Turtle Theory

Steven Hawking, in his book, A Brief History of Time, used the illustration of what he called the Turtle Theory as an analogy to show how differently people view the universe. Hawking does not endorse this theory, but in using this example, he made the bold assertion that no matter how far fetched a “theory” of origins may seem, none can be proven right or wrong, they are but theories.  He believes that not being able to proven them, one way or another, makes all of the equally valid in their own context. He says this would be true even if someone believed the Turtle Theory, that is, that the earth exists on the back of a turtle, and it is turtles all the way from the top, down.

Interestingly, turtles are a common religious theme. For example, at an Interfaith Council gathering in Spokane, WA, 2007, a Native American woman addressed the crowd by welcoming us to “Turtle Island.” Turtle Island is considered to be an Indian name for thee land they live on and this was her way of expressing her Indian heritage, her faith in Indian Lore and beliefs,  as well in welcoming  everyone in this particular group of very diverse people. 

The name Turtle Island was originally given to this land, (particularly  the lands of  North America and Canada upon which these native peoples live) because they tell a tale of how at one time the entire earth was flooded and when the water receded,  land re-emerged like a turtle rising up and out of the water.  This land being that back of that mighty turtle.  Its a little reminiscent of the Judeo Christian account of Noah's flood. 

Similarly, in the Hindu religion there is a tale that Kurma the turtle god, carries the world on his back.

In Jewdeo Christian lore, Noah was told by god to build a big boat, called an ark, and in doing so, he and his family survived the worldwide flood,  According to the Bible, they are the ancestors of all the peoples who currently live on earth. Global flood stories besides these are documented as history or legend in almost every region of earth.

There seems to be some common elements... flood, water, turtles, boats, gods, people being saved... So, does it matter if a person believes  one story or another?

The question of origins is a reasonable discussion, for reasonable and reasoning human beings.  It is also reasonable to consider culture stories and to see the correlation between them as well, even to apply the proper metaphors.  One can certainly consider every belief out there as valid, no matter how ridiculous and far-fetched it is, ... even to the point of dismissing what you actually see before your eyes, but to do so, and to do so without testing the truth and validity of these ideas, is just not very... "scientific."