Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The Admiral · 11-23-2003, 07:33 AM

I need to answer a biblical inerrantist who just had a letter published in the local paper. I'm sure I could find what I'm looking for but maybe someone here could save me some time by steering me to the latest archaeological data on Sodom and Gomorrah. I have found a bunch of sites but they are all Christian apologetics.

The Admiral

Jesse · 11-23-2003, 08:11 AM

I think this would get more answers in Biblical Criticism & History.

Doctor X · 11-23-2003, 01:26 PM

The Admiral:

What, specifically, would you want answered?

Did a Sodom and Gomorrah actually exist?

Or did the writer use it as a way to justify a rant against homosexuality?

Before I pontificate on either, I might as well know which.

Anyways, if you go to the Recommended Reading section here, you will find a wonderful book on Archaeology and the Bible. This is a concise and reasoned examination of the recent findings. Do you really want to debate an "inerrantist," hit him with the evidence against Exodus and Conquest.

--J.D.

Marduk · 11-23-2003, 03:06 PM

The S & G story appears twice in the Bible and in many other cultures. A Preacher will point out a long abandoned city and say �those people were really bad and God X wiped them out, see. Now behave yourselves.�
Only a Christian would dwell on the homosexuality business, the moral is that the Sodomites were cruel to strangers & the needy so God kicked their ass.
Being inhospitable to strangers was a major offense in ancient times

JERDOG · 11-23-2003, 03:52 PM

Yea and if the theist argues that S&G were immoral for homosexuality ask them why didn't god punish Lot for screwing his two daughters in the very next chapter?

Toto · 11-23-2003, 04:36 PM

What exactly did this inerrantist say that you would like to refute?

There is an old thread on this topic: Is there any evidence that Sodom and Gomorrah existed? but it is not very informative.

jayh · 11-23-2003, 06:01 PM

The S&G story was used in part to explain the natural salt deposits along the southern part of the Dead Sea. There was a sort of pillar of salt that was indicated by tour guides as Lot's wife, it fell down a few years ago so now they point to another one.

Celsus · 11-23-2003, 08:49 PM

Sodom is thought to be located southeast of the Dead Sea, but no one has comprehensively shown any firm evidence that places "Sodom" with an ancient site. Jebel Usdum, "Mount Sodom" is a hill of salt located southwest of the Dead Sea. Like Sodom, no one has been able to prove where Gomorrah is. It would help if you gave a little info on the fundy arguments--leonarde posted some fundy links here while discussing Sodom. Are they similar to what your opponent argues?

spin · 11-24-2003, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Celsus
Sodom is thought to be located southeast of the Dead Sea, but no one has comprehensively shown any firm evidence that places "Sodom" with an ancient site. Jebel Usdum, "Mount Sodom" is a hill of salt located southwest of the Dead Sea. Like Sodom, no one has been able to prove where Gomorrah is. It would help if you gave a little info on the fundy arguments--leonarde posted some fundy links here while discussing Sodom. Are they similar to what your opponent argues?

I understand the etymology for Qumran, which some Arabs pronounced Gumran, is supposed to be from Gomorrah. I guess someone saw a few ruins and thought that this must have been Gomorrah... but, then again, it just might actually be that horrid, licencious place. Who knows? who cares?

spin

PTET · 11-24-2003, 05:48 AM

Quote:

"I'm not saying Jezebel is easy, but before she moved to Sodom it was known for its pottery..."

Krusty The Clown, Simpsons Bible Stories

11-23-2003, 07:33 AM	#1
The Admiral Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Racine, Wi. USA Posts: 768	Sodon and Gomorrah I need to answer a biblical inerrantist who just had a letter published in the local paper. I'm sure I could find what I'm looking for but maybe someone here could save me some time by steering me to the latest archaeological data on Sodom and Gomorrah. I have found a bunch of sites but they are all Christian apologetics. The Admiral

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11-23-2003, 08:11 AM	#2
Jesse Moderator - Science Discussions Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Providence, RI, USA Posts: 9,908	I think this would get more answers in Biblical Criticism & History.

11-23-2003, 01:26 PM	#3
Doctor X Banned Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: USA Posts: 3,794	The Admiral: What, specifically, would you want answered? Did a Sodom and Gomorrah actually exist? Or did the writer use it as a way to justify a rant against homosexuality? Before I pontificate on either, I might as well know which. Anyways, if you go to the Recommended Reading section here, you will find a wonderful book on Archaeology and the Bible. This is a concise and reasoned examination of the recent findings. Do you really want to debate an "inerrantist," hit him with the evidence against Exodus and Conquest. --J.D.

11-23-2003, 03:06 PM	#4
Marduk Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: the 10th planet Posts: 5,065	The S & G story appears twice in the Bible and in many other cultures. A Preacher will point out a long abandoned city and say �those people were really bad and God X wiped them out, see. Now behave yourselves.� Only a Christian would dwell on the homosexuality business, the moral is that the Sodomites were cruel to strangers & the needy so God kicked their ass. Being inhospitable to strangers was a major offense in ancient times

11-23-2003, 03:52 PM	#5
JERDOG Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Lousyana with the best politicians money can buy. Posts: 944	Yea and if the theist argues that S&G were immoral for homosexuality ask them why didn't god punish Lot for screwing his two daughters in the very next chapter?

11-23-2003, 04:36 PM	#6
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	What exactly did this inerrantist say that you would like to refute? There is an old thread on this topic: Is there any evidence that Sodom and Gomorrah existed? but it is not very informative.

11-23-2003, 06:01 PM	#7
jayh Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 4,606	The S&G story was used in part to explain the natural salt deposits along the southern part of the Dead Sea. There was a sort of pillar of salt that was indicated by tour guides as Lot's wife, it fell down a few years ago so now they point to another one.

11-23-2003, 08:49 PM	#8
Celsus Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Singapore Posts: 2,875	Sodom is thought to be located southeast of the Dead Sea, but no one has comprehensively shown any firm evidence that places "Sodom" with an ancient site. Jebel Usdum, "Mount Sodom" is a hill of salt located southwest of the Dead Sea. Like Sodom, no one has been able to prove where Gomorrah is. It would help if you gave a little info on the fundy arguments--leonarde posted some fundy links here while discussing Sodom. Are they similar to what your opponent argues?

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