Are there any geologists out there who believe in the "young earth" idea?

Question

I'm talking about the concept that the book of Genesis is literally true, making the earth just a few thousand years old.

For the record, I know it's bullshit!

I guess it's a clear "no" from this corner. I seem to be having more "luck" with the biologists, though still not very much...

OK, Geology speaks with But One Voice! Whose shall it be? to the vote...

Answer 1

The earth and the solar system are both about 4.65 billion years old. Period. Our--and almost every other--galaxy appear to be about 10 billion years old. The CBR data suggests that the Big Bang happened around 12-14 billion years ago.

The only geologists I've ever encountered that espouse a belief in the "young earth" propaganda work for non-accredited, religious, private schools (high schools and even a few odd-ball colleges). I've never met a SERIOUS scientist who believes in any of that. Sadly, it wouldn't surprise me if there are one or two out there.

I, for one (a geologist), do NOT.

Answer 2

I am a working Geologist

in the 10 years of my career plus 5 years at college studying Geology I have never met a geologist who stated a belief in a "young earth" idea

based on my experience, if there are any, they are very few in number

Answer 3

Are there people who have degrees in geology that believe the earth is only 6k years old, yes. I'm sure you could also find people with geology cred's who believe the earth is flat, or hollow, or the fixed center of the universe etc. if you looked hard enough.

Are you familiar with the Argumentum ad Verecundiam fallacy?
Just shopping around for the right member of the lunatic fringe to rationalize some dear absurdity, eh?

Answer 4

No as its goes against the fundamentals of the subject. Saying such a thing is like saying that gravity does not exist, the proton and electron in an atom is poppycock. Those who clain that its a young earth are either 1) un-educated in the field of geology or 2) try to find evidece to convince themselves of a massive worldwide flood to lure people into they're faith. The scientific community have no time for these people as they hold no merit for what they are trying to do.

Answer 5

I am a geologist. There are literally thousands of separate proofs that the earth is old and not young. I don't think you can go through the training without seeing that.

Yet, when I went to college there was a guy in my class that was a born-again Christian who didn't believe any of it. He was clearly getting a degree in Geology so that he could refute geologic science on behalf of the Christians.

The lesson here is, you cannot convince someone of something they don't want to believe.

Answer 6

Any geologist (like myself) who has studied anything in geology could never believe in the young earth. All you have to do is look at the Grand Canyon. 6000 years? Impossible with everything we know.

A 6000 year earth would basically destroy the field of geology. There has never been any evidence for it, so it would ONLY be faith to compel someone to believe in that.

Answer 7

As a geologist I believe the Earth is 4.6 billion years young. In the overall scheme of things this is a young planet.

I have read the Bible, from cover to cover. I've never found any support in it for the position of the young earth creationists. The idea that Earth is 6000 years old is pure fabrication by a recently formed organization called the Institute for Creation Research, which basically offers propaganda-like explanations that they purport disavow the laws of physics, evolution, plate tectonics, and even mathematics. The Institute was created in 1970 by Henry Morris, author of "The Genesis Flood." Their attempts to refute the concept of uniformitarianism, as well as plate tectonics have completely failed in their scientific merit and acceptance. However because of the method of delivery and complete lack of objectivity in their methods they have ignited the imagination of a great many followers who have little or no scientific understanding of the concepts.

It is well documented that the early fathers of the Church did not believe that Genesis was intended to be interpreted in this manner. Basil commented that "But at that time it was not after the movement of the sun" suggesting that the common day was not the measure of creation. Of course, the YEC's have found ways to dispute any previous religious works that contradict them by ignoring the whole of the work and only quoting without context. There are some historical examples of support for concept of using solar days to interprete Genesis, such as Rabbi Ibn Ezra in the middle ages (who the YAC's like to quote), but even so, Judaism as whole does not support the idea of solar 24 hour days during creation.

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/32012.htm

There are at least 3 geologists on the Faculty of the Institute for Creation Research, so that may be your answer of how many geologists actually believe this stuff. While I consider them to be unethical and dishonest, obviously their patrons and donors love to hear what they have to say.

Answer 8

in all of my classes (i am a geologist in training) we laugh out loud at the idea that the earth was created on October 9th, 4004 B.C. at what was it, 9 am? I think thats the date we learned, of course I could just be making it up. thats totally ridiculous!

ive met some crazy religious whack-jobs, who think all sorts of crazy things just because the bible says so, but thankfully have never met someone who actually believed in the young earth idea.

there's so much evidence to support the current age of the earth, that it's hard to imagine how anyone could seriously dispute it intelligently. youd have to be extremely stupid!

guess you can tell how i feel about this, youll have to forgive me if ive rambled (it goes for other truths about science that are disputed by religion *ahem* evolution... *ahem*)

Answer 9

Again, I can't imagine a geologist believing that the Earth is only 6,000 years old. There would be no point in going to work because you would be working with rocks that are millions of years old, all day long. There job is to test rock and figure out how old it is and to find bones and to work with evolution.

Answer 10

The Earth is millions of years old, but that is nothing compared to the Sun (Around 5 billion years old)