Creation Science Rebuttals
Institute for Creation Research
RATE Project – The Truth
Review by Greg Neyman
© Old Earth Ministries
First Published 24 December 2003
Recently three Institute of Creation Research creation science theorists presented information from their RATE project at the American Geophysical Union Fall Conference in San Francisco. The article described their posters, and the reception they received. It states that they were “well received,” having engaged in many discussions with experts from various top schools in the United States. While I don’t doubt that they had some healthy discussions, I find it necessary to present alternative views of this RATE project.
Before we go on, it may help to understand how secular scientists view creation scientists. In the article, they claim they had many good discussions with these scientists. However, having been around scientists, I know what their main reaction is…avoidance! Not because they can’t refute the evidence, or because they don’t care, but because the creation scientists are viewed as “out of touch with reality” (that’s putting it nicely! I can’t put some of the quotes on this site!). Ninety-nine percent of them would rather avoid them than be seen talking to them by their peers. They know that nothing they say can dissuade the young earth theorists, so why bother talking to them. Having said that, I applaud the fortitude of the young earth creation science theorists. They stand by their beliefs, and I would not expect anything less.
On to the evidence. The best rebuttal for the RATE project is found in a radio broadcast from Reasons to Believe, dated 18 September 2003. A direct link to this resource cannot be provided, but you can navigate to it by visiting Reasons to Believe.
For understanding Radiometric Dating from a Christian perspective, this article is one of the best I have found. It is written by a Christian Geochemist. You may also view a non-technical view of Radiometric dating in this article.
In fairness to the young earth creation science theorists, here is a list of links to their RATE material…
Institute for Creation Research – The say to look at their research section, but the articles are not all RATE. I’ve extracted links for the RATE articles. Not all are identified as RATE, but they all are related in subject matter.
Radioisotopes and the Age of the Earth
Measurable 14C in Fossilized Organic Materials
Accelerated Decay: Theoretical Models
Conclusion
Although the RATE project is a noble effort, it cannot adequately explain away the old age of the earth. All the information is provided in the links above to verify this statement.
If you are not a Christian, and you have been holding out on making a decision for Christ because the Church always preached a message that was contrary to what you saw in the scientific world, then rest assured that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God, and you can believe in Christ and receive salvation, while still believing in an old earth. Click here for more.
Are you a Christian who believes in young earth creationism? Now that we have shown the many difficulties of the young earth creation science model in this and many other articles, how does this impact your Christian life? If you are a young earth creationism believer, click here.
Institute for Creation Research Rebuttals
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