Adama is lying in that speech. It's just propaganda to boost morale. He admits as much when he talks to the President right after it. So, yes, the BSG people have a myth about a place they call "Earth". How, or if, that myth corresponds to anything in the real world is (as of the end of the first season) yet to be revealed.
So, really, I think you're blaming this series for a lot of crap the old one seems to have done.
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So, really, I think you're blaming this series for a lot of crap the old one seems to have done.