I'm not sure how many ex-YECs we have here, but I was wondering if you would be willing to share with us the details of your transformation from YECist to old earther.
Alright... I'm a curious person and more scientifically minded than the average joe, therefore I don't believe in things without good reason. I was of the opinion that all truth could be proven through reason or science. I was not particularly well-informed about the nature of science or the philosophies of epistemology.
Since I believed it was a fact that God existed, I believed we could prove it because I believed all truth is proveable which I now know to be false. I was sure that God could be proven to exist and the biggest proof for his existence was his creation. Even though there isn't really any significant conflict between evolution and the scriptures, I wanted an instantaneous creation to be true because it would be a hole in our knowledge that science could not fill so we would be forced to believe in God. I stupidly based my faith in God on a hole in human understanding.
I had been reading a bunch of creationist materials and was convinced that evolution was the biggest fraud ever. I started debating here and let my arguments be picked apart. So as I opened to evolution as a possibility I lost my "proof" for God and therefore questioned his existence entirely.
So I entertained every doubt possible for a few months and waivered in my faith. Finally, I made it through all the doubts and my faith has came back. I am definately better off for going through all of it.
I'm particularly interested in the pieces of evidence that finally convinced you YECism was wrong and how long it took to reach that conclusion.
I'm very grateful to Nosy and Loudmouth and many others who kindly and patiently explained some things to me. It was their arguments particularly the one about pseudogenes that opened me up completely to it.
Additionally, were you open or completely closed to the idea of an old earth and how long did the transformation process take? Were you scientifically literate or not? Was it spiritually devastating or fulfilling?
I was open to the idea of an old earth, but not evolution. It took me about a week before I had serious doubts about my position, but I held onto it for about 3 or 4 months.
Were you scientifically literate or not?
...I was a Freshmen engineering student with a high school 4.0, so I don't know if that counts.
Was it spiritually devastating or fulfilling?
It was spiritually devastating for about 3 or 4 more months after I accepted evolution as a plausible theory. That time when I was constantly doubting God and all the Christianity around me was the most depressing period of my life. But I'm definately glad I went through it. I have learned immeasurable amounts of stuff, gained some humility, and a better understanding of Christianity, science, and philosophy in general.
I'm interested because I have been involved in many young earth v. old earth discussions and for the most part, they seem like a complete waste of time - not to mention frustrating as hell. It does seem, however, that the silent majority are where the battles are being won.
I think as long as you are polite, patient, and clear that you are not trying to destroy their faith in God and as long as they are willing to have an intelligent discussion you are not wasting your time.
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