Lets face it, according to the bible, Eden was the first named place on the planet...well if it is to be believed then that should make it's existence a tangible part of the planets history. Where do you think, or rather where would like to assume Eden to be on a modern map? Oh, and why there?
205268
I think that the Garden of Eden was once located where the Sahara Desert is today.  I also believe that Eden was  or was moved to a differnt dimension beyond the veil of this world.  An angel of fire guards the entrance to the Garden against any attempted "return" and that is why the area is now a desert.
25676
I think it's allegorical, and hard to swallow theory, and I am not sure that the lessons it teaches are relevant now-days. Personally I don't think that they (adam and Eve) were exactly real and if they were, their story got passed down over time to a time when people actually knew how to write and by then, I am sure the story had been groselly distorted and embellished. To me the Divine creation of earth and their expulsion from eden does nothing more than to make God a pretty arrogant entity that demans being worshiped and feared. It just seems so unike Him. \n\nThe worst part is that, truthfully, I think that story is nothing more than fabrication on part of humans and one of the reasons why God no longer manifest himself on earth.\n\nAs for Adam and Even being the first humans, well, can someone explain to me why aren't we all plagued with genetic  defects like say when siblings or cousins have kids. It just doesn't make sense that 6 billion people come from just 2 people, whom I would presume would have been jewish and somewheat middle eastern looking. \nSomeone is overlooking the fact that there are white, black, yellow, red, and brown people in the world and that took thousands of years of natural selection and genetic mutation for that to happen. We also know that people roamed the earth over 10000 years ago, so 28 generations before Jesus, with a life expectancy of 40 would not account to that far back. \n\nI am not saying that there is no God, I am saying however that we are being fooled into thinking that he will punish us if we don't act a certain way. Why would he create imagination, self determination and gives us the will to thrive if he didn't like the outcome? Wouldn't he have been able to know this in advance and create something he could control at will instead of by meaking us fearful of him? I think HE deserves more credit thant what churches and the bible itself are giving him.
297290
Being an historian I will reserve judgement until I see the evidence personally.  I've NEVER read from a credible source that scientists have stated that the Bible to be one of the most accurate books ever written.\n\n\nShow ME the source and I will decide for myself.
478629
Let's take the religious aspect away from this question first. Even if we assume that there is no God, then the probability of other lifeforms existing elsewhere in the universe is extremely high.\n\nEven in our "visible" universe taking the number of stars with the ratio that are expected to have planets, with the ratio of those that should have planets capable of supporting life, with the ratio of those where life has actually started, we still come out with a significant number. When we start thinking about the concept of the "multiverse" with the existence of other dimensions, then this becomes mind-boggling.\n\nComing back to religion, it is a natural aspect of the human mind that we should see ourselves as central to the importance of the universe. So it was when we thought ourselves to be the centre of the solar system and, no doubt, so it will be as and when we discover something outside the currently visible universe.\n\nI think most people (other than creationists) see the story of Genesis as an allegory. I personally see no clash at all between my scientific views and my beliefs as a Christian. If God created life, why should he have not created it elsewhere as well as on Earth.\n\nSo the answer to your question is, yes.........there has to be other planets (or indeed moons) with life on them, may be even within our own solar system !
399247
Good questions! Here are my answers:\n\n1. God created... No. a 1,000 days  to man is LIKE  a day to Jah. Indifinite time is indicated, otherwise it is ridiculous\n\n2. It was the earth that stood still not the sun. The verse was written from the perspective of  the writer who was obviously here on earth.\n\n3. Yes in ancient Israel. No, to Christians. According to Col 2:14, and Romans 7:6 . Christians no longer under the letters of the law but spirit (intent) of the law.\n\n4.Cut your hands. No. obviously ridiculous. Restrain your self well is likely meaning\n\n5. Eat my body… No to cannibalism. It was meant to listen and live by his words. (John 6:68)\n\n6. 144 K. Yes, not ridiculous. They rule the earth subjects are humans on earth ( Rev 5:9, etc )\n\n7. New Jerusalem. No, symbolic of God’s kingdom. Ancient Davidic line of kingdoms had Jerusalem as their capital\n\n8. Beast w/ multiple head. Symbolic. Of human kingdoms according to Chap 17 & 18 of Revelations, also Daniel chap 8.
576688
You should read "The Mystery of Atlantis" by Charles Berlitz, it uses real evidence to discuss whether or not Atlantis existed and if so where was it and who were its people? It places the position of Atlantis similar to your line of thinking using maps and recounts of ancient greeks and mayans who recorded trade with people who were in all liklihood from Atlantis.
114956
I believe in the Bible.\nThe Bible says that the world was created in six literal 24 hour days, is around 6000 years old, that man and dinosaurs lived together (being created in the same week), and that there was a flood that totally covered the entire planet, killing off the vast majority of human, plant and animal life on the planet.\nThe amount of scintific evidence that supports this theory is simply staggering, but rarely given a chance to be heard or seen due to the wide-spread acceptance of the evolution theory.\n\nDid you know that the earth's rotation is slowing down? So if you back up in time a few million years, you have to speed the earth's rotation up proportionatly - you can't even go back a few million before the earths rotation becomes so fast that life on this planet is not possible anymore. - Much less 4.6 billion years.\n\nThe orbit of the moon is growing a little bit farther away from the earth every year, so if you back that one up a few million years, the moon would have been so close to the earth that the tide would have come so high it would wipe out all life on the  planet twice a day. - 4.6 billion years ago, it would have to have been touching the earth,  not oribiting the earth.\n\nI could go on for many pages like this, but follow the link below to find out more about that the Bible says about creation, and what scientific examination of these claims have shown.
621873
So far I have found no reference in the Bible to the age of the earth or indeed the universe.\n\nTo iMi: I agree that looking at ages in the genealogies would indicate approximately 6000 years of history.\n\nHowever, the Hebrew word that is translated as "created" in Genesis 1:1 generally applies perfection, orderliness, completeness, etc. In Genesis 1:2 everything is in chaos. How much time elapsed between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2? I think there is any way for us to know.
412788
How about the fact that the entire scientific community accepts the age of the earth to be 4.6 billion years old?\n\nI have no idea what sources you're reading from or even if you just made all that up, but science is in no way "proving" the Bible. If anything, it's proving that the Biblical creation story is even LESS likely to actually have happened than we originally thought.\n\nAdam & Eve? Mainstream scientists laugh at that, man.
192879
Did you ever eat an apple? Did it taste good? Prove it.\n\nPeople also say the Bible is a fantasy...or that it's just a bunch of fairy tales or made-up stories.\n\nWhat they forget is that it is also the HISTORY of Israel. Without it, they pretty much have nothing to prove they ever existed...or do they?\n Very little was ever recorded about the Hebrews. And yet much has been said about Jesus...although little historical evidence on His existance.\n\n The thing is this though, what man, in the HISTORY of the World, has had more effect on it?\n\n HISTORY is recorded by His birth and death.\n\nNearly every religion acknowledges Him in one way or another.\n\n Even atheists will call on Him when their life is in danger.\n\n Nothing and no man has ever had the impact that Jesus Christ has had.\n\n That's enough evidence to make anyone think.\n\nBesides, He has deilvered me from a life of sin and unclean living. He has given me more blessings and miracles than i ever dreamed of.\n That's all the evidence i need.\n\nI am living proof He existed. :)\n\n God bless you, as you seek His' Truth.\nTo know more, click here...\nhttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/bibletruths_forbelievers/
329101
my religion is Bible-based, so that is the text that i will be focusing on.\n\nover the years archaeologists have used the Bible to find people, places, kings, kingdoms, and even entire civilizations that were previously thought to not exist.  they were in the Bible, but no one found them until they used the Bible to find them. \n\nthe Bible puts on a timeline a cataclysmic flood about 4500 years ago where everything was destroyed from the face of the earth.  the oldest tree discoevered dates to about 4500 years ago.  coincidence?  read on...\n\nin the late 1990's, the earths population topped 6 billion.  in 1810, it was just over 1 billion.  following the curve that these numbers give us, the human population was at it's beginning about 4500 years ago (where the Bible has 8 living people)\n\nthe first greek translation of the new testament was written 250 years BC (before christ).  it has in it over 300 prophesies pertaining to the life of the messiah; all of which were fullfilled by Jesus.  the odds of this all happening as written are monumental. \n\nGod proved that He surpasses time and space with the prophesies, that He created time and space with the intricacy of His creation, and that He loves time and space with the sacrifice He paid.  maybe the Bible was penned by men, but each and every word written was via divine inspiration from God Himself.  no man could accomplish that.  religion was created by man, as the simple definition of "religion" is "man's quest for God"; however i believe in a different school of thought, and that is one of "God desiring a relationship with His creation; specifically man."  it isn't about being religious, it's about having a relationship with God.
326430
I think we have first the abiity to choose. What good would it do to have options if we didn't know what to do with them? And yes, I think things need a "reference point" so to speak in order to "exist." Yet when God created the world He created everything else before he created man. Maybe this question is not as simple as it seemed when I first read it. Oh dear.
171736
The land of Nod was originally talked about in a deleted book of the Bible (deleted by the Catholics, I believe), which also contained the story of the first woman, Lilith...\n\nMost Christians have no idea this book exists, and further illustrates my point that if the Christians would simply do a little research on their own faith, they would realize first off how little they have been told of it.\n\nAnd once they realize that, and begin further inquiry, they'll realize WHY they haven't been told.  Welcome to atheism, folks.  Glad you could join us.
315685
I believe that a literal interpretation of Genesis is ignorant.  I believe that Genesis is a Christian mythology and I have scholars on my side.  The whole creation story is symbolic.  When it was written, we didn't have science to explain how the earth or its inhabitants were created, so the writer had to explain it in a way that people living at the time would understand.  The Adam and Eve story, I believe is symbolic of emerging societies.  Adam and Eve living in paradise are symbolic to small nomadic groups of people living apart from each other.  They are kicked out of paradise when nomadic groups began to experience conditions that threatened their survival - hot sun, cold winters and learned about the fragility of life and death.  They had two children, Cain and Able - this symbolizes the population getting larger and when Cain killed Able, this is symbolic for fighting and wars between individuals and groups of people with differing ideas.
637913
i dont think the garden of eden was perfect. i think it was just what the bible said it was, "good." you see when man ate of the tree of knowledge of good and evil he didn't become sinful he became aware of sin, or in other words aware of good and evil. This made him responsible for his actions. you see God didn't create us perfect and then it didn't work out. it is a process working its way up to perfection. This process is still going on.
204709
Joshua.  People like you crack me up.  Really!  You argue about biblical-specific entries and events as if they were factual and undeniable.  "written 4000 years ago"  On what?  Notebook paper?  Do you have some copies of those 4000 year old writings?  Do you have some secret text that nobody else has ever seen?  Are you on heroin or acid?  What's your trip?  None of the authors of the NT witnessed the alleged resurrection.  No matter how you stretch it, there are no actual accounts of it.  Most of the NT was created and written in 320AD under the direction of Constantine the Great, and its puirpose was NOT for historic accuracy.  Its purpose was to create a doctrine at the Council of Nicea that all factions of religious doctrine could agree upon and pull everyone together.  Why does it appear that there only a few people that post here regularly who actually know this?  Is your only source of "history" the Bible itself?  Are you crazy enough to use the Bible to prove the Bible?  Talk about illogic!\n\nThe original poster is correct -- if the notion of god portrayed in the bible is accurate, then there is no need for "free will" -- God already knows how things turn out.  He already knows who chooses free will and who doesn't choose free will, how they act, and who the sinners are and who goes to hell.  He already knows the choices people made in the past and what they'll make in the future.  He already knows how things will turn.  Already been there.  Outside of the time line?  Fine, state it however you wish.  It's still the same.  He's all knowing.  He knows how the "souls" will turn out. There's no need for a test on earth.\n\nThe question is not flawed at all.  Your assumption that the Bible is incontrovertible is flawed, and your statements of biblical myths as assertion are ridiculous.  It is one of hundreds of unprovable myths on this whole planet, full of fatal flaws, like the one this question raises.
51753
There is no mention of any other world, human or extra-terrestrial, in the bible.\nSo, if there is other life, God didn't inform us about it.  In other words, no one knows.\nI happen to believe that we're all there is.  But, I guess I'll find out for sure when I die.\n\n\n***update,\nCan you find that scripture?  I'd be interested in seeing it.\n\n\n***update**\nUnfortunately my concordance is packed away (I just moved) and I can't look the word up.  I'd be willing to bet that it's talking about the other planets.  It still doesn't specify that there is alien life or other people on other planets.\nIt could be that there is...I don't know and no one does for sure.  I just don't think so.\nNotice that the verse talks about things that are seen are not made from things that do appear.  In other words, what we see was not made from what exists naturally.  VERY interesting because it is a direct verse that says evolution is false.  It is talking about looking at the creation and realizing that God had to create it because it would be absurd to think this all created itself.\n\nGoing back to things that are seen.  I would say that this verse is only talking about the planets in our solar system.  We see those and they are other worlds.  However, there's no life on any of them.  Only earth can sustain life.