Request for Carbon-14 Dating explanation

I have listened to numerous interprtations of carbon dating, and from my understanding this is the biggest evidence against creation. I would be very grateful to anyone who could explain carbon dating and give a rational explanation on how you can test the accuracy of this when it spans such a great distance. I apologize before hand for my ignorance and will be thankful to anyone who replys.(edited by AdminNosy to change title from "The Search for knowledge" to "Carbon-14 Dating Explained" )This message has been edited by AdminNosy, 05-06-2004 04:33 PM

I thank you all so very much for taking the time to answer such a simple question. However, after reading JonF's explanation many other questions seemed to surface. (I would like to make it clear that I am not implying my ideas are right because I am more interested in knowing why i am wrong.) From your explanation, I came to the conclusion that C-14 dating is done on the premise of a constant. No outside factors are able to disturb or alter the rate of decrease. You said that nitrogen interacts with the cosmic rays to form C-14, which in turn is filtered in to the plants then to animals and so on. Can the level of nitrogen in the atmosphere change, for example when the Government destroyed that island with the nitrogen bomb. Is the Earth subjected to constant amounts of cosmic rays? Or can objects such as meteors, comtes, space shuttles change thios as well. We know that pollution effects the ozone layer, which from my understanding is the filter of the Earth, so could this also effect the rate at which it decreases? In my opinion it seems as if carbon dating is made upon one maybe two unsubstantiated theories. The first is that the rate of change is constant and without variation. The second is that we live in a controlled environment where one event does not always effect another. I do not question the methods at which people exponentially smarter than I used to come to a conclusion. I wonder if the ground work on which they base their methods is as concrete as many are lead to believe. Once again I appreciate your time and i want to make a point to mention that i am not looking for any arguments just friendly disscussion. Thank you so very much and I hope to hear from you soon.

I do apologize for the "nitrogen" bomb. My idea was to bring up the effects of the hydrogen bomb, but I was not paying enough attention as I should have.JonF: I am greatful for your explanation and I have read it. I asked the questions again to try and get more people with different opinions.Why has so much hostility towards Bob. From what I have read he is the only one who has gone beyond simply reading a book or research paper to try and find answers. If we are really concerned about truth then should not we be trying to help him and not condem him because it may cause us to question what we believe? If he is still working on it he should not show us until he has it finished. I was wanting to gain knowledge with peaceful unbias conversation, but it seems as if that could never be the case. I thank you very much for your time.

Yes sir, I agree. The point I am trying to make, however, is that not one person has offered any help. I think that is too soon to be judging his competence. Does he have a valid point? I certainly cannot answer that question nor can anyone else at this point. But he does deserve the courtesy of being heard before being dismissed. From reading Bob's post it was my understanding that his proposal was going in a somewhat different direction. He is arguing the age of the atmosphere not of fossils. I can see where he might have something to go on. For whatever that is worth.

I understand that, but a person has the right to believe that they could have found something. How many people supported Columbus, Gallileo, Plato, Socrates. The statistical probibility is overwhelmingly not in his favor we all agreee to that but what if.

I appreciate everybodys help. My questions have been more than answered. I have no problem accepting C-14 dating as true, I was just curious to see if the process allowed for events that would drastically change the make up of the Earth and its elements. Thank you once again it has been very enjoyable. I am very impressed with everyones apparent intellect.