Ken Ham’s foolish insistence on a young Earth is EXACTLY why this debate has damaged the cause of Christ in America.
I have nothing against the young-earth stance -- but Mr. Ham missed a stellar opportunity with the question "what would convince you that you're wrong?"
He shouldn't have resorted to attacking the reliability of dating methods, he should have said: "If there were a way to prove that Jesus did not die and raise from the dead three days later, then everything I believe is garbage -- on the first day it says 'And there was evening and there was morning, the first day' -- but there was no sun nor Earth [dry land] to reference the sun that didn't exist... so even 6000 years isn't the lynchpin of my faith."
It would have been an honest reply that would put Christ in importance above the particular model he holds.
That is a pretty amazingly unqualified statement seeing that there is no way to know if it is true. Did Christ Himself tell you that Ken Ham's position is hurting His cause?
The age of the earth is not what wins souls for Christ it is the Fruits of the Spirit. Nameley love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
I personally don't know anyone who has come to Christ because of Old or Young earth arguments. It has more likely been a lack of being Christ Like that has "Hurt" the Chuch.
In the end I think it is the Holy Spirit that changes a person's heart not a debate.