I quickly answer back, not really thinking about why he asked. "About 5 billion years or so."
"Oh. Well, I think it's only about six thousand years old." (And now I know where this is going.)
I sat and listened while he explained to me some dating system based on Jesus' birth and Noah and the Ark, and why carbon dating didn't work. Please remember that this kid is 11. And also one of the most intelligent kids in the building.
As he finished I politely said, "Well, people have different points of view on that I suppose. I guess I just trust the scientists when they say it's that old."
"Well, I trust God."
I don't even know what to say to that, folks. Is it my job as an educator to point the child towards rational, scientific fact, or to just nod and smile and let them believe what they want to believe? I did the latter, but would have preferred to do the former, since that seems to be what's in my actual job description.
I just said nothing and told him I'd see him next week.
