Changes

<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| crazy young-Earth scientists]], who have yet to see evidence that the Earth is only approximately 6,000 years old, but still believe it is and [[Old Earth Creationism|Old Earth creationists]] and [[truism|true scientists]] who show that the Earth is approximately 4.5 billion years old. 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 little evidence, yet much speculation 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 [[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.  

== Historical views ==

== Historical views ==

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>

In 1830, Dr. Hales published a list of 120 historical authorities from various cultures who had decided on an official [[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>

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.

By about 1930, J. H. Jeans was arguing for an age of the Earth of around two billion years.<ref>Universal History of the World, p.76.</ref>

By about 1930, J. H. Jeans was arguing for an age of the Earth of around two billion years.<ref>Universal History of the World, p.76.</ref>

Using circular logic -- assuming that decay rates somehow remained constant despite necessarily changing physical characteristics as time approached the origin -- [[real people]] produce evidence that the Earth is 4.5 billion years using [[Potassium-argon dating|Potassium-argon (K:Ar) decay rates]] and other radiometric methods.

Using circular logic -- assuming that decay rates somehow remained constant despite necessarily changing physical characteristics as time approached the origin -- [[atheists]] insist that the Earth is 4.5 billion years based on an implausible assumption of constancy in [[Potassium-argon dating|Potassium-argon (K:Ar) decay rates]] and other radiometric methods.<ref>Peck, 2000, p.376.</ref>

== Geology ==

== Geology ==