Eden

[oldnitro]

Was there ever a place called the Garden of Eden or is it a mythological destination like heaven or paradise?

[Motoko2501]

Hard to say, as the flood wiped everything out so we will never know. Also the bible isn't the most accurate source of information....

[bookbinder]

It's probably a convenient concept that was dreamed up by early religious leaders to satisfy people who were asking "where did it all begin?"

[jomifl]

If there was it must have been a lot later than the bible since Adam and Eve probably didn't speak English (though some diehards might dispute that)

[keyplus90]

Yes, the very first post is right. Eden Garden is a Cricket stadium in Calcutta. And I have been and played there. Nice ground and a very good batting friendly picth.

[RATTER15]

It must be fact, it is in the Bible, along with the talking snake!! :-)

[Eastender]

A few months back on the Discovery Channel, there was a programme that proved that Eden did exist, they even done a computer graphic so you saw what it would have looked like. With all the negative answers, I suppose it all depends on what you believe in.

[birdie1971]

I don't believe that 'The Garden of Eden' is a location on earth in the literal sense. It is a metaphor for paradise. The whole point of the Eden story is to demonstrate the fallibility of mankind and for Christians, it is the basis of the 'original sin' dogma.

[mibn2cweus]

//The whole point of the Eden story is to demonstrate the fallibility of mankind...//

Birdie, don't you mean, '...to demonstrate the gullibility of mankind...'?

[birdie1971]

^^^

If I were to be brutally honest, I would agree with you. However, I've decided (for the time being) to be diplomatic.

[mibn2cweus]

Good luck with that Birdie. Diplomacy might actually be effective, assuming you're dealing with someone who hasn't abandoned reason altogether. Personally, I prefer 'brutal' honesty as it has proven for me to be the only way to get at, what those who perceive as and thereby made reality the enemy, the 'brutal' truth.

Reality takes no prisoners. It is therefore with regards to reality imperative to be sure that one is on the right side at the onset. Once one has obscured ones vision of reality in favour of cherished beliefs it becomes an arduous journey to find ones way through that self-imposed fog out of the shadowland of self-delusion.

Paradise is not a place from which one is evicted by the magical elves who created it but a place one creates for oneself by understanding the nature of what such a place requires and fulfilling those requirements. Nothing worthwhile is free or easy but is a product of our appreciation for the thought, vision and effort we and others like us have put forth to realise it.

Paradise belongs to those who have made themselves its equal. But then you already knew that, didn't you?

[birdie1971]

Quite right. And well said. I particularly liked the phrase, “... reality takes no prisoners...”. I hope you don't mind if I flagrantly plagiarise it in future? ;-)

[mibn2cweus]

Honestly, I don't know where that came from either Birdie so if someone sues you then I suppose you'll just have to turn around and sue me. ;o)

If it is indeed to be credited to someone else, I have to ask, "Where in the hell do they come up with this stuff?"