The scientists are not claiming it was worldwide, only that certain regions became flooded. As the tidal wave passed through the straits of Gibraltar it increased in speed and size absolutely devastating those coastal regions. To the writers of the OT it would appear that the entire world flooded.
Coastal Formations Not Result of Asteroid Impact  1 May , 2009 by Nancy Atkinson [/caption] Coastal formations called chevrons, large U- or V-shaped features found on coastlines around the world were originally thought to be evidence of ancient “megatsunamis” caused by asteroids or comets slamming into the ocean. However, new research using Google Earth and computer models to recreate large wave action refutes that school of thought. The theory of chevrons being created by tsunamis was proposed in 2006 after the structures were found in Egypt and the Bahamas. Some were, at places, between several hundred meters- and a kilometer-wide. Since they were also found to exist in Australia and Madagascar, some geologists formed the hypothesis that they were sediment cones left behind by large tsunamis, perhaps up to ten times stronger than the devastating tsunami in the Indian Ocean in December 2005. continued http://www.universetoday.com/30228/coastal-formations-not-result-of-asteroid-impact/
The story of the flood is about gods wrath and what he is capable of yet he will offer help to those that deserve it. The actual death count is irrelevant. Most stories in the bible are like this and while people like you nitpick the details you miss the larger meaning.
Robert Ballard, the foremost underwater archaeologist of our time and who found the titanic is currently exploring the Black Sea. He has found evidence that the Black Sea was at one time a freshwater body and surrounded by fertile farmland. He has also found evidence of glacial flooding that caused the med and the Black Sea to rise very rapidly with a force 200 times that of niahra falls. He has published his theory, based on actual carbon dated evidence, with scientists from Columbia university. There is absolutely no doubt this region was flooded during the time of Noah.
God in the flood story is explicitly said to have killed all humans save Noah's family. No quibbling about land v world. The story is in that context.
Interesting paradox, isn't it? To keep the Ark story "true"....the actual spiritual meaning behind it must be destroyed. IOW, it was NOT that God saw that man was wicked, except for Noah. It was just "God saw that the guys living in a village down river from Noah were evil....told Noah to build a raft, put a few goats on it, and ride out a "regional flood" for a few days. Meanwhile 99.9999999999999% of the rest of the planet and humanity doesn't even know it happened? - - - Updated - - - So nothing in the OT that God did or said or demanded....applies to anybody but Jews?
I simply do not understand people who look at the Bible and insist it must be literally true, every word. As if their faith would break if it wasn't. Which then forces them to contort themselves into all sorts of ridiculous positions to try to defend the plentiful contradictions and fancifulness in the book. Look at the Bible for what it is: a collection of writings from one desert tribe, 6000 years ago. It's a bit like a one-tribe library, with geneology, laws and other mundane stuff mixed in with legends and myths and stories about their God. And appreciate the meaning and morals of the stories even while recognizing they are, in many cases, myths and/or exaggerations. Because frankly, Bible literalists give Christianity a bad name, and make all believers look stupid.
That story was written for the jews to make sure they followed gods laws. It is meant to represent what God can do if they do not. I would agree it's a horrible story and should not be taught to children but it was not intended for everyone as most of the OT is not.
Except outside of the flood region there would have been millions of people not following god's rules and according to your model, nothing happened to them. So that doesn't work either.
And not even to Jews anymore. Christ did away with all that however, much of OT law is repeated in the NT. 9 out of 10 commandments are repeated but they apply to everyone now.
What that means is that we can use science to better interpret the bible which is extremely vague on details. It actually helps to clarify the story of Noah somewhat. How would you interpret the things we know into the story of Noah? We know there was a flood and that region was destroyed. It makes sense that Noah would gather up some animals and build a boat to survive it if he had warning. God obviously did not flood the whole world so apparently this was an event specifically designed for Noah. Why would that be?
Look at the state of Christianity in general in the U.S. It has almost become epidemic that a large number of "Christians" say "If you aren't politically conservative...you aren't a REAL Christian." And define "conservative" as opposing women's rights, opposing gay rights, hating Muslims, being pro-corporatist/plutocracy, opposing environmental regulation, pro-pre-emptive or even perpetual war, wanting religious indoctrination in schools, etc. When I see Tony Perkins or James Dobson or Jerry Falwell, Jr or Franklin Graham...not just conservative (which is fine), but actually bigoted and hateful.... why would I want to join their religion or be a part of it???
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them."---Matthew 5:17 But what does that mean? Jesus supposedly said he's NOT abolishing the Law....but "fulfilling" it? It sounds like double-talk (remember, Jesus didn't write that...Matthew did). "I'm not going to abolish the law against jaywalking....I'm fulfilling the law, so you won't need to jaywalk"????
Why would/should I interpret into the story? Just say, the Biblical flood is mythological and leave it at that.
As far as the water there's enough right now to cover the earth a mile deep if everything was flat. As for the ark there's enough room to keep all the animal families with room to spare. - - - Updated - - - You read the text and tell me why it's not literal.
Making an unsupported claim and expecting me to prove it wrong is illogical by my measure of logic as there is nothing to disprove as the OP is thus far baseless. As you cannot or will not back the claim in the OP with evidence I must assume that all you have is baseless opinion. Your OP makes as much sense as someone claiming that God is an invisible purple unicorn that farts rainbows that smell of cotton candy... prove me wrong! The inability to prove the negative is not proof of the positive.
And...the world is NOT FLAT (lets not go back there again), the Text does not say "Families" (whatever that means) and taken literally the Bible(s) are not even good science fiction. Regardless of what you make up to explain your belief....it fails when reality kicks in.
A pair of all the Unclean animals, and seven pairs of the Clean.... How did Noah tell them apart, since the Law hadn't been set down specifying Clean/Unclean yet?
A near death experiencer has given an explanation that fits with the idea of an old earth.......... a war between G-d and Lucifer / HaSatan/ Iblis.....that destroyed the earth.....(and probably much of the universe)..... and then a fix up job that took six literal days............ http://www.politicalforum.com/relig...ichard-eby-verifies-old-earth-gap-theory.html NDE of Dr. Richard Eby verifies old earth and gap theory.
You're just repeating what Matthew wrote....what exacly does that mean? If Jesus "fulfilled the Law" against eating pork or not wearing clothes made of two different cloths.... then he ABOLISHED the Law against eating pork or not wearing clothes made of two different cloths. - - - Updated - - - Moses had a Time Machine and sent back The Law to Noah as he was loading the Ark with a wikipedia article on "What is clean and unclean?"* *(No more crazy than the Noah Myth itself...is it?)
Because that is the point of this thread lol. We are here to discuss it so if you do not want to take part then go away.