Please explain Noah's Ark to me ...

[Falconer02]

Oh hey, Stealth! You've returned once again I see. G'day, sir!

Maybe it means that something in fact happened, and that's why we have all these flood stories all over the world.

I actually do believe something happened...just not a flood of epic proportions written in the bible or any tale around the world for that matter. Perhaps a man just built a boat and saved his family and livestock during the end of the last ice age. Maybe it killed off all of his neighbors and he lived to spread the tale...this is just my assumption.

There are similarities. In fact, many cultures (but not necessarily all) have a basic Flood story: the gods or God sweep the earth with water and boats, mountains, caves, etc. are used to save a remnant of mankind (often with animals).

I read the entire post below this and it all seems reasonable. There are technical similarities and differences. I'd write more but it's 3 AM here. Maybe tomorrow. Thanks for the details though.

[eSineM]

THis thread gets 

[kenrachel1993]

ok so species of every kind learn how to get smarter adapting to our enviroments but lets face it..... if we came from monkeys then why are monkeys not turning into ppl everyday and there would be someone new walking out of the woods everyday LOL.........!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Falconer02]

if we came from monkeys then why are monkeys not turning into ppl everyday

We didn't come from monkeys. Do your *bleep* research!

[madeara]

Hi esine,
Although we are free to practice any religion we choose or not practice any religion at all because we do have free will, The Bible and Christianity have been proven to be true and historically accurate by secular professionals such as scientists and  archeologists.

As a Christian, I believe that God told Noah to build the ark to protect his animals from the flood when it rained for forty days and forty nights.

Have a great day!

[Falconer02]

The Bible and Christianity have been proven to be true and historically accurate by secular professionals such as scientists and  archeologists.

False and false. Christianity is full of myths and I would not consider people living over 900 years to reach to 'historically accurate'. The Noahs Ark myth is furthest from what actually happened-- the exact opposite happened actually. Every 10-20,000 years, the Middle Eastern and Northern African world goes from lake-infested fertile land to dried up unlivable desert. Back and forth due to the worlds axis. Within the last 10,000 years, the area went from fertile to dry once more only in a few hundred years as it always does. There were lots of large lakes all over the Sahara, but they're gone now (retreated under the surface of africa).

The Ark myth could have formed due to the strong monsoon rains over the areas (maybe a farmer saved his animals on a small primitive boat because he couldn't get out of the area? I havent a clue and neither does anyone else.), but to say that the entire world was engulfed in water and that he saved every species of animal is just a foolish exhaggeration. Really think about that. There is no real evidence of this myth being true unless you dive into the disgusting logic of creationist science.

Though further into the bible, we do get events that run parallel to recorded history so I will give you that. I believe we've been over this already...not sure yet. It's been a while since I read this post.

[eSineM]

 

[tzs]

Actually, this explains it all......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgPp--ttTow

 

[fastbrett]

I believe that if you want to keep your sanity and friends just avoid this discussion altogether.  God is everywhere.   

[Fotoguy]

The Bible and Christianity have been proven to be true and historically accurate by secular professionals such as scientists and  archeologists.

False and false. Christianity is full of myths and I would not consider people living over 900 years to reach to 'historically accurate'. The Noahs Ark myth is furthest from what actually happened-- the exact opposite happened actually. Every 10-20,000 years, the Middle Eastern and Northern African world goes from lake-infested fertile land to dried up unlivable desert. Back and forth due to the worlds axis. Within the last 10,000 years, the area went from fertile to dry once more only in a few hundred years as it always does. There were lots of large lakes all over the Sahara, but they're gone now (retreated under the surface of africa).

The Ark myth could have formed due to the strong monsoon rains over the areas (maybe a farmer saved his animals on a small primitive boat because he couldn't get out of the area? I havent a clue and neither does anyone else.), but to say that the entire world was engulfed in water and that he saved every species of animal is just a foolish exhaggeration. Really think about that. There is no real evidence of this myth being true unless you dive into the disgusting logic of creationist science.

Though further into the bible, we do get events that run parallel to recorded history so I will give you that. I believe we've been over this already...not sure yet. It's been a while since I read this post.

Really...so you believe Christianity is full of myths huh?  Well. let's see if you feel the same way on the day your life ends here on earth and you stand before God at the judgement seat of Christ. On that day, that "myth" as you so believe will become all too real I promise you. Oh BTW...Christianity is based on faith...not science. Someone once said to me that if I could "prove" that miracles exist, then he would believe. I simply told him that "when you go to sleep tonight and wake up in the morning and you are still alive and breathing (on this side of the soil), you'll have your proof." There isn't a person on this planet that can absolutely guarantee that when they go to sleep at night that they will wake up the next day. Sorry to burst anyone's bubble here but WE don't control how long we will live on this earth nor do I have to ever "prove" anything that is contained in the pages of scripture (The Bible.) I believe everything the Bible says regardless of whether I completely understand (or can prove it). You either believe it or you don't. It's really that simple. The choice is yours. Just remember, with that choice come eternal consequences  

[Falconer02]

Really...so you believe Christianity is full of myths huh?

Yes. By definition many of the stories are.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/myth

Well. let's see if you feel the same way on the day your life ends here on earth and you stand before God at the judgement seat of Christ. On that day, that "myth" as you so believe will become all too real I promise you.

I'm going to quote an atheist from another thread on this forum--
It won't be just atheists standing there but 4 billion other people who aren't Christians.  I would ask this god why he behaves like such a 2-year-old and created a world where all of our science and logic points AWAY from him.

Your promise has no solid ground and I would never stand with your personalized god if it existed. It is a very scary one and there are plenty of nicer ones out there that I could choose from that are just as real to the believers as you are to yours. Therefore I regard this as nothing more than a petty curse against me.

I simply told him that "when you go to sleep tonight and wake up in the morning and you are still alive and breathing (on this side of the soil), you'll have your proof." There isn't a person on this planet that can absolutely guarantee that when they go to sleep at night that they will wake up the next day.

That's not a miracle. It's not supernatural-- it does not rise above natures confines. Life and death-- it's natural. It's reality. If I woke up with superpowers granted to me from a deity (or deities), then yes. Miracle. If I woke up to an Italian mobster pointing a .38 at my head yelling at me for dumping his daughter, that's just plain reality.

WE don't control how long we will live on this earth nor do I have to ever "prove" anything that is contained in the pages of scripture (The Bible.) I believe everything the Bible says regardless of whether I completely understand (or can prove it).

If you don't have to prove anything, you don't have to explain anything. It's the easy fold-your-arms-and-walk-away route. The original post is asking for an explanation. I gave them one. You didn't.

...but for your sake, do a little research once and a while about things not in the bible or that contradict it. Don't try to connect everything with it. Jump out of the box once in a while and take in some fresh air. You'd really be surprised at some of the stuff out here. Good and bad.

Just remember, with that choice come eternal consequences  

Consequences? Sure. Eternal consequences? Unless you have undeniable proof that rises above skepticism, you have nothing more than a guess. And there are an infinite amount of guesses out there.

[queenofnines]

I do believe in evolution, BTW, but who is to say that God didn't do that too?

Evolution is not something one has to "believe" in.  And god did not use evolution in his creation, if your god of choice is the god of the Bible.  Mushy Christians only say this when the "logical" part of their brain whispers that the whole 6,000 years bit is utterly ridiculous.

The only practical application the fable of Noah's Ark has today is that it makes a cute theme for a nursery...well, "cute" to those that partake in such acts as chopping off part of their baby son's genitals, dunking their infant in magic water, and other silly acts to please their god.

[queenofnines]

hahaha how do you know God didn't use evolution in his creation? You know God? With God nothing is impossible.
Isn't it Scientific proof that circumcision makes for a cleaner environment down there on guys?!? Not always a religious thing to do this but a Cleanliness thing.

Because the Bible distinctly says that animals were made on one day, while Adam was made on another and from dirt - not monkeys - duh.  <-- lulz at my Christianese logic

In regards to circumcision, once again you show you do absolutely no research of your own and instead rely on popular myths to run your life.  A member with a jacket on it is only unclean if the guy himself is an unclean person, a.k.a. too lazy to take the extra couple of seconds during his daily shower to wash "under the hood".  Circumcision is medically necessary in a few rare cases, but for the average healthy guy, the parents really did him a disservice sexually if they opted to succumb to ridiculous tradition.

Why is god so interested in a flap of skin that he himself put there to begin with??  Srsly...it is beyond strange.  "If you love me, you'll chop off part of your precious newborn's *bleep*."  ??!!?  I ask: why is FGM in Africa not okay then?  Just because it's not "for god"? (edit: well not Jesus, anyway)

[Fotoguy]

If you believe what is contained in the scriptures (the Bible) even though you may not understand everything, it still comes down to one simple point. Faith. I believe the WHOLE Bible, not just certain parts of it that I don't understand. I believe Noah's Ark existed because it's in the Bible. I believe people used to live to 900 or so years old because it's in the Bible. I believe God through Moses split the Red Sea because it's in the Bible. But to those who just think that The Bible is just a "book" and not the word of God, the scripture says that "this is foolishness to them." It comes down to you either believe it or you don't.

People say God doesn't exist because we can not see Him. The Bible says that if we were to ever look upon God "as He is" (in Spirit) our minds would not be able to handle it and we would go insane. Why, well... I believe it is because God is Holy and since we are not, "that which is imperfect (us) cannot look upon someone that IS perfect (God) and live. (just my opinion.) Can you see air? no...but it exists. Give me a scientific definition for what LOVE is? Explain to me why some of the most highly educated doctors of our day, when they have done all they know how to do in saving someones life and can do no more, when God heals them, they have no explanation because they can't "scientifically" explain it?

Sometimes God doesn't heal, sometimes babies die, when plane crashes occur, sometimes everyone on board is killed except one person...why did all those innocent people have to die on 9/11? And many other millions of questions of which we may never know an answer to. Whether we are willing to accept it or not, God does NOT have to account for Himself to anyone. He is God! Many people have tried to disprove the authenticity of the Bible through many years of scientific trials and tests and to this very day...no one has been ever been able to do it.

I believe the Bible is the word of God and every word in it is truth (even though I don't understand it all.) I believe that Jesus is God and He is the ONLY way to Heaven!  If you don't believe that then that is up to you...God gave you that choice and that freedom. It's called free will. He has never nor will ever force himself on anyone. You can choose to believe whatever you want. But when Jesus said "I am the WAY, the TRUTH and The Life and no one will come unto the Father but by me" that is a very Bold statement. No other person or "deity" has ever made such a claim.

It all comes down to Faith of which God gave every person a measure of. Let's put it this way, I would hate to believe in something (or someone else) and find out I was wrong in the end. Are you really willing to "risk" where you will spend your eternity on that? I'm not. Whether you believe it or not....Hell is just as real as Heaven and they are both permanent. No person on this Earth will ever be able to understand everything about who God is or why He does what He does or doesn't do or...that He even exists. The Bible says He does...that all I need to hear.

 If you are looking for God to prove and explain Himself so that you will believe, well there is scripture for that too. Jesus said..."blessed are those that believe, yet do not see." God simply wants us to trust Him and believe FIRST and then move on from there...but then again, He may not (or ever) explain himself. He is God and I am not, that is why I need Him. Some people in this world feel they don't need anyone including God. Well, that is their choice but i can guarantee you that if a person who believes that, ever find themselves in a situation that "even they" cannot handle", they might find themselves calling on the God of the Bible for help that THEY say doesn't exist.

[queenofnines]

Evolution - the process of evolving; gradual development or growth

Evolutionism - theory of gradual biological change over time; a belief in bilogical evolution

Evolve - to progress or develop gradually

We are all Star Dust! Quit with the ooo ooo ah ah! We are Mammals.

Mammal - any of a class of warmblooded vertebrates that suckle their young

Ever heard of this...I come from the water, I crawled up on the shore? Ever heard that we were fish before Apes?

Um, you certainly don't need to define scientific terms for me.  Especially so vaguely like that.

The problem with your "star dust" theory is that in the Bible it says dust from the ground, as in dirt.  And you still did not solve the problem as to why god would say that he made all of the species of animals on one day and people on another.  Why not just throw out the Bible altogether if you're not even going to follow what god says on page one?  You guys sure love to refer to it when defending your god...