Who cares when we got here. I think it is stupid how YEC and OEC argue about how old the earth is, while people are still dying and going to hell. We are here now, and the end is coming. Go save people for crying out loud!
I get your point, but then I question on what basis shall we 'save' them, and from what (recognizing of course that God does the 'saving'). The reason I don't accept assertions of an old earth is that, as I noted in an earlier post, Scripture itself states clearly that the heavens and the earth were created in six days, and by clear context, it means six literal days (from sundown to sundown). If we reject this, we reject the plain teaching of Genesis (which is the foundation for every other doctrine in Scripture) and we reject the reliability and truthfulness of Scripture. If Scripture is not the truth, we have no reason to save people. While this is a simple summary of the logic, there is a bit of a domino effect which is of concern.
Is there room for differing interpretations? In some things, yes, and this may be one of them. I have friends and family with whom I differ on the age of creation, but because I know their character, I don't doubt their salvation or high view of Scripture. However, if one of them makes an assertion which is not apparent or is logically flawed, I will likely question it.