Age of the earth
Life on the earth is very ancient; not just one or two million years old[edit]
"...life on this earth is very ancient—not one or two hundred thousand, or even one or two million years old: It is ancient indeed..."
- ('Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, Chapter 41, par. 3)
The lifetime of creation being but 6000 years old per Genesis has an inner not literal meaning[edit]
"Notwithstanding this, we read in Genesis in the Old Testament that the lifetime of creation is but six thousand years. This has an inner meaning and significance; it is not to be taken literally. For instance, it is said in the Old Testament that certain things were created in the first day. The narrative shows that at that time the sun was not yet created. How could we conceive of a day if no sun existed in the heavens? For the day depends upon the light of the sun. Inasmuch as the sun had not been made, how could the first day be realized? Therefore, these statements have significances other than literal."
This world was created over millions of years as proved by science[edit]
"We Bahá'ís do not believe in Genesis literally. We know this world was not created in seven days, or six, or eight, but evolved gradually over a period of millions of years, as science has proved. As to where the idea of a seven-day week originated, it is certainly very ancient and you should refer to scholars for an answer."
- (From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, October 28, 1949, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1658)
