Old Earth theory is [[radiometric dating]]This rests on the assumption that [[radioactive decay]] rates have always been constant, which is disputed by Creation scientists.
  
The principle basis for Old Earth is [[radiometric dating]],  but it is a logical tautology to assume that [[radioactive decay]] rates have always been constant, even at higher energy levels. Such assumption is identical to assuming that the Earth is old, and hence that argument is circular.
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The discipline of [[uniformitarianism]] is also a basis for assuming an old Earth. Extrapolating the rate of geologic processes backwards in time yields an Earth substantially older than the Biblical 6,000 years. Uniformitarianism is also based on assumptions, however; namely, that many geologic processes were acting at the same or similar rates for the whole history of the Earth. Other theories held by Old Earth proponents include punctuated equilibrium, which suggests gradual change over time with periods of rapid change.
  
The discipline of [[uniformitarianism]] is also a basis for assuming an old Earth. Extrapolating the rate of geologic processes backwards in time yields an Earth substantially older than the Biblical 6,000 years. Uniformitarianism is also based on assumptions, however; namely, that all geologic processes were acting at the same or similar rates for the whole history of the Earth.
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== Objections to Old Earth Theory ==
  
== Contradiction in Old Earth Theory ==
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Theories of an Old Earth frequently rely on the assumption that physical laws, such as rates of decay, have forever been constant. This assumption is believed to be false by [[Young earth creationism|Young Earth Creationists]].
  
The fundamental contradiction in the belief in an Old Earth is this:
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==Physical origin of the Earth==
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Those who accept an old Earth generally believe that natural processes formed the Earth and solar system over a long period of time. This is as opposed to the young-Earth creationist belief in an essentially instantaneous creation.
  
*physical laws, such as rates of decay, must have been different at higher energies and times closer to the origin of the universe
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==See also==
*yet physical rates, such as rates of decay, must somehow have been constant since the origin of the universe, in order to use extrapolation to date it
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*[[Counterexamples to an Old Earth]]
 
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==Physical origin of the Earth==
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Those who accept an old Earth generally believe that natural processes formed the Earth and solar system over a long period of time. This is as opposed to the Young-Earth creationist belief in an essentially instantaneous creation.
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[[Category:Creationism]]
 
[[Category:Creationism]]
 
[[Category:Evolution]]
 
[[Category:Evolution]]
 
[[Category:Geology]]
 
[[Category:Geology]]

Revision as of 15:27, September 1, 2014

See Counterexamples to an Old Earth

Old Earth theories propose that the Earth has existed for billions of years. These theories were largely developed by British and European geologists in the 18th and 19th centuries and led to the development of the Theory of Evolution, whose postulated changes could not have possibly occurred in the thousands of years that people had previously estimated the age of the Earth to be.

A principle basis for Old Earth theory is radiometric dating. This rests on the assumption that radioactive decay rates have always been constant, which is disputed by Creation scientists.

The discipline of uniformitarianism is also a basis for assuming an old Earth. Extrapolating the rate of geologic processes backwards in time yields an Earth substantially older than the Biblical 6,000 years. Uniformitarianism is also based on assumptions, however; namely, that many geologic processes were acting at the same or similar rates for the whole history of the Earth. Other theories held by Old Earth proponents include punctuated equilibrium, which suggests gradual change over time with periods of rapid change.

Objections to Old Earth Theory

Theories of an Old Earth frequently rely on the assumption that physical laws, such as rates of decay, have forever been constant. This assumption is believed to be false by Young Earth Creationists.

Physical origin of the Earth

Those who accept an old Earth generally believe that natural processes formed the Earth and solar system over a long period of time. This is as opposed to the young-Earth creationist belief in an essentially instantaneous creation.

See also