The chronology of the geologic timescale’s stratigraphic units has been defined by a variety of methods. Over the decades many have waxed and waned in popularity, but at present the most important ones are: (1) radiometric dating, (2) astronomical "tuning," (3) magnetostratigraphy, and (4) biostratigraphy. Each of these methods assumes deep time and uniformitarianism rather than demonstrating them. Each also exhibits other specific flaws. These are commonly masked by the "shotgun approach" or the selective use of individual methods. But contrary to popular perception, the "shotgun approach" does not demonstrate the strength of overlapping independent, scientific methods, but instead exhibits a critical weakness—after decades of searching, no single absolute chronometer has been found. The frequent selective shuffling of methods, therefore, demonstrates the failure to attain a real chronology. Thus the absolute timescale (and its stages) rests on quicksand. It is not the concrete empirical history commonly presented; it is instead the unverified historical saga of the worldview of Naturalism, supported more by the faith of its adherents than by factual demonstration.