The Bible has been around for centuries. A source of spiritual guidance for some, and an excuse to commit horrendous atrocities for others, there’s no denying that the ancient text will continue to stand the test of time. Despite Christianity’s popularity in the United States, some claims and stories found in the Bible’s text have been undoubtedly disproven. Here are six of those debunked “facts.”
Creationism vs. Evolution: Part 1
Creationism is the idea that God created the Earth and everything on it in six days. It’s the biblical idea most likely to come to mind first when one thinks about Christian concepts that have been debunked by science. In contradiction to the Bible, Charles Dawin’s theory of evolution explains the current state of the planet through natural selection and gradual change.
Creationism vs. Evolution: Part 2
Fossil records and genetic studies have both provided undeniable proof of common ancestry among different species – in other words, proof of evolution. While some religious people incorporate this into their beliefs, taking on a new view of “creationism,” the idea of a literal six-day creation has been thoroughly debunked.
The Great Flood: Part 1
The Great Flood, the God-induced disaster central to the story of Noah’s Ark, has also been debunked by the scientific community. Geology and paleontology – studies of the Earth and ancient life – have found absolutely no evidence to support the idea of a flood so large.
The Great Flood: Part 2
Scientific studies of sedimentary layers and the fossil record suggest that numerous localized floods have occurred throughout history – but no floods big enough to wipe out the world’s entire population, contradicting the Bible’s claim of an immense flood encompassing the whole planet.
Earth as the Center of the Universe: Part 1
Once upon a time, the belief that the Earth is the center of the universe was very mainstream. It’s known as the “geocentric model” and was championed by religious people and scientists alike for many, many years.
Earth as the Center of the Universe: Part 2
Nowadays, we know that the Earth is not, in fact, the center of the universe. The Sun takes that role in our solar system in an idea introduced by Nicolaus Copernicus and later confirmed by Johannes Kepler and Galileo Galilei. It’s known as the “heliocentric model.”
Age of the Earth: Part 1
In the Bible, the so-called age of the Earth can be tracked by looking at its genealogical accounts. These accounts imply the planet is between 6,000 and 10,000 years old – another notion that’s been entirely debunked by modern science. Radiometric dating and ice core data – both modern scientific dating methods – profoundly contradict the Bible’s claim.
Age of the Earth: Part 2
These scientific findings have challenged the Bible’s timeline, something a lot of Christians are uncomfortable with. As such, the findings have led to debates within religious communities about how to reconcile the age of the Earth with their faith. According to the modern methods, the Earth is around 4.5 billion years old.
Global Language Divergence: Part 1
The Tower of Babel – another story in the Bible – claims that all human languages came from a single language after God tried to confuse people who attempted to build a tower to Heaven by making them all talk differently.
Global Language Divergence: Part 2
On the other hand, linguistic research has proven that languages evolve over time through things like cultural interactions, isolation, and linguistic drift. There is absolutely no evidence to support the Bible’s claim of a sudden introduction of multiple languages.
The Nature of the Cosmos: Part 1
In the Bible, there are passages that describe the heavens as a solid dome with stars affixed to it. It’s an idea that influenced the beliefs of many biblical writers – but it contrasts with our modern understanding of the universe as an expansive, three-dimensional space filled with galaxies, stars, and planets.
The Nature of the Cosmos: Part 2
Scientific advancements in astronomy – including telescopic observations, satellite missions, and the study of cosmic microwave background radiation – have provided clear and undeniable evidence that supports the current cosmological model and contradicts the Bible’s claims.
The Internet’s Thoughts
Contradictions between the Bible and scientific understanding have been debated for many, many years – particularly on the internet. Some Christians accept scientific advancement and incorporate it into their beliefs while others deny modern understanding entirely.
Because the Bible Says So
Some online commenters responded to claims of the Bible being more accurate than science with satire. One such individual said: “The Bible is true because the bible says so. It’s right there in the Bible if you just care to look.”
God Cannot Lie
Others pointed out flaws in the logic of Christians who entirely deny science. “Always thought it was funny when people cite the scripture that says God cannot lie. Uh, unless that’s a lie,” one person said. “Exactly my thoughts,” another agreed.
Some Ludicrous Claims
Responding to a Christian woman claiming that the Earth is much younger than it is, one person said: “People who bring forward claims like this are too far gone. At this point, few things can convince them and a random person on the internet is not one of those things. Nevertheless, the discussion must be had for the other people who see this – so they notice that these ludicrous claims are not without opposition.”
Avoiding Embarrassing the Church
Others looked to history. One individual wrote: “St Augustine, the most important of the Church Fathers, wrote an extended rant all the way back in the fourth century about how Christians who don’t understand science should keep their mouths shut to avoid embarrassing the church and discrediting Christianity to unbelievers.”
An Open-Minded Christian
Open-minded Christians voiced their views too. “What if the seven days are just a metaphor? What if it is ‘seven days’ but it was not really seven days? I know I might sound weird right now but the two theories could coexist and be true at the same time. A lot of hidden meaning is in the Bible and I think it would be plausible for something like this to be done,” one person said.
“This Is Why Nobody Takes Christianity Seriously”: Pastor Enters Cage of Lions to Prove God Is Protecting Him
Plenty of religious leaders claim to have some form of “divine protection” but not many of them are brave enough to attempt to prove it. One pastor, though, did possess that courage – or stupidity – and he locked himself in a cage of lions to make his point.
“Christianity in America Is Just a Money Making Scheme”: Pope Slams American Catholics for Turning Faith into a Cash Cow and Ideological Circus
Pope Francis has criticized certain conservative factions within the US Catholic Church, stating that they’ve replaced genuine faith with rigid ideology. He emphasized that a proper interpretation of Roman Catholic doctrine permits adaptation and change as time goes on.
“Jesus Was a Socialist”: Christianity in Crisis as Conservatives Finally Realize Jesus Was Woke
Russell Moore, once a prominent figure within the Southern Baptist Convention, has expressed profound concerns regarding the current trajectory of Christianity within the United States.
“Jesus Was a Socialist”: Christianity in Crisis as Conservatives Finally Realize Jesus Was Woke
Empty Pews, Changing Views: 18 Reasons Why Modern Congregations Are Thinning Out
Sit tight, friends! Have you noticed that your usual church-going squad is thinning out? Even the little old ladies with their prayer books seem to have made themselves scarce. But what’s causing this great church exodus? Let’s pull back the curtain and examine why some people are swapping the sermon for a Sunday sleep-in with our intriguing list of 18 reasons.
Empty Pews, Changing Views: 18 Reasons Why Modern Congregations Are Thinning Out
21 Things Forbidden by the Bible (But You Might Already Be Doing Them!)
As we navigate the present day, it’s fascinating to discover age-old Biblical rules that might feel out of place today. From clean-shaven debates to the great pork dilemma, let’s dive into these intriguing prohibitions. Hold onto your hats because some of these are real eyebrow-raisers!
21 Things Forbidden by the Bible (But You Might Already Be Doing Them!)