JUST OPEN YOUR HEART, DAMMIT!

[SteelCurtain]

I accept the bible with open butt cheeks.

I think you have it backwards though, Rob. The bible is a result of open butt cheeks

REVERSE THE POLARITY!!!

[vorlon13]

let ANUSIUS into your butthole !!!!

[Nope]

Non-theists are often accused of not reading the Bible (or any holy book) with an open heart. Do theists understand what they're asking of atheists when they suggest this? I'm sincerely interested in understanding what reading religious texts "with an open heart" actually means to theists. Non-theists as well. Thanks.

Open heart is a poor choice of words, IMO. It would sufficient if everyone had an open mind which means that they are at least conscious of their biases and presuppositions as they read.

For example, I'm currently reading a book by atheist Bart Ehrman. I agree with some of what he says but not all. Nonetheless, I'm interested in learning his perspective, and I'm trying to fairly give him credit when he has a valid point, etc.

Have you read a good book on Christianity recently?

I have yet to read any of Ehrman's work but I mean to do so.

Although I am not Robovalue, the last Old Testament book that I read was Genesis but that was a couple of years ago. I have read the entire bible. It is harder to read when you have no belief in it.

[Longhorn]

That shit is booooooring -_-

Imma wait for the Michael Bay screen adaptation instead

[Godscreated]

I try not to say to atheist to read with an open heart, instead I say with an open mind or to not limit themselves to just one passage and then pass judgement on a subject or entire Bible. I often say to atheist to study the Bible or actually a subject within the Bible before they condemn what the Bible says on a particular subject, then what do I hear, tell me the verses, that's me doing their study and yet if I were to do that they would still deny what the scriptures say about a subject without ever studying and probably without reading what I had to say, very illogical for those who claim to have a logical mind. Logic is a big part of understanding the scriptures. Some subjects in the Bible will not become clear without reading on the subject in both the NT and OT, yes just like studying a subject in school the answers come from actual study, to cherry pick a science book or the Bible means one cares little for what either has to say and will always bring condemnation from the cherry picker. A non-believer or Christian who ties to understand the deeper meanings that only God can reveal will never get it unless the Holy Spirit reveals it, the Christian should understand this and the non-believer seems to believe there is no deeper meaning, I've seen different.
I will always say to a Christian to read the Bible with the help of the Holy Spirit and keep your heart open to what He has to say, why, because they should be looking to the spiritual for a deeper and/or greater meaning than can come from a surface reading and understanding of scripture, they are to be looking to grow in a relationship with God, unlike non-believers who should be searching for God.

GC

Many atheists, being former believers are quite familiar with the book. I actually participated in Bible study on a regular basis as a Christian. I found that cherry-picking was actually the only way I could justify believing the Bible was actually the Word of God. Logic was not at all a big part of understanding the scriptures, as you have suggested. It was quite the opposite for me; I couldn't employ logic to believe things that defied physics and every law of nature. I had to compartmentalize my beliefs in order to maintain them.
Btw, why should non-believers be searching for God? Should non-believers in Puff the Magic Dragon, be searching for him? What would be the point in that?

I have a very simple answer for your question, believers do not need to find God they already have it's those who do not believe that need to search, they don't have to and I wasn't saying they had to it's their choice. As far as Puff goes his creator has said he is fictional and only non-believers say God is fictional, and might I add with no proof.
I noticed when you said you did Bible study you didn't mention the guidance of the Holy Spirit, didn't your church believe in the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Also if you had to cherry pick it seems to me you were trying to live a life as what you believed Christians should instead of growing in a relationship with God and allowing Him to teach you. Why would you believe that the spiritual world would have to hold to the physics of the physical world, that makes no sense to me, God being the creator and being outside of nature can accomplish whatever He desires, at least Christians are taught this through the scriptures.
I also can't understand how you could not see how things in scripture tied together, what denomination did you belong to?

GC

[Athene]

Non-theists are often accused of not reading the Bible (or any holy book) with an open heart. Do theists understand what they're asking of atheists when they suggest this? I'm sincerely interested in understanding what reading religious texts "with an open heart" actually means to theists. Non-theists as well. Thanks.

Open heart is a poor choice of words, IMO. It would sufficient if everyone had an open mind which means that they are at least conscious of their biases and presuppositions as they read.

For example, I'm currently reading a book by atheist Bart Ehrman. I agree with some of what he says but not all. Nonetheless, I'm interested in learning his perspective, and I'm trying to fairly give him credit when he has a valid point, etc.

Have you read a good book on Christianity recently?

Got a whole box of them, collecting dust. Not interested.

[Wyrd of Gawd]

Non-theists are often accused of not reading the Bible (or any holy book) with an open heart. Do theists understand what they're asking of atheists when they suggest this? I'm sincerely interested in understanding what reading religious texts "with an open heart" actually means to theists. Non-theists as well. Thanks.

If I may... it means with love. But, there needs to be a desire to know God first. If that doesn't interest you, it won't mean anything to read scripture.

As Christians we are instructed to spread the Word. Whether or not people care, or listen to us is completely irrelevant.

The best we can actually do as Christians, is to be of good example. Unfortunately, and obviously we constantly fall short of that goal.

But then again, we weren't meant to save anyone. Jesus said to look for His kingdom within ourselves. And to ask, and seek.

So, the only thing necessary is just that! There is only ONE Teacher. And ONE Truth. We just need to find it. If we so desire.

So what's the one truth?

[Athene]

Many atheists, being former believers are quite familiar with the book. I actually participated in Bible study on a regular basis as a Christian. I found that cherry-picking was actually the only way I could justify believing the Bible was actually the Word of God. Logic was not at all a big part of understanding the scriptures, as you have suggested. It was quite the opposite for me; I couldn't employ logic to believe things that defied physics and every law of nature. I had to compartmentalize my beliefs in order to maintain them.
Btw, why should non-believers be searching for God? Should non-believers in Puff the Magic Dragon, be searching for him? What would be the point in that?

I have a very simple answer for your question, believers do not need to find God they already have it's those who do not believe that need to search, they don't have to and I wasn't saying they had to it's their choice. As far as Puff goes his creator has said he is fictional and only non-believers say God is fictional, and might I add with no proof.
I noticed when you said you did Bible study you didn't mention the guidance of the Holy Spirit, didn't your church believe in the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Also if you had to cherry pick it seems to me you were trying to live a life as what you believed Christians should instead of growing in a relationship with God and allowing Him to teach you. Why would you believe that the spiritual world would have to hold to the physics of the physical world, that makes no sense to me, God being the creator and being outside of nature can accomplish whatever He desires, at least Christians are taught this through the scriptures.
I also can't understand how you could not see how things in scripture tied together, what denomination did you belong to?

GC

Forgive me for being indelicate, but I've just gotten off of work and I'm not patient when I'm tired.
 FYI, I never asked why believers need to find God, I asked why non-believers need to do so... so, please read carefully.

I'm familiar with the concept of the Holy Spirit and I don't care. God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit......it's all the same shit, in that it's all made up.

I don't believe the spiritual world is subject to the laws of the physical world, because there is no spiritual world. No one's ever observed or studied this mysterious realm... because it's not real. I can't accept something as truth, based what others feel. Why would anyone in their right mind base their entire life on crap other people claim they felt?

The claim that non-believers need to embrace Christianity specifically is ridiculous enough, without having to listen to some garbage about why one denomination is the really, really right path to god. It's all the same bullshit.
The men who wrote the Bible blew it. Christians claim it's the infallible Word of God, but one needs to go no further than Genesis to see that the men who wrote it didn't know what the hell they were talking about. If they were inspired by God, they would've gotten that shit right. Busted. Game over. Dudes wrote it.

And the evil shit Christians like to gloss over, that makes people wonder "Why would a loving God do that?" 
Here's a plausible scenario.  No loving God would do that... But, a Bronze Age, tribal motherfucker would. Why is the God of the Bible so jealous, vengeful, violent and petty? Probably because the assholes who MADE HIM UP were.

I don't need to prove God isn't real, just as I don't need to prove that a Xenon isn't real..........until evidence is provided that they exist, I'll assume they don't.

 P.S. 'God is real because the Bible says he's real' and 'The Bible's true because the Bible says it's true' ain't evidence.

[abaris]

I have yet to read any of Ehrman's work but I mean to do so.

Ehrman's pretty much all Randy's got in his arsenal. Why? Because he's pretty much the only one not outright contradicting Randy's talking points and because he's claiming to be an atheist, which, in Randy's book, should earn him some brownie points with us.

Ehrman's a theologian, not a historian. That in itself doesn't mean anything, but his false claim to be a historian tells quite a lot about the person in question. He's also teaching at a christian college, which also helps to understand his role. He's playing ball. Otherwise he would be looking for another job.

[Athene]

Open heart is a poor choice of words, IMO. It would sufficient if everyone had an open mind which means that they are at least conscious of their biases and presuppositions as they read.

For example, I'm currently reading a book by atheist Bart Ehrman. I agree with some of what he says but not all. Nonetheless, I'm interested in learning his perspective, and I'm trying to fairly give him credit when he has a valid point, etc.

Have you read a good book on Christianity recently?

Got a whole box of them, collecting dust. Not interested.

ADDENDUM: If post #69 is indeed true.... I'm even LESS interested in reading a book on Christianity written by some
bitch-ass, Uncle Tom atheist.   Nice try though, you tricky little trickster!