Was a Tsunami the basis for the great bibilical flood (Noah's Ark)

[StormRider]

It seems like it could have been to me. Back in those days, the primitive people probably thought that God was angry and decided to cleanse the world or something.

 

[Juno]

What about us? 😕

 

[cmdrmoocow]

Interesting thought, but get your flamesuit ready.

 

[ohtwell]

If I'm not mistaken the flood was supposedly caused by 40 days and nights of rain, not a Tsunami.


: ) Amanda

 

[Analog]

Nope. Many say it was when the Black Sea was invaded by the Mediterranean Sea, i.e. went from fresh water to salt water. This was due to sea levels rising after the last Ice Age. The impending floods around the perimeter of the black sea basin were monumental.

 

[Leros]

Has anyone seen that show on the Discovery Channel about what they really think happened that inspired the story of Noah's ark? Something like: the river floods, a merchant ship gets swept out to sea, doesnt find land for some time. Then the story gets told 1000s of times over and becomes the biblical story we all know.

 

[dderidex]

Originally posted by: JToxic
Has anyone seen that show on the Discovery Channel about what they really think happened that inspired the story of Noah's ark? Something like: the river floods, a merchant ship gets swept out to sea, doesnt find land for some time. Then the story gets told 1000s of times over and becomes the biblical story we all know.

It's probably attributing too much to a single event. The point most Christians make is that "EVERY culture has flood stories". At least, I always argued that when I was a bible-thumping evangelical fundie.

Turns out, not ever culture does, though. And they differ substantially in critical details.

Strangely, the only cultures that have 'great flood stories' turn out to be cultures with substantial presence near major rivers or oceans or other significant bodies of water (Black Sea, Mediterranean, etc). Odd that.

It's likely that each culture's flood story evolved seperately from their own past. I mean, observe the common elements (what few there are):
* God (or gods) angry at the world/mankind/a certain person
* God (or gods) arranges flood to kill off the offending world/humans/certain family
* Chosen few who were loyal to god (or gods) are preserved (the method varies - a boat, a hidden mountain, god suspending them above the water, etc)
* The loyal few survivors (and the number varies, too, from one individual to a small family to a city) rebuild civilization worshipping god in the correct way

The points are generic enough that any substantially superstitious culture near a major body of water couldn't be blamed for coming up with a similar story.