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Nephilins.

Started by Susan, May 26, 2022, 03:02:20 PM

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Susan

Sorry to bother you guys, but any idea what (or who) the ''nephilins'' in the Bible were?

Is there a section in the forum for discussing the Bible specifically, or is that one indeed appropriate?

Gawdzilla Sama

Remember that the Bible is mostly a series of "my gods can whip your gods." Almost none of it is credible by historical evidence. The Hebrews were never slaves in
Egypt, but telling people "our god beat up the Egyptian gods!" would hopefully make other Bronze Age people wary of crossing the rag-tag band of homeless goatherders.
 
We 'new atheists' have a reputation for being militant, but make no mistake  we didn't start this war. If you want to place blame put it on the the religious zealots who have been poisoning the minds of the  young for a long long time."
PZ Myers

Susan

Quote from: Gawdzilla Sama on May 26, 2022, 06:36:54 PMRemember that the Bible is mostly a series of "my gods can whip your gods." Almost none of it is credible by historical evidence. The Hebrews were never slaves in
Egypt, but telling people "our god beat up the Egyptian gods!" would hopefully make other Bronze Age people wary of crossing the rag-tag band of homeless goatherders.
 

I know that. I was asking about the so-called "giants" in Genesis, though.

Mike Cl

Quote from: Susan on June 03, 2022, 12:48:26 AMI know that. I was asking about the so-called "giants" in Genesis, though.
All you need do is google it and you will be presented with pages of the info you asked about.  And yes, there is a section where the bible(s) are discussed.
Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able?<br />Then he is not omnipotent,<br />Is he able but not willing?<br />Then whence cometh evil?<br />Is he neither able or willing?<br />Then why call him god?

Simoon

#4
Quote from: Susan on May 26, 2022, 03:02:20 PMSorry to bother you guys, but any idea what (or who) the ''nephilins'' in the Bible were?

Is there a section in the forum for discussing the Bible specifically, or is that one indeed appropriate?

Are you asking if the Nephilim were modeled after some extent creature? Or, are you asking what mythological creature were the Bible writers trying to describe?

The Bible has all sorts of mythical creatures in it.

Dragons and Cockatrice also make their appearances in the Bible.

Here is a cockatrice. They could kill people with a look, the death-darting eye of Cockatrice.




Susan

Quote from: Simoon on June 03, 2022, 04:50:23 PMAre you asking if the Nephilim were modeled after some extent creature? Or, are you asking what mythological creature were the Bible writers trying to describe?

The Bible has all sorts of mythical creatures in it.

Dragons and Cockatrice also make their appearances in the Bible.

Here is a cockatrice. They could kill people with a look, the death-darting eye of Cockatrice.





No, I am asking if there is any actual evidence (as in, archeological/historical) of these Nephilins ever having existed.

Mike Cl

Quote from: Susan on June 06, 2022, 01:50:30 AMNo, I am asking if there is any actual evidence (as in, archeological/historical) of these Nephilins ever having existed.
No
Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able?<br />Then he is not omnipotent,<br />Is he able but not willing?<br />Then whence cometh evil?<br />Is he neither able or willing?<br />Then why call him god?

Cassia

I wasted some valuable time in my youth, being forced to study mythology. My questions were never answered to my satisfaction, so I turned to real learning in the ever-improving fields of science. That has made all the difference. I have a soft spot for people who ask questions like Susan just did because that was me in my youth. I do hope she looks in the right direction!

Susan

#8
Quote from: Mike Cl on June 03, 2022, 08:59:13 AMAll you need do is google it and you will be presented with pages of the info you asked about.  And yes, there is a section where the bible(s) are discussed.

The problem with the response: ''Google it!'' is that:

1) ''Argumentum ad googlam'' (https://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Do_your_own_research), and:

2) The algorithms are designed to bring you to what is most popular rather than what is most relevant.

So it is useless to recommend Google for these types of matters.

Mike Cl

Quote from: Susan on June 12, 2022, 08:30:05 PMThe problem with the response: ''Google it!'' is that:

1) ''Argumentum ad googlam'' (https://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Do_your_own_research), and:

2) The algorithms are designed to bring you to what is most popular rather than what is most relevant.

So it is useless to recommend Google for these types of matters.

Actually, I was using 'google it' as a generic form of internet research.  When I do any serious research, I don't use google.  I use mostly Bing and Duckduckgo.  Both give me page after page of sites without a single ad site in the bunch.  I actually know little to nothing of the creatures you are talking about.  Except, since the bible(s) are simply fiction/fantasy/propaganda most likely they are in that category--fiction.   
Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able?<br />Then he is not omnipotent,<br />Is he able but not willing?<br />Then whence cometh evil?<br />Is he neither able or willing?<br />Then why call him god?

Sorginak

Google search, first link:
christianity.com
QuoteThe word Nephilim is found in the Bible two times, the first is in Genesis 6:1-6 and then again in Numbers 13:33. Scholars and commentators translate the word Nephilim as giants or fallen ones.

Simoon

Quote from: Susan on June 06, 2022, 01:50:30 AMNo, I am asking if there is any actual evidence (as in, archeological/historical) of these Nephilins ever having existed.

No.

There is zero evidence that the Nephilim existed, in any way the Bible* describes them.

At the base of many myths, sometimes there is a shred of something natural, that has been exaggerated in such a way, that it becomes a supernatural entity. Especially during the time when stories were not written down, and only retold verbally. Ever play a game of 'post office' when you were a kid?

Whales become sea monsters, a large snake becomes exaggerated into a dragon, knowledgeable women become witches, etc.

This type of thing is ridiculously common in all of humanity.

*texts written decades or centuries after the alleged events, by people that were not eye witnesses, and we don't even have original copies. Why would one give any credence to any supernatural story in the Bible?

the_antithesis

Quote from: Simoon on June 15, 2022, 07:20:20 PMEver play a game of 'post office' when you were a kid?

We played 'telephone,' grandpa. Weren't you playing 'pony express?'

Simoon

Quote from: the_antithesis on June 16, 2022, 12:24:27 PMWe played 'telephone,' grandpa. Weren't you playing 'pony express?'

Ha!

I meant telephone.

the_antithesis

Yeah. Post office is where you kiss girls or something. "Let me put a stamp on you. *smooch*"