Freethought & Rationalism Archive

paradigm9 · 12-17-2003, 07:31 PM

This may have been posted already, but here's a fantastic website of biblical contradictions. Very Very well written..

http://members.aol.com/ckbloomfld/

enjoy

What do you veterens think of it?

Vinnie · 12-17-2003, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Besides fallacious counting and adding, biblical authors had difficulty measuring and computing.

(k) "And he made a molten sea, ten cubits from one brim to the other: it was round all about, and his height was five cubits: and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about" (1 Kings 7:23). How could a circle be 10 cubits in diameter and 30 cubits in circumference? Since pi is 3.14, the circumference must be 31.40 (3.14 x 10) cubits.

:notworthy :notworthy :notworthy

http://www.iidb.org/vbb/showthread.p...62#post1337162

Vinnie

Goliath · 12-17-2003, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Besides fallacious counting and adding, biblical authors had difficulty measuring and computing.

(k) "And he made a molten sea, ten cubits from one brim to the other: it was round all about, and his height was five cubits: and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about" (1 Kings 7:23). How could a circle be 10 cubits in diameter and 30 cubits in circumference? Since pi is 3.14, the circumference must be 31.40 (3.14 x 10) cubits.

This is still incorrect, as pi is an irrational number.

Sincerely,

Goliath

Godless Wonder · 12-17-2003, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Goliath
This is still incorrect, as pi is an irrational number.

And it's even more irrational when it's exactly 3.

"Pi is exactly three!" -- Professor John Frink, trying to get the attention of a roomful of boisterous nerds. Mmm glavin.

Goliath · 12-17-2003, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Godless Wonder
And it's even more irrational when it's exactly 3.

LOL. And 2 is the oddest prime of all!

Asha'man · 12-18-2003, 05:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by paradigm9
What do you veterens think of it?

Dennis McKinsey has the same problem with errancy as the SAB: he mixes in good stuff with bad. Some of his examples and discussions are a bit of a streach, while others are generally accepted to be rock solid contradictions and errors. In general, I think he spends more time on the good stuff than the bad.

Actually, I found that biblical errancy site a couple of years ago, and trying to find out more is what brought me to II.

gregor · 12-18-2003, 09:13 AM

I've frequently wished for an errancy website that (i) really focused on material issues, not minor stuff and (ii) grouped together those errors resulting from different versions of the same tale.

The explanation for two flood stories, two lists of ten commandments, different explanations for whether God or Satan directed the census, who really killed Goliath, did someone kill 4,000 or 40,000 people, & etc. are easily explained by multiple OT stories. Similarly, the Easter fiasco could be grouped together. I think this would be more logical than simple he said X here and Y here.

Other errors of theology should focus on major conflicts (e.g. Matt vs. Paul) (Acts v. Galatians) and avoid minor disagreements.

GakuseiDon · 12-18-2003, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gregor
I've frequently wished for an errancy website that (i) really focused on material issues, not minor stuff and (ii) grouped together those errors resulting from different versions of the same tale.

The explanation for two flood stories, two lists of ten commandments, different explanations for whether God or Satan directed the census, who really killed Goliath, did someone kill 4,000 or 40,000 people, & etc. are easily explained by multiple OT stories. Similarly, the Easter fiasco could be grouped together. I think this would be more logical than simple he said X here and Y here.

I've oftened wished for an errancy website that would also clear away some of the "errors" that just aren't errors but keep popping up all the time: the second list of 10 commandments, Jesus telling His followers to kill His enemies, "the bat is a bird", "the Bible says Pi is 3!" stupidity. At least that would allow us to concentrate on the ones that ARE problematic, like the census, Easter contradictions, etc.

Kosh · 12-18-2003, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by GakuseiDon
I've oftened wished for an errancy website that would also clear away some of the "errors" that just aren't errors but keep popping up all the time: the second list of 10 commandments, Jesus telling His followers to kill His enemies, "the bat is a bird", "the Bible says Pi is 3!" stupidity. At least that would allow us to concentrate on the ones that ARE problematic, like the census, Easter contradictions, etc.

Why is the second list of 10 commandments not a problem?

nermal · 12-18-2003, 07:47 PM

I had a math professor once proclaim that Pi was ten. His point was that if you're not a pure mathematician, you use what will give you the accuracy you need and keep it simple. For some purposes, Pi=10 is just close enough.
I've never bought into the Pi=3 contradiction of the bible, it just ain't much of a contradiction. 3 was accurate enough.
To say something is 10 cubits across and that makes it 30 cubits in circumference might be a little sloppy, but it doesn't necessary show ignorance.

There are many more interesting contradictions than this on.

Ed

12-17-2003, 07:31 PM	#1
paradigm9 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: washington dc Posts: 1,313	biblical errancy website This may have been posted already, but here's a fantastic website of biblical contradictions. Very Very well written.. http://members.aol.com/ckbloomfld/ enjoy What do you veterens think of it?

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12-18-2003, 09:13 AM	#7
gregor Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 932	I've frequently wished for an errancy website that (i) really focused on material issues, not minor stuff and (ii) grouped together those errors resulting from different versions of the same tale. The explanation for two flood stories, two lists of ten commandments, different explanations for whether God or Satan directed the census, who really killed Goliath, did someone kill 4,000 or 40,000 people, & etc. are easily explained by multiple OT stories. Similarly, the Easter fiasco could be grouped together. I think this would be more logical than simple he said X here and Y here. Other errors of theology should focus on major conflicts (e.g. Matt vs. Paul) (Acts v. Galatians) and avoid minor disagreements.

12-18-2003, 07:47 PM	#10
nermal Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,969	I had a math professor once proclaim that Pi was ten. His point was that if you're not a pure mathematician, you use what will give you the accuracy you need and keep it simple. For some purposes, Pi=10 is just close enough. I've never bought into the Pi=3 contradiction of the bible, it just ain't much of a contradiction. 3 was accurate enough. To say something is 10 cubits across and that makes it 30 cubits in circumference might be a little sloppy, but it doesn't necessary show ignorance. There are many more interesting contradictions than this on. Ed

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