For what it’s worth, this is one of the things that bugs me the most about young earthism. Time and time again I find that when I’m confronted with young earth claims, it’s not philosophical or theological questions that I’m having to address, nor is it complex and arcane postgraduate level science. Rather, it’s very elementary basic principles that apply to every area of science and that I would expect any reasonably intelligent high school student to understand.
I sometimes even find I’m having to make such elementary basic points to people who have (or at least claim to have) far more experience and education in various scientific fields than I do myself. On one occasion I had to point out to a young earthist who claimed to have forty years’ experience at a top US nuclear research laboratory the simple, basic fact that nuclear decay generates heat.
The problem with this is that it sows confusion in people’s minds about the very nature of the concepts involved or even the core, basic principles by which science operates. And because it undermines your understanding of principles that apply to every area of science, it can have far-reaching and damaging effects on subjects that are not directly concerned with the creation and evolution debate. Including your ability to do your job, to progress in your career, to function properly in the workplace, and to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.