Axulus

In a recent debate I was having with a Christian, they mentioned that God provided instructions in the Bible for soap making for purposes of hygine/sanitation, and they used it as an example of the knowledge that could have only come from a divine source at that time. Here is the reference they provided me:

See more here:

http://www.ancient-hebrew.org/8_heifer.html

I'm having trouble finding any analysis of this from a non-Christian source. Does anyone know if this is an effective recipe and instructions for preventing spread of infection and disease? Even if it is, is there anything unusual or special about it, or is it merely knowledge that was common at this time?

sotto voce

Can that be proved?

Axulus

Yes. Why?

seyorni

Why does God always speak so cryptically? Is He trying to generate confusion and contention?

If He had any sense He'd just state plainly that cleanliness promotes health, you should wash regularly, and here's a recipe for some stuff that will help.

:huh:

sotto voce

Then can we see proof?

Why state what is unimportant?

Axulus

It is important to me. I'll provide you the proof in the form of the link where the discussion is taking place if you provide a sufficient answer as to the relevance.

Axulus

When debating with some Christians, subtle logic like this seems to go over their heads

sotto voce

So why tell the forum?

Z500

ok you're derailing a perfectly good thread with stupid questions. please stop.

Toto

There are some notable cases where religious taboos tend to promote health. Presumably these gave some evolutionary advantage to the believers. But that doesn't mean that the mythology behind the taboo is valid or has a supernatural basis.

For example Navajo beliefs about avoiding certain rodents allowed them to avoid the hantavirus. CDC on the hantavirus outbreak of 1993