Was the Biblical flood the first recorded act of genocide?

Question

Or is it right to wiped out people who do not do as they are told?

Definition
genocide Show phonetics
noun [U]
the murder of a whole group of people, especially a whole nation, race or religious group:
victims of genocide

genocidal Show phonetics
adjective
a genocidal war/regime

(from Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary)

Some people have said that it can't be genocide as some people survived. In that case we can strike 99% of all acts of genocide from this list.

Answer 1

I'm not sure if the question is posed asking for a serious answer or not, but just in case...

The answer to your question depends on the definition of genocide. According to one definition, genocide is "The systematic and planned extermination of an entire national, racial, political, or ethnic group."

As has been mentioned by a previous poster, the flood story in Genesis doesn't technically qualify as a genocide, because the extermination did not target the entire group, only the one's that YHWH perceived as "evil."

The Genesis story of the flood is not historical, so trying to pin "genocide" on God rings a little hollow here. However the concepts within the story do bring up moral questions.

An example:
The notorious "railroad killer" was executed by the state of Texas yesterday. Was this the latest example of "State-sponsored murder"? Or is it right to punish heinous criminals? By what authority does a State execute criminals?

The answer to this question depends on the definition of "murder" in the same way that the answer to the posted question depends on the definition of "genocide".

Answer 2

I see what you're getting at with your question.....even though the word "genocide" doesn't really fit in this case.

I agree with you that in the flood story (Noah's ark), God does seem like a cruel exterminator....God floods the world to do away with those who were "evil" and did not follow in his path.

Apparently, according to the story, the ONLY people to survive the flood were Noah and his family.

THAT'S the part of the story that doesn't make sense.....I mean, did God actually eliminate EVERYONE, except for Noah and family?? Apparently so, according to the Bible.

That means that, along with all those "evil" men and women, God must have also eliminated children and babies and pregnant women. Were they "evil" too? Kinda seems that way, doesn't it? One Biblical fact is that they sure DIDN'T make it into that Ark. So they weren't saved. (Oh those poor children!)

And what about all those other animals that DIDN'T make it into the Ark, huh? Were those animals "evil" too? I don't know, but God must have thought they didn't need saving for some reason. (poor little animals)

Oh well, God made them, so I suppose it within God's right to eliminate them too. But that fact makes God seem like a hartless exterminator, not a "loving" God.

Religious fundamentalists (and religious idiots) claim that the flood story is true because "it's in the Bible." They would say that we're missing the point of the story.

Well.....the Bible says that God flooded the world and saved only Noah and family. The so-called "point" to that story will be different depending on who you ask (a religious person, or a non-religious person)

Believe or don't believe....it's up to the individual. Nobody is right or wrong on this one. The only ones who ARE wrong, are the ones who CLAIM that they are right!

Answer 3

It was definately the earliest part of the Bible that made, anyone who reads it, ask themselves WHAT KIND OF GOD WOULD DO THIS ?
That's for sure, and you can call it whatever you want to !
Now, I don't know if you believe this story or not, but there is actual proof that it did take place, but I dont want to get into all that right now, if you want to, post another question and I'm sure youll get a lot of good stuff from people.
This was a story of basically how disbelief in God will leave you on your own, and youll miss the boat. The people of Noahs day didnt believe in God and they had so many chances to get it right with God, all they had to do was to believe in what Noah was telling them.
But if it were not for the mercy of Jesus who came much later than Noah, those people would have not been saved, and yes even those disbelievers got one more chance after they died, believe it or not. Because in the New Testament or after Christ. The Bible talks again about those people in Noahs days, and how Jesus after dying on the cross, In Spirit went into the prison to preach the good news to those people who disobeyed God long ago. It says that God waited patiently as Noah built the boat. (I mean this must have taken a few years, yes?)
But even though they died a phtsical death, they can still live in the spirit as God does.
Anyway sorry for rambling but you need a lot of time to explain these stories fully, and I even left out a lot of stuff.

Answer 4

The first genocide was just before the flood when the people of the earth were killing and rampaging throughout towns and villages. God's flood was not an act of genocide but an act of peacemaking. Everyone on earth would have died out eventually at the rate thy were killing but God needed to start anew and so he did with the First flood.

Answer 5

Genocide is generally directed to a particular race or ethnic group. In the case of the Biblical flood, all were subjected to destruction so no it was not genocide and if God should choose to destroy all because of their wickedness is it for us to question. Where were you when he laid the corners of the world, when he breathed life into creation?

Answer 6

Under most any monotheistic religion, God judges man and has the right to enforce judgments by death. So, no, the flood was not genocide. More importantly, in the New Testament, that judgment has been satisfied forever for those who believe that Jesus has paid the price for their sins past and future. You don't have to believe, but why spend your precious life arguing with those who do. What does that gain you or them?

Answer 7

Some of the answers are a riot! "Since it wasn't directed at one group, it wasn't genocide." ?!?! So ... if Hitler had only remembered to wipe out, say, the Jews AND the Greeks AND Albanians then he wouldn't have been guilty of genocide? Oh, of course, how could I be so illogical? In order not to be genocidal, he'd have to attempt to kill off all humanity!!!! Then he'd be as innocent as God!! Let's hear three Hurrahs! for the logic of dogma.

Answer 8

God has the absolute right to anything he likes with his creation. If I paint a picture and don't like it I have the right to destroy it.
But that is only one aspect of God's nature. A much stronger characteristic is his love and compassion. This is what led him to become human as Jesus and die a horrible death, so proving just how much he really cares for people.

Answer 9

Do you know what genocide means? It targets a particular race - sinners are not a race, the flood was indiscriminated of race.

So, no.

Answer 10

no, genocide by definition is the act of man. the biblical flood wasn't. it was the righteous purging of a higher being.
or something.