Because the bible tells you so?

[Won2blv]

Well this is the problem I see then, take what I say at face value. Don't paint a broad brush from every other theist you've talked. I would probably have the same qualms with most of them. I never used the word barbarian and that isn't how I feel. I believe that the Moasic law was a system that protected gods ultimate plan. Paul illustrated the law covenant as a tudor, or protector, to christ. It was not a perfect system. But for the ISRAELITES, it was the best possible system to protect them as a people that served to gods purpose. The Israelites were supposed to be kind to alien residents. Again, I am on the fence with what I ultimately believe but I am just responding the OP about what helped me have faith in the bible

I absolutely understand that this isn;t how you feel, however, that is what the statement implies.  Perhaps, if you didn't see the bible as that "best possible" business you would feel differently.  And hey, here you are, in the vipers den..as it it were...you should expect to hear things approached from an angle that may not have presented itself to you previously.  

I'm not commenting on what other theists say - you said that-...do you not want to explore that statement, or it's implications?  If I take it at face value I'd simply state that you cannot reasonably make that claim, you will be unable to explain why..other than personal preference, you believe it to be true.  -and I did say that, eh?  The isrealites had more than one religion operating in their region and within their population......so again, no it wasn't even the best possible system for the israelites of that time period - by any metrics that would make it a less woeful statement than before -even with this modification-.  When were they supposed to be kind......when they weren't exterminating those aliens at the expressed -command- of their god?  

Color me unimpressed with their system.

The point that I am trying to get across is that I want you to argue with what I say. Not what you'll anticipate I'll say

I have gone toe to toe with catholics, mormons, and protestants about their beliefs. Even if they have scriptures to back them up, I know that the composite picture doesn't work for them. Scripture mining is not more noble than quote mining

Yes, within the framework that you have the right interpretations, and quote the right scriptures.  The situation for them is entirely the same only in reverse, you understand?

No, its completely different. Most theists don't even know what the bible says. A point often repeated on these boards. So, ignorance from the bible, yet credulity to your church is not equivalent. Most witnesses can explain their beliefs with scriptures. Mormons for example, will not even use the book of mormon for their beliefs. They might go to the pearl of great price or the doctrines and covenants. If a catholic or mormon wants to show me their framework based on the scriptures then its a different story. 

Of course, so then I would say that the sect that has the least deviations from christs teachings wins

-and again, since the meaning of the phrase "the teachings of jesus" is demonstrably variable between groups.....you're simply favoring your own sects meaning of that phrase as the metric.  You shouldn't be surprised when other sects come up short.....but you probably shouldn't take that to mean anything - as you've rigged the game.

It seems to be a favorite pastime on these boards to point out all of the hypocrisy of christians. Especially when it comes to Jesus own words. But for me, I'll start with the Trinity. Jesus said that no one is good, including himself, but god in heaven. He said that God was the only being that knew when the end would come, even he himself didn't know at that time. When he got baptized, gods voice was heard saying, "this is my son the approved" so for starters, I don't believe anyone can say they truly follow christ and believe that he is equal to god. Sure, you can pick a scripture here and there that says what you want but you're ignoring the composite picture of the scriptures