(January 15, 2017 at 12:04 pm)Minimalist Wrote: We have evidence of this particular myth going back to the Early Bronze Age and such heroes as Ziusudra, Atrahasis and Gilgamesh far preceding any "noah" in the record. There are written records of the first two going back to the 17th and 18th centuries BCE which puts them solidly in the Middle Bronze Age and one can only guess how long the tales circulated prior to that.
Yes I am indeed aware that the 'Noah' version was not the original flood story. But wouldn't this make it even more of a reason for the christians to play it down? What possible advantage would there be in claiming that the story is literally true?
I got to thinking about this after having a recent chat with a JW. Apparently they still sell 'Noah's Ark' as a non-fiction tale...
