Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Sauron · 09-10-2003, 11:49 AM

Prediction: every fundie website on the internet will soon be declaring "archaeology proves the reliability of the Bible!"

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3098018.stm

Quote:

Scientists back biblical tunnel

By Richard Black
BBC science correspondent

Israeli scientists have used radiometric dating to show when a tunnel in Jerusalem, described in the Bible, was excavated.
It is believed to be the first time a structure described in the Bible has been accurately dated, and scholars say it will be useful in refining the history of Jerusalem.

Modern-day tourists know the Siloam Tunnel as a half-kilometre-long passage running under Jerusalem's ancient city walls.

According to the Bible it was excavated by King Hezekiah to carry water from the Gihon spring into the city, securing the supply in times of warfare.

[...]
Ancient wonder

Dr Frumpkin's team found plant remains and stalactites in the Siloam Tunnel which they examined using carbon dating and another similar method involving uranium. They confirmed the age at around 700 BC.

topane · 09-10-2003, 01:48 PM

I thought radiometric dating was a lie used by atheistic evilutionists

keyser_soze · 09-10-2003, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by topane
I thought radiometric dating was a lie used by atheistic evilutionists

Only when it doesn't support the creationist's assertions.

Steven Carr · 09-10-2003, 03:55 PM

Does this mean that places like Jerusalem , Jericho, Damascus etc have now been confirmed to exist?

Shock,horror!

How many atheists think that the history in 1 and 2 Kings is not based partly on historical records? (Records which God allowed to vanish, of course....)

They are not inspired by God , as the writer was using ancient Chronicles of the Kings, and not divine inspiration as his source.

DrJim · 09-10-2003, 05:58 PM

Jerusalem exists? Can we be sure?

As a border line minimalist I will only agree that a minimal part of the city exists: that is, the bits around the pubs, which would be the only neighbourhoods a rational skeptic needs in order to lead a meaningful life.

Philip Davies and John Rogerson published a paper some years ago arguing the tunnel was (I believe) Hellenistic in date. They were rather soundly refuted from many directions, and BAR made a lot of it. The fiasco solidified resistence to the "minimalist" position and reinforced opinions that Davies and co. had nothing worthwhile to offer. One slip up did a lot of damage to Davies cause, if it is valid to call it a cause.

Still , that the tunnel existed proves nothing about the historicity of any other story in Kings, and doesn't help determine what bits of Kings are quotes of monarchic documents, the result of paraphrased sources or the results of the storyteller's imagination.

The construction of the tunnel could well have been a common story told through the generations. One does not need divinely inspired texts to preserve a story of a landmark that existed in ones own hometown.

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09-10-2003, 01:48 PM	#2
topane Regular Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: SE Pennsylvania Posts: 193	I thought radiometric dating was a lie used by atheistic evilutionists

09-10-2003, 03:55 PM	#4
Steven Carr Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: England Posts: 5,629	Does this mean that places like Jerusalem , Jericho, Damascus etc have now been confirmed to exist? Shock,horror! How many atheists think that the history in 1 and 2 Kings is not based partly on historical records? (Records which God allowed to vanish, of course....) They are not inspired by God , as the writer was using ancient Chronicles of the Kings, and not divine inspiration as his source.

09-10-2003, 05:58 PM	#5
DrJim Regular Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Lethbridge AB Canada Posts: 445	Jerusalem exists? Can we be sure? As a border line minimalist I will only agree that a minimal part of the city exists: that is, the bits around the pubs, which would be the only neighbourhoods a rational skeptic needs in order to lead a meaningful life. Philip Davies and John Rogerson published a paper some years ago arguing the tunnel was (I believe) Hellenistic in date. They were rather soundly refuted from many directions, and BAR made a lot of it. The fiasco solidified resistence to the "minimalist" position and reinforced opinions that Davies and co. had nothing worthwhile to offer. One slip up did a lot of damage to Davies cause, if it is valid to call it a cause. Still , that the tunnel existed proves nothing about the historicity of any other story in Kings, and doesn't help determine what bits of Kings are quotes of monarchic documents, the result of paraphrased sources or the results of the storyteller's imagination. The construction of the tunnel could well have been a common story told through the generations. One does not need divinely inspired texts to preserve a story of a landmark that existed in ones own hometown.

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