- Joined
- Oct 12, 2009
- Messages
- 23,909
- Reaction score
- 11,003
- Location
- New Jersey
- Gender
- Male
- Political Leaning
- Libertarian - Right
I was Roman Catholic growing up until I realized that there is no way for the bible to be taken as factual. And if you cannot take the bible factually, then there can be other parts in there that are also not to be taken factually. Either the bible is fact or fiction. Take your pick.
I'm sorry, but that is simply silly. Christians seem to have NO problem intepreting Muslim scriptures and beliefs. Why is it Christians get upset when the same thing is done to them?
Basically you are making the case for Christianity (and frankly many other religions like Islam, Judaism, etc) being a made up religion.
Everyone has the right to study and criticize and religion while others have the right to respond. (With the possible exception of Islam).
How do you define a 'made-up' religion?
The majority can, and often is, wrong. You're just engaging in argumentum ad populum. Try again.
Cannot some be fact and other parts be fiction? Parts, as we well know, have some obscure authors who can rightfully be ignored, Other teachings, particularly in the NT, have revolutionized the world, and are still doing so.
As human beings we have to discern what might be a good thing and others which might be nonsense. That is why we are blessed with free will.
It seems we agree.
Yes, some can be fact and some can be fiction, however, that would label the book fiction then.
If I write about Nazis with some factual things and then throw in space aliens, it is considered fiction.
So then you agree the bible is fiction.
Muslims would be correct to disregard a Christian critic's comments on the Koran.
Yeah, the Roman empire existed, but we generally accept that the events in Gladiator are fiction.
Except that the distrust is completely unwarranted and leads a lot of people into believing they are free to be rude towards Arabs. I don't want to be blamed for murdering people anymore than some kid with Arabic heritage, who also was born in America. None of that has even the slightest to do with me or him.Given their history that would make some sense, but trusting them less than other groups is quite different from getting 'the short end of the stick".
No, but I was pretty big in school.But Muslims are targeting and murdering non Muslims,. It's happening all over the world.
Yeah, the Roman empire existed, but we generally accept that the events in Gladiator are fiction.
I think it's quite clear what I mean by made-up. Manmade, as in a means to control people through the idea of "If you don't follow our religion and do what we tell you, you will go to hell".
I agree, and the movie Gladiator is considered fiction. So the bible is fiction then.
Yes, some can be fact and some can be fiction, however, that would label the book fiction then.
If I write about Nazis with some factual things and then throw in space aliens, it is considered fiction.
So then you agree the bible is fiction.
I agree, and the movie Gladiator is considered fiction. So the bible is fiction then.
And no one said they where not free to believe anything they want. That does not make a book that is at odds with historical records, archeological findings, and basic science factual. Trying to suggest that the bible is the authority in those areas as you did is just silly.
If that's what you want to believe, fine.
Please don't put words in my mouth. I said that the Bible is the authoritative history for Christians, or words to that effect. It is interpreted in light of experience, tradition, prayer, and what we know about other matters such as archeology, geology, etc. Again, where it appears to contradict what is known from science about the physical world it should probably not be interpreted literally, that's how most mainstream Christians see it. There is much else that is disregarded as not applying to the modern day. How that all shakes out is for believers to decide.
I don't doubt that much of the Bible is fiction. But in your example parts would be true and other parts would be false. The part doesn't necessarily make the whole.
That's really putting 2 + 2 together!
Was the film "Gladiator" categorized as a documentary? See the issue is about the label... if people don't label things correctly noses get out of joint. If the film industry categorized "Christmas Vacation" with Chevy Chase and the gang a documentary, there would be a bit of a kerfluffle.
Gave me a thought.Muslims are minorities in first world countries and often get the short end of the stick. If I were a secular atheist in the Islamic world, I'd be the first to defend Christians.
For your viewing pleasure: http://jerichobrisance.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/new-testament-timeline-jerichobrisance1.png
The bible is filled with lessons and allegory. Historically speaking, the population were illiterate and could not understand expanded concepts. There are very few 100% literal things especially from 2000+ years ago. What you believe by definition is a "belief" - you choose to call it a fact because it's what you believe - hence your opinion. Know that there are differences in beliefs as well as degrees of belief. Don't lump everyone into one category thinking 100% of the bible is fact. Yet historically, many things that occurred in the bible are historically supported.It's not what I believe it's fact.
Yes the 100% or nothing argument - it's been around for as long as religion.If the bible isn't literal, than that means there are parts in there that are manmade or at the very least have manmade bias. Hence, why I call every organized religion manmade.
It's accurate to you. Simply understand not everyone thinks or believes as you do.I don't use manmade as an insult, I use it as an accurate description. It doesn't make it wrong to follow a manmade religion, following it is simply an act of faith. However, where I have a hard time with religion is where people say we HAVE to have this law BECAUSE the bible says so or the Koran says so, etc.
What's your faith based on? Fact is most morals be it deeds or a distinction between right and wrong have some basis in a religion of some type. Whether you want to accept that or not... meh. Not my problem.My faith is also considered manmade as I believe it is the deeds of the person and the path a person takes, not a particular religion. What do I have to back up my faith? Nothing, however, I don't want to make laws to get you to follow my faith.
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?