Is there any way some FE supporter(s) could provide me with some simple numbers? I'm talking about an FE model as I have come to realize there are many, which has some firm mathematics at its core? So far, I have obtained a few numbers, that the sun is roughly 3000-5000 miles from the surface of flat earth and that it is somewhere in the range of 32 miles in diameter? Are there any numbers for the surface area of the flat earth? Orbital circumferences of sun and moon, the degree of orbital circumference shift over time, anything along these lines? From what I've researched on my own it is quite difficult to collect usable data as I don't understand the difference between differing versions of FE. Of course using number based on RE and combining those with the numbers I have of the FE, do not work out. For example, in the case of the sun being 32 miles in diameter and 3000 miles above the FE, it takes no time to calculate that the "spotlight" or illuminated area of the earth's surface is over 28 million square miles, less than 10% of the estimated RE surface area. In the RE model, the earth's surface should be at least 50% illuminated by the suns light at any given time, meaning somewhere on the magnitude of 0.5×(510.1×10^6) square miles will be illuminated, not including the refraction of light through the atmosphere to parts of the earth not yet directly in line with the sun. Also, how long can a sun only 32 miles in diameter burn before it's fuel is spent? If the earth is a flat disk then do we see the "bottom" of the disk moon? Could there be other life on the "top" side? Is the sun also flat? Just how flat is flat? Is it possible to drill straight through the earth? How do you explain tectonic activity on a flat earth? Where is this elusive dark moon thing that allegedly causes lunar eclipses when the earth and sun are not lined up with it? Is the magnetic north pole on the "bottom" of FE or is it the geographic NP? How did life start on FE and is evolution compatible with this model? I don't expect an answer to every question, but some clarification would be nice.
Although JROA can come off as somewhat brutish (and he can be drollish in his humour I daresay) he does have a point. It would be far better if you would spend a bit of time reading the wiki or some of the works that are posted on the FE Society home page prior to posting a series of questions. Second to that JROA does have the right of it, which is that the unwritten Tenet is to debate one aspect of a theory at a time.
For example- one could pose the question "If the Earth is flat are we looking at the bottom of the earth". Upon reflection that is a poor question because it assumes Flat Earth theorists have coalesced around the belief that all celestial bodies are flat. However a bit of research would show that this is not the case. So better put would be a question such as "Are celestial bodies flat or round, and please provide an explanation of their movements."
With regards to the sun running out of fuel- it is estimated that, based on its size (32 miles in diameter) and the amount helium that is left that the sun has about 924,456 years before it runs out of fuel so you have no worries.
With regards to the moon- luna is a self illuminating sphere. Observation show us that most moving celestial bodies are spheres, as is the sun and most of the moving bodies inhabiting the celestial spheres.
With regards to tectonic theory is is very simple (on a Flat Earth)- Outgoing plates subduct and are recycled at the ice wall. The edges of the earth keep all the magma inside. On occasion when the magma pressure is to great then we get a fissure or volcanic activity where the plane of the earth is it most weak.
Evolution
With regards to evolution most scientist agree that life spontaneously occurring on life is well nigh statistically impossible. This is not "Creation Scientists" I am speaking of but respected biologists and evolutionists. The models and statistical changes are close to zero for this to occur even given the 4 billion year old earth (a number I dispute). Just to clarify I am an evolutionist who also believes in a Supreme Being and Creator.
Here is a most interesting link to this
http://www.panspermia-theory.comMind you I am not a supporter of Pan Spermia I am just pointing out that scientists and statisticians, using current models, have come to the realization that chances spontaneous occurrence of life on Earth are less than Zero.
As for me I cannot accept the theory that life on earth arrived on the back of a meteor from Mars some 4 billion years ago. This solution begs the question- if it did not arise here, then where did it arise from?
In summary if you think the round earth supplies some convenient answer to how life arrived or the mechanism that move it towards evolution you are mistaken.
You have made a worthy first post. But please learn from it. Please attempt to limit yourself to one aspect of the theory to be questioned or debated.