Common Misconceptions?

[silver 2039]

I found this in wikipedia, I found some of it rather suprising such as this for example:

* Muslim martyrs will not go to paradise and marry 72 black-eyed virgins. Arabic language was born as a written language with the Quran, and there's growing evidence that many of the words were Syriac or Aramaic.[47] The Quran says martyrs going to heaven will get "hur," and the word was taken by early commentators to mean "virgins." But in Aramaic, hur meant "white" and was commonly used to mean "white grapes," which the Quran compares to crystal and pearls, and contemporary accounts have paradise abounding with fruit, especially white grapes.[48][49]
* Verse that is sometimes cited to require women to wear veils is incorrectly interpreted. Instead of instructing pious women "to draw their veils over their bosoms," according to Christoph Luxenberg, the verse advises them to "buckle their belts around their hips." (see previous citations)

Napoleon Bonaparte (pictured) was not especially short. After his death in 1821, the French emperor's height was recorded as 5 feet 2 inches in French feet. This corresponds to 5 feet 6.5 inches in Imperial (British) feet, or 1.686 metres, making him slightly taller than an average Frenchman of the 19th century.[4] The metric system was introduced during his lifetime, so it was natural that he would be measured in feet and inches for much of his life. A French inch was 2.71 centimetres,[5] an Imperial inch is 2.54 centimetres. In addition to this miscalculation, his nickname, "le petit caporal", adds to the confusion, as non-francophones mistakenly take petit literally as meaning "small"; in fact, it is an affectionate term reflecting on his camaraderie with ordinary soldiers. He also surrounded himself with soldiers, his elite guard, who were always six feet tall or more.

Nowhere in the Bible is the fruit eaten by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden referred to as an apple. The fruit is called the "Fruit of the Knowledge of Good and Evil" and not identified as a known species. In middle English, however, apple was a generic term for all fruit, other than berries but including nuts, as late as the 17th century.[39]

# The number of Biblical Magi who visited Jesus is never specified, only that they carried three gifts. Additionally, they are never referred to as "kings".
# Nowhere in the Bible is Mary Magdalene ever referred to as a prostitute. Before her seeing the risen Jesus, the only other mention besides the listing of her name is the mentioning in Luke 8:2 that she had been possessed by seven demons.[41]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_misconceptions

So are these true? And did you know about these?

 

[Longus]

Quote: "Nowhere in the Bible is the fruit eaten by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden referred to as an apple. The fruit is called the "Fruit of the Knowledge of Good and Evil" and not identified as a known species. In middle English, however, apple was a generic term for all fruit, other than berries but including nuts, as late as the 17th century.[39]"

This is indeed true, most surviving Greek texts using the term καρπός, meaning fruit or produce, to refer to the blossom of the evil tree.

In addition to the ambiguous usage of 'apple' in Middle English, it is also worth noting that this particular fruit has held connotations of sexual corruption/licence since Classical times. The tossing of an apple at one's desired is a common motif in ancient literature and let us not forget that famous falling-out caused by a golden apple thrown amongst the gathered gods, the consequences of which must surely be almost as widely recounted as fall from grace itself.

An interesting list of misconceptions

 

[Longus]

On a related note, I believe I'm also right in saying that every religious story concerning Man's 'fall from grace' links the event to food in some form or another, the eating of sacred/forbidden food or the failure/refusal to eat the food of the gods being common examples.

Any examples/thoughts/corrections on this point?

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

I have actually heard all of those before. I have even had Muslims explain the 72 "virgins" thing (I suppose those particular Muslims though that it doesn't seem like such a great deal anyways . . .)

What other "fall from grace" stories are there?

 

[Dragonlord]

Very interesting link, thanks!

I know some of those explanations are true, but some were real surprises - I don't doubt any of them, though.

The greatest surprise for me was the lemmings - I had always had my doubts about those 'suicide migrations' ... now I finally know where that story originated!

 

[Julian Delphiki]

Claim that Romans spread salt to ruins of Carthage is most likely BS which originated at 19th century IIRC.

Another common one; history does not come from words "his story" (favorite of feminists).

Virgins vs. grapes is amusing one.

 

[EnlightenmentHK]

Claim that Romans spread salt to ruins of Carthage is most likely BS which originated at 19th century IIRC.

Considering that salt was worth its weight in gold for much of that time, I also agree that it was most likely BS.

 

[bob bobato]

Another common one; history does not come from words "his story"

Yeah, that wouldnt make sense, what with "histoire"(french) and "historia"(latin) meaning the same thing. And since 'his story', in french, would be 'son histoire'. And so on. But where did
'history' come from?

 

[Ciceronian]

Interesting list there Silver. As to the thing about the 72 virgins, regardless as to what it means, the most common interpretation is important. Lots of Muslim martyrs have probably blown themselves and innocent people up believing that 72 virgins awaited them. It's the results of the most common interpretation which are therefore significant.

This is indeed true, most surviving Greek texts using the term καρπός, meaning fruit or produce, to refer to the blossom of the evil tree.

I as a Classicist can confirm this interpretation fully.

Yeah, that wouldnt make sense, what with "histoire"(french) and "historia"(latin) meaning the same thing. And since 'his story', in french, would be 'son histoire'. And so on. But where did
'history' come from?

History derives from the Greek ιστοριη (historie), which means as much as "enquiry", "investigation". It was first used in the context of history by Herodotus of Halicarnassus, who starts his work with the famous words "ηροδοτου αλικαρνησσεος ιστοριης αποδεξις ηδε" (this is an exposition of the enquiry conducted by Herodotus of Halicarnassus). (Translation is my own.)

 

[privatehudson]

I come from a mostly military history background, so you'll forgive me if mine show a martial bias.

The British paras landing so far from Arnhem bridge during the Market Garden campaign doomed their attempt to capture the bridge, closer landing sites should have been used.

A study has shown that the landing sites used, although distant from the bridge actually helped as much as they hindered. Firstly there was a large forested area between Arnhem and the landing zones which helped conceal the landings from the Germans in the area. The fact that there was no obvious objective within a short distance of the zones also helped. Above all however a study has shown that many of the best troops the Germans had in the vicinity would have either lay on the route from the closer landing zones to the bridge, or were only a short march away. It remains doubtful that closer drop zones would have helped 1st Airborne Division hold on to Arnhem Bridge longer than it did (which was twice as long as it was meant to and still no help arrived anyway).

Grouchy and Ney were responsible for Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo

Napoleon assigned Grouchy an impossible mission and further compounded Grouchy's headache by then insisting that he split his command in two in order to intervene on the field of Waterloo and fight the Prussians at Wavre. Considering the Prussian forced outnumbered Grouchy's command by 3-1 its not suprising he didn't fulfill the order.

Defending Ney is harder, he had some erractic moments during the battle to say the least. Its hard however to imagine Napoleon just ignoring say the French cavalry charges that continued for a considerable length of time. At the minimum he must have been aware they were going on, and the notion that Ney would have - against Napoleon's wishes - launched repeated massed cavalry attacks on a supposedly retreating enemy seems fanciful.

 

[holy king]

The organization of the Ten Commandments is not consistent from one religion to another, or even among Christians (see this chart for example). In addition, besides the Ethical Decalogue repeated in Exodus 20:2–17 and Deuteronomy 5:6–21, there is a different set of ten commandments, the Ritual Decalogue, in Exodus.[40]

ritual decalougue:

The following is a paraphrase of the Ritual Decalogue:

1. Worship no other god than Yahweh: Make no covenant with the inhabitants of other lands to which you go, do not intermarry with them, destroy their places of worship.
2. Do not cast idols.
3. Observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days in the month of Abib in remembrance of the Exodus.
4. Sacrifice firstborn male animals to Yahweh. The firstborn of a donkey may be redeemed; redeem firstborn sons.
5. Do no work on the seventh day.
6. Observe the Feast of First Fruits and the Feast of Ingathering: All males are therefore to appear before Yahweh three times each year.
7. Do not offer the blood of a sacrifice with leavened bread.
8. Do not let the Passover sacrifice remain until the following morning.
9. Bring the first fruits of the harvest to the Temple of Yahweh.
10. Do not cook a kid in its mother's milk.

damn, and i was just going to break number ten...

 

[LightSpectra]

# The number of Biblical Magi who visited Jesus is never specified, only that they carried three gifts. Additionally, they are never referred to as "kings".
# Nowhere in the Bible is Mary Magdalene ever referred to as a prostitute. Before her seeing the risen Jesus, the only other mention besides the listing of her name is the mentioning in Luke 8:2 that she had been possessed by seven demons.[41]

It is correct that the Bible mentions neither of these. They are known through tradition, which was universally accepted by the Church until sola scriptura was invented in the Protestant reformation.

 

[Illdisposed]

Along the lines of commonly misinterpreted translations of Quiran, I'd like to point out the notion that all Muslims must not consume alcohol is not entirely true because Quiran verses refer exclusively to wine and not any other type of alcoholic beverage. This is partially supported by the theory that 6th - 7th century Arabs are to some extent responsible for invention of vodka and other hard liquors. Can anyone confirm or disprove that?

 

[Plotinus]

The Biblical ones are obviously true, as anyone can tell if they bother to open a Bible and see what it says.

It is correct that the Bible mentions neither of these. They are known through tradition, which was universally accepted by the Church until sola scriptura was invented in the Protestant reformation.

They are not and were not "known" at all, whether by tradition or anything else; they are simply legends. The notion that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute is just a romantic story, akin to the notion that she was young, or beautiful, or in love with Jesus, or bore his children... (admittedly, the idea that she was a prostitute is at least rather more probable than that). In fact we know nothing whatsoever about Mary Magdalene other than her name; she could have been 85 years old for all we know.

Other legends of this kind include the idea that there was an ox and an ass in the stable where Jesus was born. This idea comes from the early Middle Ages and is based upon a verse somewhere in the Old Testament that mentions oxes and asses. Yet even in modern nativity plays, there is always an ox and an ass, and no-one thinks to question it!

 

[aaglo]

I've heard all of them before, except the thing about women & veils.

 

[Longus]

What other "fall from grace" stories are there?

The myth of Prometheus attributes Man's fall from a state of immortality to the Titan 'tricking' Zeus into choosing the inedible offering of an ox's bones wrapped in fat over an offering of meat 'hidden' inside its stomach. A precedent is thus set for all future sacrifices in which Men are free to enjoy the flesh of the animal killed and the gods are stuck with fat and bone.

Similar theme, no?

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

I suppose . . . makes sense, food is either really good for you or can kill you, so it makes a good symbol.

 

[Yoda Power]

Nice link, thanks.

 

[Will9]

Napoleon Bonaparte (pictured) was not especially short. After his death in 1821, the French emperor's height was recorded as 5 feet 2 inches in French feet. This corresponds to 5 feet 6.5 inches in Imperial (British) feet, or 1.686 metres, making him slightly taller than an average Frenchman of the 19th century.[4] The metric system was introduced during his lifetime, so it was natural that he would be measured in feet and inches for much of his life. A French inch was 2.71 centimetres,[5] an Imperial inch is 2.54 centimetres. In addition to this miscalculation, his nickname, "le petit caporal", adds to the confusion, as non-francophones mistakenly take petit literally as meaning "small"; in fact, it is an affectionate term reflecting on his camaraderie with ordinary soldiers. He also surrounded himself with soldiers, his elite guard, who were always six feet tall or more.

Napoleon was measured as 5 feet 2 inches on St. Helena where there probably wasn't a French yardstick around.

 

[Sofista]

Nowhere in the Bible is the fruit eaten by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden referred to as an apple. The fruit is called the "Fruit of the Knowledge of Good and Evil" and not identified as a known species. In middle English, however, apple was a generic term for all fruit, other than berries but including nuts, as late as the 17th century.

...But, there's a great number of paintings from outside Britain and predating King James clearly showing an apple as the fruit. I don't doubt it's tradition, just not originating from that.