Then you should change the teaching.

[mikkel_the_dane]

I read this is an other thread. And it got me thinking.

No, we humans can not just change the scriptures to our liking, we can't just remove or add to a religious scripture what we "want " it to say.
If we did, it would be a voilation of Gods truth.

It is the humans who would have to change according to the scriptures.

Thoughts?

In my religion that is exactly our job. We are all prophets and we write the scriptures, because they are our lives.

 

[ChristineM]

I read this is an other thread. And it got me thinking.

No, we humans can not just change the scriptures to our liking, we can't just remove or add to a religious scripture what we "want " it to say.
If we did, it would be a voilation of Gods truth.

It is the humans who would have to change according to the scriptures.

Thoughts?

The way round scripture written in stone to interpret in any way that suits you. That seems to be what most people do anyway

 

[Gargovic Malkav]

If ancient texts should always be changed and edited to modern understanding and desire, the texts would be as capricious the human mind.
Especially in modern society this may become an increasing problem, as our increasing awareness of things seems to evolve society at an increasingly faster rate.

It's also a good way to make the ancients and people of more "old fashioned" cultures look stupid and barbaric.

I'm not a fan of such "Roman" mentalities, nor do I think it resolves the problem of cultural/ideological disputes.

I'd prefer it that people would write commentaries on such texts rather than edit the texts themselves, so that their authenticity is preserved and so we have a better idea of what the ancients were like, and to find a kind of wisdom or truth in it that lasts forever.

 

[Heyo]

You’ve been told that. But I betcha can’t prove that.

I just have to look at the many bibles that are out there. The RCC has a different version than the Lutherans, the Mormons have the "Book of Mormon" and the JWs have their own version.
If there was one authentic Bible and we could know it, why are there so many now?

in fact, the DDS

Data Distribution Service?
Developmental Disability Services?
Delusional Deists Society?

 

[Hockeycowboy]

If I can get your opinion on something, real quick.
What do you make of the harsh divides among Christian sects?
Like condemning each other to hell over differences in interpretations?
Is that just an example of how flawed humanity is in general? Like where do you think such animosity comes from?
Because to me that seems to go against Jesus’ teachings and indeed is seemingly egged on by certain preachers for their own monetary benefit. But I’m not a Christian so I can’t comment with any authority on the matter

(Not saying that such a thing is exclusive to Christianity obviously. Just to be clear.)

Good questions.

i believe the Bible is from God our Creator, so I claim that it’s words are truth.

So when I read where Jesus refers to the Devil as “the prince of the world” (John 12:31); 1 John5:19 says the “whole world is lying in the power of the Wicked One”; & Revelation 12:9 states the Devil is “misleading / deceiveth the entire inhabited earth”… I just look around, observe all the confusion, strife and hatred, and it seems to be true.
Titus 1:16 tells us that many “publically declare they know God, but disown Him by their works.”

Christendom has been awful in representing Christ!

it did not start out that way, though.

To my thinking (and this might sound strange at first)… the fact that there are so many divisions / sects among professed Christians, just reinforces the idea that it started out as truth.
I mean, think of the divisions in other major religions…. Islam has, what, 60 to 80? Judaism has 50 or so?
Buddhism, I don’t know: under 50?

But look at those claiming Christianity! Over 30,000?!!

And what better way to hide what started out as truth, by hiding *it* (truth) among thousands of counterfeits?! “Misleading the entire inhabited earth”.

Look for Christians striving to show love for each other… the kind of love that transcends all barriers, be it racial, ethnic, or nationality. That’s a Godly sort. Acts 10:34-35

Take care, my cousin.

 

[Hockeycowboy]

Data Distribution Service?
Developmental Disability Services?
Delusional Deists Society?

Oh, I’m sorry. I meant the DSS, the Dead Sea Scrolls.

(Grief…it’s late.)
(Delusional Deists Society, lol, that’s a good one!)

Yes, you bring up a good point, about the Apocrypha books of Catholicism.
(The Book of Mormon was never a part of the Bible Canon to begin with, so I will dismiss that.)

I’ll address the Apocrypha later. I’m too tired.
Have a good night, Heyo. Thanks for the laugh!

 

[lewisnotmiller]

Of course there are no actual witches, so that law to kill them hurts no one, so it is an easy thing to ignore. If it was to kill gays, well, that would target actual people and their nature.

Heh...I'd like to see you tell people in Papua New Guinea that.
This might be eye opening, but it's a tough read, so if you're squeamish best to avoid.

Papua New Guinea fails to end ‘evil’ of sorcery-related violence

 

[SomeRandom]

Good questions.

i believe the Bible is from God our Creator, so I claim that it’s words are truth.

So when I read where Jesus refers to the Devil as “the prince of the world” (John 12:31); 1 John5:19 says the “whole world is lying in the power of the Wicked One”; & Revelation 12:9 states the Devil is “misleading / deceiveth the entire inhabited earth”… I just look around, observe all the confusion, strife and hatred, and it seems to be true.
Titus 1:16 tells us that many “publically declare they know God, but disown Him by their works.”

Thats fair enough. I can agree with such readings

Christendom has been awful in representing Christ!

I wholeheartedly agree!
The charlatans I have seen. Disgraceful!!

it did not start out that way, though.

To my thinking (and this might sound strange at first)… the fact that there are so many divisions / sects among professed Christians, just reinforces the idea that it started out as truth.
I mean, think of the divisions in other major religions…. Islam has, what, 60 to 80? Judaism has 50 or so?
Buddhism, I don’t know: under 50?

But look at those claiming Christianity! Over 30,000?!!

“As many truths as there are people.” Yes
We have that same thinking in my own tradition. So I think I understand where you’re coming from. Jesus resides in the hearts of all. But those hearts will inevitably differ quite drastically. Is that somewhat accurate?

And what better way to hide what started out as truth, by hiding *it* (truth) among thousands of counterfeits?! “Misleading the entire inhabited earth”.

Hmm, I suppose I can’t disagree with you there

Look for Christians striving to show love for each other… the kind of love that transcends all barriers, be it racial, ethnic, or nationality. That’s a Godly sort. Acts 10:34-35

Take care, my cousin.

Thank you, cousin.
Hope you are doing well

Much of my “family” are Church of God Christians. Indeed they exemplify the teachings of Christ quite well. Not perfectly, but no one is, right?
I think a Christian should show compassion, empathy and charity. Such was the teachings of Jesus Christ.
I’m not at all happy to say that not very many of the Christian preachers I see on TV or internationally embody such values.
A Christian shall be known from their works, indeed

 

[danieldemol]

Heh...I'd like to see you tell people in Papua New Guinea that.
This might be eye opening, but it's a tough read, so if you're squeamish best to avoid.

https://www.aljazeera.com/favicon_aje.ico

Clicked on the link and all i got was an icon for aljazeera.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

Clicked on the link and all i got was an icon for aljazeera.

Sorry mate.
I've fixed the link now.

 

[Aupmanyav]

What is enlightenment? Because you may just be speaking for yourself here.

Yeah, you are correct. I am fully enlightened.

 

[Aupmanyav]

So the listeners who are earnest all agree on who a prophet is?

IMHO, there is no evidence or proof of anything in theism. It is a faith based system. That is so with prophecy also, no evidence that someone knew the future.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

IMHO, there is no evidence or proof of anything in theism. It is a faith based system. That is so with prophecy also, no evidence that someone knew the future.

Me too. But for someone who does believe in prophecy, I think it's worth considering whether one really believes that listening with an open heart leads to knowing who is a real prophet.

Evidence of that would be large groups of people readily agreeing that person X is a prophet based on hearing them talk once.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Me too. But for someone who does believe in prophecy, I think it's worth considering whether one really believes that listening with an open heart leads to knowing who is a real prophet.

Evidence of that would be large groups of people readily agreeing that person X is a prophet based on hearing them talk once.

I won't believe someone just for his/her talk or writing. I don't even believe in prophets and prophecies. So for me, people who believe in these things are not correct about them. I follow a 'no-nonsense' philosophy.

 

[blü 2]

No, we humans can not just change the scriptures to our liking, we can't just remove or add to a religious scripture what we "want " it to say.

I agree that it's wrong to rewrite any ancient document and to pass your own version off as the original.

You're free to re-write, borrow from, shorten, interpolate, and otherwise vary the original IFF you make it clear that this is what you're doing and that what the reader is seeing is your version and not the original. When I was young I had books which 'retold' Greek and Norse legends and stories based on Shakespeare's plays, for example. Bible stories get 'retold' in the same way ─ David and Goliath, for example ─ though a preachy tone is usually fatal to the enjoyment.

But to alter the meaning of the text and pass it off as the original is simply deceit.

 

[Fool]

I read this is an other thread. And it got me thinking.

No, we humans can not just change the scriptures to our liking, we can't just remove or add to a religious scripture what we "want " it to say.
If we did, it would be a voilation of Gods truth.

It is the humans who would have to change according to the scriptures.

Thoughts?

i've known of people changing their denominations and their religions multiple times throughout their lives.


so yeah they've changed their scripture for something else.


words have multiple meanings and even synonyms that can replace them.


language isn't precise like mathematics.


common sense isn't really that common

 

[VoidCat]

Of course there are no actual witches, so that law to kill them hurts no one, so it is an easy thing to ignore. If it was to kill gays, well, that would target actual people and their nature.

Well there are no witches according to how christians view them and what the term historically meant. But the term has evolved as terms often do from time to time and some people use the term to describe their practices. Such as myself I consider myself a witch. As a result i have faced some harassment from Christians and even almost was kicked out of my home cuz of it. Even tho I dont use the term as it historically has been meant.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Although, with regard to the Bible, it is a BIG Book, and it has many symbolic statements which can be construed in many different ways. Resulting in multitudinous interpretations!

No, it is not all that big. Skand Purana has over 81,000 verses. Bible has 31,102 verses.

 

[F1fan]

I do not know who Jim Jones are.

Prophets are those in a form of contact with God, humans chose to believe or not believe the Prophets, I am one who believe them to speak the truth and give the true teaching from God

And if a prophet says witches are to be killed, or that gays are to be condemned, the followers will follow that. Father Heathen is correct, there is no actual God coming forth to teach and lead, it is humans who are representing gods that are notably absent. We see many theists act with decency, but we also see atheists act the same way. We can't say it's religon. And when we see theists act through their sriptures to harm others, what do we do?

 

[mikkel_the_dane]

And if a prophet says witches are to be killed, or that gays are to be condemned, the followers will follow that. Father Heathen is correct, there is no actual God coming forth to teach and lead, it is humans who are representing gods that are notably absent. We see many theists act with decency, but we also see atheists act the same way. We can't say it's religon. And when we see theists act through their sriptures to harm others, what do we do?

Well, yes.
But what religions is, is not a fact of science.