Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Boro Nut · 06-30-2005, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markfiend

I mean I get years based on the Sun, and months based on the Moon, but why weeks?

Because they shall inherit the earth silly. Don't you know anything about the high art of questionable literacy?

Boro Nut

Toto · 06-30-2005, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markfiend

Why seven days? Why not six or eight? Or even ten? Is there any objective justification of a seven-day week? I mean I get years based on the Sun, and months based on the Moon, but why weeks?

This may come from Babylonian astrology. There are seven days in a week because there are seven "planets" (or other divine objects) in the sky.

SeeHolySmoke: Genesis as theodicy

markfiend · 07-01-2005, 04:10 AM

Boro Nut: You owe me a new keyboard.

Toto: Thanks. Very interesting link.

Joan of Bark · 07-02-2005, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toto

This may come from Babylonian astrology. There are seven days in a week because there are seven "planets" (or other divine objects) in the sky.

Actually, there are seven objects in the heavens that appeared to the ancients to move relative to the "fixed" stars: The sun, moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. To early humans, these objects were very important.

John Kesler · 07-04-2005, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Loomis:
Check this out: Genesis 2:2-3 describes the elohim as growing tired on the seventh day and needing rest. But Isaiah 40:28 says "Yahweh is an everlasting elohim, he created the boundaries of the earth, he does not grow tired or weary".

The problem with Genesis 2:2-3 is that a Christian can point out that "rested" can mean a cessation of work without expressing a need for the "rest." A better passage to use in contradiction to Isaiah 40 is Exodus 31:17.

Quote:

Exodus 31:15-17 (NRSV)
15 Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a sabbath of solemn rest, holy to Yahweh; whoever does any work on the sabbath day shall be put to death. 16 Therefore the Israelites shall keep the sabbath, observing the sabbath throughout their generations, as a perpetual covenant. 17 It is a sign forever between me and the people of Israel that in six days Yahweh made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed."

Yahweh didn't just stop working; he received refreshment by stopping.

Dharma · 07-05-2005, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Kesler

The problem with Genesis 2:2-3 is that a Christian can point out that "rested" can mean a cessation of work without expressing a need for the "rest." A better passage to use in contradiction to Isaiah 40 is Exodus 31:17.

Yahweh didn't just stop working; he received refreshment by stopping.

and if he was all powerful, why did it take him 7 whole days to create the universe?

Ulrich · 07-05-2005, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boro Nut

So how do we know that we've got the days right? According to the bible there was no Odin or Thor, so we're two days short to start with. So it would have been much more believable if Genesis said it took 4 days and he knocked off on the 5th. One day for sowing, one for reaping, one for baking, one for feasting, and a good lie-in the day after. Makes sense to me. Then the Vikings added the two extra days later to fit in rape and pillage. If god was made in our image as they say, is it a coincidence I'm always knackered by Wednesday? I think not.

We actually borrowed 3 days from the Vikings, Friday = Freyasday.

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07-01-2005, 04:10 AM	#13
markfiend Regular Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: The People's Republic of West Yorkshire Posts: 498	Boro Nut: You owe me a new keyboard. Toto: Thanks. Very interesting link.

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