I’d say its an appearance for age, for those who already assume the bible is not true. The deception is self-deception—not due to the nature of creation.
Again, young earthers consider virtually all sedimentary rock everywhere—and all fossils—products of the great flood.
If you don’t already accept the creation story, and the account of the great flood....than yes, things will have an appearance of great age.
Here’s an interesting take on the age of the universe that does not violate any scriptural integrity.
The Age of the Universe
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/3051495/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1576941/posts