It's actually a common misconception that everyone 'before Columbus' thought that the Earth was flat. It stems from a 19th Century novel that gave this as the reason for his difficulty in obtaining funding for his Westward trip to the Indies. The following paragraphs are taken from a Wikipedia article (link at end) - I particularly like the last line... "The fact that the Earth is round was evident to most people of Columbus' time, especially to sailors, explorers and navigators. Indeed, Eratosthenes (276-194 BCE) had already, in ancient Alexandrian times, accurately calculated the Earth's circumference. Most scholars accepted Ptolemy's claim that the terrestrial landmass (for Europeans of the time, comprising Eurasia and Africa) occupied 180 degrees of the terrestrial sphere, leaving 180 degrees of water." "Most European sailors and navigators concluded, correctly, that sailors undertaking a westward voyage from Europe to Asia would die of starvation or thirst long before reaching their destination. Those experts were right, but Spain, only recently unified through the marriage of Ferdinand and Isabella, and just Christianized through the expulsion of the Muslims and Jews, was desperate for a competitive edge over other European countries, in trade with the East Indies. Columbus promised them that edge. Columbus was wrong about the circumference of the Earth and the distance from the Canary Islands to Japan. But most Europeans were wrong in thinking that the aquatic expanse between Europe and Asia was uninterrupted. Although Columbus died believing he had opened up a direct nautical route to Asia, in fact, he established a nautical route between Europe and the Americas. It was this route to the Americas, rather than to Japan, that gave Spain the competitive edge it sought in developing a mercantile empire. By his third voyage, in 1498, Columbus had come to the conclusion that the Earth was pear-shaped:" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Columbus

Following Washington Irving's myth-filled 1828 biography of Columbus, Americans commonly believed Columbus had difficulty obtaining support for his plan [first voyages] because Europeans thought the Earth was flat. In fact, few at the time of Columbus’s voyage, and virtually no sailors or navigators, believed this. Most agreed Earth was a sphere. This had been the general opinion of ancient Greek science, and continued as the standard opinion (for example of Bede in The Reckoning of Time) until Isidore of Seville misread the classical authors and stated the Earth was flat, inventing the T and O map concept. This view was very influential, but never wholly accepted. Knowledge of the Earth's spherical nature was not limited to scientists: for instance, Dante's Divine Comedy is based on a spherical Earth. Columbus put forth arguments based on the circumference of the sphere. Most scholars accepted Ptolemy's claim the terrestrial landmass (for Europeans of the time, comprising Eurasia and Africa) occupied 180 degrees of the terrestrial sphere, leaving 180 degrees of water. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cristopher_Columbus --------------------------------------------- When he sailed toward the horizon, he couldn't catch it! Therefore he never fell off, creating the conclusion that the earth was not actually flat. Seriously though, the idea that the earth was spherical had existed before his days of sailing the world.

Partly through Divine revelation. ... just the same way, I would imagine, as I received this inspiration of God some years ago: (a) Is this the Best way of going about this, or is there a better?? (b) How would you improve upon this presentation OR upon any explanation?? THANK YOU greatly for your much-needed and much-appreciated help. CONSIDER: 1. Uniquely: NEW DISCOVERY strongly supports ALL Biblical verses and texts that even remotely relate to the Biblical Adam and Eve account!! 2. Also … EVOLUTION?? For myself, I do not just Believe ‘Biological Evolution of the Species’ NOT to be true, I have literally and uniquely PROVEN that it is NOT – Scientifically! There are 2 "animals" that specifically and comprehensively disprove evolutionary theory beyond all doubt: Snake & Man. WHY?? They are Precise opposites in everything - both behaviourally and anatomically!! As a Specialist Anatomist and Kinesiologist, I undertook a comparative study over nearly 10 years, firstly discovering, then proving, this great, yet simple, phenomenon. ‘WHY DO YOU SAY THEY ARE OPPOSITE??’ you may ask. The query also often arises: "Well, if they are precise opposites, Why do they both have backbones and breathe air, and have many other apparently similar internal organs?” In answering this, it needs to be both - recognized and acknowledged that "kinds" of organism [or species] cannot simply defy the Higher overall laws of nature and basic requirements of life itself, in order to, simply, ‘differentiate species’. That is the number 1 rule of comparative science. What I am saying here is that because of their size, and land-dwelling nature, etc., they are, necessarily, Both vertebrate, and require some similarity for survival – alimentary system, and other basics viscerals, etc. – to live efficiently and satisfy the very requirements of effective survival, according to their overall land-dwelling nature. (Most specifically, I speak particularly of venomous ground snakes in this study.) There, after satisfying the fundamental laws of survival itself and of living an effective existence, their 'similarities' completely end! Thereafter, they are total opposites in everything – in terms of all possible differentiating factors among the beasts that exist. In fact, a very close examination will reveal that snakes cannot be more unlike other beasts, either, if they tried! For that matter, neither could Man be more different than everything else!! ... and that is, despite all the claims of genetics, etc., that various species [of ape, etc.] possess 99% similarity with the DNA of Man. Despite all this supposed similarity, there is nothing that really well compares to Man at all among the beasts that exist. OBJECTION BY ANOTHER ANSWERER RE MY DISCOVERY: You don't appear to understand the math involved in evolution or genetics. We may have 99% similar DNA to a Chimpanzee, but we also have 80% similar DNA to a banana. MY RESPONSE: Well, really, I DO believe I understand the maths in genetics! As a mathematician myself, what you're saying is precisely what I am saying. The whole concept of opposites is purely mathematical. The claims by geneticists that we all (Man and Beast, more particularly) spring from the same evolutionary derivatives/tree/chain simply because our DNA's are so alike - especially, chimps and humans being so close is my particular point – is precisely why I say that that % DNA similarity does not make us similar or of the same background – especially when you consider the considerably close % of the banana, as well – at 80% similarity. Despite the ‘DNA similarity’, the point is that this DNA similarity has to actually evidence properly in nature – Both, behaviourally and anatomically. Bananas?? I don’t think so! The similarity re DNA merely proves that ALL life has to have certain characteristics and similarity of feature simply in order to satisfactorily survive, alive in nature – so that it exists and operates efficiently. After all, God is a God of law and order. Is He not?? Snakes and Man, therefore, share DNA similarities, so does the banana, but only so far as to make them live effectively in nature. There, having accomplished necessary efficiency and life survival apparati, similarity totally ends! Specie-wise, Man and snake are precise Opposites – even among those similar survival organs and features – lung/s, heart, mouth, alimentary canal, etc. – a close study shows there is great opposition between the two. Now this extraordinary discovery of total opposites tends to disprove random chance mutation – per evolutionary theory – in defining the types of life that exist. It also confirms a deliberation in Creation – it tends to most powerfully support that there is a God in nature – determining the nature of matters and designing them for His own specific purposes. Similarly, it also powerfully supports the Biblical account of Adam and Eve, wherein it was the very serpent, itself, in fact, which was used by Satan to oppose God to Eve. As you may recall, as a result of this act by the serpent, God cursed all things – changing them – but none so greatly as the snake!! [See Holy Bible – Genesis, Chapter 3] Obviously, as this study shows, among all the changes that were made was the symbolic representation re the snake that epitomized this very act – its Opposition to Man and God!! … all the more so when we consider, as well, that that same record declares that Man was created in the express image of God. [Genesis, Chapter 1] This recognition and acknowledgment makes the whole proposal of expressed symbolic opposition between Man and snake all the more significant, given the Biblical history. Now, may I acknowledge, immediately, that God was the reason for and avenue of, enabling this Great Discovery re early Biblical Proof … it came about totally, under His direction, guidance and revelation! Hence, His Great name: “The Master”. SO VIA HIS GRACE TO US, LET’S JUST SIT BACK AND ENJOY JUST A BRIEF LIST RE OPPOSITION BETWEEN MAN AND SNAKE FROM THE BOOK, “TWO BIRDS … ONE STONE!!” (Denis Towers) SNAKES VS MAN: Horizontal flat ambulation vs upright, vertical. Lies flat along the ground vs. stands erect Indented penis (lies pushed into the inside of the body when ‘flaccid’) vs external in Man Forked divergent tongue vs convergent [narrowing] While on the tongue: no apparent taste buds vs Yes…. Tongue: Much external time vs mostly within mouth Flattened head vs domed high skull No appendages vs greatest appendicular/axial skeletal ratio of all vertebrates In rest/reclination: human - supine, straight, or zig-zagged position vs coiled, etc In movement: snake – zig-zagged, random vs direct, deliberate, straight ahead Ears? Has none (possible internal mechanism) vs Ears & external reception Nose? Has none – excellent internal mechanism vs external reception, but weak Vocalization? Has none – is a ‘hiss & a byword’ vs… Eyes? Venomous groundsnakes: mainly monocular vs binocular Food gathering & living practices? Nocturnal vs diurnal Hibernates & seasonal vs all year around performer… Dormant hidden lifestyle vs active [!], healthy[!] open Almost still sex copulation for hours vs acceleratory [in health & vitality] Eyes covered-hidden by own skin [that is, internal, weak] vs momentary blink, direct contact with external environment, strong vision… Audio: internal & almost non-existent vs external entry – prime means of communication Smell: internal, powerful vs external [weak, by comparison with beasts, generally] Touch: thick scaly skin - insensitive vs great sensitivity… TASTE?? Apparently, non-existent vs opposite… Multi-coloured ‘skin’ vs great uniformity Also tremendous variation in size [6” – 30’] vs…comparative uniformity [in health] Copulating penis? Hooked & downward pointing vs. upward & erect, etc. Only erectile structure/s [fangs] initiate death vs only erectile structure in Man initiates life 2 peni vs singular penis Mainly [deadly groundsnakes, that is] oviparous vs viviparous birth to young Consumption? No chewing all in 1 great gulp vs boundless chewing & into small pieces Head 1st consumption of victim vs. rarely eat heads Retractible, curved, sharp teeth, pulling long-ways vs fixed, non-curved, mostly molar teeth, which effect direct up & down crushing effect on food Food totally meat – eaten alive vs mainly ‘picked’ and cleaned fruit & veges, etc. Any meat is killed, prepared and cooked. (Note that even among other carnivorous beasts, most include some vegetation) And the hits just keep on coming between the opposition of Man & snake!! VESTIGIAL APPARATI: Some snakes have miniscule, Internal, unobservable, (supposed) less active pelvises. Again, in typical opposition between Man and snake, a man’s (woman’s, in particular) is more outwardly obvious, and forms part of the system of the leg. In similar opposite manner, again, snakes possess outwardly-displayed, tails; Man’s is considered ‘vestigial’ and ‘buried’ to outside nature. This notice inadvertently, recently came by way of another objector, “MvL”: Thanks to his observation, I learned, or realized, more particularly, yet this further opposite between the two. (He was actually trying to introduce a point for the opposition camp[!], ‘poor fellow’): re the “Vestigial structures” he pointed out; I hadn’t thought of it previously. So that was, as all else, very useful to our cause. Yes; I must admit, I originally pointed out in my ‘work’ that in Opposition to snakes, humans have no tail - and certainly, in outwardly visual terms, this is so. However, I'm glad MvL highlighted these structures vestigially. Now we can report that Man’s ‘tail’, being internal, is not visible externally, whereas the snake’s, of course, is external throughout. Conversely, Man’s pelvis, etc. is externally ‘present’, whereas, in typical opposition, the snake’s is buried. You'll note, accordingly, that the vestigial structures of the snake - its pelvic - lie laterally across its body, whereas, in complete opposition, Man's – his vestigial tail bone – lies vertically, along his longitudinal plane. So, this was, inadvertently, a good further point for our cause! NOW, further [Behavioural considerations re this new anatomical observation]: Man's vestigial apparatus here, assists his "REST" Mode in life – that is, sitting. Snake, in the true Opposition that he seems to epitomize across every feature of life, uses his vestigial apparati for active purposes – balance in movement and assistance in the sexual act. As most simply curl or coil up in rest, his miniscule pelvis is obviously, not needed for his rest periods! SO ONCE AGAIN, IN DECISIVE MANNER, THE SNAKE HAS PROVEN HIMSELF QUITE OPPOSITE MAN IN ALL THINGS! Good ol’ MvL, God bless him, then proposed that he could also prove that pigeons or dogs were also ‘opposite humans’. I responded in the following manner: You are right, MvL. One thing I learned from all my 9 year research into this matter is that animals are quite unlike humans - if not, opposite humans in so many aspects themselves! In like manner (re our hypothesis), however, snakes appear to be even more unlike anything else that exists on earth than even humans do!! ... including their [supposed] ‘nearest cousins’ (lizards), if you really study them very closely, that is. They are at considerable variance with one another. Whereas, if you made a comparative study of the oppositeness of feature between [say] a cow and a bird, or a snail and a dog, you would not access nearly as many opposites by comparison. Perhaps, somewhat surprising, but true nonetheless, if you examine them closely feature by feature! 3 THINGS ... three things virtually decide the issue quite firmly [well, 4 really] but one always holds his Trump card for more opportune situations: 1. Diametric opposites over so many countless characteristics and sub-characteristics such as are involved within the enormous Complexities of Man & the snake = mathematical impossibility via Random (chance) mutation to achieve, especially given that even evolutionists declare that mutations, meaning "’successful’ mutation” as in successful transfer of increased information via some kind of “mutant” are rare to the point of being almost impossible – in other words, they virtually, Never happen! 2. THEN, if one has managed to pretend to that mathematical impossibility, he THEN has to have BOTH of these creatures "select" for all those exact Opposites of characteristic in ALL of their ultimate life-environment choices!!!!!!!!!!!! Having ‘achieved’ mathematical denial already twice, why not go for the ‘hat-trick’ – 3 in a row!! 3. So, having previously denied the odds involved against the first two ever occurring, why should he not simply deny the substance of mathematics in his 3rd inescapable dilemma?! The next mathematical burden – yet the next enormous task: Explaining How on earth these 2 opposite creatures happened to live on earth at the very same miniscule period of the overall evolutionary process between the two[??!!!!] – seeing that the claim of evolution is that Species CONTINUOUSLY change – forever! If that be the case, then surely, rather than both being here at the very same miniscule time-period, either, one should have already moved on millions/100,000's years ago, or, if that be not the case, BOTH should still be coming, but almost certainly, at different rates, to some point where they may have been opposites had they both existed simultaneously! So, how is it that they happen to both be present here at the very same time!! BASICALLY, WHY ARE THEY BOTH HERE AT THE VERY SAME POINT IN “EVOLUTIONARY HISTORY” – THAT IS, AMONG THESE (SUPPOSED) MILLIONS & MILLIONS OF YEARS OF RELENTLESS CHANGE????!! Now, the Final point [not the 4th card, for that is ‘trade secret’] is that ONLY an act of deliberation could possibly account for such diametric oppositeness between 2 creatures like that. Now, fortunately, practically everyone I speak to about this discovery draws that final conclusion for themselves. Only the religiously anti-religious BLINDS HIS MIND TO GOD TO THE POINT THAT ‘GOD JUST DOES NOT EXIST’ [FULL STOP]! From my experience of such an one, it is merely his ‘determination to close on the recognition or acknowledgment of a God’ that prevents him drawing the only natural conclusion that can be drawn from the results of this entire study. For further clarification, you might try the Book, as mentioned above. JUST A SPAT RE A FEW MORE OPPOSITES BETWEEN MAN AND SNAKE: Ratio of Brain size to mouth: extremely low – only a fraction vs. most pronounced of all known creatures [a case of ‘mind over matter’, I believe] Sheds its ‘skin’ in 1 whole piece vs. in total opposition, not so Snake sleeps with open eyes vs. shut-eye Arrangement of internal organs: Mostly in single file vs. paired Accordingly, lives mostly alone vs. in pairs/families Deserts its young even before birth [eggs] vs. constant nurture and parental nourishment Cold-blooded vs. warm… Head in dirt vs. head nearest the heavens, etc. Here, you have but a mere mini-list of the all-encompassing complete oppositeness: Man vs. snake! May God Bless You ALL PLEASE DISSEMINATE THIS SIMPLE YET ASTOUNDING DISCOVERY WORLDWIDE! THANK YOU.