Greetings Dezzie, I don't believe we have met.
Well... from what I have experienced and from what I have read, Religion is all in Faith. From what I originally got from Religion is, God is testing those who still carry on their beliefs no matter what other "Scientific Explanations" may arise.
The difficulty here resides in people clutching desperately to their alleged faith in spite of evidence that should make them start scratching their heads. Sadly, I don't see
appeals to faith as being particularly meaningful, most certainly, not in the area of debates. In my view, and if only in my view, faith is for those who do not understand the nature of the object of their adoration. If they did, they would no longer require faith, as faith would give way to knowledge.
Then people ask, "but how do we know the Bible is true? How do we know the Qur'an is true?" Why does it matter? Both "books" or... mind some of you... religious texts, have wonderful meaning... the words and the lessons they both provide are great places to stem from.
Of course. The way I see it is similar to that of "over the counter" pain relievers. It is one thing for the manufacturer to claim their product may relieve some affliction, but things tend to get a bit dodgy when
the person selling you the product makes wild claims beyond those of the manufacturer. The whole business gets more than a bit smelly, rather quickly.
There is nothing wrong with what God or Allah may want for us (IF he 100% exists).
Claims as to "what God allegedly wants" from us have always struck me as being little more than the arrogance of assumed authority.
I have come to realize since I have been away from the forum, is that... we all came from somewhere... Our spirits came from something somewhere. The ways in which I think, feel, and the many things I believe in, came from SOMEWHERE. I honestly do not want to believe that when I die, I will just rot in the ground.
I can deal with this kind of thinking, as it does seem somewhat reasonable. It's when claims and expectations go beyond this fine line that credulity tends to enter the fray.
Maybe the Bible or the Qur'an are not the actual words of God... So what? Why do people constantly need to ask whether or not the Qur'an or the Bible are true?
Comparing the Bible with the Qur'an, is not particularly wise as they are not viewed in the same way. By and large, the Bible is not seen to be the "Word of God". Yes, some Christians believe it is, but they are in the distinct minority. The Qur'an is seen by an overwhelming number of Muslims as being "The Word of God". Apples and oranges. As to why people continually ask if they are true is likely because the believers are steadily chanting the mantra which relentlessly invites the question. Is this hard to understand?
Not many people can even answer that question. Why ask it? If you can't answer the question for yourself, why do you need to throw it out there?
I have little difficulty answering your question. No, neither the Qur'an or The Bible were written by this alleged "god" being. Both are holey written by human animals, who were
perhaps inspired by visions of reality that forced them to make conclusions about the universe that may or may not be valid.
Before people start making assumptions of me... let me add that I was that person once. I was a Mormon at first but only because my parents were. I changed after that and decided that I would be Agnostic because I still believed that a God existed. Soon after becoming Agnostic I did my research... I asked those questions... I made automatic assumptions of other people because of their beliefs. Trust me... I've had my fair share of looking down to others. I have noticed a big change in myself lately though... I have Faith in a God... in any religious text. I have educated myself in many things.
Lovely. If you have indeed educated yourself on these topics then you will undoubtedly recognize just how flimsy the "evidence" for god is and may well appreciate why many are not impressed by fallacious appeals to faith, that are conveniently used to fill in the gaps of understanding.
The question I want to ask is... Why ask how anyone knows whether or not a religious text is true?
Probability theory might help to explain why not as well as a solid course in psychology.
Is it all for debate and nothing more? Is throwing that question out there a way to rid all religion from people's lives? What is the reason?
Would people's lives be any less rich if religion was removed from their beliefs structures? You make it sound as if religion is an essential quality. That's a bit rich.
I'll say this once more... if you can not answer the question yourself... why on Earth do you think someone else could answer it?
Heaven forbid that the religious actually lean critical thinking skills.
I believe that IF there is an actual God... he wants us to have Faith in him no matter what proof is available to us.
This strikes me as an almost proverbial head in the sand approach. I'd say that if god really existed he would make it possible for us to know him, so that we would not need to rely on the flimsy support of faith. I guess that is asking a lot though.