History in the OT

[StewartP]

Well OK, if you're happy with his credentials and track record, then super.

But this is a bloke who:
Believes Merlin was real and sailed to America,
Believes the ark of the covenant was a terrible weapon and knows where it was hidden
Believes Alexander was murdered and knows the assassin
Believes there is a vatican conspiracy about the death of Mary
Reckons the parting of the red Sea really happened, because of a volcano
He himself found the Holy Grail
Knows where King Arthur is buried

My Bullshit meter is a quiverin'

[dagda]

'Reckons the parting of the red Sea really happened, because of a volcano'

I have not read the other books but I know this is completly false. He thinks a volcano on Thera caused a tsunami, which made the sea receed for a little while(as tsunami's do) and that this made the REID sea(which was shallow to begin with) seem to part, when, in fact, it had just whent out. That you got this statment wrong means that your other acusations are under suspect. Tell me, did you read one of his books?

[StewartP]

'Reckons the parting of the red Sea really happened, because of a volcano'

I have not read the other books but I know this is completly false. He thinks a volcano on Thera caused a tsunami, which made the sea receed for a little while(as tsunami's do) and that this made the REID sea(which was shallow to begin with) seem to part, when, in fact, it had just whent out. That you got this statment wrong means that your other acusations are under suspect. Tell me, did you read one of his books?

No, I give in, you're right, the guy is spot on.

[Tiberius]

'Reckons the parting of the red Sea really happened, because of a volcano'

I have not read the other books but I know this is completly false. He thinks a volcano on Thera caused a tsunami, which made the sea receed for a little while(as tsunami's do) and that this made the REID sea(which was shallow to begin with) seem to part, when, in fact, it had just whent out. That you got this statment wrong means that your other acusations are under suspect. Tell me, did you read one of his books?

I fail to see how your description of the event is any different from the short summation that it happened "because of a volcano". You objected to the summation and then went on a lengthy description of how it happened, starting with the words "a volcano on Thera caused".

[dagda]

No, I objected to the Red Sea and the fact he worded it to sound as if it were the volcano which directly caused the parting. Both facts are off as the volcano was only indirectly responcible and the Reid sea is in northern Egypt, several thousand miles from the Red Sea.

[Tiberius]

Well he never said it was a direct cause, he said it was a cause. That covers both direct and indirect.

[dagda]

Anyway, a volcano on the cost could, theareticly cause a tsunami. The volcano also can explain most of the other plauges e.g. red river=minerals deposited by volcano dust; cattle dead=dust clogging lungs(happened at Mt. Saint Helans); froggs=minerals in river kill fish and frogg spon survive under ledges and multiply with no natural preditor(happened at Mt. Saint Helans). It goes on like this.

[starbucks]

Okay, so this will probably be a great insult to white people but NOT all ethnic groups have a "written" history. But just because they don't doesn't mean their history, which was orally passed down from their ancestors, is FALSE or unfounded. I won't be surprised to find out that those who DON'T UNDERSTAND this are white and can't possibly conceive of this notion. It's like kids who have both parents can never truly understand the perspective of the orphaned-child. 'Cause they have always had it good to begin with.

There are plenty of indigenous people who have no written record of their history and the constant annihilation of their people by the governments in control make it difficult for them to do so. Take for example the rich and diverse cultures in China. But will we westerners ever know about them before the Chinese wipe them all out? Not only that, but it's not like the Chinese are going to even write anything about such people. Their stories will go unheard as if they never existed.

[chatpilot]

When it comes to the OT as an historical document I have to say I do not accept it nor believe it valid for the following reasons.Those tales are all a mish mash of fact with fiction,the others of those works to whose names are attributed are questionable,it seeks to glorify a particular god and religion,and since there is no original copies of these documents extant today all we have are copies of copies of copies that can be manipulated to suit or convey the scribes thoughts and views and beliefs.

[dagda]

I find the last two posts slightly offencive to Celtic culture. First off, the Celts were unlitterate (not illiterate!) and yet can be classed as a 'Western' culture. Most of Northern and Western Europe (Celts, Viking, Saxon ect) worked there history around stories with extraordinary detail. You seem to have forgotten a large chunk of 'western' culture.
Secondly, the OT is intertwined with what may be hugly fictisious tales. This does not take away from its historical value. The Illiad was completly fantastic, and yet Troy existed. In the same way, the OT may not be strictly accurate but it does capture the mood and feel of an ancient people and a sprinkling (perhaps a torrent) of historic accuracy. If all historians thought like you Chatpilot, I am afraid histroy would be rather stale and useless.