A@G you are such an asset to this board. That scripture is a mouthful in itself.
I found a very long and most interesting dissertation on Romans 8 at this website: http://www.godandscience.org/youngearth/romans8.html
Here are a couple of excerpts:
The cursed creation?
Almost universal among young earth creationists is the idea that the original creation was cursed by God, who changed it as a result of the fall of man. Romans 8 is cited as New Testament evidence in favor of this interpretation. However, an examination of Romans 8 reveals that this figurative interpretation neither fits the overall context of the chapter, nor the specific attributes said to refer to the creation. In addition, this interpretation requires that it contradicts other biblical passages about the creation.
"Creation" or "creature"?
The question we are examining is the proper translation of the Greek word ktisis, 1 which occurs 20 times in the New Testament and can be translated as either "creation" or "creature," depending upon the context. In Romans 1:20, 2 ktisis obviously refers to the creation, since the verse describes the "world" (kosmos).
This chapter discusses the role of the Spirit in setting believers free from the law to serve God through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It compares the actions of the one indwelt with the Spirit to one in whom the Spirit does not live. In looking at the overall context, one would have to ask why Paul would interject an allegorical passage about the creation in a chapter that is otherwise devoted solely to a discussion of the role of the Spirit in the life of believers versus unbelievers. Therefore, the overall context of the chapter suggests that Paul was not talking about the non-rational creation.
Will the creation be "set free" or destroyed?
In addition, the creation will not be delivered "into the freedom of the glory of the children of God?" The
Bible says that the creation will be burned up and destroyed9 and that Jesus has gone to create an
entirely new creation that will replace it.10 Scripture makes it clear that the creation will not be "set free"
and, therefore, the word ktisismust refer to the "creature."