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To me it seems that it's an even more obvious error in YEC when they don't recognize that we see stars form all the time in space. So, if a star was forming 5 million light years away from us, than obviously for us to see it, the 5 million years would have had to elapse, making the universe much older.
I have no problem believing we see stars forming all the time in space... however, as a person who believes that God created everything it's not a stretch for me to believe that the light paths were created at varying lengths, just as they undoubtedly are now.
however, as a person who believes that God created everything it's not a stretch for me to believe that the light paths were created at varying lengths, just as they undoubtedly are now.
Einstein proved that the speed of light in a vacuum is an absolute, it never changes speed. When you look up at the night sky you're actually seeing stars as they existed in the distant past because it's taken so long for the light to reach the earth. If the earth was really only 6,000 years old most of the sky would be totally black because only the nearest objects that are 6,000 light years away or less would be visible. There's just no wiggle room for creationists on this one. Also, it's very obvious that we can measure distances in outer space. How else could we make the complex calculations necessary to land unmanned space craft on Mars?
Okay, did anyone even read the links I provided? All of these rebuffs are addressed in those links. If one hasn't read the links to understand where the man is coming from, how can one automatically reject it? Isn't that what believers are accused of doing -- rejecting without understanding?
Quote:
Originally Posted by MontanaGuy
Einstein proved that the speed of light in a vacuum is an absolute, it never changes speed. When you look up at the night sky you're actually seeing stars as they existed in the distant past because it's taken so long for the light to reach the earth. If the earth was really only 6,000 years old most of the sky would be totally black because only the nearest objects that are 6,000 light years away or less would be visible. There's just no wiggle room for creationists on this one. Also, it's very obvious that we can measure distances in outer space. How else could we make the complex calculations necessary to land unmanned space craft on Mars?
And yes, speed of light is used to measure distance. That's not disputed. However, the PhD physicist whose links I posted used Einstein's general theory of relativity (not the special theory of relativity) as his basis for his cosmology. It has been peer reviewed and reviewed by secular scientists as well and so far has withstood major criticisms. But again, it's just one (probably the best one) of a couple YEC theories regarding this issue.
So, the speed of light = 299,792,458 m/s...
And based upon this, astronomers can tell us the age of the earth, with varying levels of preciseness... but they of course all indicate that the earth is much, much older than 6000 years. Given the massive distance of these stars from earth, it would take many millions of years for their light to reach us here on earth.
So, if the earth *is* only 6000 years old, did god create the stars billions of years earlier, so that the light from them could start falling on earth, many, many years later?
Or did god simply alter the laws of physics in order to get the light to earth faster?
To any young earth creationists... how do you reconcile the distance of stars with your understanding of the age of the earth?
Bonus Question: Why did god fill the sky with trillions of celestial bodies so far away that humanity will likely never reach them?
Mr Satanoid. The Bible actually doesnt endorse the "young earth theory." This is just another twisted Sripture. You may find it interesting that science actually agrees with the creation account in Genesis. Please follow this link. Does Science Contradict the Genesis Account? - Jehovah's Witnesses Official Web Site Its about this very same thing.
Einstein proved that the speed of light in a vacuum is an absolute, it never changes speed. When you look up at the night sky you're actually seeing stars as they existed in the distant past because it's taken so long for the light to reach the earth. If the earth was really only 6,000 years old most of the sky would be totally black because only the nearest objects that are 6,000 light years away or less would be visible.
I totally know where you're coming from, Montana, and agree with this. However, you're assuming that that light started from the stars toward the earth at the instant of creation. Lets consider this example: Lets say the universe began as you believe, and has existed for millions or billions of years. Go back 6000 years from where we are now. What if God had created the universe as it would have been then, with stars at varying distances from the earth, some of their light paths reaching the earth, some still travelling toward the earth? IMO this is how He created it. When He created the universe, it was instantly a living moving thing: mountains stood there as if they had been there for billions of years, trees stood there fullgrown, and Adam was created a man, not a baby.
What about the "stars" that are dying? Our sun is just like those other stars, they are stars too. And as our sun(star) burns, it is gradually using up it's fuel, and will one day be dying just like some of the other suns are. It will take an untold number of years, but it will happen.
Now, did those other suns all die quickly in the past 6000 years, or did they also take millions or perhaps even billions of years to use their fuel up until they are only a dim glow?
What about the "stars" that are dying? Our sun is just like those other stars, they are stars too. And as our sun(star) burns, it is gradually using up it's fuel, and will one day be dying just like some of the other suns are. It will take an untold number of years, but it will happen.
Now, did those other suns all die quickly in the past 6000 years, or did they also take millions or perhaps even billions of years to use their fuel up until they are only a dim glow?
Quote:
Originally Posted by cg81
What if God had created the universe as it would have been then, with stars at varying distances from the earth, some of their light paths reaching the earth, some still travelling toward the earth.......
...some dead, with the light paths still in transit....
What if God had created the universe as it would have been then, with stars at varying distances from the earth, some of their light paths reaching the earth, some still travelling toward the earth? IMO this is how He created it.
That just doesn't make any sense. You're suggesting that God created the stars and billions of years worth of light rays all at the same time. Why in the world would God do that? Is he trying to trick us into believing that the universe is really 14 billion or so years old when it's actually only a few thousand years old? That's just too far fetched of an explanation. The obvious and simple explanation is that the universe really is 14 billion years old and light is behaving as it always does.
At some point, Christians are forced to acknowledge the fact that you either dismiss verifiable facts and science with 'magic'...
...or admit that the earth is indeed as old as science has revealed it to be. One could argue that if the very first story of the bible is so easily discredited, its very hard to accept the rest as 'literally' true.
That just doesn't make any sense. You're suggesting that God created the stars and billions of years worth of light rays all at the same time. Why in the world would God do that? Is he trying to trick us into believing that the universe is really 14 billion or so years old when it's actually only a few thousand years old? That's just too far fetched of an explanation. The obvious and simple explanation is that the universe really is 14 billion years old and light is behaving as it always does.
I don't argue with you that the stars are really that far away... Since God wanted us to see them, the path of light from the stars would have to be connecting to the earth at the instant of creation, IMO.
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