The biblical account of Noah's Ark and the Flood is perhaps the most implausible story for fundamentalists to defend. Where, for example, while loading his ark, did Noah find penguins and polar bears in Palestine?
Judith Hayes
2006-08-01 15:02:47 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Social Science ➔ Other - Social Science
Pangea. Long ago, all the continents were one. Travel far enough and you'll find them.
2006-08-01 15:07:21 · answer #1 · answered by mrshood627 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's generally understood by most Bible readers that Noah didn't have to take with him animals that were (at least) semi-aquatic, which includes species like polar bears and penguins. They could survive the flood on their own.
Part of it comes from an understanding of the word 'world'. We all know perfectly well that it does not refer to the entire physical globe when used in phrases like 'Disney World'; it is a limited 'world'
I have no problem believing that the 'world' containing human beings was flooded, and that vast majority of the human population was decimated during the flood, and that Noah built his ark at God's command. I also have no problem believing that the flood didn't necessarily cover Antarctica, which had no human population, and therefore no need to be flooded in order to kill off the human population there!
It does not seem unreasonable to suppose that species which were not in the area where they could be directed to come to Noah and be preserved were instead directed to find high ground in areas uninhabited by humans, and perhaps at the time, undiscovered by humans-- Antarctica, Australia, etc. It just doesn't seem to me that the Biblical account was falsified or primarily legendary.
Tell me if I am drawing the wrong conclusion, here. Does it seem to you that when people criticise the historicity of the Bible, they sometimes tend to ask for absolute proof that the events were as they have expected them to be, from reading into the text; rather than that there may be a reasonable possibility that the events could have occurred as they are recorded (lack of detail notwithstanding)...?
2006-08-01 22:20:05 · answer #2 · answered by cdf-rom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I took a couple of foreign languages in high school. The bible has been translated many times not only between languages, but between different opinions of meaning within the same language. I've never had a problem believing in God, but I have a problem believing that something that is "The Word of God" would depend upon a council debating upon what would be in the final product.
I kinda think a lot of it is just bad translation of idiom. Who knows, thou shalt not eat of unclean flesh is probably just don't eat spoiled meat. Chicks turning into pillars of salt are women who are barren. Try reading a few more stories that way and I'm sure you'll see many of the other examples I have come up with.
2006-08-01 22:10:48 · answer #3 · answered by Duckie68 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Palestine Zoo!
2006-08-01 22:06:30 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that you need to do some real studying yourself before questioning the Bible. Too many things have been proved true. Even scientist are starting to see a lot of questionable things become truth with the new scientific instruments that are available . but then again we're all just monkees ,Right?
2006-08-01 22:11:41 · answer #5 · answered by steelhwyman 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe god gave them to him? I guess if there can be so many kinds of miracles then there could be a boat filled with two of all of the kinds of animals and that those animals could just have been plopped into the lineup by god. It's an interesting thought, though. I'll have to ask my Christian friend next time I see her.
2006-08-01 22:08:22 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well obviously all animals on earth lived in that area. It was only later, when penguins were found out to be filthy sinners, that they were banished to the southern hemisphere.
2006-08-01 22:09:50 · answer #7 · answered by Infidelus_Prime 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are right... I've thought about that ... even at a very young age.. I didn't do very well in Sunday school b/c of questions like that!
You better go sit out in the hall way and think about how much Jesus loves you... and no cookies at snack time for you little girl!!!
(I think that was my punishment for questions like that)
2006-08-01 22:09:46 · answer #8 · answered by Tish 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
many people believe that noah brought 2 animals in the area which is mostly in minor asia i think. so probably animals in the area not all over the world.
2006-08-01 22:06:45 · answer #9 · answered by gets flamed 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the penguin and polar bear farm in nazareth. it's basic archeology, i'm surprised you didn't think of it.
2006-08-01 22:06:41 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋