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<small>''See also [[Counterexamples to an Old Earth]].''</small>

<small>''See also [[Counterexamples to an Old Earth]].''</small>

The '''Age of the Earth''' has been a matter of interest to humans for millennia. The subject is still debated today, particularly between [[young Earth Creationism|young-Earth scientists]], who see evidence that the Earth is only approximately 6,000 years old, and [[Old Earth Creationism|Old Earth creationists]] and [[Atheism|atheistic scientists]] who argue that Earth is approximately 4.5 billion years old.<ref>http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/10/22/opinion/polls/main965223.shtml</ref> The scientific evidence [[young earth creationism|points to a young age of the earth and the universe]]. The biblical creation organization [[Creation Ministries International]] published an article entitled ''[http://creation.com/age-of-the-earth 101 evidences for a young age of the earth and the universe]'', that provides much of the scientific evidence in support of a young Earth.  

The '''Age of the Earth''' has been a matter of interest to humans for millennia. The subject is still debated today, particularly between [[young Earth Creationism|young-Earth scientists]], who see evidence that the Earth is only approximately 6,000 years old, and [[Old Earth Creationism|Old Earth creationists]] and scientists-including archeologists, geologists and minerologists who argue that Earth is approximately 4.5 billion years old. There is no credible scientific reason to believe in the 6000 year figure. The biblical creation organization [[Creation Ministries International]] published an article entitled ''[http://creation.com/age-of-the-earth 101 evidences for a young age of the earth and the universe]'', that provides pseudo-scientific evidence in support of a young Earth, but is completely lacking in any credible scientific fact, or even a single credible scientist whose degree came from a respected institution of higher learning.

== Historical views ==

== Historical views ==

[[Image:Landscape.jpg|right|300px]]

[[Image:Landscape.jpg|right|300px]]

For most of recorded history, humans of many backgrounds viewed the age of the Earth to be around 6,000 years,<ref>Burnet, p. 258.</ref> such as St. Barnabas and St. Irenæus.<ref>Burnet, p. 259.</ref>

For most of recorded history, humans of many backgrounds viewed the age of the Earth to be around 6,000 years,<ref>Burnet, p. 258.</ref> such as St. Barnabas and St. Irenæus.<ref>Burnet, p. 259.</ref> The 6000 year figure comes from Christian Creation Mythology.  Many other cultures have similar creation mythologies.  In the Greek Tradition the earth was created from Chaos, and human beings were created when the God Prometheus was playing with clay, and inserted the "Seeds of Life" into the clay, creating human beings and other living creatures.

In 1830, Dr. Hales published a list of 120 historical authorities from various cultures who had decided on an officiall [[date of creation]].  These ranged from 6984 B.C. to 3616 B.C.<ref>Batten 2002 quotes from "Young’s Analytical Concordance of the Holy Bible", 1879 8th Edition, 1939, which relates this, and reproduces the selection of the dates from Young.</ref>

Pseudo-science and religious inspired fantasies about the age of the Earth abound: in 1830, Dr. Hales published a list of 120 historical authorities from various cultures who had decided on an officiall [[date of creation]].  These ranged from 6984 B.C. to 3616 B.C.<ref>Batten 2002 quotes from "Young’s Analytical Concordance of the Holy Bible", 1879 8th Edition, 1939, which relates this, and reproduces the selection of the dates from Young.</ref>

Included in Hales' list is [[James Ussher]], who calculated the famous date of 4004 B.C. for creation.  Young-Earth creationists still consider this date to be close to the actual date.

Included in Hales' list is [[James Ussher]], who calculated the famous date of 4004 B.C. for creation.  Young-Earth creationists still consider this date to be close to the actual date.