The Prophet Elijah: A Critical Look at His Miraculous Claims
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The Prophet Elijah: An Introduction
To begin our exploration, let's refer to his Wikipedia entry, which provides insightful information about this figure:
"Elijah (YE-jə; : אֵלִיָּהוּ, ʾĒlīyyāhū, meaning 'My God is Yahweh'; Greek form: YE-əs) was, according to the Hebrew Bible, a prophet and a miracle worker who lived in Israel during the reign of King Ahab (9th century BCE). In 1 Kings 18, Elijah defended the worship of Yahweh over the Canaanite god Baal. God performed numerous miracles through Elijah, including bringing fire down from the sky and raising the dead. He is also depicted as leading a group of prophets known as 'the sons of the prophets.' After his ascension, Elisha, his most devoted disciple, succeeded him as the leader of this prophetic school. The Bible prophesies Elijah's return 'before the coming of the great and terrible day of the LORD,' which makes him a significant figure in various faiths that honor the Hebrew scriptures."
To clarify, the name Elijah signifies "My God is Yahweh," identifying Yahweh as the God of Abraham. I've previously argued against the existence of this deity through various logical avenues: if God were real, I wouldn't be able to present such arguments. Thus, this poses a significant challenge to Elijah's credibility—Yahweh does not exist.
Elijah and the Miracle of Resurrection
Next, let’s analyze Elijah’s supposed act of resurrection. The biblical account details the following:
"1 Kings 17:17–18 states: 'After this the son of the woman, the mistress of the house became ill. And his illness was so severe that there was no breath left in him. And she said to Elijah, 'What have you against me, O man of God? You have come to me to bring my sin to remembrance and to cause the death of my son!'"
The subsequent verses illustrate how Elijah revives the boy:
"1 Kings 17:21–22 recounts: 'And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the Lord, and said, "O Lord my God, I pray thee, let this child's soul come into him again." And the Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived.'"
Let’s scrutinize this narrative. The child's condition was critical, but did he truly stop breathing? It’s plausible he was merely experiencing shallow breaths. The text suggests he wasn’t deceased for an extended period—unlike Lazarus, who was claimed to be dead for four days. Therefore, it seems likely the boy was not actually dead but rather in a state of faintness. Elijah's actions, including laying over the child multiple times, could have functioned similarly to CPR, stimulating his breathing.
It's evident that souls, as traditionally conceived, do not exist. Elijah's plea to an equally non-existent deity for the boy's soul to return defies rational understanding. If the child had genuinely passed away, signs of rigor mortis would have appeared shortly after. The narrative only indicates that he had stopped breathing, leading me to assert that he wasn't truly dead—merely unresponsive. Elijah's prayer was a mere formality, and I contend that Elijah's influence merely catalyzed the child's recovery, not a supernatural intervention. This presents another strike against Elijah.
Elijah's Ascension: A Question of Mortality
Now, let’s discuss Elijah's ascent to heaven without facing death. My previous analysis addresses this claim, but even Wikipedia suggests that Elijah did experience death. The evidence is evident in the depiction below:
Observe the notation "Died" in reference to Elijah.
At this point, we have reached strike three, effectively discrediting Elijah. Nevertheless, we must consider that he was associated with numerous miracles. While I have addressed several of these claims, Elijah's belief in his divine calling led many away from Baal and toward Yahweh. This shift has contributed to the widespread monotheistic influence of Yahweh today.
Can I, as a singular individual, challenge such a vast construct? Many well-known atheists, including Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris, have grappled with similar questions without yielding success. What gives me the conviction to attempt this?
Perhaps I should appeal to Yahweh for a miracle. Who knows, maybe he will grant my wish for humanity to recognize him as a mythological figure once and for all. Baal surely smiles at the unmasking of both Yahweh and his prophet Elijah.
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Chapter 2: Examining Elijah's Legacy
The first video, "Watch Out For Fake Fathers | Elijah & Elishas," delves into the implications of Elijah's role and challenges the authenticity of his claims. It encourages viewers to reflect on the nature of belief and the figures we choose to revere.
Chapter 3: The Prophets and Their Miracles
The second video, "The REAL Reason Elijah SLAUGHTERED The Prophets Of Baal," explores the historical context and motivations behind Elijah's actions, providing a critical perspective on his legacy and the violence associated with the propagation of faith.