As near as I can figure, the elephants and the giant turtle concept has fantasy novels as its primary source material and has absolutely no grounding in canon FE theory (at least, no actual FEer on this forum has ever argued in favour of it). As such, I motion for it to be removed from the FAQ (if only so that stupid noobs stop referencing it in vain and unoriginal attempts to be funny).
Could this be addressed?
Actually it was an ancient Hindu belief that the first thing created was a giant turtle -- Chukwa. Maha-pudma was an elephant (some versions have four). I think the FAQ as stands reflects the fact we do not know what in fact is on the bottom of the earth so we should be careful ruling anything out. We're open minded, see?
Far be it from me to question the FAQ, but if the answer is meant to be ambiguous in order to insinuate the lack of knowledge, should such a specific example be used? Rather than four elephants and a turtle, why not something equally facetious? Frankly, it is displaying unwanted favouritism.
I recall the earth resting on a turtle also being in certain Native American myths, however, we here at FES base our beliefs on
science, not myths.
Bhagavad Gita = fantasy novel