The other day I posted about the fact that is possible to be both a Christian and a scientist. Today, I stumbled across the website of the Institue for Creation Research. (ICR) They are a group of Young-Earth Creationists (described here) that hold advanced degree's from respected universities and run their own accredited graduate school.

Now, I personally don't believe with their assertion of a young-earth (6,000 years +/- 2,000), but they are doing some interesting things there. They recently completed an eight year research project in which they tested the accuracy of the Radiometric age of the Earth. Tests performed were to standard protocol, independent labs were used, and much of it was double blind testing, meaning that ICR had no control over the testing results, and the labs had no idea what the testing was for. The results turned out to be very different than one expected. Some of the tests, such as the amount of radiogenic helium found in granite 3 miles deep, tested out to be about 6,000 years old, completely against the popular age given to these rocks. Other tests didn't turn out quite as in favor of their hypothesis, but they still reported the findings. They gathered samples from the Grand Canyon, had them tested with radiometric dating, and compared the results with for portions tested using the same method from the same sample. The result? Differing ages, up to 100-300%, from the exact same sample. Kind of makes you doubt the accuracy of the method, huh? You can read more about the studies on there website or check it out more here.(The author here is Christian, but of the Old-Earth variety. You might have to scroll down some.)

Now, I understand that these are "Creation Scientists" and we shouldn't take them seriously, right? Well, if we were like everyone else, we could just rule out their research a priori, instead of looking seriously into their methods and results. I think, at least, they have a exposed major flaw in the accuracy of the radiometric dating of rocks of the earth. Did they prove a young earth? I don't really think so. Plus, there is no rebuttal for the age of the universe from cosmology that I found on their site. But, one could always argue that God created with the appearance of age (as I am sure they would argue....)

Well, my main point in bringing this up is the fact that not everything is as set in stone as mainstream scientists want us to think. (Also noted here. )

Here's to the Truth!