Ok, Christians, Do you REALLY believe in that Noah's Ark kid's tale?

Question

I know that when Atheists ask you

"How come Noah collected polar bears and Brazilian macaws in a short time?" or

"How did Noah manage to feed lions with only a couple of zebras or to collect all ground insect, arachnid, frog and hermaphrodite species in such a short time?"

you ALWAYS resort to God's miraculous powers?

...but then again, if God had a hand in helping Noah with all this ark business, why not have a hand completely and wipe out all mankind in a snap, instead of flooding the world?

Honestly, do you, XXI-century humans, even though you've been to school or at least have watched TV, actually, believe that kid's bedtime story???

I mean, really??

Answer 1

If he brought all hermaphrodites on board it would have saved space. And don't forget to bring fresh water for everyone...oh, no, wait, that would sink the boat, it is too heavy. And be sure to have lots of extra prey for the carnivorous animals....

Anyone who has seriously studied the Bible knows that this story is based on earlier Mesopotamian legends and will seek meaning in it by asking how this author modified the more widely-known story already existing, and what it tells us about the Israelite view of God in that time. People who claim otherwise may think they are believing the Bible, but they have never studied it in a serious way. They read the words but ignore the historical background, the cultural context, and everything else necessary to UNDERSTAND the words.

Answer 2

Actually the story of the flood is not only seen in the Bibile, there are numerous sources that recount a large flood that coverd the world, a good example is The Epoch of Gilgamesh. This story, which is one of the first ever written, recoundts the events of the flood. You also have to understand that ancient people were working with a limited knowledge. Living in the middle east or on an island you can only go so far, so perhaps he collected all the animals he knew of in his area and since that was his world it was counted as all the animals in the world, who knows. Maybe the flood only happened in an area of the world, not the entire thing. of course people are going to exaggerate and make the stories nicer for the kids but the event of the flood is not made up, weather or not the story of Noah is true, well that's up to what you choose to believe. If you don't believe it then that's fine, but there is no reason for you to lash out at those who do, what does that accomplish?

Answer 3

Hard call. I think maybe he just collected up all the Animals he knew about.

However, Most religions have a Flood Myth - even I think China and some Meso Americans. How do you explain that? Jungian Group Sub-consciousness? I've heard that theory a lot. Sounds to me like some kind of Acknowlegment of an Akashic Record.

Some Archeologists and Geologist also claim to have found evidence of an early flood in the Baltic and Middle Eastern regions. What if they find that in China, too at the same level?

Answer 4

It is a myth just like there are flood myths all around the world.

But all myths have a seed of truth in them. Ancient people's were unable to completely understand many natural phenomena and climate changes that took place and attributed them to God being directly responsible.

So for example, an earthquake meant God was angry and shaking the foundations of the earth.

Was there a flood and some kind of vessel that saved lives and a few animals? Probably. Did it get blown out of proportion and become a legend much larger than the actual thing, most likely!

Answer 5

I certainly do believe in the story of the Great Flood and Noah's Ark. The world shows many traces of a global flood.
Every nation has a story of the Great Flood in their history. It is hard to believe that the Bible and every nation could be wrong. Yet, you refuse to believe. Maybe you should ask yourself why?

Answer 6

No, because the story is obviously symbolic. There have been flood stories throughout all of history, but none of them can be corroborated with geological evidence. The flood waters symbolize a cleansing process; not just the act of cleansing but that what is being cleaned is able to maintain its original form and shape. After all, you could burn your dishes and they'd no longer be dirty .... but you'd no longer have dishes, either.

Obviously, the parable of Noah's ark is meant to teach that if you follow God's instructions, even in the face of adversity and humiliation, you will be rewarded. Even today, many non-Christians -- like you, for example -- find our faith to be as silly as building a large ark on dry land and loading it full of animals. We feel that it will be worth it in the end, just as it was for Noah and his family.

Its not a description of a historical event. Its a parable meant to teach a lesson.

Answer 7

First it is not a kid bedtime story, it finds its roots in Genesis, the First book of the Bible. God did not wipe out the earth in a snap because of His mercy and His grace...He gave all full opportunity to join Noah in the ark by mearly believing in Him. He chose rain because it never rained before then, giving people an opportunity to take an act of faith, as Noah and His family did. In regards to polar bears etc..all of creation was not formed at the time of Noah...Things currently have not all been created even now. Also in regards to time, time as we know it was formulated and calculated by the Romans, time in Noah's days is not the same as our timing. Lastly, for the record I didn't refer to God's miraculous powers, although He is omnipotent!

Answer 8

Oddly enough, Christians aren't the only ones who have stories about a great flood. Many people groups around the world who still pass down their stories tell of a big flood. Also, scientists point to a massive flood as a cause for several geological occurrences.

Answer 9

Why stop at Noah's Ark? Is it any more difficult to believe that, than to believe that Moses parted the Red Sea, or turned the Nile into blood? Or that that Jesus cured the blind with just a word, walked on water, or came back from the dead?

Either you believe in miracles, or you don't. Obviously atheists don't, so why should we care what they think of those of us who do?

I didn't choose my beliefs to be popular, or to seem "smart" to a bunch of atheists on the Internet that I do not know.

Yes, I believe in Noah's Ark. Why not?

Answer 10

Do you know there is such a thing as evolution? Creatures of every kind develop differently after a while when they are adapting to changes.