is my life a sham?

[theo]

christian reading a lot more into things, i don't like what i'm reading, talk to me.

 

[Willamena]

What are you reading?

 

[Gentoo]

What don't you like about it?

 

[Wandered Off]

I didn't find the poll buttons, but I'd vote No.

 

[theo]

here among others http://nobeliefs.com/DarkBible/darkbible5.htm#happy-to-kill-children

 

[Gentoo]

here among others http://nobeliefs.com/DarkBible/darkbible5.htm#happy-to-kill-children

Well, that's a site that's dedicated to showing how the Bible is wrong/contradictory/what have you. Chances are, those verses are taken WAY out of context. Why don't you find the verses in a Bible and read how it's supposed to be read, in context.

 

[theo]

that's what bothers me.........i have, i dare say i'm glad that i didnt read a lot of the bible, and based my life more on corinthians, damn what sort of person would i be, i mean jesus saying to kick the dust of their sandals to any place that didnt listen to their beliefs, thays pety however you look at it, god actually says " i am a jealous god" and that verse about hating family and own life, thats directly from the bible too, i checked em all up, argh how???

 

[Halcyon]

i mean jesus saying to kick the dust of their sandals to any place that didnt listen to their beliefs, thays pety however you look at it

That's just saying "ignore the defeats and move on / wipe the slate clean and try somewhere else", better than "kill the unbelievers!" isn't it?

It all depends on how you interpret things.

 

[Quagmire]

that's what bothers me.........i have, i dare say i'm glad that i didnt read a lot of the bible, and based my life more on corinthians, damn what sort of person would i be, i mean jesus saying to kick the dust of their sandals to any place that didnt listen to their beliefs, thays pety however you look at it, god actually says " i am a jealous god" and that verse about hating family and own life, thats directly from the bible too, i checked em all up, argh how???

Gentoo's right in that that site is slanted (I'm not a christian so it's not like I'm purposely taking sides).

Alot of what's in the OT sounds pretty vindictive but you have to consider it's not like God is suggesting (in psalms 137) that someone go out and kill children, He's just portrayed as predicting that it's going to happen and that the people involved are going to enjoy doing it.

The verse about "hating family" may just be an unfortunate interpretation; the Pe****a (the bible alledgedly translated from aramaic rahter than Greek) says "...put aside" rather than "hate", which is just saying that anyone who's more dedicated to their family than they are to doing God's will is unfit to be a disciple.

That's just saying "ignore the defeats and move on / wipe the slate clean and try somewhere else", better than "kill the unbelievers!" isn't it?

It all depends on how you interpret things.

Exactly what I was thinking.

 

[theo]

i still think i prefer your religion quagmire lol

but ..t....... how can an all loving god have enemies? if we are all one in christ why are women seen as inferior? why do i have to question everything?

 

[Gentoo]

i still think i prefer your religion quagmire lol

but ..t....... how can an all loving god have enemies? if we are all one in christ why are women seen as inferior? why do i have to question everything?

Why does anyone question?

Maybe you should try to answer your own questions in a way that makes sense to you.

 

[may]

Why do you think that women are inferior? i would say that women are a complement .
"Jehovah God went on to say: ‘It is not good for the man to continue by himself. I am going to make a helper for him, as a complement of him.’"—GENESIS 2:18. ... nice

 

[James the Persian]

i still think i prefer your religion quagmire lol

but ..t....... how can an all loving god have enemies? if we are all one in christ why are women seen as inferior? why do i have to question everything?

Seems to me like you need a different approach to the Bible. It's a very human collection of documents, even though inspired by God, and it contains very human failings, errors, perspectives etc. The 'Bible as the Infallible Word of God' idea is not the only (or the most usual or the oldest) view of Scripture. In fact some of us would say that the Word of God was Incarnate as Man, not a Book and to confuse the two borders on idolatry. Anyway, recognising the human origins of the Bible, recognising it as the record of the Church rather than Her foundation would solve most of your issues, it seems to me.

I can't blame you for asking the questions you do, finding the inconsistencies you do and questioning your faith as a result. I've been there and done that and it's questions exactly like these that compelled me to reject the Protestantism and, for years Christianity itself, of my youth. It was finding out that there were other ways to view Scripture, that sola scriptura is a relatively modern phenomenon and that I don't have to accept every word as being Divinely dictated, that brought me back to Christianity, though in the Orthodox Church rather than a Protestant one. I would never go back, for I still feel that my initial objections were valid within the sola scripturalist view of the faith. Thankfully I found a faith where I can easily deal with such questions (and lest I get accused of proselytism, might I add that my Church is not the only one - practically any non-Protestant - and in this sense I'd include Anglicans as non-Protestant also - view of Scripture would do the same. I, personally, could not be a member of any other church than ours, but there are others that may, perhaps, suit you).

James

 

[porkchop]

i still think i prefer your religion quagmire lol

but ..t....... how can an all loving god have enemies? if we are all one in christ why are women seen as inferior? why do i have to question everything?

Cause wer'e rebellious in nature?? God says to test all things, so its good to question.
If youre gonna look at websites like that one, youre not gonna like what you hear,as its all lies and not nice reading. I would suggest if you are truly seeking God, pray to Him and read your Bible, maybe start with the gospels, John perhaps and work your way through, praying that God will give you an understanding,reviel His word to you, and open your heart to Him. I do understand how hard it is when you are seeking the truth, but know that if you are genuine in your search, you will find it. I wish you well, Theo.

 

[Mustard Seed]

In fact some of us would say that the Word of God was Incarnate as Man, not a Book and to confuse the two borders on idolatry.

Hello james...a really interesting idea you have there. If this is not off topic and you dont mind me asking: could you possibly expand on this idea some more? Is that man you speak of Jesus?; and if so what are we to believe, seeing's how the Bible in not infallible? Thanks in advance for any help.

darnell

 

[morning-star]

theo theo theo I realy shouldn't get involved but because I’m not a Christian but as a friend I will give you my views. You have ever right to question everything in the bible as a lot of it is cruel and unjust. Women have always been blamed through out the ages because of ‘eve’ was tempted into sin and Jesus (and was it John?) says something about women being nothing better than to serve, and be slaves of men
Isn’t there in the bible a section where God makes someone kill 100’s of people just for a drink of water and some food??!
There are many other things in the bible that are cruel and other thing which have been cut out and altered throughout the ages.

I don’t mean to hurt or offend ANYONE with this post; it is just my own personal views, and I’m really sorry if I did.

 

[Scuba Pete]

The Bible was never meant to be a "rule book" for any religion. It is a blog of man trying to discover God. If you want to understand Christianity, STICK with the words of Jesus: lover your enemy, love your neighbor. All you really need is love.

 

[Quagmire]

i still think i prefer your religion quagmire lol

LOL!

DWBHism isn't necesarily incompatable with Christianity, Theo. I've known more than one Christian who seemed to meld the two rather nicely.

...how can an all loving God have enemies?

You can have enemies without being anyone's enemy. Considerring how many people are offended by anyone who speaks the truth (or even seeks the truth), it's understandable how truth itself would rub some people the wrong way.

why do i have to question everything?

Well, for one thing the Gospels suggest it; somewhere in there it says, "Seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened". I've never seen "Conform and don't make waves, profess without trying to understand" anywhere in there. In fact, in most places Jesus seemed to be saying the exact opposite.

For me I think it comes down to "who's acceptance is most important to you"?

 

[ayani]

Quagmire, that was a great response. :flower2:

i echo what he's said- spiritual tumult is difficult, but neccesary. it's good to question and get stretched out every now and then, even if it doesn't always feel that way.

keep looking man, and take care.