(July 25, 2024 at 7:05 pm)Vicki Q Wrote: This is correct.

Wow, there is a correct way to interrupt the Bible. TIL

(July 30, 2024 at 9:13 am)Fake Messiah Wrote:

(July 25, 2024 at 7:05 pm)Vicki Q Wrote: This is correct.

Wow, there is a correct way to interrupt the Bible. TIL

Yes, they are all stories with a few historical/geographic bits thrown in. Then add some unsupported rationalizations and justifications and it magically becomes truth.

(July 30, 2024 at 6:40 am)Vicki Q Wrote:

(July 25, 2024 at 9:55 pm)brewer Wrote: How about 2 Kings 2:23-24. I always like this one.

It's a textbook case of understanding the context.

Of course, follow the chart: if it is violent, then it's "out of context". DUH

I was questioning a Christian recently and they told me to "go read the Bible".

(July 30, 2024 at 9:42 am)Disagreeable Wrote: I was questioning a Christian recently and they told me to "go read the Bible".

Say, "I did. Worst. Fairytale. Ever."

(July 30, 2024 at 9:42 am)Disagreeable Wrote: I was questioning a Christian recently and they told me to "go read the Bible".

I’ve been told to go read the Bible probably 50 times by now.
I am including other forms of that sentence such as “have you read the Bible?”
or
“Have you read the entire Bible?”

and “read it some more”
and “read and pray on it”
and “you might have read it but you certainly did not understand it”

It is implied that reading the text will convert the non-believer.
There isn’t much to understand. The text is mostly straightforward.

One christian told me that being a priest is like being a heart surgeon: only the professionally fully understand it.

(July 30, 2024 at 6:22 pm)Ferrocyanide Wrote:

(July 30, 2024 at 9:42 am)Disagreeable Wrote: I was questioning a Christian recently and they told me to "go read the Bible".

I’ve been told to go read the Bible probably 50 times by now.
I am including other forms of that sentence such as “have you read the Bible?”
or
“Have you read the entire Bible?”

and “read it some more”
and “read and pray on it”
and “you might have read it but you certainly did not understand it”

It is implied that reading the text will convert the non-believer.
There isn’t much to understand. The text is mostly straightforward.

One christian told me that being a priest is like being a heart surgeon: only the professionally fully understand it.

This rationale always makes me laugh, as if the world's foremost expert on the Harry Potter novels, best understand whether wizards are real. The bible is a book, books are man made, the bible is not just fallible, it is demonstrably erroneous in places. 

The Genesis creation myth, and the Noah flood myth, are two examples that not only contain risibly erroneous claims, but whose core message is contradicted by objective scientific facts.

(July 30, 2024 at 6:40 am)Vicki Q Wrote:

(July 25, 2024 at 9:55 pm)brewer Wrote: How about 2 Kings 2:23-24. I always like this one.

It's a textbook case of understanding the context. This is a little lengthy, so please bear with me.

Firstly, and most importantly, no children were harmed in the making of this story. Or bears, if that's more important to you. It's a story. Children die in stories all the time, and no-one gets irate. Hansel and Gretel? Pied Piper?

Secondly, it's not about baldness. There is no indication anywhere that Elisha went prematurely bald, and he lived long after these events. Elijah had only just gone to heaven, and that context makes it clear that Elisha had done the ritual head shaving that was funeral custom at the time.

Thirdly, the Hebrew words used for 'boys' cover a spectrum from ankle biters to army ready young men. Think 'hoodie'. And lots and lots of them. Not nice if they take agin' you.

Fourthly, the town was a hotbed of religious tension, and the youths were on the God-disliking side. The writer is clearly telling us it's all about to kick off, with 'it' being Elisha's head.

Which explains why the rather odd phrase “Go up, you baldhead!” (ESV) gets used. It's not a normal term of threatening. They're basically saying “You're now going to follow your BFF in departing this earth”.

At which point in the story, God intervenes to protect His servant against His enemies; a bear, which was probably in the woods for the well known reason, and didn't appreciate the disturbance, decides to demonstrate the possible consequences of excessive noise.

It's a parable. It picks up on a number of key themes that occur throughout the OT. God looked after those of His people who were faithful. If God's people bring up their children to oppose God, it doesn't end well. Otherwise, nothing to see here.

Are there any parts of the Bible where the jewish god kills, rapes or harms in any way children?
Are there any parts of the Bible where the jewish god encourages his people or gives a greenlight to cause harm?

(July 30, 2024 at 6:22 pm)Ferrocyanide Wrote:

(July 30, 2024 at 9:42 am)Disagreeable Wrote: I was questioning a Christian recently and they told me to "go read the Bible".

I’ve been told to go read the Bible probably 50 times by now.
I am including other forms of that sentence such as “have you read the Bible?”
or
“Have you read the entire Bible?”

and “read it some more”
and “read and pray on it”
and “you might have read it but you certainly did not understand it”

It is implied that reading the text will convert the non-believer.
There isn’t much to understand. The text is mostly straightforward.

One christian told me that being a priest is like being a heart surgeon: only the professionally fully understand it.

Those who read the Bible are christians, those who read and understand it are atheists.

It's hilarious that some people seem to think that reading one piece of mythology will make one believer. I read Edda and have no temptation to hang people for the glory of Odin so why should Bible works any different?

(July 30, 2024 at 6:31 pm)Sheldon Wrote:

(July 30, 2024 at 6:22 pm)Ferrocyanide Wrote: I’ve been told to go read the Bible probably 50 times by now.
I am including other forms of that sentence such as “have you read the Bible?”
or
“Have you read the entire Bible?”

and “read it some more”
and “read and pray on it”
and “you might have read it but you certainly did not understand it”

It is implied that reading the text will convert the non-believer.
There isn’t much to understand. The text is mostly straightforward.

One christian told me that being a priest is like being a heart surgeon: only the professionally fully understand it.

This rationale always makes me laugh, as if the world's foremost expert on the Harry Potter novels, best understand whether wizards are real. The bible is a book, books are man made, the bible is not just fallible, it is demonstrably erroneous in places. 

The Genesis creation myth, and the Noah flood myth, are two examples that not only contain risibly erroneous claims, but whose core message is contradicted by objective scientific facts.

I never got past Genesis. It was so BORING.