lpetrich

When I think about it, the "naphtha catching fire" theory is not very convincing, because the towns would have lots of cooking fires in them, and what would allow them to continue for a long time without a naphtha-igniting accident?

However, the earthquake-followed-by-fires theory has the nice features that big earthquakes do not happen every day, and that earthquakes can trigger big fires -- imagine some cooking fires igniting some collapsed building.

Answerer

I love to disprove Magus' persistent claims that the bible is 100% proven by archeology. Here are some links that might 'help':

http://www.geocities.com/lost_bible/index.html

http://www.worldagesarchive.com/Refe...Be_Trusted.htm

http://www.brianwoods.com/archeobible.htm

mike_decock

Here's an excellent post on evcforum that someone linked to in another thread discussing the historicity of The Exodus:

The Exodus: 'A Dead Issue'

-Mike...

Jack the Bodiless

Somewhat off-topic, but: the relationship between humans and apes is also clear from DNA analysis, and all those embarrassing (for creationists) transitional fossil hominids.

It's hard to imagine any comparable evidence for Sodom and Gomorrah that could exist, even in principle. A set of dated city plans, maybe, showing the cities at various times? Historical records that suddenly stop, showing fire damage?

Celsus

Thanks for the recommendation CA, I've just bought the book today, and it looks very interesting.

Joel

Bobzammel

Actually, There have been ruins of two ancient cities in close proximity in an area of the Middle East. However most agree that they burned up due to sulfer issues.
However, they were not known historically by the names Sodom and Gommorah, and there is no evidence in the bones of certain diseases or what-not that ancient unprotected sexual licentousness would have brought about. But then again, that's just from bones.
It is possible that like the legend of Troy, the Sodom and Gommorah story was *inspired* by this.