RE: A Former Atheist
May 2, 2015 at 7:53 pm
(This post was last modified: May 2, 2015 at 8:10 pm by Theoretical Skeptic.)
(May 2, 2015 at 7:03 pm)Jericho Wrote: It's odd when people pick apart the pieces of the Bible that they believe in...but it is the only source when it comes to the Christian faith. Either accept all of the Bible, or none of it. Is it not that simple?
The Bible itself advises to test even every inspired expression. It considered the people of Beroea more noble minded than others because they didn't take the word of the Apostle Paul for granted, but checked the Scriptures daily to see for themselves. (1 John 4:1-3 / Acts 17:10-14)
So, for example, if you were reading the Bible where Jesus says to the men who brought the prostitute to him "Let he is without sin cast the first stone" a good study Bible will tell you that that didn't actually happen. It is a spurious scripture that appeared in later manuscripts. Part of learning the Bible is learning which parts are literal, and which parts are not, where there are spurious scripture and where there are honest copyist errors. Things of that nature.
(May 2, 2015 at 6:56 pm)Jericho Wrote: What is the Bible, if not a book full of religious nonsense?
The most accurate and honest history of mankind ever produced.
(May 2, 2015 at 6:57 pm)Esquilax Wrote:(May 2, 2015 at 6:55 pm)Theoretical Skeptic Wrote: The Bible without the religious nonsense attached to it. For example, that sex was the original sin, that priests shouldn't marry, that birth control is forbidden, that the Christian is the morally superior, that all good people go to heaven, Jesus died on a cross, the soul is immortal. Hell, the rapture, the trinity, Easter, Christmas etc.
... And the fact that the bible specifically, unambiguously depicts certain parts of that list within its text doesn't bother you... why?
Because its a case of tradition effecting translation. If you look deeper you can see where the things I mentioned are not supported in the original language and their influence is pretty well documented.