Astreja

It's vitally important to do a critical study of the Bible because it really is a mixed bag and should not be considered as an inseparable whole.

On the one hand, you find passages like Matthew 25:35-36, which in effect says 'Treat all members of humanity with the same kindness and respect you would accord to a god.'

The only part of the New Testament which resonates with me, by the way.

And then there's dreadful stuff like the bulk of Paul's writings; Kings; Leviticus; Job; Revelation. Ludicrous and death-obsessed stories such as Noah's Ark, Jesus rising from the dead, the whole Exodus scenario, Lot's wife turning into a pillar of salt, two bears mauling a group of children, and a god that orders the genocide of entire nations.

If people simply believed what they believed and left others in peace, there would be no problem. However, the "us versus them" mentality of religion has caused grievous harm by deliberately setting believers against non-believers.

As far as I'm concerned, the Bible does a fine job of disproving itself. But it still has its claws hooked in civil society, and various evangelical groups are trying to force their archaic beliefs into the laws of the land. Human rights are at risk, and to paraphrase Winston Churchill, “This is the sort of thing up with which I will not put.”

Composer

It's not really a case of Bible thumping, its a case of offering others the opportunity to learn what the Bible says and the principles it teaches because as a Bible believer, it is my duty to do that. (Ezek. 33:8 - 9 KJV) If others don't want to know, then that is fine, but they can not then complain they were never given that opportunity.

IF any wish to avail themselves of what it teaches, then they may do with that added information what they will, e.g. accept it, reject it, etc. and accept the resultant consequences of their Free Will choice.

The Bible has, as I said previously, stood the test of time for centuries now, despite its most ardent critics, so that is all we can say for certain now.

Composer

The teachings of Christ are non-violence now for any reason.

As a Bible believer I accept the Old Testament (OT) that God found it often necessary to use harsh remedies for mankind's disobedience and education.

We do not live in a perfect world (yet) and I for one would like to see every pussy cat destroyed save a few kept specifically humanely restrained and only to keep mice under control. However I respect the rights of others who want them as pets providing they are kept properly and not allowed to roam freely doing the incredible damage to birds etc. that they do.

That goes for Bible bashers also. They must act in accordance with the teachings God gave Christ now. According to the Bible, when Christ returns again, his God will have authorised him to curb man's disobedience using force. (e.g. Rev. 6:17) KJV

romansh

Hi Composer ... this is likely tinted through an antipodean point of view ... which is fine.

So what about other pests .... say weeds, ants, termites rodents and of course flies. I understand your point of view felines don't belong in Australia, but then some could argue in that case neither do people?

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xexon

"That goes for Bible bashers also. They must act in accordance with the teachings God gave Christ now. According to the Bible, when Christ returns again, his God will have authorised him to curb man's disobedience using force. [i](e.g. Rev. 6:17) KJV"


Balderdash.

You are exactly the kind of people that have twisted religion into a tool of violence. You know nothing of God, and you will NEVER see the kingdom as long as you harm another or support harming another. Pawning the task off on supernatural beings isn't going to help you either.

The Bible has no power you yourself don't give it.

Unable to see the light yourself, you have to consult a handbook written for an entirely different world than your's today. It's outdated. And so are you.

The end of the world IS coming. Your world.

Do you know why you believe in the Bible? Because you identify with it's wisdom. Its already in you. At some point, you're going to have to set that book down, because when the tests come, you can't take that book with you. Not allowed.

Its not about memorizing scriptures. Its about BECOMING the scriptures, making them your own, and becoming a living voice of God. A self sustaining flame within that never goes out.

I can discuss God all day. I haven't opened a Bible in years and years. No need. I took my finger off the pilot light button and I stayed lit.

If I can do it, so can you. (and that is the TRUE message of Jesus)



x

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Destroyer of Worlds

GX

You are correct! It has prevailed over the centuries. Unfortunately, it has prevailed by brute force and violence. Witness the spanish inquisition, the rape of the mayan and aztec culture by Cortez, the genocide of the native american population by the puritans, the forcible enslavement of africans as an excuse to spread christianity etc.

Now that colonization as we knew it then is practically over, people have a chance to view the bible on its own merits. Studies recently published show that church attendance has dropped dramatically and many of those who do attend do not necessarily believe in bible infallibility and literalism. The tide is thankfully turning composer.

GX

But thats the problem! The bible is so full of contradictions and insane behavior by God that you cant effectively teach it. If a person acted as insanely as the bible sometimes portrays God as acting, they would branded a Hitler or locked up. As far as it standing the test of time for centuries, see my previous post.

The bible does have nuggets of wisdom but there is more "chaff" than "wheat" and one must discern the difference instead of taking it all in as perfectly infallible.

Astreja

Matthew 10:34: "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword." Doesn't sound non-violent to me.

And then you said...
Unfortunately, this kind of language frequently leads to genocide... Believers acting as "the hand of God" without demonstrating that their purported god actually exists.
I am not impressed by your stance on cats. Demonizing any animal invites their abuse. (And, in order to be effective mousers, cats must be free to go where the mice go.)

I do hope that you aren't one of those people who happens to like chicken or turkey... I see no difference between Fluffy downing a sparrow and a human chomping on a drumstick or a piece of breast meat.

None whatsoever.

NotConvinced

Then I could add that "It's not really a case of Bible Hating, it's offering others the oppurtunity to truly learn what the Bible says and the principles it teaches."


Yes, but if we closely define "standing the test of time," what will we come up with? Does it mean that "some" people still believe it's true? Or "most" people still believe it's true? I'd say on average, of those that have been exposed to the Bible, those that believe it's true, percentage wise, has probably decreased over the centuries.

Does it mean that there are no contradictions that have been proven within?
Cause that's disputable at best.

If it doesn't mean either of those, then is it possible that withstanding the test of time might not even be a positive thing?

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jimmy77611

It prevails with the "go with the flow" non thinking-for-themselves drones in the western world. If you really analyzed the bible you'd see that it is a work of fiction created by man. Most people are too lazy or scared to do so, and most preachers don't cover the problems in the bible, so most people have no idea it's flawed. It has been put under intense scrutiny, and has been exposed as flawed, but most are too blinded by faith to realize. People need something to believe in.

These are the reasons it prevails.

A jewish zombie impregnated his own mom to concieve himself, and living in the bible belt, I'm the one who is weird for not believing it!

go figure.