Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Casper · 09-08-2008, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earl IV

All religions started as hauxes, perpetuated by the powers-that-be to control the ignorant masses.

Please back up this claim somehow.

This is BC&H, after all.

bacht · 09-08-2008, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earl IV

All religions started as hauxes, perpetuated by the powers-that-be to control the ignorant masses.

Enterprising individuals figured out how to make money off them so now, they are mostly just scams.

I dunno, religion pre-dates money by millenia - the need to believe seems almost hard-wired

Earl IV · 09-08-2008, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Casper

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earl IV

All religions started as hauxes, perpetuated by the powers-that-be to control the ignorant masses.

Please back up this claim somehow.

This is BC&H, after all.

The "original sin" is proof in itself.

"Knowledge is bad"
"Don't look behind the curtain"

Newfie · 09-08-2008, 08:34 AM

I use to theorize that the entire Exodus story is just a positive spin designed to explain why the Israelites were expelled from Egypt.

If I remember correctly what I read from back then, Egyptian farmers were put to work during the off-season building and maintaining the granaries. Being a nomadic, herding people the Israelites settled in Egypt during the hard times of Joseph’s era in order to be close to the food supply. As time passed they did not live up to the Egyptian’s expectations for labor in return for this food supply and became seen as moochers, of a sort.

Eventually they were forced out and the Moses myth developed to help explain to the younger generations why they left the land of plenty to wander the desert.

WVIncagold · 09-08-2008, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Casper

Quote:

Originally Posted by WVIncagold

....
it is a hoax brought about by people who lacked sophistication and knowledge of simple arithmetic and scientific knowledge.

I would be careful about making such a bold claim. "Hoax" implies intended deceit. Do you have any evidence of that?

Sure how about that it never happened yet it is held by bible believers that it did? Kind of fits the whole hoax thing.
A hoax is a deliberate attempt to dupe, deceive or trick an audience into believing, or accepting, that something is real, when in fact it is not; or that something is true, when in fact it is false.
Then again how could one provide evidence for something not taking place?
ever hear you cant prove a negative?
I stand by the statement it is a hoax.

Minimalist · 09-08-2008, 08:57 AM

Read Finkelstein's "The Bible Unearthed" for an explanation of when and where the exodus tale was written.

spamandham · 09-08-2008, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rasena

In the exodus about 500,000 people leave Egypt to wander in the desert. Why didn't the economy of Egypt collapse?

The obvious answer is, that the Exodus is just a story. I wouldn't personally expect ancient writers to all be modern historians or journalists.

Welcome to IIDB!

arnoldo · 09-14-2008, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny Skeptic

Quote:

Originally Posted by arnoldo

You might want to check out this book since you seem to have many questions concerning the Exodus. . The Miracles of Exodus: A Scientist's Discovery of the Extraordinary Natural Causes of the Biblical Stories:Colin Humphreys

No thank you. If you wish to quote and discuss the book, you can do so. Skeptics are not under any obligation to do your homework for you.

It is not difficult to find evidence when you have already made up your mind prior to conducting research.

Well, they say a picture is worth a thousand words. . .

The ‘House of David’ inscribed on a victory stele Tel Dan

spamandham · 09-14-2008, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arnoldo

Well, they say a picture is worth a thousand words. . .

The ‘House of David’ inscribed on a victory stele Tel Dan

This stele has nothing to do with the Exodus.

Toto · 09-14-2008, 12:55 PM

How does the inscription BYTDWD show anything about the Exodus story? Even if that refers to David (as opposed to other possible interpretations, King David was not part of the Exodus legend.

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09-08-2008, 08:34 AM	#24
Newfie Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 2,457	I use to theorize that the entire Exodus story is just a positive spin designed to explain why the Israelites were expelled from Egypt. If I remember correctly what I read from back then, Egyptian farmers were put to work during the off-season building and maintaining the granaries. Being a nomadic, herding people the Israelites settled in Egypt during the hard times of Joseph’s era in order to be close to the food supply. As time passed they did not live up to the Egyptian’s expectations for labor in return for this food supply and became seen as moochers, of a sort. Eventually they were forced out and the Moses myth developed to help explain to the younger generations why they left the land of plenty to wander the desert.

09-08-2008, 08:57 AM	#26
Minimalist Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,808	Read Finkelstein's "The Bible Unearthed" for an explanation of when and where the exodus tale was written.

09-14-2008, 12:55 PM	#30
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	How does the inscription BYTDWD show anything about the Exodus story? Even if that refers to David (as opposed to other possible interpretations, King David was not part of the Exodus legend.

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