Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Toto · 07-29-2004, 05:07 PM

10-year dig at Qumran claims to overturn Essene connection

Quote:

The latest research joins a growing school of thought attempting to explode the "Qumran myth" by stating that not only did the residents of Qumran live lives of comfort, they did not write the scrolls at all.

Two Israeli archaeologists, Yuval Peleg and Itzhak Magen, have recently completed ten seasons of excavations at Qumran, sponsored by the Civil Administration of Judea and Samaria. These are the most extensive digs since those conducted by Roland de Vaux half a century earlier. Among the finds were numerous pieces of jewelry, imported glass and expensive stone cosmetics containers.

"It's impossible to say that the people who lived at Qumran were poor," said Peleg. "It is also impossible that de Vaux did not see the finds we saw. He simply ignored what didn't suit him."

offa · 07-29-2004, 05:52 PM

"It's impossible to say that the people who lived at Qumran were
poor," said Peleg. "It is also impossible that de Vaux did not see the
finds we saw.

He simply ignored what didn't suit him."

Have times changed? ... "is the pot calling the kettle black?"
The inhabitants at Qumran would be like the Catholic hierarchy
of today. They hoarded. They collected tithes. St. James, for
instance, wore an expensive ring but his knees were like those of
a camel (from praying).

Because the Essenes said they were "poor" does not mean they had no
wealth. It is a play on words, you know, why donate to the rich?
It is just like "virgin", all virgins were Samaritan, if you were
not a Samaritan you could not be virgin. Of course, the Samaritans
inhabited the Qumran region, and, were closely knit with the Essene.

offa

BTW, I do not have any references to offer. I feel they are not
important at this time.

Garnet · 07-30-2004, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Golb argued that the scrolls came originally from various libraries in Jerusalem, and were brought to Qumran and hidden in the surrounding caves to ensure their survival during the Great Revolt of the Jews against the Romans, which took place between 66 and 73 CE. Golb based his theory on the fact that the scrolls were written by more than 500 different hands.

Interesting. I am just getting into reading a translation of the dead sea scrolls. I didn't know that another possibility of their origins existed.

boneyard bill · 08-03-2004, 11:52 PM

I agree with offa that the Essenes might not necessarily have been so poor. Not only the Catholic Church. Look at the Dalai Lama. Don't Buddhist monks take a vow of poverty? Of course, they don't personally own all that wealth. But then Breshnev didn't personally own his luxury dacha either.

Having said that, I think Norman Golb made a pretty compelling case against Essene occupation of Qumrum a long time ago.

Garnet · 08-04-2004, 09:08 AM

*adds yet another book to her reading list*

Kosh · 08-04-2004, 04:03 PM

Wait till they discover the whole thing was really a health spa and de-tox clinic.

Toto · 08-16-2004, 05:55 PM

Christian Fundamentalist archeologists continue to believe in the Qumran community

Quote:

The Qumran myth is alive and well, despite recent attempts to disprove it, according to archaeologists digging at the site.

The archaeologists, who are financed by Christian fundamentalist organizations, believe that despite recent theories to the contrary, there was a community at the place sometimes called "the oldest monastery in the Western world."

The archaeologists said at a news conference yesterday that they intend to find the proof that the residents of the site indeed wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls, found in nearby caves.

. . .

A representative of the dig's financiers, Dr. Gary Collett, said that irrespective of the findings, he will continue to believe Qumran is a holy site, "living proof of God's word, which is why it is so important to me and many Christians."

Could someone explain how Qumran is living proof of God's word?

Amaleq13 · 08-16-2004, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toto

Could someone explain how Qumran is living proof of God's word?

Isn't that claim usually connected to the discovery of the entire HB (minus Esther) that is said to support the accuracy of later translations?

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07-29-2004, 05:52 PM	#2
offa Regular Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Monroeville, Ohio, USA Posts: 440	"It's impossible to say that the people who lived at Qumran were poor," said Peleg. "It is also impossible that de Vaux did not see the finds we saw. He simply ignored what didn't suit him." Have times changed? ... "is the pot calling the kettle black?" The inhabitants at Qumran would be like the Catholic hierarchy of today. They hoarded. They collected tithes. St. James, for instance, wore an expensive ring but his knees were like those of a camel (from praying). Because the Essenes said they were "poor" does not mean they had no wealth. It is a play on words, you know, why donate to the rich? It is just like "virgin", all virgins were Samaritan, if you were not a Samaritan you could not be virgin. Of course, the Samaritans inhabited the Qumran region, and, were closely knit with the Essene. offa BTW, I do not have any references to offer. I feel they are not important at this time.

08-03-2004, 11:52 PM	#4
boneyard bill Contributor Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Florida Posts: 15,796	I agree with offa that the Essenes might not necessarily have been so poor. Not only the Catholic Church. Look at the Dalai Lama. Don't Buddhist monks take a vow of poverty? Of course, they don't personally own all that wealth. But then Breshnev didn't personally own his luxury dacha either. Having said that, I think Norman Golb made a pretty compelling case against Essene occupation of Qumrum a long time ago.

08-04-2004, 09:08 AM	#5
Garnet Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Lansing, MI Posts: 6,610	adds yet another book to her reading list

08-04-2004, 04:03 PM	#6
Kosh Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Orions Belt Posts: 3,911	Wait till they discover the whole thing was really a health spa and de-tox clinic.

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