@georgetakei@universeodon.com Really, these people aren't arguing that the earth is 4000 years old. They're saying they have no choice but to believe that it is, because their god commanded it. It's like arguing to that skinny kid in the back of class that he shouldn't give his lunch money to bullies. I don't argue with them, but try to provide compassion, respect and opportunity. Give them a way out, help them figure out for themselves if they've been deceived, and help them figure out what to do if they have.

It uh... doesn't work, because I'm mostly powerless to help, but I'd do whatever I could to ease people's fears that God or their family will punish them for not pretending as hard as they can that the bible is inerrant.