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  #1  
Old 08-05-2007, 09:18 PM
David Sklansky David Sklansky is offline
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Default Exodus Story In Doubt

Most scholars don't think that there were Jewish slaves in Ancient Egypt. Let alone that they were freed by Moses. Or that he used ten plagues. I'm talking historians, archaeologists, anthropologists, whatever. At least I think that is true. Check it out yourself by googling "truth of exodus". If it isn't the majority of scholars it is close to it. Furthermore those who still believe only because of the bible rather than the evidence should really be put in the doubtful category.

This subject was discussed once before. It came up again in another thread when Not Ready claimed that the truth of exodus was as necessary for his belief as the truth of the ressurection. I gave him a chance to reconsider and he refused. He dismissed the historians as biased. My reply made a distinction between scientist-ressurection and scientist-exodus. I'd like to reprint it here as it was buried in an off topic thread.


Not Ready:

"If all you're planning to do is cite a poll of historians that the majority think exodus is a myth that won't do it."

Me:


Suppose it was 90% of historians and archaeologists?

Here is why the situation is different regarding exodus as compared to something like the resurrection.

Suppose a scientist was asked if he has any reason,aside from the bible, to believe the ressurection happened. Even the most religious scientist would probably say no. But that fact shakes no one's faith because it is a one time event involving one incident. So what if scientists can find no evidence of it.

But the situation is different with a large scale historical story like exodus. Forget the atheist historians. There are surely theist historians who also seriously doubt the story. AND MORE IMPORTANTLY there are surely many other theist historians who don't doubt the story only because it is in the bible! They would admit that the facts would normally indicate to them that exodus didn't happen EXCEPT for the fact that they believe the bible.

Now I'm actually not sure whether the previous sentence is true. That's for others to find out. But if it is true, it can't be dismissed away as easily as the fact that scientists say they see no evidence of individual miracles. It makes no sense that so many modern day experts are sure the story is false unless it probably is.

The bottom line is that if the great majority of experts disagree with exodus OR agree with it ONLY because the Bible talks about it, you have a serious problem on your hands.
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  #2  
Old 08-05-2007, 10:20 PM
NotReady NotReady is offline
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Default Re: Exodus Story In Doubt

[ QUOTE ]

Check it out yourself by googling "truth of exodus".


[/ QUOTE ]

I'm not going to ditch my faith on the basis of google either.

This started when I responded to a question about what it would take for me to reject the Bible. I said prove exodus didn't happen. I don't include polls or google searches as proof.

LOL the first hit when googling "truth of exodus" was this.

[ QUOTE ]

The literal truth of the Exodus narrative is hotly disputed among archaeologists and Bible scholars.


[/ QUOTE ]

That doesn't sound like a concensus to me.
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  #3  
Old 08-05-2007, 10:35 PM
Brad1970 Brad1970 is offline
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Default Re: Exodus Story In Doubt

David,

Did you personally see slaves working in cotton fields in the Southern US prior to the Civil War or are you just taking documented history's word for it?
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  #4  
Old 08-05-2007, 10:41 PM
bunny bunny is offline
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Default Re: Exodus Story In Doubt

He's taking documented history's word for it. From a variety of unconnected sources with conflicting agendas.
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  #5  
Old 08-05-2007, 11:00 PM
PLOlover PLOlover is offline
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Default Re: Exodus Story In Doubt

hey sklansky if you really want to get into archeaology and the bible, google "America B.C." and have a blast.
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  #6  
Old 08-05-2007, 11:36 PM
btmagnetw btmagnetw is offline
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Default Re: Exodus Story In Doubt

[ QUOTE ]
I'm not going to ditch my faith on the basis of google either.

[/ QUOTE ]i bet you use it to reaffirm it quite often though.
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  #7  
Old 08-05-2007, 11:53 PM
Phil153 Phil153 is offline
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Default Re: Exodus Story In Doubt

What amuses me no end is that those who cite the majority opinion of experts when discussing the historicity of Jesus (which has very scant evidence), generally deny the majority opinion of experts who say that Exodus is largely myth.
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  #8  
Old 08-06-2007, 01:12 AM
David Sklansky David Sklansky is offline
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Default Re: Exodus Story In Doubt

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

Check it out yourself by googling "truth of exodus".


[/ QUOTE ]

I'm not going to ditch my faith on the basis of google either.

This started when I responded to a question about what it would take for me to reject the Bible. I said prove exodus didn't happen. I don't include polls or google searches as proof.

LOL the first hit when googling "truth of exodus" was this.

[ QUOTE ]

The literal truth of the Exodus narrative is hotly disputed among archaeologists and Bible scholars.


[/ QUOTE ]

That doesn't sound like a concensus to me.

[/ QUOTE ]

Maybe so. But I am more interested what you would say if there was a consensus (with even theistic historians admitting that physical evidence argues strongly against the bible's version). Do you agree that this would pose a bigger problem for you than scientists skepticism about Jesus?
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  #9  
Old 08-06-2007, 02:03 AM
NotReady NotReady is offline
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Default Re: Exodus Story In Doubt

[ QUOTE ]

But I am more interested what you would say


[/ QUOTE ]

I said I would be in trouble if you proved exodus is false. I'm not going to respond to and endless series of hypotheticals.
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  #10  
Old 08-06-2007, 02:07 AM
PLOlover PLOlover is offline
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Default Re: Exodus Story In Doubt

btw I think the details are largely irrelevant. let's look at the big picture. the story of exodus can basically be boiled down into the ten commandments vs. baal worship, the golden calf remember?

now you might say wtf? but take a modern issue like social security or inflation or stuff like that. It's basically the same issue. Do we want to worship the golden calf, baal worship, communism, whatever name you put on it, socialism, or do we want to follow the 10 commandments. Well, we've chosen the golden calf.

and btw baal worhip is very well documented, it's not like the golden calf was just a story that couldve meant anything.
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