Clearly, my suggestion that an evolutionary bent begets an evolutionary
proof is, for many, tantamount to blasphemy. We gather from this that
the true context of the discussion is religious rather than scientific -
a truth that is further confirmed by the deep faith displayed by
'old-earthers' in respect of radio-isotope decay.
Following Pim's advice I obtained a copy of 'Radiometric Dating: A
Christian Perspective' by Dr Roger Wiens. Here are a few extracts:
1) " ...radioactive atoms used in dating techniques have been subjected
to heat, cold, pressure, vacuum, acceleration, and strong chemical
reactions without any significant change in their decay rate." (p.3)
2) "...for ages to appear longer than actual, all the half-lives would
have to be changing in sync with one another." (p.13)
3) "It would not be inconsistent with the scientific evidence to
conclude that God made everything relatively recently, but with the
appearance of age..." (p.13)
4) His response to the suggestion that decay rates might be slowing down
over this time , leading to incorrect old dates: "While we cannot rule
out that this could possibly have happened in the past, there is no
evidence that anything of the sort has happened in the past century."
(p.16)
These are the words of an authority in the field of geochronometry, and
a Christian.
Since the Earth is reputedly 4.5 - 4.6 billion years old and decay rates
have only been measured over the past 40 - 80 years, it follows that the
confidence placed on unchanging decay rates rests upon observations
covering a mere millionth of 1% of the total time. What an
extrapolation! Doesn't this require a faith that moves mountains? Where
do we find 'science' in all this? The sophisticated laboratory
techniques and strategies mean nothing if the hunch is wrong!
The stimulus for the hunch, of course, is the belief that evolution must
be true (which was precisely my contention re the geologic column!). The
theory requires an 'old Earth' plank to support it. The integrity of
that plank clearly rests on the gamble that decay rates have remained
constant throughout Earth history. It is ultimately on this that the now
towering edifice of evolution rests! - and it is for this that a literal
acceptance of the Scriptures has been sacrificed! The biblical parallel
must be Jacob's brother Esau who surrendered his birthright for 'a mess
of pottage'! (Gen.25:29-34). How tragic it is that many Christians are
unable to reason these matters for themselves.
Compounding the wickedness, I observe that the USGS Teacher's Guide
"Time and Change/ Using Radioactive Decay to Determine Geologic Age (for
grades 7 - 12) makes no mention of the possibility that decay rates
might have changed; surely a reprehensible omission - but, of course,
entirely in keeping with evolutionist strategy!
One final point: evolutionists and others have yet to come to terms with
and accomodate the coordinated numerical geometries that the Creator has
incorporated into the Hebrew of Gen.1:1. Clearly, they are intended to
serve some serious purpose and we would be wise to prayerfully consider
what that might be.
Vernon
http://www.compulink.co.uk/~indexer/miracla1.htm