Poll of the Day Friday. Is the Old Testament a collection of Jewish tall tales?

KingofCards · November 10th, 2005, 04:00 PM

I think it is beyond obvious much of it is a tall tale.

People don't live to be 900 years old. No one can build a boat large enough to house two of every kind of animal, and no one can live inside of a fish or whale, etc.

Just like there are no giant blue oxen.

KingofCards · November 11th, 2005, 05:59 AM

Pecos Bill and Paul Bunyan and Noah, same dude.

AZZenny · November 11th, 2005, 07:02 AM

I picked option #3 - because there's no question some of it is based on actual historical material which was passed along in an oral tradition until written down much, much later - there are archaeological findings and non-Biblical histories from the region that substantiate significant events and persons, although certainly most of it has been transformed somewhat by fable and re-telling.

Some of the cultural descriptions probably were pretty accurate, as well, although added details may have been layered in generations after the original event or person. Like a 'remake and update' of an old movie for the contemporary audience.

I guess that's what you mean by 'exaggeration,' in a sense. Embroidering, maybe, or 'fable-izing' for ease of remembering and retelling.

justAndy · November 11th, 2005, 08:22 AM

A mytholigized history of the Hebrew people.
Great literature, BAD guide to living - Racism, genocide, homophobia, male supremacy, slavery and more...

40yearfan · November 11th, 2005, 08:23 AM

KOC, you forgot to put a "I don't really know" on your poll. That would be my answer.

DKCards · November 14th, 2005, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingofCards

I think it is beyond obvious much of it is a tall tale.

People don't live to be 900 years old.
Why couldn’t have they at one time?

No one can build a boat large enough to house two of every kind of animal,
Do you know how big that boat was. It was 450’ X75’ X 44’, that’s a lot of square footage.

and no one can live inside of a fish or whale, etc.
This one is the hardest to sallow but I saw it happen to a fish on Finding Nemo. But seriously, a belief in God is a belief that he can do some things that humans can’t.

Just like there are no giant blue oxen.

.

Ryanwb · November 14th, 2005, 09:11 AM

How did Noah separate the fresh water fish from the salt water fish? I don't think they had fish tanks back then. If there was a global flood the entire world would be covered in salt water

DKCards · November 14th, 2005, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryanwb

How did Noah separate the fresh water fish from the salt water fish? I don't think they had fish tanks back then. If there was a global flood the entire world would be covered in salt water

Noah didn't God did.

Where there fresh and salt water fish back then?

justAndy · November 14th, 2005, 09:24 AM

The "absolutely false" choice is too extreme, IMO.
There's a lot of info in there about the Egyptians, Babylonians and others that IS history - although biased by the Hebrew POV.

CardLogic · November 14th, 2005, 10:14 AM

What from the Bible has ever been proven to be false or inaccurate??

Pariah · November 14th, 2005, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CardLogic

What from the Bible has ever been proven to be false or inaccurate??

Come on. I can say that my ancestors knew how to fly and you couldn't disprove it specifically.

Sure, you could point to a bunch of physiological evidence that people can't fly, but there is no way to specifically prove that 3000 years ago grandpappy pariah wan't floating around the Euphrates.

People can have Faith in whatever the heck they want, but don't talk to me about proof.

CardLogic · November 14th, 2005, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pariah

Come on. I can say that my ancestors knew how to fly and you couldn't disprove it specifically.

Sure, you could point to a bunch of physiological evidence that people can't fly, but there is no way to specifically prove that 3000 years ago grandpappy pariah wan't floating around the Euphrates.

People can have Faith in whatever the heck they want, but don't talk to me about proof.

I guess if you believe in Darwinism then perhaps your ancestors did know how to fly.

Re the Bible. - It is a large book. Not just a single sentence statement
(i.e. - flying ancestors). So I would think that in all that is contained within it that somewhere in time someone would have been able to show a false statement from it. People, indeed nations, have tried to take down Christianity. If they could have proven one falsehood, one inaccuracy it would have cracked the foundation of Christianity. As far as I know, it hasn't been done. Instead the contrary is true, the Bible has shown to be remarkably accurate.

I acknowledge that faith is required to believe in God and that Jesus is the Christ. I acknowledge that maybe, just maybe my beliefs are incorrect. But to this point no one has proven it so. Therefore it remains a fair question, show me an error, an inaccuracy, a mistake???

PortlandCardFan · November 14th, 2005, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CardLogic

What from the Bible has ever been proven to be false or inaccurate??

Why don't we start with Adam and Eve and the creation of mankind??

Okay.... you pretend to be Lucy-

:inbestRickyRicardoimitation:

Lucy.....you got some splaining to do!!

DKCards · November 14th, 2005, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PortlandCardFan

Why don't we start with Adam and Eve and the creation of mankind??

Okay.... you pretend to be Lucy-

:inbestRickyRicardoimitation:

Lucy.....you got some splaining to do!!

What part don't you understand?

PortlandCardFan · November 14th, 2005, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DKCards

What part don't you understand?

So mankind started from just Adam and Eve? No one else? Doesn't that sound a little absurd to you?

Or.... the only children that are mentioned are Cain and Able no daughters IIRC.