For centuries, the idea that Earth is a spinning sphere hurtling through space has been taught as unquestionable fact. Yet, a growing number of researchers, historians, and independent thinkers argue that our planet may be flat — and that the round Earth model is part of a carefully maintained illusion. While mainstream science dismisses this as pseudoscience, Flat Earth proponents claim that the evidence against a globe-shaped world is more compelling than most realize.
Ancient Beliefs and Suppressed Knowledge
Civilizations as far back as ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, and early China depicted the world as a flat plane covered by a dome-like firmament.
The Bible describes “the circle of the earth” (Isaiah 40:22) with “waters above” — a vision far removed from modern astrophysics.
Genesis 1:6-8 says, “And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.” The “firmament” is called “heaven”; i.e., it is what people see when they stand outside and look up. It is the space which includes the earth’s atmosphere and the celestial realm. In the firmament, we see the sun, moon, and stars; in modern translations the firmament is often called the “expanse” or the “sky.”
Genesis says that the firmament “separated the water under the expanse from the water above it” (Genesis 1:7). Originally, God created the earth with water “under” the sky (terrestrial and subterranean water) and water “above” the sky—possibly a “water canopy” which enwrapped the earth in a protective layer. Or, the waters above the firmament could simply be a reference to clouds.
We find firmament used again in Psalms: “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork” (Psalm 19:1).
Also, in Psalm 150:1, “Praise ye the LORD. . . . Praise him in the firmament of his power.”
Firmament is used in only two other books of the Bible: Ezekiel (five times) and Daniel (once).
In Ezekiel, each occurrence takes place within a vision. For example, “Then I looked, and, behold, in the firmament that was above the head of the cherubims there appeared over them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne” (Ezekiel 10:1).
Daniel 12:3 says, “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.”
Flat Earth theorists argue that these ancient cosmologies were based on direct human observation, and that the shift toward a spherical model began not from evidence, but from philosophical and political agendas in classical Greece.
Questioning NASA and the Space Race
A cornerstone of the Flat Earth conspiracy theory is the idea that organizations like NASA fabricate space imagery. Proponents cite NASA visual data expert Robert Simmon, who admitted in a 2002 interview that the famous “Blue Marble” Earth image from 1972 was a composite, digitally altered to appear seamless. While NASA openly acknowledges this for technical reasons, conspiracy theorists argue it proves that “real” photos of a round Earth do not exist.
The theory goes further: the Cold War space race was less about exploration and more about controlling the global narrative. If the Earth’s shape were exposed as flat, it would undermine modern science, geopolitics, and global power structures built over centuries.
Airplane Flight Paths and Navigation Oddities
Flat Earth advocates point to unusual flight routes, particularly in the Southern Hemisphere. For example, flights between Santiago, Chile and Sydney, Australia often take long detours through North America, which seem illogical on a globe but make sense on certain Flat Earth map projections. Critics attribute this to logistical, economic, and weather factors — but conspiracy theorists suggest these detours help conceal Earth’s true layout.
The Horizon and the Eye Test
According to the globe model, curvature should be visible over long distances, yet photographers have captured landmarks and ships far beyond the supposed horizon line. Experiments such as the famous Bedford Level Experiment in the 19th century — where surveyors claimed to observe no curvature across a six-mile canal — are still cited by Flat Earthers as proof that the Earth is flat and level.
The Antarctic Ice Wall
Flat Earth cosmology often describes Antarctica not as a continent, but as a massive ice wall encircling the world’s oceans. They claim that this barrier prevents the seas from “spilling over” the edge, and that international treaties strictly limit civilian exploration of Antarctica to keep its true nature secret. The Antarctic Treaty of 1959, signed by dozens of nations, indeed restricts certain activities — but mainstream science attributes this to environmental preservation.
The Psychological and Political Motive
Why would governments and scientists hide the truth? Flat Earth theorists argue that a spherical Earth supports a universe where humanity is a small, insignificant accident in a vast, cold cosmos. A flat Earth, enclosed under a dome, would imply design, purpose, and possibly divine creation — concepts that could destabilize secular authority and centralize belief systems outside governmental control.
Conclusion: A Call for Open Inquiry
While the vast majority of scientists reject Flat Earth claims, the persistence of this theory shows that many feel modern institutions have failed to earn the public’s trust. Whether or not Earth is truly flat, the deeper issue is one of transparency. As long as space exploration remains under the control of a few government agencies, suspicion will thrive.