Alan

I will let Pilgrim answer, if he so chooses. However, I want to comment on the following.

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I would just suggest that you be very sure of your position before telling people they must deny reality to become Christian.

Deny reality, in order to become a Christian? Give me a break.
It is the Scriptures that determine reality. I have yet to see an exegesis of the creation story in Genesis, other than the 24 hour day model that doesn't rely on outside sources to interpret Scripture.
Scripture must interpret Scripture, not outside sources.

If you are thinking that we are trying to say that unless one believes in the 24 hour day model, then they are not Christians. I want to assure you, to my knowledge nobody is saying that. There have been and are fine Christians (i.e. Benjamin Warfield, John Gersner) who didn't hold to the 24 hour model.
However, I believe they are inconsistent in their hermeneutics when it comes to this matter.

Tom