I'm highly skeptical when it comes to carbon dating. I'm hoping that some of the folks here can lessen or remove some of my skepticism.

My contention: Carbon dating is a measurement tool that has a flawed foundation and cannot be reliably counted on to accurately determine age.

Fact: All elements in existence come from stars, expelled at various stages in a stars death throes.

If the "birth" of elements being measured with carbon dating are unknown how can anyone determine half-life or set anything more than a best guess based on other equally flawed readings?

Even if we were to actually destroy an element in its entirety and conclusive establish its death, we still could not determine its half-life or its birth-date.

I know that there are scientists and science types here. What am I missing?

** this is not a faith or religious oriented discussion, lets not make it one.