I don't understand why it is okay for me to ask, but Autodidact is the devil for asking. I have never heard anything like that before. Your extreme response to her has confused me even more. Did Jesus consider anyone who questioned a bible verse to be the devil? Strange....strange...I don't understand.
Okay. This is a totally understandable and fair response. Why couldn't you start with this instead of calling someone the devil? I was just hoping for more specifics about this passage in particular with regards to it's context, history, etc. I am truly interested.
I don't believe in any particular religion. Whether or not someone is a true believer, the Bible is probably the most important piece of literature in our history when you consider its impact worldwide. It was one of the first books printed and has been translated into countless languages. What's wrong with asking about it and trying to learn more?
And if no one is able to give more insight into this particular passage without accusing someone of being evil, are there any resources you might recommend?
First, allow me to point out that atheist certainly are not the best people to script what a Christian is really like. Secondly. Autodidact is what she is. She is an atheist with an agenda. Everybody except maybe you can see this. Her purposes for discussing Scriptures is agenda driven by her atheistic desire to cause confusion and pick at theist.
Also, if you have read what I said with an open ear, you know that I only pointed out whose position in a debate she is on. She has chosen theologically to take Satan's side of the argument; therefore, she represents the Devil's position. She is not the Devil but she likes his point of view. You are welcome to that point of view too if you like it. We are all free to make up our own minds. Autodidact also post that she is the head lesbian, which that also is her choice; but, I also notice she is a lawyer and she is certainly wise enough to know that posting you are a head lesbian among Christians would raise a few eye brawls. I assume she is intelligent but any lawyer who is a head lesbian would not expect to be well received as a speaker in a Christian debate in most places.
I think she has been well received here but many of us disagree with her motives. She has approached us as if we are stupid baby killers. We admit that God told Israel to kill the Medinites' children. We did not kill these children but we correctly predicted that she would make this accusation as I think you might have done so also. This is a debate tactic you see from atheist everytime you discussion religion with them and it comes from their desire to embarrass Christians. Christians do believe the Devil's position is evil, or did you not already know this before you blamed us for calling Autodidact's position evil. With me, I was not calling anybody a name but lust pointing out her theological position. That's fair here.
You say you are truly interested in historical context. Somehow I don't believe you. If you are interested, what is to keep you from doing your own reading and research? I think you are too anxious to blame the people of faith for you lack of understanding. It is not our fault you do not read all the many passages in the four Gospels where Jesus argued bitterly with the Scribes and Pharisees over the meaning of the Scriptures. Since Ale Gore invented the internet, there is no way you can successfully claim Christians have not pointed out any sources to help your lack of understanding. Me thinks you've played dumb for the last time with the GadFly. My intentions were well meaning towards you but I don't think you have reciprocated by making the accusations posted here. I may be mistaken but I am sure you will correct me if I am.
God Bless, the GadFly
