I think it's natural that historical books that are amazingly influential in present time, would be subject to serious scrutiny and be questioned by those who believe such status is undeserved.

Of course. There are always double standards for Biblical figures.

Good that 1oldminer mentioned Homer.

Is there any other proof of his existence other than the Iliad or the Odyssey?

What of the Trojan War?

Moses is still a historical figure. Both Jesus and Paul and other New Testament writers mention him.

it was your claim that Moses was historical figure, cos Jesus and Paul said so...... not mine...... I asked for independent proves.

I would understand it if you would not take my word for the existence of Alfred T Marshalberry and requested independent proves.

You are missing the big picture (or perhaps asked this question in jest.)

There are lessons there to be learned by people who read the story of Moses. This great story teaches us about patience, perseverance, sacrifice, faith, hope, etc etc.

Perhaps you would not ask such a question if it were just a great work of literature. You would not question why the author created the circumstances or not help the hero or save him. You may enjoy the story and try to decipher various levels of meaning present.

However, you question why God (the author/creator) did not intervene. God is intelligent. He is also just, we are told. This story makes you question that. More generally, this is about questioning why God allows evil in the world or does not intervene more directly in our lives, by never having allowed a serial killer to have been born in the first place, for instance.

But this story relates to the real world. Very often, people have had to persevere and make sacrifices, to have hope and faith, to cooperate, before a cruel dictator (and his hardline government) has been deposed. For people struggling in similar situations in current times, could this story serve as a reminder that there is hope, that God is watching, that there is meaning in all of this?

Of course, it requires you to take the stories seriously and try to understand them rather than nitpick. Skepticism has its place as does trust. But cynicism rarely encourages true consideration of matter at hand.

There are many scientific experiments that may seem trivial and waste of money/time at first glance. They are ammo for those who want to ridicule scientists and devalue science. To be open to new experiences, to have a curious mind, and to approach any subject with no presumptions, however, is a great approach to learning any subject....I think.

No there isn't. Many scholars believe that Homer did not exist and that "Homer" may in fact have been several people writing under a single name.


That is a completely different question. Troy has been found and evidence of the Trojan war is known from other sources. The historicity or otherwise of Troy has no bearing on whether Homer was a real person or not.

Seeing as you actually asked a SENSIBLE question for once I will explain.

"Many" do not believe they really existed, "some" do. "Many" experts in the case of Homer and Caedmon and the "vast majority" in the case of King Arthur believe they were not real figures.

Yes I would and do apply the same logic to those figures. I concur that there is no evidence for Homer (explained above). There is certainly no evidence for King Arthur as he is described in Le Morte D'Arthur. The best explanation we have is that the legend of King Arthur may be based on the lives of several different people after the end of Roman rule in Britain.

As for Caedmon, the case here is slightly more substantial than those other two figures. Yes we have only one surviving poem but Bede (who is generally considered a reliable source) gives an account of his life. It is highly likely that Bede was recounting stuff that he had already heard/read. In the absence of further evidence, I doubt he existed either.

So as you can see I do apply the same logic to other figures but I doubt you will give me credit for it.

You know, as much power as you (and many others like you) assign to Satan, I'm not really sure if your brand of Christianity qualifies as monotheistic anymore.

I would suggest that the Bible was not a great work of literature until the King James version was produced, making it a great work of prose and poetry.As literature it would benefit from better editing.

My question is, why does the OT God act like a terrorist, torturing and killing innocent hostages (the Egyptian firstborn) one by one until the government (i.e. Pharaoh) cuts loose the prisoners(the Hebrews)it's holding?

Modern man has figured out that's uncivilized; what was God's problem?

Maybe you forget the bigger picture that it was the Egyptians oppressing the Israelites, using them as slave labor, having even ordered the assasination of all male babies.

If you are taking God's killing of the firstborn as true, then before passing judgment on His actions, you must not forget why God had to fight to liberate His people.

Then I'm afraid you either don't take Satan seriously or severely underestimate his influence in the hearts of people.

The evidence of his influence is vividly clear when you see the wickedness in people's hearts especially in theses latter-days; lust,infidelity,dishonesty, greed, hatred, envy, murder, etc with themselves and each other.

Most people, including even a few christians have become complacecent when it comes to the devil.

And whether or not you believe it is just some wild fairytale, the devil is very real. Evil exists just as Good exists Like the wind you cannot see it, but you know it is there, the same goes for the influence of both God and the devil in the hearts of people through thier chosen actions...be they good or be they evil.