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scary stories
too clinical
stories reminds me of Greek mythology
too many dos and don'ts
God/angels/demons all appear to want to punish and kill humans.
It is a male demoninated book written by more men.
1)Mary is a virgin
2)God is refered to as the father
3)Jesus is the son.
The trio stand as a bit sickly if the word father is to be titled as God.
Interesting. It seems that it's men that you don't want to believe in. I can understand that if you've been treated badly throughout your life by men. If you think that God just wants to punish and kill humans, then you must not have read the Bible at all. The whole theme is how God wants to save mankind. Yes, there are scary parts, but you get that in any history book. There are laws, but that is merely a part of culture. I don't understand the whole father/son issue, unless it is because you have had bad experiences in the past. My father was a wonderful man. I guess that is why I find favor in seeing a benevolent God being referred to as Father.
The Bible is tailored to believe in. It's nonsense. What else can be done with it but believe?
One can learn historical information from it. One can also get direction and incite. There are many passages about making wise choices in the Psalms and Proverbs. One can learn about God, that He IS a benevolent Being. Or one can choose to discard it without knowing what is actually in it.
The word Father is linked up to God.Quote:
Originally Posted by BienvenuJDC
Mary is said to be a Virgin
and Jesus is said to be the son of God.
what is the relationship between Mary and God telling me?
Father and Virgin??
Tailored is the word.Quote:
Originally Posted by cafolini
how is it tailored to hold believes if I am saying that I do not believe a word the bible says?
I'm not a huge fan of religion, but I am going to agree with Bienvenu on this one. I do like the Bible (as I do like: The Mishna, the Koran, Theogeny and Works and Days &c.)Quote:
Originally Posted by cafolini
While you may dismiss certain parts as ridiculous and only meant for those who believe, it is hard to ignore 1. the historic events that happen that have shaped the Levant and subsequent Western world and 2. The cultural influence.
It is impossible to study any Western lit. from Medieval to 20th century (when the Bible fades) without a fundamental knowledge of the stories.
Also, treating it as a piece of literature - it is not bad. Male-centric: yes. Riddled with contradictions: fine. Out of date: many of the laws are and Jews and Christians continue to fool themselves by picking out ones they like and claiming that those who disobey the ones they don't like are going against god (*cough cough).........but when all is said and done, there are some great stories.
So take it as a historic document if you don't believe in god and you still get a lot out of it.
Seems like a very biased outlook. Good luck in your endeavors then.Quote:
Originally Posted by cacian
I like the Bible. It has some good stories.
I'm going to assume you meant "do not believe a word" (sorry if i'm wrong).Quote:
Originally Posted by cacian
I would like to play Devil's advocate (ha!) and disagree with your point.
I'm going to believe - with no knowledge of you as a person - that you are not in favour of killing people. As well, you can probably admit that stealing is wrong, that adultery is something that you probably shouldn't do....that you shouldn't covet your neighbour's ox (for some reason).....you get my point.
There are some good points in there. We just tend to pick at the few that are - out of date, I guess.
Some of the most exciting action adventure pieces, if you ask me. And I'm speaking purely from a literature stand point. I'll sett all my literalist viewpoints aside for now. Honestly, who could come up with anything more exciting than when Moses was at the shore of the Red Sea with the Egyptian Army on their heels, and the waters just part allowing the people to escape through the bottom of the sea? Whether you see it as a historical event, or a mythological story, it's exciting.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mutatis-Mutandi
The problem is not the stories it is the way they are manipulated to suit the mean.Quote:
Originally Posted by BienvenuJDC
There is this continuous statement of salvation/and god saving mankind.
If God took time and effort to put us human on this earth why would he then want to save us?
Out of date poetry.
You'd have to explain the manner in which you think that they are manipulated. It seems that you already of a chip on your shoulder concerning males, so maybe you don't like the patriarchal system which is demonstrated. If that's the case, then you should be rejecting all historical accounts. As far as saving mankind goes, you need to understand that the physical world is merely a temporary measure toward a permanent spiritual setting. The saving is of a spiritual nature.Quote:
Originally Posted by cacian
If there were a god, and if that god was the ultimate authority, then why fool around with the whole son from a virgin mother sacrifice thing? This ultimate authority could instead just wave his hand over the world and proclaim that all is cool in the land.Quote:
Originally Posted by BienvenuJDC