Age of Grand Canyon is withheld to avoid offending creationists

[Teuthida]

Reminds me of this story by a former park ranger guide.

My favorite program was the hike to the base of the falls. Layers of rock are like chapters in a history book and this canyon, carved so deeply, told an ancient story. Standing at the bottom, calling out over the roar of the falls, I got to teach the exciting conclusion, “The layers of slate and shale beneath our feet tell us that 300 million years ago, this deciduous forest was a tropical jungle.”

“What book d’ya get that out of?” came the reply one day. And thus it began, for this waterfall was not only located in ancient rock, it was also in the heart of the Bible-belt. I had heard there were people who believed the Earth was only 6,000 years old, but I never thought I would actually meet any. That summer, and every other summer I worked teaching science to the public, I met a lot of them. Though most objectors would just walk away from the program, some mothers would cover their children’s ears to protect them from the “blasphemous park ranger.” One man, after I patiently explained how we know the age of rocks, finally just threw up his hands, exclaimed, “The Devil made that rock look that old to turn you away from God,” and led his family back up the trail.

But to have Bush enforce this type of thinking...really hoping that after his term is up people are free to learn about science again...geez, this is just so messed up.

[Neo]

lol, that's even more messed up than what I posted. I didn't know the devil took such an interest in geology.

[Professor S]

This is not Christian ideology, its just idiocy. The simple answer to dates that long outlast the biblical creation is as follows:

"What is a day to God? Who says that God is relegated to our belief in seconds, minutes ours, days or years? After all, the measurement of time is our creation, not his."

To ignore science because of religion is idiocy. Science can't disprove religion, and in fact its raised more questions than its ever answered. Attacking science is a sign of religious insecurity.

[Typhoid]

This is just stupid.

Soon we'll enter a golden age where "Hello, Madam" is sexual harrassment and "How much does this cost?" is theft, if you're black.