FRDB Archives

Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The archives are read only.


Go Back   FRDB Archives > Archives > Religion (Closed) > Biblical Criticism & History
Welcome, Peter Kirby.
You last visited: Yesterday at 03:12 PM

 
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old 10-16-2008, 04:40 AM   #21
Talk Freethought Staff
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Heart of the Bible Belt
Posts: 5,807
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Garabato View Post
Nice post Atheos, but it would be much better if you explained us what kind of evidence we should expect if the exodus story was true. Specific items please; forgive my ignorance, but is there any kind of papyrus or whatever thing the Egyptians used to keep track of their economical issues?

Nevertheless, I agree that something like the ten plagues would really represent a massive impact on any country. And its clear that a society with no ruler, no food, no water, no army, and no laborwork ( plenty of missing slaves, death and sick people) would probably collapse within a few weeks.... but I still feel like its a weak thesis unless someone shows what evidence we should expect if the bible was an accurate description of events.
Although I was gratuitous in expressing my opinion that the whole thing was a myth, that wasn't the point of my post. The point was to to adhere to the topic at hand by giving consideration to all the economic impact that would have befallen Egypt had the Exodus happened as described in the myth.

Nonetheless it would appear to me that you answered your own question.
Quote:
...
its clear that a society with no ruler, no food, no water, no army, and no laborwork ( plenty of missing slaves, death and sick people) would probably collapse within a few weeks....
That's exactly right. The sort of evidence that one would expect to find (if things had happened according to the biblical account) would be evidence of a rapid and decisive collapse of the Egyptian dynasty circa 1500 BCE.

The evidence couldn't be more contrary if it had been arranged. Not only is there no evidence of economic turmoil of any sort during this period, but there is overwhelming evidence of the prosperity and success enjoyed by Egypt during the late bronze age.

According to professor Donald Redford, who unlike me is an expert on these matters, Egypt was one of the most powerful empires in existence throughout the period in question. They had a robust economy, strong occupational armies and they occupied the entire region of Caanan during the time Israel was supposedly plundering the land under Joshua.

Moreover, he claims that while it's an argument from silence, the point remains that the "silence is absolutely watertight". There are no holes in the silence about the expulsion of upwards of two million people from the region during the time in question. Redford seems convinced that such an exodus would have left evidence in the archaeological materials he has investigated.

He also reports that Egypt had lots of garrisons stationed throughout the areas that the Israelites would have wandered during their 40 year sojourn in the wilderness. Records exist of reports back to Egypt from these garrisons during the time in question. Not even a tiny band of nomads could move through without word being sent back to headquarters. The movement of upwards of two million people throughout that region would have been documented thoroughly. Yet not a single report exists about this massive movement of people.

And of course as I mentioned earlier, there is abundant archeological evidence of Egypt's absolute control over the entire land of Caanan during the time in question. If the Exodus occurred as described in the bible, the Israelites would have left the Nile Delta to get away from Egypt, wandered 40 years in the wilderness and arrived in Caanan, right back in the middle of fortified and occupied Egyptian provinces.
Atheos is offline  
Old 10-17-2008, 08:36 AM   #22
Veteran Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: India
Posts: 6,977
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Atheos View Post

It's understandable why the Israelites would worship a cow later as the cows seemed to have the uncanny ability to come back from being completely destroyed at least three times during the 10 plagues. But the economic impact of every fish, every piece of livestock and every crop in the field being destroyed would begin to add up. At least one would think so.

But the wheat and the rye wasn't destroyed in the plague of fiery hail (which seems peculiar as fire consumes plants whether they're shoots or bearing fruit). Just to be thorough, a plague of locusts is sent and the locusts finish all the rest of the crops off. Not so much as a blade of grass is left. Even assuming some cows remained after the second time they were all destroyed, what would they pasture them on?

But wait! The final plague, "death of the firstborn" once again involves all the firstborn of the Egypt (including Egyptian cattle) dying. Those pesky cows. You try murrain. You try fiery hail. Seems nothing you try will get rid of the damn things.

:notworthy:

I am going to use this when any Christian asks why Hindus worship cows.
Can I do it, pretty please?
hinduwoman is offline  
Old 10-17-2008, 09:26 AM   #23
Veteran Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Western Sweden
Posts: 3,684
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Atheos View Post
He also reports that Egypt had lots of garrisons stationed throughout the areas that the Israelites would have wandered during their 40 year sojourn in the wilderness. Records exist of reports back to Egypt from these garrisons during the time in question. Not even a tiny band of nomads could move through without word being sent back to headquarters. The movement of upwards of two million people throughout that region would have been documented thoroughly. Yet not a single report exists about this massive movement of people.
Completely destroys the argument that finding no mentioning of an Exodus is an argument from silence and thus to be ignored. There are cases where there should be findings (and lots of them), and if you don't find any, that's proof enough.
Lugubert is offline  
 

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 06:34 PM.

Top

This custom BB emulates vBulletin® Version 3.8.2
Copyright ©2000 - 2015, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.