Hypothetical Question

Dust and Ashes · May 24, 2004

Just for the heck of it I'd like to get everyone's opinions on something. I'm not trying to get an argument started, I'm just curious.

Purely hypothetically, what do you think would happen if John Doe, Professor of Archaeology from the University of Very Prestigious were in Turkey on a dig and found Noah's Ark? I mean it was indisputably the ark, fit all the measurements and maybe even had some clay tablets signed by Noah in some ancient language.

Or if say they found the Ark of the Covenant and inside were all the things that the Bible says are in there? Now, Dr. Doe is an atheistic evolutionist, so he doesn't believe in God and the Bible is just a book of myths and has no real value whatsoever.

What do you think he would do with what he had found? Do you think he would modify his views or would he realize the implications and bury it? What do you think and why?

Like I said, this is just for curiosity's sake and is not intended to cause some big dispute, though it's hard to imagine NOT causing a big dispute in here. lol I've modified my views after seeing evidence that was contrary to what I believed. I'm just curious how some secular scientists would react if faced with indisputable evidence that supported "the unthinkable."

Karl - Liberal Backslider · May 24, 2004

I'm sure he would be able to reconcile his atheism with what he had discovered.

And then he would publish the discovery. A large boat, the size of the one described in Genesis, from approximately the right period.

I don't know many atheists who would be fazed to discover that the Ark of the Covenant was as described. Being an atheist doesn't mean the Bible is automatically wrong, it just means it isn't automatically right.

Captain_Jack_Sparrow · May 24, 2004

Well I don't think he would bury the discovery so to speak. Fudging of data or outright fraud seems to be the realm of the Creationist zealots.

Dust and Ashes · May 24, 2004

Captain_Jack_Sparrow said:
Well I don't think he would bury the discovery so to speak. Fudging of data or outright fraud seems to be the realm of the Creationist zealots.

LOL That's pretty much the answer I anticipated from you, Jack. Maybe a little less venomous than I expected but otherwise dead on.

gluadys · Jun 2, 2004

forgivensinner001 said:
Just for the heck of it I'd like to get everyone's opinions on something. I'm not trying to get an argument started, I'm just curious.

Purely hypothetically, what do you think would happen if John Doe, Professor of Archaeology from the University of Very Prestigious were in Turkey on a dig and found Noah's Ark? I mean it was indisputably the ark, fit all the measurements and maybe even had some clay tablets signed by Noah in some ancient language.

No big deal. Finding the Ark proves there was a flood and that Noah and family and probably some animals rode it out in the Ark. Doesn't say a thing about whether the flood was global or local. That argument would carry on as usual.

Or if say they found the Ark of the Covenant and inside were all the things that the Bible says are in there? Now, Dr. Doe is an atheistic evolutionist, so he doesn't believe in God and the Bible is just a book of myths and has no real value whatsoever.

Still less of a big deal. I don't know of anyone who seriously doubts the Ark of the Covenant existed. It would be a coup for anyone, atheist or not, to find it again.

artofwar · Jun 3, 2004

if atheists found it or anyone that doesnt want christianity to be proven they would destroy or bury it for sure
thats why im glad i dont have to wait for something to be proven to believe in it, im sure a lot of atheists jumped out of windows to prove inertia wrong haha

Karl - Liberal Backslider · Jun 3, 2004

artofwar said:
if atheists found it or anyone that doesnt want christianity to be proven they would destroy or bury it for sure
thats why im glad i dont have to wait for something to be proven to believe in it, im sure a lot of atheists jumped out of windows to prove inertia wrong haha

You do have a low opinion of everyone else, don't you?

Chi_Cygni · Jun 3, 2004

artofwar said:
if atheists found it or anyone that doesnt want christianity to be proven they would destroy or bury it for sure
thats why im glad i dont have to wait for something to be proven to believe in it, im sure a lot of atheists jumped out of windows to prove inertia wrong haha

This kind of libelous statement is why most of my friends are agnostics/atheists rather than fundamental Christians.

I might be closer spiritually to the latter (though that can be debated) but I am certainly intellectually and dare I say it honourably closer to the former.

I would say the odds of a 'secular' academic destroying what would be perhaps the biggest find in archeological history are zero. However, we all know the religious zealot has been found wanting for honesty and integrity throughout history. Fabrication, coverups, lying, stealing all are the skills of so called religious men in history.

I tell you as a Christian - I'll trust most atheists in a squeeze more than most so called Christians.

pressingon · Jun 3, 2004

Chi_Cygni said:
I tell you as a Christian - I'll trust most atheists in a squeeze more than most so called Christians.

That's one of the most depressing things I've ever heard. Perhaps the way you feel says something about the authenticity of the relationships those "so-called Christians" have with Jesus Christ? The fact that you feel the way you do should certainly be an eye-opening challenge to all of us who profess belief in Christ, to ensure that our lives clearly and consistently reflect the difference our relationship with Him makes.

Chi_Cygni · Jun 3, 2004

I don't find it depressing - it is just an observation.
Almost all my coworkers and friends are atheists or agnostics. The rest of us are a smattering of Christians and Hindus.

But my dealings out of this (admittedly cloistered work environment) with Christians have been very mixed.

My rule of thumb has been the more fundamental Christians become the more likely they have been to lie for Christ, rip you off in the name of Christ etc.

At least the atheists/agnostics I know seem decent honest folks. In other words they seem to have less of an axe to grind.

That is why I find it hard to believe secular academia would cover up the hypothetical in the OP but I find it extremely likely (to a point of certainty) that religious zealots would fabricate "evidence".

The problem is not their professed faith but a willingness to prostitute themselves in the name of Christ and of course (surprise, surprise) make a dollar.

Ron21647 · Jun 3, 2004

artofwar said:
if atheists found it or anyone that doesnt want christianity to be proven they would destroy or bury it for sure
<snip>

I don't believe that for a minute, this is something which could make someone's career, whether they believed in it or not.

And finding either of these two items would not "prove" Christianity. You can't "prove" Christianity, you have to take it on faith.

Ron

Liangonesearmy · Jun 5, 2004

Chi_Cygni said:
My rule of thumb has been the more fundamental Christians become the more likely they have been to lie for Christ, rip you off in the name of Christ etc.

The problem is not their professed faith but a willingness to prostitute themselves in the name of Christ and of course (surprise, surprise) make a dollar.

What you're describing as "christian" is the very epitome of the opposite of a christian. Christianity isn't just a set of beliefs, but a renewed life, a revamped lifestyle. When it says in Romans, "If you confess with your mouth 'Jesus is Lord' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved," the root word for "believe" in Hebrew denotes "relying upon" or "set hope on." The devil believes (a different sense of it) and KNOWS God raised him from the dead, but he's not headed for eternal life in heaven. My point is, people who truly have been renewed by the Spirit of Christ are not perfect, but they will seek to live a life that is honoring to God. If they do lie for Christ or rip you off in the name of Christ, or do evil in Christ's name, they will have to give account for that. It gives Christianity a bad name, as the Crusades did. However, for you to make a "rule of thumb" and make a judgment of someone's character because of how "fundamental" their faith is, do you really think that's pleasing to God? I do agree that I can see people who claim to be Christian cover up findings that they think contradict the Bible, and that's sinful. But to label all of them as people who "prostitute themselves in the name of Christ" is a little bit harsh, don't you think?

Liangonesearmy · Jun 5, 2004

artofwar said:
if atheists found it or anyone that doesnt want christianity to be proven they would destroy or bury it for sure
thats why im glad i dont have to wait for something to be proven to believe in it, im sure a lot of atheists jumped out of windows to prove inertia wrong haha

(most, if not all) atheists care too much about worldly fame and glory to cover up a great finding... for many people though, Christianity's not so much about whether Christ came and died and rose again or not, or if the Bible's true and real, but more of a tough choice. It's hard, as I think most Christians will agree w/ me on this one, to struggle against the temptations of the flesh, world and devil, and it's much easier to indulge in those things. Non-christians have that tough choice to make, and many of my friends in that situation say, "I'll just convert later in life and enjoy the pleasures now when I'm young." The idea that religion is for old people floats around among some of my friends. Unfortunately, we Christians (myself included), have not set the example of love that Christ intended for us to set in sharing his message of love and mercy. Too often, those people on the brink look to people doing evil in the name of Christ, see hypocrisy and as a result, are hardened against God. So, as you see, Christianity isn't really about proof as it is about faith, understanding that we are offered eternal life because of what Christ did.

Hypothetical Question

wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked

Senior Veteran

Well-Known Member

wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked

Legend

Well-Known Member

Senior Veteran

Well-Known Member

pressingon

Well-Known Member

Regular Member

the ruckus

the ruckus

Similar threads

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency