RE: Bible Study
July 6, 2013 at 3:38 am
(This post was last modified: July 6, 2013 at 3:48 am by Little Billy.)
(July 6, 2013 at 12:52 am)genkaus Wrote:(July 6, 2013 at 12:23 am)Little Billy Wrote: I am new to this forum site, so I don't know how this will go down, but here goes...
I am an atheist who was raised as a Christian, and am very familiar with the Bible due to my religious past. While I am now aware that it is far from the 'good book', I recognize that my ethical roots are planted in much of what Jesus had to say. So my idea is this:
I would like to read the canonical Gospels (Matthew-John), skipping the boring genealogies and repeated stories (i.e. read the Sermon on the Mount once). We would read at our leisure during the week and then get together here on Sunday at (time to be determined) and discuss. It would work best if we could have at least one representative from each religion and non-religious philosophy. Well, that it is the idea.
P.S. One reason that got me to think about this is the Jefferson Bible, which I recommend doing research on.
I would advise against it. Given the common perspective on the bible here, it might end up uprooting your ethical roots.
I've already read the NT many times and can confirm that much of our modern, Western world ethics is based on the GOOD PARTS of what Jesus said. I know he said some heinous shit - let's root that out and keep the good. Thanks for your insight, though.
(July 6, 2013 at 1:46 am)Minimalist Wrote: No, no. Let him start. Let's see how much of this jesus shit is nothing but warmed over Hellenic philosophy. Might be entertaining.
Quote: "Do not do to your neighbor what you would take ill from him." Pittacus of Mytilene c 600 BCE
Quote: “For the very rich to be also good is impossible" --Plato c 400 BCE
"Let him start?" Are you prepared to educate me with your polished quotes? 'Cause I have access to quote sites, too. The golden rule predates Jesus by at least 600 years via Confucius. And Jesus said some garbage, but he said some cool stuff, too.
