Replies

To say that the statement that Eve was made from a rib taken from Adam's side is false, or a myth, is even more silly. "With God, all things are possible." If God wanted to take a rib and transform it into a woman, that's His business. It just isn't within the purview of any bishop to say that this verse is simply false. God can perform a miracle any time He chooses.

But it doesn't matter what Genesis says about the details surrounding the creation of Eve. The fact is, she is Adam's helpmate, and saying she came from his rib explains the extra rib that women have.

#1 women and men have the same number of ribs.

#2 That's part of the Bible that is in error, the true story is:

After three weeks in the Garden of Eden, God came to visit Eve. "So, how is everything going?" inquired God.

"It is all so beautiful, God," she replied. "The sunrises and sunsets are breathtaking, the smells, the sights, everything is wonderful, but I have just one problem. It is these breasts you have given me. The middle one pushes the other two out and I am constantly knocking them with my arms, catching them on branches and snagging them on bushes. They are a real pain," reported Eve. And Eve went on to tell God that since many other parts of her body came in pairs, such as her limbs, eyes, ears, etc., she felt that having only two breasts might leave her body more "symmetrically balanced," as she put it.

"That is a fair point," replied God, "but it was my first shot at this, you know. I gave the animals six breasts, so I figured that you needed only half of those, but I see that you are right. I will fix it up right away."

God reached down, removed the middle breast and tossed it away into the bushes.

Three weeks passed and God once again visited Eve in the Garden of Eden.

"Well, Eve, how is my favorite creation?"

"Just fantastic," she replied, "but for one oversight on your part. You see, all the animals are paired off. The ewe has a ram and the cow has her bull. All the animals have a mate except me. I feel so alone."

God thought for a moment and said, "You know, Eve, you are right. How could I have overlooked this? You do need a mate and I will immediately create a man from a part of you. Now let's see...where did I put the useless boob?"

Now doesn't THAT make more sense than that crap about the rib?

There was a considerable argument during the Middle Ages whether Adam was created with an extra, "supernumary" rib which God removed to create Eve, or whether Adam was one rib short after she was created. I have no opinion one way or the other, and as far as I know neither did the bishops of that time.

There was also a widespread argument as to whether or not Adam and Eve had belly buttons, since these are normally the result of having had an umbilical cord attached there. If you examine paintings in the middle ages and the Renaissance, you find Adam sometimes has a belly button and sometimes not.

All I'm saying is that it seems pretty officious of the bishops to sit down and say, "This is true" or "This is myth," when they really have absolutely no way of knowing.

Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,

Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?

Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.

Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.

Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?

Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;

When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

-Job 38: 1-7