Creation & EvolutionForum for the discussion of this important topic. This forum is open to non-believers. There is a Christians-only forum in the Christians-only section too.
Maybe not YOUR reasoning, but it's makes perfect sense under a secular light. The universe is about 15 billion years old. Our solar system is estimated to be 5-6 billion years old. So life could have arisen in a solar system 5-10 billion years before ours. So, yes, it would have a heck of a head start.
I think the important difference between this and your first statement is that life COULD be older on other planets, but in your first statement you said it PROBABLY is older. You can't say for sure when that life, if any, originated, unless and until you encounter that life.
And with the limits that science currently has, you might not even know then. Carbon dating as we know it would only work on items originating on earth, since it depends on known ratios of the different isotopes of carbon. On other planets, those isotopes are likely to be in different ratios, thus rendering carbon dating useless until those ratios are quanitified with certainty.
__________________ Carry only love. Hate is a burden that is tremendously heavy.
If you want to live like Jesus, love your enemies and give up your life for them.
Carbon dating as we know it would only work on items originating on earth, since it depends on known ratios of the different isotopes of carbon. On other planets, those isotopes are likely to be in different ratios, thus rendering carbon dating useless until those ratios are quanitified with certainty.
Yes the age-old creationist stand-by....uncertainty exists in certain dating techniques so all dating techniques are assumed to be faulty and thrown out. Well it won't work this time. Why? The answer lies in sunlight. The sun is merely a fusion reactor which synthesizes helium and heavier elements from hydrogen. The solar spectra gives solar astronomers the current ratios of heavier element relative to hydrogen and the rate of conversion is also obtainable from net solar fluxes and the generation of exotic particles such as neutrinos. The solar system is ~4.5 billion years old because that is how long the sun has been effectively fusing hydrogen into helium. Of course you will refuse to read the journals and textbooks which investigate solar physics but that is to be anticipated. I could almost write the creationist rebuttal to this post - that is how predictable their arguments are.
__________________ Move only if there is a real advantage to be gained...when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.
It matter not how old the earth is, it is not a rebuttal to creationism. There are too many Christians holding this like it is the only proof they have. Gap theory- check it out. The age of the earth is by no means a way of testing the validity of the Chrsitian God.
be blessed
John
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The brain is the most complex thing in the universe -- and it's right behind the nose. -- La Science des Reves
Carry on, Ronin. Why don't you just have the whole argument with yourself? Obviously, no one else could possibly be as intelligent as you... That is what you're saying, is it not? You believe in God? I wonder if He's impressed with your psychotic babble... You should try to teach Him quantum mechanics when (if) you see Him.
Did you ever take a stab at the Drake Equation? When I run it, even allowing for the pessimism of more recent findings, I still wind up with intelligent races in this galaxy running into the thousands.
Hmm... thousands of alien races out there? Wonder what their thoughts on God might be...
It'd be funny if one day, we meet an alien race, and in trying to explain to them the idea of religion, gods anf aith we are met with nothing more than blank alien stares or thundering alien laughter.
On that day I will become an official Q'zar'ar'tan (the OBVIOUS name these Aliens will have).
Carry on, Ronin. Why don't you just have the whole argument with yourself? Obviously, no one else could possibly be as intelligent as you... That is what you're saying, is it not? You believe in God? I wonder if He's impressed with your psychotic babble... You should try to teach Him quantum mechanics when (if) you see Him.
You are more than welcome to pose an argument that counters mine. I welcome it. Otherwise, there is little point this antagonism. My intent is to examine and discuss this issue...nothing more. If I have been blunt then I apologize. My style of discourse may appear hostile but, in reality, I am really amiable compared to my colleagues. I certainly am not an "expert" when it comes to any field of endeavor and fully recognize my limitations. In fact, I compare my intelligence to that of a container of low fat cottage cheese....well maybe a good quality cottage cheese.
__________________ Move only if there is a real advantage to be gained...when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.
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