grammar question about timeless fact in past Forum

[BillsFan9907]

Which of the two is correct:

1. I could not believe that the world IS less than 6,000 years old.
2. I could not believe that the world WAS less than 6,000 years old.

1 seems proper but looks awkward when the entire narrative uses verbs in the past tense.

[rion91]

IS because it is present

[rinkrat19]

Was, because the moment at which you were failing to believe the fact was in the past.

It might make more sense if you think of a person's age.

Joe is currently, in 2014, 30 years old.
When Joe was 20 years old, he looked 15.
Ten years ago, I could not believe that Joe was, at the time, more than 15 years old.

[blueberrycrumble]

Was, because the moment at which you were failing to believe the fact was in the past.

It might make more sense if you think of a person's age.

Joe is currently, in 2014, 30 years old.
When Joe was 20 years old, he looked 15.
Ten years ago, I could not believe that Joe was, at the time, more than 15 years old.

TCR.

[Mal Reynolds]

Pls post full text of your creationist PS when finished. TY

[luuma]

Pls post full text of your creationist PS when finished. TY

Lol...