How many believe in the "great flood"?

[Dewitback]

Just curious to see how many people believe in a great flood ever occuring. I want to make a poll but I dont know how if you do believe in a great flood happening, supported by evidence from gilgamesh, the bible, and various other accounts from looong ago, do you think it should be taught in history class in highschool and middle school? If you don't believe in one, why not?

[Sornaensis]

Uhm, no. Definite geologic evidence would be present; However Mesoputamia and the middle east and southern Asia do have Flooding signs. No, education should be based on factual evidence unless said course is the bible as literature or mythology.

[dragonoverlord]

Just curious to see how many people believe in a great flood ever occuring. I want to make a poll but I dont know how if you do believe in a great flood happening, supported by evidence from gilgamesh, the bible, and various other accounts from looong ago, do you think it should be taught in history class in highschool and middle school? If you don't believe in one, why not? The great flood was not so great. I beleive the origins of the great flood have their roots in sumerian Mythology. The story itself is probably based on the annual flooding of the Euphrates or tigris river and the mangitiude of the flooding was greatly exagerated by small minded village folk who interpreted their unusually high flooding season as a "world flood". I see no evidence as of yet to support a great flood. Relegion aka mythology has no place in mainstream school.

[TimeStopper]

Yeah the flood should keep out of the school textbooks. But I do remember seeing in my World History book something about Moses taking the Jews out of Egypt. And it's source was the Bible. Whether that's accurate or not I don't know.

[Abra]

It can be taught in schools as literature, not science. Ha, I love it when bible people are all like, "but how did fish bonez get on dem mountains? LOL!" and I say PLATE TECHTONICS, FOR THE WIN!

[Sornaensis]

There are no fish bones in mountains

[ExoByte]

There is evidence of the flood occurring in select areas, but it never covered the whole world. What people need to realize is their world was much smaller back then. The great flood may have occurred, as many belief systems, sects and cultures that all stemmed from that general area and time period all have stories of a great flood. Even the ancient Egyptians recount tales of it. However, the great flood would not of covered the whole world as they believed. It may have seemed to have covered the whole world from their limited view, which is why its written as such. A flood may of happened, but not in the magnitude that they believed it to be.

[Kushna Mufeed]

The flood would have covered what was then, to the people of that time in that place, the whole world. Basically the area Seis mentioned. Besides, getting every animal of that region is more believable then every animal in the entire world. How'd Noah get the ones in the Western Hemisphere?

[Sornaensis]

Yea really how hard is it to collect animals out of a desert?

[Abra]

There are no fish bones in mountains Fossils, there be. Bible people call this "evidence." XD Along with the animals, I knew a few Bible people that claimed dinosaurs were on the ark, too. I doubt much of the population believes the parable to that extent, however.

[Howie]

I believe it happened. Their blind maybe rudimentary or nieve knowledge of the earth, climate and weather events could play an entire different role in it's perception at the time. There are may great floods every year, many locusts plagues, may a lot of things that still happen, now we just understand it.

[ExoByte]

You just totally misread and misinterpreted his post... I believe it happened. Their blind maybe rudimentary or nieve knowledge of the earth, climate and weather events could play an entire different role in it's perception at the time. There are may great floods every year, many locusts plagues, may a lot of things that still happen, now we just understand it. Basically what I said, but in less words.

[dragonoverlord]

Oh shit. Thanks for clearing that up ExoByte......I kno what he meant now.

[Howie]

There is evidence of the flood occurring in select areas, but it never covered the whole world. What people need to realize is their world was much smaller back then. The great flood may have occurred, as many belief systems, sects and cultures that all stemmed from that general area and time period all have stories of a great flood. Even the ancient Egyptians recount tales of it. However, the great flood would not of covered the whole world as they believed. It may have seemed to have covered the whole world from their limited view, which is why its written as such. A flood may of happened, but not in the magnitude that they believed it to be. I believe it happened. Their blind maybe rudimentary or nieve knowledge of the earth, climate and weather events could play an entire different role in it's perception at the time. There are may great floods every year, many locusts plagues, may a lot of things that still happen, now we just understand it. I like yours better!! EXO anyway!!

[Scatterbrain]

Along with the animals, I knew a few Bible people that claimed dinosaurs were on the ark, too. "Noah's family and two of every "kind" of animal (including young dinosaurs) safely boarded the Ark (...)." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kent_Ho..._Hovind_Theory http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...urus_scale.png Heh.

[IZ]

What? You guys are still worried about he flood??? We have to worry about the fires that will sorround the world now. Get with the program people!!!

[Riot Maker]

Just to clear things up Noahs flood had to be local and not global. 1Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. 2Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: 3Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind: 4Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire: 5Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever. 6Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains. 7At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away. 8They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto the place which thou hast founded for them. 9Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth. 10He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills. 11They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild asses quench their thirst. 12By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches. 13He watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works. 14He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth; 15And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart. 16The trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted; 17Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house. 18The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies. 19He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down. 20Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth. 21The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God. 22The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens. 23Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening. 24O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches. 25So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts. 26There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom thou hast made to play therein. 27These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season. 28That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good. 29Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust. 30Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth. 31The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works. 32He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: he toucheth the hills, and they smoke. 33I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. 34My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD. 35Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD. The psalm is referred to as the creation psalm and is parallel to the genesis account. It begins by describing an expanding universe (traits of the big bang and is parallel to Genesis 1:1) Then it goes on and talks about the stabilization of a water cycle (parallel to genesis 1:6-8) The earth is then described as a planet completely covered with water parallel to Genesis 1:9). God then causes the dry land to appear (parallel to Genesis 1:9-10). The verse that eliminates a global flood follows: "You set a boundary they [the waters] cannot cross; never again will they cover the earth." (Psalms 104:9)1 Obviously, if the waters never again covered the earth, then the flood must have been local. Further more, The Hebrew words which are translated as "whole earth" or "all the earth" are kol (Strong's number H3605), which means "all," and erets (Strong's number H776), which means "earth," "land," "country," or "ground."4 We don't need to look very far in Genesis (Genesis 2) before we find the Hebrew words kol erets. The name of the first is Pishon; it flows around the whole [kol] land [erets] of Havilah, where there is gold. (Genesis 2:11) And the name of the second river is Gihon; it flows around the whole [kol] land [erets] of Cush. (Genesis 2:13) Obviously, the description of kol erets is modified by the name of the land, indicating a local area from the context. In fact, the term kol erets is nearly always used in the Old Testament to describe a local area of land, instead of our entire planet. The whole earth often refers to people and not geography here are some examples. Shall not the Judge of all [kol] the earth [erets] deal justly?" (Genesis 18:25) (God judges the people of the earth, not the earth itself) Now behold, today I am going the way of all [kol] the earth [erets], and you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one word of all the good words which the LORD your God spoke concerning you has failed; all have been fulfilled for you, not one of them has failed. (Joshua 23:14) (Joshua was going the way of all people in the earth, whose ultimate destiny is death.) And all [kol] the people of the land [erets] entered the forest, and there was honey on the ground. (1 Samuel 14:25) (The words "the people of" are added to the English, since they are not found in the Hebrew. The actual translation would be "all the land entered the forest," obviously referring to the people and not to the land itself moving into the forest.) While all [kol] the country [erets] was weeping with a loud voice, all the people passed over. (2 Samuel 15:23) (Obviously, the earth cannot weep with a loud voice.) "I am going the way of all [kol] the earth [erets]. Be strong, therefore, and show yourself a man. (1 Kings 2:2) (David was going the way of all people in the earth, whose ultimate destiny is death.) And the whole earth usally reffers to local geography and here are some examples. Is not the whole [kol] land [erets] before you? Please separate from me: if to the left, then I will go to the right; or if to the right, then I will go to the left." (Genesis 13:9) (The "whole land" was only the land of Canaan) And the people of all [kol] the earth [erets] came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe in all the earth. (Genesis 41:57) (The people from the Americas did not go to Egypt) Then God said, "Behold, I am going to make a covenant. Before all your people I will perform miracles which have not been produced in all [kol] the earth [erets], nor among any of the nations; and all the people among whom you live will see the working of the LORD, for it is a fearful thing that I am going to perform with you. (Exodus 34:10) (There would be no need to add "nor among any of the nations" if "all the earth" referred to the entire planet.) 'You shall then sound a ram's horn abroad on the tenth day of the seventh month; on the day of atonement you shall sound a horn all [kol] through your land [erets]. (Leviticus 25:9) (The Hebrews were not required to sound a horn throughout the entire earth) 'Thus for every [kol] piece [erets] of your property, you are to provide for the redemption of the land. (Leviticus 25:24) (The law does not apply only to those who own the entire earth) behold, I will put a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece only, and it is dry on all [kol] the ground [erets], then I will know that Thou wilt deliver Israel through me, as Thou hast spoken." (Judges 6:37, see also 6:39-40) (kol erets could not refer to the entire earth, since it would not be possible for Gideon to check the entire earth) Just thought that should be cleared up before anyone getsthe idea that noah flew over to the north pole to pick up some polar bears. proceed.

[Xei]

No, he just collected two of each of the hundreds of thousands of species native to the surrounding area and was able to fit them inside a single boat. It's pretty obvious to me that this just a Christian version of an age old fable, which has its origins in the primitive and superstitious people who inhabited our planet thousands of years ago. Sudden floods in areas which were normally dry must've seemed like the work of God to them.

[Dewitback]

i would LOVETH it if you useth a more recent version of the bible pleaseth and thanketh. but I like how you pointed out that the "whole land" God might have been referring to wasn't the whole of the earth.

[Riot Maker]

i would LOVETH it if you useth a more recent version of the bible pleaseth and thanketh. but I like how you pointed out that the "whole land" God might have been referring to wasn't the whole of the earth. Oh you mean the newer version with the language it wasn't written in, theres a valliant idea.

[Xei]

But I thought God said he'd never flood the Earth again. If the flood God was referring to was just a local one, then it follows that God is a malevolent liar. I'm pretty sure there have been a good few floods since back then.

[Dewitback]

well it wasn't written in english originally, so what are you getting worked up about? I'm just saying a more recent version would make it easier to read.

[Riot Maker]

But I thought God said he'd never flood the Earth again. If the flood God was referring to was just a local one, then it follows that God is a malevolent liar. I'm pretty sure there have been a good few floods since back then. answer 1: Were the floods out of God's anger and judgement of the corrupt humans? answer 2: "And I establish My covenant with you; and all flesh shall never again be cut off by the water of the flood, neither shall there again be a flood to destroy the earth." (Genesis 9:11) and I will remember My covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and never again shall the water become a flood to destroy all flesh. (Genesis 9:15) The first part is a promise by God not to execute universal judgement by Flood ever again., "all flesh shall never again be cut off by the water of the flood. The flood, although local in extent, was global in judgment, since all humanity lived in the same locale. It wasn't until God confused the languages (Genesis 11) that people began to spread over the earth. So, God promised to never again execute universal judgment of humans by means of a flood. The second part, "never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth" can be explained by other verses found in the Genesis flood account. Gen 6:11 Now the earth was corrupt in the sight of God, and the earth was filled with violence. Gen 6:12 And God looked on the earth, and behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth. The above refers to people of the earth since earth as a planet was not actually corrupt. Likewise, Genesis 9:11 is referring to the people of the earth rather than the planet itself. If the flood was global it would have just destroyed the people of the earth not the planet itself. Still a question i have trouble with myself though, it's really hard to get passed. Dewitback, you are 100% correct that the newer versions of the bilbe are easier to read but it can give you skewed information on what actually took place (if it did). Thats why i get worked up sometimes because people just spit out verses knowing only what it means in english and they haven't bothered to check the hebrew which, if reading genesis, is paramount in order to get the truest version of the stroy.

[saxonharp]

The great flood was not so great. I beleive the origins of the great flood have their roots in sumerian Mythology. The story itself is probably based on the annual flooding of the Euphrates or tigris river and the mangitiude of the flooding was greatly exagerated by small minded village folk who interpreted their unusually high flooding season as a "world flood". I see no evidence as of yet to support a great flood. Relegion aka mythology has no place in mainstream school. There may actually be more evidence that supports the flooding of the Black Sea after the last Ice Age to have been the source of the numerous Flood Myths. Ruins have been discovered underwater a couple of miles from the current shoreline and geological evidence of an earlier shoreline. The hypothesis is that at the end of the last Ice Age, the Bosporus Straits were actually dry land that separated the Black Sea from the Agean. When the ice melted, it raised the sea levels significantly causing the Straits to break open and flood the plains surrounding the then much smaller Black Sea. As for religion in schools, people who fight it are are either unable or unwilling to provide their children with enough sense and guidance to make their own decisions about what they believe; or don't have a strong enough relationship with them that they can discuss these matters over the dinner table (oh yeah, people don't do that anymore do they??); or are too lazy or ignorant to make any commitments themselves with regards to spiritual matters to then impart to their children. Have we disassociated ourselves from our children so much that we can't stand to have them hear alternative views for fear of having to explain what we believe and why? Or, God forbid, actually have a belief ourselves? I for one, encourage my children to seek out alternative views. I encourage them to hear about God and Spiritual matters from other people. At the end of the day, when WE sit around the dinner table and talk about our day, they can ask ME what I think and I can tell them WHY I think that way and then inquire (oh no... you mean I actually ask my kids what they think??) what they think about things and why. For all of you who want to shut out religion from schools, grow up. Get some balls and get connected to your kids so that YOU help THEM determine what their connection to God will be. Don't leave them in some dark pit wallowing in indecision or ignorance waiting until they're in college to start exploring their lives beyond their five senses.

[dragonoverlord]

As for religion in schools, people who fight it are are either unable or unwilling to provide their children with enough sense and guidance to make their own decisions about what they believe; or don't have a strong enough relationship with them that they can discuss these matters over the dinner table (oh yeah, people don't do that anymore do they??); or are too lazy or ignorant to make any commitments themselves with regards to spiritual matters to then impart to their children. Have we disassociated ourselves from our children so much that we can't stand to have them hear alternative views for fear of having to explain what we believe and why? Or, God forbid, actually have a belief ourselves? I for one, encourage my children to seek out alternative views. I encourage them to hear about God and Spiritual matters from other people. At the end of the day, when WE sit around the dinner table and talk about our day, they can ask ME what I think and I can tell them WHY I think that way and then inquire (oh no... you mean I actually ask my kids what they think??) what they think about things and why. For all of you who want to shut out religion from schools, grow up. Get some balls and get connected to your kids so that YOU help THEM determine what their connection to God will be. Don't leave them in some dark pit wallowing in indecision or ignorance waiting until they're in college to start exploring their lives beyond their five senses. Listen up....Relegion has no place in Science Classes and it has no place in public schools which should remain secular. Relegion and science are incompatable. If i want to relegion as part of my education i can go to a catholic/jewish/hindu/muslim/sikh or whatever school but public schools are for everybody and children should be indoctinrated into some relegion when there at school. If people want their kids to get indoctirnated they can go to a church. And anyway putting relegion in public schools is inconsideret to the non christians who go to school. Particulary jews. Apparently back in the day when the public schools were not completely secular the jewish kids had a tough time being in that enviorment. BTW im a kid...