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ORIGINAL: Thirsty4Goddess

This is one that always fascinated me, how can anyone over the age of six accept a literal interpretation of this story?

Asuume that a 600 year old man is able to somehow collect a breeding pair from every animal in the world, transport them to the middle east and house them without them killing and eating each other.

The Ark was supposed to be 300 cubits long 50 cubits wide and 30 cubits tall. A cubit is the length of a person's forearm, or somewhere between a foot to 18". So the surface area of the deck would have been about the size of a football field.

So two of every animal that survived the flood where housed in an area of three football fields? Really?

And of course anybody that has raised animals knows that one breeding pair is not a viable population. All of the animalsl offspring would be have to be breed with siblings. Such inbreeding would have had disastrous consequences.

Then of course after the water subsided, Noah woould have to transport them back to where they came from. And the carnivorous animals would have to survive until the prey species had reproduced enough. So they would have in many cases go for a year without food.

I am curious how believers reconcile such impossibilities?

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ORIGINAL: DomKen
the supposed time of the flood

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ORIGINAL: Rule

Easily.

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ORIGINAL: littlewonder

keep in mind that at the time the story was written it was what they thought to be a worldwide flood...their world, their localised area was the world to them so to collect two of every animal there would probably been a little difficult but not impossible nor would building a boat of that size.

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ORIGINAL: tazzygirl

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many Christians insist on a literal interpretation of the

Many? At best, 1/3... and that depends on factors such as education, geographical area, and age. But even that is circumspect in relationship to those who actually answer phone surveys.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/27682/OneThird-Americans-Believe-Bible-Literally-True.aspx

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ORIGINAL: Aylee

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ORIGINAL: Thirsty4Goddess

This is one that always fascinated me, how can anyone over the age of six accept a literal interpretation of this story?

Asuume that a 600 year old man is able to somehow collect a breeding pair from every animal in the world, transport them to the middle east and house them without them killing and eating each other.

The Ark was supposed to be 300 cubits long 50 cubits wide and 30 cubits tall. A cubit is the length of a person's forearm, or somewhere between a foot to 18". So the surface area of the deck would have been about the size of a football field.

So two of every animal that survived the flood where housed in an area of three football fields? Really?

And of course anybody that has raised animals knows that one breeding pair is not a viable population. All of the animalsl offspring would be have to be breed with siblings. Such inbreeding would have had disastrous consequences.

Then of course after the water subsided, Noah woould have to transport them back to where they came from. And the carnivorous animals would have to survive until the prey species had reproduced enough. So they would have in many cases go for a year without food.

I am curious how believers reconcile such impossibilities?

It was a miracle.

Hence, you canNOT explain it.

www.dictionary.com
–noun
1. an effect or extraordinary event in the physical world that surpasses all known human or natural powers and is ascribed to a supernatural cause.
2. such an effect or event manifesting or considered as a work of god.
3. a wonder; marvel.
4. a wonderful or surpassing example of some quality: a miracle of modern acoustics.

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ORIGINAL: rulemylife

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ORIGINAL: tazzygirl

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many Christians insist on a literal interpretation of the

Many? At best, 1/3... and that depends on factors such as education, geographical area, and age. But even that is circumspect in relationship to those who actually answer phone surveys.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/27682/OneThird-Americans-Believe-Bible-Literally-True.aspx

One good poll deserves another:


Most Americans take Bible stories literally - Washington Times


God’s creation of the Earth, Noah and the flood, Moses at the Red Sea: These pivotal stories from the Old Testament still resonate deeply with most Americans, who take the accounts literally rather than as a symbolic lesson.

An ABC News poll released Sunday found that 61 percent of Americans believe the account of creation in the Bible’s book of Genesis is “literally true” rather than a story meant as a “lesson.”

Sixty percent believe in the story of Noah’s ark and a global flood, while 64 percent agree that Moses parted the Red Sea to save fleeing Jews from their Egyptian captors.

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ORIGINAL: Brain
If it's so easy why don't you go ahead and do it?

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ORIGINAL: Brain
I go by what Judge Judy says which is, " If it doesn't make sense it's a lie."

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ORIGINAL: Brain
In my opinion the story was significantly embellished over time.

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ORIGINAL: thishereboi

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ORIGINAL: rulemylife

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ORIGINAL: tazzygirl

quote:

many Christians insist on a literal interpretation of the

Many? At best, 1/3... and that depends on factors such as education, geographical area, and age. But even that is circumspect in relationship to those who actually answer phone surveys.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/27682/OneThird-Americans-Believe-Bible-Literally-True.aspx

One good poll deserves another:


Most Americans take Bible stories literally - Washington Times


God’s creation of the Earth, Noah and the flood, Moses at the Red Sea: These pivotal stories from the Old Testament still resonate deeply with most Americans, who take the accounts literally rather than as a symbolic lesson.

An ABC News poll released Sunday found that 61 percent of Americans believe the account of creation in the Bible’s book of Genesis is “literally true” rather than a story meant as a “lesson.”

Sixty percent believe in the story of Noah’s ark and a global flood, while 64 percent agree that Moses parted the Red Sea to save fleeing Jews from their Egyptian captors.

Interesting poll, but they don't say what percentage doesn't believe it was literal and what percent isn't christian. How is the remaining percentage split?

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ORIGINAL: rulemylife
Ever notice how those miracles only seemed to happen in a time period when mythology was prominent?

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Yet, we have the wonderfully convenient explanation that it can't be explained.

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Ever notice how God was always talking to everyone back then?

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I mean you couldn't take a piss in the desert without God looking over your shoulder.

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I walk past bushes everyday, so far none have burst into flame and started talking to me.

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ORIGINAL: Musicmystery

~FR~

The flood story goes back to Sumeria's "Epic of Gilgamesh." It's part of the cultural mindset for Western civilization.

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ORIGINAL: flcouple2009

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ORIGINAL: Musicmystery

~FR~

The flood story goes back to Sumeria's "Epic of Gilgamesh." It's part of the cultural mindset for Western civilization.

The Biblical version, yes.

Multiple tribal cultures have long standing flood legends in there oral history.  I am pretty sure they weren't reading Gilgamesh.

The real question to ponder would be why this story is so prevalent in history.

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ORIGINAL: Aylee

I will note that the OP has singled out Christians to mock.

Why not the Jews and Muslims too?

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ORIGINAL: flcouple2009

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ORIGINAL: Musicmystery

~FR~

The flood story goes back to Sumeria's "Epic of Gilgamesh." It's part of the cultural mindset for Western civilization.

The Biblical version, yes.

Multiple tribal cultures have long standing flood legends in their oral history.  I am pretty sure they weren't reading Gilgamesh.

The real question to ponder would be why this story is so prevalent in history.