Did the stories of the Bible actually happen?
Adam and Eve? Noah's ark? Jonah and the Whale?
Could it have actually happened? Do facts actually matter? Tune in to this lively debate for answers to all your spirtual questions. Did Jesus die on the cross for our immortal souls, did Moses really free the Hebrews from Ramses? Is Darwin, evolution, and survival of the fittest all a big liberal conspiracy? Is science trying to cover up what we all know to be true with irrelevant 'facts'.
Join us today for a special debate. Judas is here giving us his take on the famous best-seller. The religious and non-religious alike are all encouraged to post thier opinions.
It's fun for all ages, girls and boys!
We'll be talking about the necessity of scientific evidence in faith, religious impact upon society, and the historic value of oral traditions.
There's going to be giant arks, talking snakes, and dead people coming back to life. Come and read about the deadly plauges, racial genocide and worldwide catastrophes! It's got everything. Don't miss it folks!
Yes, 'tis the almighty word!
Side Score: 5
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No.... are you on crack?
Side Score: 12
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Yes. I believe that the stories in the Bible did happen. Remember that all of these stories and books were found in different times and places, and yet they still have the same experiences. But there is no way to prove either side. Although a more reasonable argument than Christians smoking crack might be out there. Side: Yes, 'tis the almighty word!
there is no way to prove either side Sure there is. Off the top of my head, the first thing I see that can be absolutely proven wrong is the bible's 28th verse. Genesis 1:28 "And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it" Here god is completely ignorant of the laws of biology and is commanding Adam and Eve to do an impossible thing. Two individuals simply cannot breed a healthy population, or a population at all. Most species with only two living individuals, even if one is male and one is female, would be considered functionally extinct. Because a large amount of genetic diversity is required for the survival of a population of complex organisms, the minimum viable population size is generally pretty large, at least hundreds of individuals. This fact also destroys the plausibility of the ark story and having only two of each animal species survive the flood. Genesis 19 and 20 19 And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female. 20 Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive. The sequence of events described in genesis are simply not possible and that is an observable, peer-reviewed, testable fact. Side: No.... are you on crack?
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A lot of these stories have science to support them, so why couldn't they happen? The following text is only for those with an open mind. My sources are spread, and I can't put them here (at least not yet) because of that. First of all, Noah's Ark was claimed to have rested on Mt. Ararat in modern day Turkey, and what did scientists find there? Surveys discovered water erosion on top of the mountain, proving that water did flow over Ararat about thousands of years ago. They also discovered ancient planks of wood that have been affected by sea water; possibly the remains of the Ark. Another story is about a prophet named Jonah, who was swallowed by what was agreed to be a sperm whale. There have been multiple accounts, even in modern times, of sailors being swallowed, and luckily rescued from sperm whales. There is also the story of Adam and Eve. The very first civilizations in the world sprung up from around the Garden of Eden, which the Bible cares to explain where it was. Some scientists think they found out where Eden was, but you can't be sure... A fourth occasion is when God destroys the perverse people of Sodom and Gomorrah, using fire from the Heavens. Scientist again make an investigation. The ruins of two large cities was discovered, and strangely to them, it seemed that the cities were large and thriving, then were suddenly wiped out. Samples of compounds such as sulfur show that the cities were definitely burned and destroyed, but not through torching. It is thought to may have been a 'meteorite shower' that 'coincidently' took place only where the two cities were. Then, of course, there is Jesus to type about. Historical records make it clear that he did indeed exist, so lets keep that in mind. I'll let someone else type about him and the evidence that supports the good things he did. I know there's more proof, but my studies of the Bible are still incomplete, so that's all the evidence I'll type for now. Hope it helps clear things up. Side: Yes, 'tis the almighty word!
A lot of these stories have science to support them, so why couldn't they happen Ludicrous. There is not a shred of evidence for these stories and your crazy assertions are meaningless without links to back them up. My sources are spread, and I can't put them here (at least not yet) because of that. Actually you can. The problem is that your sources are not real sources. For instance, Noah's Ark was claimed to have rested on Mt. Ararat in modern day Turkey, and what did scientists find there? Surveys discovered water erosion on top of the mountain, proving that water did flow over Ararat about thousands of years ago. They also discovered ancient planks of wood that have been affected by sea water; possibly the remains of the Ark. Why would anyone believe this without credible evidence, no one is going to take your word, especially when the statement you are making is so unbelievable. I know there's more proof, but my studies of the Bible are still incomplete, so that's all the evidence I'll type for now. First, none of this is "proof" and second, you can't make "evidence" with your keyboard. All you can do is point to evidence and we'll consider it. Here are some logic problems that you need to overcome: Planks of wood? Are you serious? What do you think 10,000 years is going to do to some planks of wood lying around. Besides, they should look for metals and glass, refrigeration units, heaters, and everything else that would be needed to recreate the habitats of millions of species of animals, freshwater fish, insects, plants and fungus from around the world. Otherwise how are there freshwater fish like trout if the world was flooded with saltwater? Did Noah build aquariums on the ark? Salmon need fresh water to breed and salt water the rest of their lives, since there are salmon today, Noah must have provided both saltwater and freshwater habitats on the ark. Also you need more than 2 of each organism to continue their populations. Humans for example need at least 24 individuals to maintain any gene pool at all, and that would be a genetically non-diverse gene pool and thus not very healthy. Mt. Ararat is only 16,854 feet, it's not that big of a mountain. Mt. Everest by comparison is 29,029 feet, almost twice as high. Even if a flood could cover mt. Ararat it wouldn't cover the whole world and kill everyone. People have been living at higher elevations than 17,000 ft for thousands of years like in the Himalayas where the snow line doesn't even start until 18,000ft. Did the flood kill them too? There is 0 evidence for this. I don't think there is even enough water and ice on the planet to raise to that elevation. Another story is about a prophet named Jonah, who was swallowed by what was agreed to be a sperm whale. There have been multiple accounts, even in modern times, of sailors being swallowed, and luckily rescued from sperm whales. You must think we are really stupid to believe this statement. Some of us are but I require evidence when someone says something crazy. Are there "multiple accounts" of people not breathing for 3 days too? How absurd. You'll have to provide a link if you want that to not be laughed at. That will have to do for now, I'm busy today. It's somewhat tiring sorting out these half truths and religious garbage. I'll get back to your sodom and gomorrah/Jesus statements after you answer my questions about trout and not breathing for 3 days, and these 10,000 year old planks that are still lying around. Side: No.... are you on crack?
So.... no aquariums on the ark then? No answer there? What about those wooden planks? Do you think you can leave a piece of wood exposed to the elements for 10,000 years and then just pick it up and test to see if it has "been affected by sea water"? There have been multiple accounts, even in modern times, of sailors being swallowed, and luckily rescued from sperm whales. Can you please provide one? If what you're saying is not total horseshit, and there are in fact these "multiple accounts", then you should be able to provide the audience with at least one example. Please do so now. Then, of course, there is Jesus to type about. Historical records make it clear that he did indeed exist, so lets keep that in mind. I'll let someone else type about him and the evidence that supports the good things he did. There is evidence that the man existed and that he did good things in general. I believe that to be true because there is evidence of such. There is however no evidence at all to suggest that he was anything other than a MAN that did good things in general. Water into wine, walking on water, healing a lepers; there is absolutely no scientific evidence of these things. I personally challenge you to provide such evidence. A fourth occasion is when God destroys the perverse people of Sodom and Gomorrah, using fire from the Heavens. Scientist again make an investigation. The ruins of two large cities was discovered, and strangely to them, it seemed that the cities were large and thriving, then were suddenly wiped out. Samples of compounds such as sulfur show that the cities were definitely burned and destroyed, but not through torching. It is thought to may have been a 'meteorite shower' that 'coincidently' took place only where the two cities were. First off professor, sulfur is a chemical element, not a compound. A compound by definition contains two elements. Second, Jude 1:7 says, "Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire." So, shouldn't these cities still be on fire? Today is part of eternity. Are there any cities along the Jordan river that are eternally on fire? No there isn't. Case closed. Side: No.... are you on crack?
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the sooner you people stop believing in religion the sooner we will move forward with most things. Most of us gave up our security blankets when we were 4, get on the band wagon. Also if you need some "scientist" to say he found "planks of wood affected by seawater" on some mountain to think the arc existed is crazy. Its like finding a rock hundreds of miles from the ocean and deciding it must have come from Atlantis because it was once affected by seawater. Side: No.... are you on crack?
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