Survey: Young Earth or Old Earth?

[daniel]

Okay, the topic title pretty much says it: Do you believe that the Earth was created less than or close to ten thousand years ago, or do you believe it was several billion years? I really am interested in knowing where you stand on this.

[hyo silver]

Reality is so annoying. Can't we just vote it out of existence?

[galaxee]

hyo-
we could write a book saying it doesn't exist and get millions (billions?) of people to believe if they don't believe in it they will endure eternal torture after death...

[marjflowers]

Here's one thing I hate about religion -- why does everybody seem to care so much how we came into being or where they're going after they're dead? IMO, Jesus seemed so much more concerned with the here and now -- how we treat each others, how we spend our money, etc.

I just think arguing about evolution vs. creation or heaven just gives people an excuse to ignore the real teachings of Jesus. It's not that I don't have my opinions about the beginning and end of the world, I do. And I do enjoy discussing/debating these issues. But sometimes, it seems to me that some of the meanest, most hateful responses in this discussion are those most certain in their Christian faith. Just my opinion ...

Peace --

[mitchbf]

When it comes to religion, I'm always reminded of Plato's republic. People seem to "need" these things. Personally, I'm constantly amazed and sickened at what people do and have done in the name of religion. This kind of reminds me of an old Tom Lehrer song called "national brotherhood week". He introduces the song by saying that every year we have this week where everyone is supposed to love one another. He knows that there are people out there who don't love one another...and he hates people like that!

[dsunman]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(marjflowers @ Apr 24 2006, 04:07 PM) [snapback]244428[/snapback]</div>

Here's one thing I hate about religion -- why does everybody seem to care so much how we came into being or where they're going after they're dead? IMO, Jesus seemed so much more concerned with the here and now -- how we treat each others, how we spend our money, etc.

I just think arguing about evolution vs. creation or heaven just gives people an excuse to ignore the real teachings of Jesus. It's not that I don't have my opinions about the beginning and end of the world, I do. And I do enjoy discussing/debating these issues. But sometimes, it seems to me that some of the meanest, most hateful responses in this discussion are those most certain in their Christian faith. Just my opinion ...

Peace --
[/b]

"Jesus seemed so much more concerned with the here and now -- how we treat each others, how we spend our money, etc."

I fully concord with all the posters so far, as well as your comment about Jesus.

Studying the behavioral aspects of the 'Ruling Class' through mankind's history despite of it's ideological, nationalistic, religious or economic representation, there was always a notion of formulating preoccupancy tasks for the underclass, either by instigating patriotic virtues, ethics in hard labor, strict religious beliefs, etc anything that will take anyone's reexamination of reality that may infringe on the hierarchy of the 'Ruling Class' and their control.

Diverting like you said ones perception from the core issues includes religions that always acted in conformance with the Ruling Class. It's about power and control and exploitation. Their benefits are always greater when the masses are preoccupied with whatever there might be, 500 TV channels, sensationalism etc.

Hey, Stalin once said, give'em all cheap vodka, let them rejoice the misery. All we need is a stupid mob full of obedience and cannon fodder when necessary to prop up our clique. There weren't to many real idealists in a politburo, true idealists were eliminated.

Such is the unfortunate story of mankind's affair so far.

[daniel]

Actually, I really just wanted to find out how many of the creationists on PriusChat believe in a young Earth, and how many believe in an old Earth. Seems to me one of them said the "days" of Genesis were some huge number of years, and it made me curious. With two or three threads already arguing generic religious questions, I didn't intend to start another argument thread. Unless maybe to get the creationists into a discussion of young vs. old Earth to understand their reasons for the two sides. Though personally I consider young Earth to be untenable unless you argue that somebody (god? devil?) put all those fossils and ancient rocks there to deceive us.

[Godiva]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hyo silver @ Apr 24 2006, 02:22 PM) [snapback]244405[/snapback]</div>

Reality is so annoying. Can't we just vote it out of existence?
[/b]

It's not that easy to destroy the earth.

How to Destroy the Earth

[finally_got_one]

I grew up with such beliefs as the creation in 7 days, etc. When I went to college, one of the topics I studied was evolution. It seemed to have a few holes, but it also made some sense. I had been wondering by that time how the first day (24hours) was determined since there was no sun and moon...

Anyway, I believe that the earth came into being several millions of years ago. Not that God couldn't have created things to make them look like they were old, but after consulting with others about an alternative interpretation to the word 'day' in the Genesis account, it seems to me that the earth is quite old. Might I be wrong? Sure, after all, I wasn't there to witness the beginning, nor was anybody else.

That puts me into a minority of Christians who are indeed called 'old earthers'.

[Schmika]

I am a "young earth" person. How that should bother anyone...I don't know.