Authenticity of Religious Sites

[NovaKart]

Last year I visited a few religious sites in Turkey including, Noah's Tomb, the cave where the Prophet Abraham was born, the spot where the Prophet Abraham was thrown into the fire by Nemrud and a cave where the Prophet Job lived. I'm pretty skeptical that these sites have any validity because it's just impossible to ascertain that these people ever even existed, let alone places where they actually lived. Is there any reason to accept these places as valid and do you know of any places where you think there is a reason to believe in the holy connection?

These are the photos I took of the places mentioned above:

Tomb of Noah

Where Abraham was born:

Place where he was thrown into the fire:

Cave where Job lived

 

[peter grimes]

I really enjoy visiting "holy" sites. I'm a härd cöre atheist, but the humanistic aspects of religious attribution these things have is really compelling.

I've attended two masses by Pope John Paul II (pbum), and they were incredibly moving experiences.

Like you, I'm highly skeptical that this exact Cave or that precise Hill is the spot where that precise Person did this or that (assuming, of course, that either this or that happened in the first place).

But knowing that thousands or millions of other people have come to this *precise place* thinking about this *precise thing* has a powerful effect on me.

The first time I left the USA#! was a trip to Rome organized by my Latin teacher. We had done a bit of Cicero's Orations. I was able to stand in the *precise spot* that I believed Cicero stood in the Forum and recited one of his damning speeches. Yes, it's very likely the speech wasn't what he actually said, and the spot I stood wasn't exactly spot on - but the experience for me was the most spiritual I've ever had by far.

So it doesn't matter to me if the cave is the right one or not. It can still be a uniting experience for everyone involved.

 

[Kyriakos]

Where is the tomb of the Marbled King?

 

[Borachio]

I've been to Lourdes (I was unmoved). I've been to Rocamadour (I was unmoved). I've been to the Colosseum (I was pretty much unmoved). I went half-way up the Eiffel Tower (I was moved about half-way up). I went to Dachau... and felt rather bewildered.

I suppose you could say I've only been a half-hearted tourist.

I'm really dubious about all these sites. Though it's something to do if you happen to be there. While waiting for lunchtime to arrive.

What difference does it make to stand on the exact spot of some real historical event? Nevermind a purported historical event.

People go on pilgrimage to sites where fictional events take place too.

Spoiler :

I should add, since most if not all readers will not know, that the Cafe featured in a long-running so-called sit-com Last of the Summer Wine (it was utter drivel - trust me). And tourists do visit it. Who knows why? 'Tis a mystery.

 

[warpus]

I have you read Dune?

Religion is a very interesting beast. The authenticity doesn't matter.

Seems like 3 random sentences, but I'm leaving it at that.

 

[Borachio]

I have had read Dune you? I have, actually. Not recently. I may read it again.

I agree it's an interesting subject. And authenticity is only a question if you base your belief on authenticity.

If you say "I just believe this, and it doesn't matter at all whether it's true or not", I suggest that's a rather strange stance to take.

Even though that's in the end what a lot of religious believers I've met do seem to be doing.

 

[Berzerker]

does the dating of gobleki tepe rule out the Black Sea flood as that of Noah?

 

[warpus]

I have had read Dune you? I have, actually. Not recently. I may read it again.

I agree it's an interesting subject. And authenticity is only a question if you base your belief on authenticity.

Authenticity doesn't matter, because people will put their faith in things based on completely different considerations. Now they might think that the things they worship are authentic artifacts, but whether it is or isn't is another story.