One huge reason that the earth is considered by many to be so old and that evolution is taught as fact in most schools has nothing to do with the relative strength of competing ideas.  The explanation lies in understanding tactics.  The old earth evolution crowd has been setting the rules of engagement almost unhindered until recently.  For a while it was an exercise in futility to submit an alternate interpretation of the data if it did not support old earth evolutionist doctrine; but this is changing.  What is happening is that tactics have been exposed, false arguments identified and a new strategy is being forged.  The five pages listed to the left are just some of the insights gained so far.  All that is required is an open mind.  Go check it out.