Telimaktar

So I've read a number of threads here and they only touched on something that I have given a lot of thought to over the years.

What if the bible is a fabrication to control the people(which I believe to be true by the way).

And I'm sure someone would throw the Dead Sea Scrolls at me and say but look at these. Now every good plan needs a backup The bible could have been cooked to point where the leaders felt it was complete. The DSC’s were then send to be hidden and later if the need arise could suddenly be found and above all else this would make people believe even more strongly in the bible.


So anyone, thoughts?

Dunno

The Bible dosent control me or anyone. Could you do me a favor and explain to me how the Bible controls anyone? As I have read that before but I have never had the chance to ask them why they feel that way Thanks

Telimaktar

It is a tool to control, especially in the hands of a charismatic leader. When any group of people get together with a common goal there is a strong tendency for the minds to move in similar directions, more so when the are guidelines and rules in place to follow.

There are so many cases in history both tragic and wonderful where such groups are moved to do great deeds. Be they positive or negative. Although the negative is what really shows the power that leaders can hold. Mass Suicide’s, where a leader is able to convince followers that such is the path that God wishes them to follow.

I believe the Bible has excellent lessons and moral guidance but in the wrong hands, as is the case with many groups today, it can be misused.

shaun

You have any evidence of this?

There are 5000+ extant manuscripts of the NT alone, dated as early as 60AD. The Dead Sea Scrolls make up a very small portion of that 5000+.

Any group of people believing something similar of course, by very definition, agree to certain things. To say the Church has monotonously followed every tittle of thought within and never disagreed is an absurdly false claim.

I won't disagree with it being misused.

But I think it has in it some things that make it more than just "moral lessons and guidance". When it claims to speak of God coming down to earth and dying for all, that's something you take a little more seriously.

Telimaktar

I never claimed to have proof, merely curious as to other peoples opinions. And there is no proof either that this cannot be true.


The only reason I use the DSC's as a reference is that it is most often, in my experience, used as a reference.


"A tool to control" once again just speculating although in certain forms this statement is true.

romansh

From what I have read on the subject matter (which is little)
The supposition you have is very unlikely.
That is not to say the Bible has not been used as a tool to that end.

Religions/beliefs all over the world have come to similar ways of interpreting the universe.

The Bible holds some really good truths. It's just a matter of interpretation.

__________________
There is a theory which states that if ever anybody discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There is another theory which states that this has already happened. ........... Douglas Adams

shaun

No, there's no 100% proof. I can't 100% prove unicorns don't exist.

But there's a TON of evidence to show the claim as false. We don't live our lives on 100% proof. We live and make decisions based on evidence.

Your claim is not evidentially substantial. Therefore, it is rejected just as the idea of unicorns are rejected - based upon evidence.

duck

I have met many, many people in my journey through life who life their lives totally according to the bible and the interpretation that is vogue for the moment. These folks believe that this is the infallible word of god, and that it should be taken quite literally.

If this isn't control, then please give me a definition for yourself of the term.

__________________
Religion: The ultimate definition of verisimilitude

shaun

It's not. By your logic, I could say thousands are being "controlled" by Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged and the philosophies espoused from that book. (I could probably name some on this forum too.)

control: n. the act or power of controlling; regulation; domination or command.

Whether or not people believe in Christianity and subsequently in following the words in the Bible is their choice. No one is forcing them to. To say they're being "controlled" is a false accusation and is based upon a misunderstanding of the definition of control.

Dunno

Hello Ducky
Looks like Shaun answered it for me in the post above. I have heard that alot, that the Bible and religion in general was for control but I just can't see what they mean, other than what Shaun said for a definition. I believe that people want to follow the words of the Bible and are not being forced to

Well said Shaun