The Bible and Us!?

[Ozz]

A ancient history and philosophy book. Used by generations
of ruthless and evil people to justify whatever horrorenous
crimes against humanity "by the will of God" they desired to
commit.

There is nothing more scary in this world than a true believer.
(Christian, Muslim, Jew, Nazi whatever) they are all guilty.

 

[napoleon526]

Like all historical documents, the bible needs to be understood in context. Most of the early old testament stories were probably myths used to explainthings that people couldn't understand. Nearly every culture on earth has a similar creation story, and another story about how all of the negative things in life cam about (expulsion from Eden, Pandora's box, etc.) Most middle eastern and asian cultures have traditions of a great flood, suggesting that some kind of deluge did occur, but it surely did not happen exactly the way told in the story of Noah. The rest of the Old testament is a history of the Jewish people, albeit an unobjective one, since the writers were jews themselves, using history to give messages about faith and the way people should act.

The new testament gives Christians a view of Jesus of Nazareth and his teachings. Some of it has been altered in translation or by church officials, like the part about the diciples hiding from the Jews (they were Jews!!!!). But for the most part, it just comes down to faith.

 

[Dralix]

Of course I believe in the bible. I've seen it. It's a book.

I do not believe that the bible is a historical text. Rather, I think it is a set of teachings that those of certain religious beliefs are supposed to adhere to.

If you think that the stories in the bible actually happened, then congratulations. You have what they call "faith."

 

[Hitro]

I don't believe in its content, but of course in its existance.
But for me personally the bible has no more importance than any other piece of mythological fiction (or truth if you believe that...).

 

[knowltok2]

Originally posted by Hitro
I don't believe in its content, but of course in its existance.
But for me personally the bible has no more importance than any other piece of mythological fiction (or truth if you believe that...).

Bingo.

Also, a pretty good basis for social engineering too. Not saying that what came out of it was bad, but many of the things that certain religions cling to make good sense from their perspective.

Want power? Tell people to be fruitful and multiply.

Want to know what's going on? Get people to tell you all the bad stuff they did. They will already tell you about the good stuff, now you know everything about them.

Don't steal. Cause we the writers of this book have stuff, and don't want you to take it.

Someone wrote down all the rules they thought were good, made up explanations for the unexplained, and tried to make it interesting and a good vehicle for instruction.

The man on the hill talking to God theme is as old as the first cities, probably older. What makes this particular retelling of it true?

 

[Becka]

Do You Believe In The Bible?

Yes, yes I do.

 

[HotDog Fish]

I'm Buddhist...I've never even been a church, let alone actually reading the Bible, which I would assume would take a long time and therfore pull me away from my games of Civ but lets put it this way, I'm not converting anytime soon but the bible is ok....as long as it encourages peace and non-violence and co-existance

 

[philippe]

Non voilence,Uhm yeah all the israeli who are killing the "barbarian kings" for their holy land.

 

[Graeme the mad]

THe bible says that god kills people but aqlso says he loves everyone



Its so funny its not true - our god has the power to kill anyone but he doesn't - he only sometimes kills bad people and not when they are hebrew.
HE then forgives ALL their sins - yeah sins forgiven we can do anything - except we can't

Its great - read the odyssey thats also quite cool - the koran is along the same lines but not quite as story based which makes it rather more boring IMO

 

[Becka]

Originally posted by Graeme the mad


THe bible says that god kills people but aqlso says he loves everyone



Its so funny its not true - our god has the power to kill anyone but he doesn't - he only sometimes kills bad people and not when they are hebrew.
HE then forgives ALL their sins - yeah sins forgiven we can do anything - except we can't

Wow. What an extemely intelligent statement, Graeme. I'm impressed.

 

[Graeme the mad]

Ermm its quite like that you know becka

For instance lets look at the whole plague thing - why does god kill people he makes??? - Please explain that to me.

And why does Jesus also say he loves everyone??

 

[Becka]

Originally posted by Graeme the mad
For instance lets look at the whole plague thing - why does god kill people he makes??? - Please explain that to me.

Why does God let people die in the first place? Just because he made it doesn't mean he has no right to destroy it.

And why does Jesus also say he loves everyone??

'Cause he does? What's your point?

 

[Graeme the mad]

Well why does his father (or him whichever you want to believe) kill egyptians (and others)

I could start on ible hypocrisoys but its too easy but I want you to think about this - why dont you believe in the Koran?

 

[MrPresident]

Therefore, I believe that what is written in it is true, unless solid evidence suggests otherwise.

This is the completely wrong way to look at it. You don't go into court thinking a person is guilty unless they are be proved so. The same goes for the bible. It is fiction until proven true.

That very well may be how that happened... (I'm not refuting your claim) even if that is how it happened what are the chances of it happening EXACTLY when they needed to cross it

I understand what you are saying and see the valid point you are trying to make but with all possible respect, you are wrong. What are the chances of me winning the lottery? millions to one. However if I win it doesn't mean it was a miracle. The fact that there is a chance means that it is possible. So don't be too surprised when it happens. What if I won the lottery at a time when I really need some money would that be a miracle? No that would be just like before. The odds are the same but the situation has changed. The same could be said of the parting of the sea. The odds of that happening remain the same but the situation changed. Just because something unlikely happens doesn't mean that there is an almighty power making it happen. In fact if something unlikely didn't happen once in a while then that probably would be better evidence for the existence of God.

Anyway this whole issue brings up the question of whether God (if you believe in one/many) actually interferes in our lifes. Personally I don't it does. I don't think God is playing us like playing a game of The Sims. Why couldn't God have just started the wheel spinning and just let it be? But thats just my opinion.

A God who governs least is a God that governs best.

 

[Becka]

Originally posted by Graeme the mad
Well why does his father (or him whichever you want to believe) kill egyptians (and others)

What? You just have this view of God killing people for no reason? I'm sure there's a reason.

I could start on ible hypocrisoys but its too easy but I want you to think about this - why dont you believe in the Koran?

Because I don't believe the Koran is the Word of God.

 

[knowltok2]

Originally posted by Becka

Because I don't believe the Koran is the Word of God.

The question then becomes, why not. (I presume)

 

[Becka]

Originally posted by knowltok2


The question then becomes, why not. (I presume)

Good question. I just don't. Why don't you believe the Koran is the word of God?

 

[philippe]

because we are never told to.
When a person is teached that the bible is the word of God he believes so and will not easily change that.
If a person is teached that the koran is the word of GOd(in this case allah)he will also believe so and will also not believe that the bible is the word of God.
So out of this example we can see that religion is teached and is a easy way to manipulate poeple.
With a quote of someone:"religion is a illusion but its the best illusion that exists"

 

[floppa21]

PhiLLiPe got it right. Like the whole bein naked issue. We are taught and grow up one way, it seems natural.

I am not into the Bible. Or any other religion. They have their positive & negative uses. But I just do not have the blind faith required of these things.

 

[Trabpukcip]

ok There is so much to say... I'm just gonna start since millions of people past their lives talking about it... I will not...

the bible is plainly untrue. There's so many contradiction and stupid thing in it that I can't even begin to count. So one amoung many:

-Moises tell the story of his own death!

-The gospels were not written by anyone who actually knew Jesus, and the gospels that were written by people who knew him were discarded by the church becose in it there were word from Jesus that said that the church should not exist.

-God say in the beggining of Genesis that man became like him since he knew what was good and what was bad... if mankind has this knowledge then why does god has to give them rules of conduct. This statement said that the judgement of humans has the same value as his own judgement...

-It is clear that god didn't create all human becose when Cain got exiled he encontered other peoples before Adam and Eve had any other children???

-Another one interesting is that the pope Pie IX declared that Marie was a virgin, before that it was clear in everyones mind that Joseph and Marie had Jesus the old fashion way... and also... Jesus had brothers and sisters...

I could continue nearly undefinetly but I have a life... so what do you think of that?