Fisherman,
Fisherman: I have to reread the post on the hs.3w argumentation was very persuasive as I recall.
I would like to know exactly what persuaded you about his argument regarding the HS. It was filled with half-truths and deceptions. The closest he got to a factual assertion was suggesting that the destruction of the temple mentioned as occurring 54 years prior was in Nebuchadnezzar's 16th year, and he didn't even state that as a fact. Apart from asking questions which have perfectly satisfactory secular answers he did not dispute anything the HS says.
His assertion would be that Nebuchadnezzar's 16th year was 609 BC. Nebuchadnezzar ruled for 43 years. So his last year of rule would be 582 BC. He was succeeded by Evil-Merodach, who reigned for 2 regnal years. This brings us to 580 BC. Then came Neriglissar, who ruled for four years, bringing us to 576 BC. Then Labashi-Marduk, who reigned less than a year. Followed by the most remarkable king in Babylonian history, he was an invisible Babylonian king. During the reign of King Nevawuzza no business was done, banking was apparently outlawed as was record-keeping and writing of all kinds, no wars were fought, no remarkable building or repair work was done, no sheep were bred...this was indeed an amazing king.
Secular history has a chronology that ends up with Nabonidus' 1st regnal year being 555 BC as stipulated in the Hillah Stele and as agreed to by the Watchtower Society, which would make his accession year 556 BC. WTS chronology does not present a chronology that has a king ruling Babylon for all the years leading up to 555 BC. For any of thirdwitness' arguments to have any basis whatsoever, he must do what the WTS has always failed to do. He must provide a chronology that accounts for Neo-Babylonian activity during the 20-year silence.
Since there is no such thing as a twenty year gap, the burden of proof does not rest on secular chronology. There is a twenty year insertion, so the burden of proof is on the Watchtower Society and its defenders.
Respectfully,
AuldSoul