Anyone?

[Willamena]

The age matters to me concerning scripture because when you're supposed to take something as literal truth, I'd like to be able to ask the authors questions. These are strangers, why should I believe them?

Well, you're not supposed to take it as literal truth.

Rather, you're supposed to find in it something to believe in.

 

[Willamena]

I guess when you want so badly for the primitive conclusions of this anonymous group of Bronze Age goat herders regarding the origins of the universe and what happens to us when we die to be true, you’ll forgo the critical thinking and skepticism that would normally be applied to any other claim.

Actually, some rather sophisticated conclusions, ones that people are still coming to, today.

 

[Reverend Chris]

I can't say that I follow the entire law, but I follow Jesus commands as best as I can. That is what is important to me.

If I want to follow and live by writings written thousands of years ago, that is my business. I have no reason to explain it to anyone. It doesn't even effect anyone else outside of my family and friends.

It is what is important to you that means the most.

 

[angellous_evangellous]

What rational reason do you have for believing a book that was written millennia ago of which the authors are unknown?

None. It actually borders on insanity. :foot:

 

[ChristineES]

It is what is important to you that means the most.

It just confirms the most important Laws in the OT.

 

[Buttercup]

Well, you're not supposed to take it as literal truth.

Oh dear. Have you ever been a Christian? I'd say a good portion of Christendom would disagree with that statement, including me when I was a following that path.

 

[Popeyesays]

Oh dear. Have you ever been a Christian? I'd say a good portion of Christendom would disagree with that statement, including me when I was a following that path.

Taking it too literally is crippling.

Regards,
Scott

 

[athanasius]

What rational reason do you have for believing a book that was written millennia ago of which the authors are unknown?

Apostolic tradition of the Fathers of coarse, and the Church who canonized it in 382 Ad. And it wasn't a book rather it was a compilation of many books put together. That is my rational historical response and understanding. And Many Scholars will gladly tell you who the authors were(Except maybe Hebrews and few others).

 

[PureX]

Oh dear. Have you ever been a Christian? I'd say a good portion of Christendom would disagree with that statement, including me when I was a following that path.

I don't know about that. I was raised Catholic, and was taught that the bible was not intended to be taken literally. And Catholics make up a very large group of Christians.

 

[Buttercup]

I don't know about that. I was raised Catholic, and was taught that the bible was not intended to be taken literally. And Catholics make up a very large group of Christians.

Guess I don't know.....I was always on the Protestant ends of things. Maybe that's why I feel especially gypped, it was all supposed to be true.

 

[PureX]

Guess I don't know.....I was always on the Protestant ends of things. Maybe that's why I feel especially gypped, it was all supposed to be true.

Well, they all have their foibles. The Catholics think they have a direct line of authority handed down to them from God. So they tend to be very militaristic in their power structure. I never could stomach authoritarians, especially when they claim they got their authority from God himself.

But, they did at least give good bible study. *smile* And Catholic Charities is an excellent organization.

 

[LogDog]

Taking it too literally is crippling.

Regards,
Scott

Taking it literally and acting in accordance with what it commands could also turn you into a murderer.

 

[Popeyesays]

I trust you are aware of the meanings of these two words:

Metaphor
Symbolic

And what they can mean to a religious discussion?

Regards.
Scott

 

[LogDog]

I trust you are aware of the meanings of these two words:

Metaphor
Symbolic

And what they can mean to a religious discussion?

Regards.
Scott

I am. But that doesn't mean the next guy is.

 

[Buttercup]

I trust you are aware of the meanings of these two words:

Metaphor
Symbolic

And what they can mean to a religious discussion?

Regards.
Scott

I think most people who frequent this forum have a good idea of what those words mean. Doesn't mean they agree that's how to approach the bible.

There are plenty of Christians who take the bible absolutely literally...right down to the flood story.

 

[ChristineES]

I think most people who frequent this forum have a good idea of what those words mean. Doesn't mean they agree that's how to approach the bible.

There are plenty of Christians who take the bible absolutely literally...right down to the flood story.

I know what you mean. Back when I first became a Christian, I received flack at a bible study for implying that The Adam and Eve story was symbolic.

 

[Popeyesays]

I think most people who frequent this forum have a good idea of what those words mean. Doesn't mean they agree that's how to approach the bible.

There are plenty of Christians who take the bible absolutely literally...right down to the flood story.

The Bible, the Qur'an, the sacred literature of all the faiths is meant to INCLUDE as many people as possible. If one is reading those holy books to find reasons to EXCLUDE people then they are wrong.

Regards,
Scott

 

[Todd]

What rational reason do you have for believing a book that was written millennia ago of which the authors are unknown?

If such a book could stand the test of time and survive continuous efforts to be disproven, why wouldn't I believe such a book.

 

[Buttercup]

The Bible, the Qur'an, the sacred literature of all the faiths is meant to INCLUDE as many people as possible. If one is reading those holy books to find reasons to EXCLUDE people then they are wrong.

Regards,
Scott

I'm not sure what your response had to do with my post.

 

[Popeyesays]

I'm not sure what your response had to do with my post.

That if an individual chooses to interpret scripture to say that God excludes, that is the individual's responsibility to God, not God's responsibility to the individual.

Regards,
Scott