Why do so many Christians try to explain the story of Atlantis as a retelling of the Flood of Noah?

Question

In the story of Noah the Earth was covered with water over the course of 40 days and nights, and the story as told by Plato clearly states that Atlantis was destroyed by earthquake, volcanic eruption, and tidal wave. Is it just me or are some Christians grabing at straws to explain this legend?

I have read both of Platos Dialogs and the story of Noah, and I have asked a different question regarding the story of Atlantis once before. Some of the answers I got in response to that queston were the reason I asked this one.

Answer 1

I'm a Christian, and I don't believe that. There's always a possibility, but there's no real evidence. I think some Christians get a 'holier than thou' mentality and try to preach about things they don't understand.

Answer 2

Atlantis - Fact, Fiction or Exaggeration?

The story of Atlantis begins quite literally with two of Plato's dialogues, Timaeus and Critias. These accounts are the only known written records which refer specifcally to a lost civilization called Atlantis. Many people believe the tale to be complete fiction, the creation of a philosopher's imagination used to illustrate an argument. Others believe that the story was inspired by catastrophic events which may have destroyed the Minoan civilization on Crete and Thera. Still others maintain that the story is an accurate representation of a long lost and almost completely forgotten land.

Answer 3

Nearly all cultures have a flood myth. The commonality of this mythos would imply some signifigant event that created the conditions. Perhaps a minor collision with a asteriod or meteor or a signifigant volcanic eruption.
I am not suggesting that either the atlantis or noahs ark story is true, simply that these stories represent an attempt to explain this tramatic event.

Answer 4

Let me get this straight. You are defending the Atlantis Myth over the Noah Story? Because I have never heard of Christians trying to explain the Atlantis thing as part of the Noah thing.

Answer 5

I've never heard any Christian attempt to link the two stories. I can't speak for everyone, but I believe the account of Noah only. I consider the Atlantis story to be myth.

Answer 6

Christians aren't interested in Plato's Atlantis. They are interested in the record of the Flood as recorded in Scripture.

Answer 7

Atlantis was real- so whats the problem?

*Shrugs* If you've noticed, technology has appeared all over the globe at the same time. Obviously, God had planned for this, and for his plan to work, sometimes destruction preceeds contstrution, right?

Answer 8

er . . . . excuse me.
I don't know the bible very well, I am not a bible puncher - but surely the earth wasn't covered in water for 40 days and nights?

If we are to believe everything the bible tells us, okay it rained for 40 days and 40 nights. But it probably would have taken at least a week for the water to reach as high as the top of Everest.

Another, er . . . . . Okay, they do believe the Ark has been discovered on top of a mountain in Turkey, but that mountain is peanuts in size to the Himalayan mountains and as far as I'm aware there is no proof of those being covered by water (fossils of sea creatures for example)

Answer 9

Atlantis is docked with the Int'l space station. Was there a flood in space and I missed it? Wowie! I've heard of meteor showers but this takes the cake!

Answer 10

i have heard of atlantis and actually believe it over the story of noah. i havent met anyone who has explained atlantis as the noah and the ark story, but i wouldnt put it past any religion.. hehh hehh