Great bible teachings!

[John_S3V]

obviously this isn't intent on productive discussion. /out

There's some valid points in my comment, but if you don't wish to acknowledge them then that's your choice.

[Minimalist]

It's a common reaction when they are confronted by the reality of what is written in the damned thing, John.

[John_S3V]

Come to think of it. Here's what pisses me off about the whole, 'We must ponder the bible,' stuff.

If I had kept the post named, 'Great bible teachings' and what not and had filled it full of stuff like,

“Great men are not always wise”
"A man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth."
"Do not do unto others as you would that they should do unto you."

people would automatically assume that I was actually defending the bible's teachings. Why? Because, you don't have to think too hard to realize that these teachings actually make sense. Do people actually contemplate the golden rule? I'd say most people who hear it for the first time think something like, 'Hey, that Jesus guy was onto something', or maybe, 'Wow, that sounds so right!' They don't say, 'Now, now. Don't buy into that without considering it first! Think of the rammifications of a world where people treated each other with respect and dignity! Don't just accept Jesus' words!'

No! Pretty well nobody says that. Yah, our first judgement isn't always the right one, but surpringingly enough our judgement is rather accurate most of the time. Now, when I'm reading a book and my bullshit meter is going off every 2 seconds I can't help, but put it down and think...'For real?'

Notice how kids in Sunday school aren't taught about the story where Moses tells his commanders to kill the captured women and children and keep the virgin women for themselves. (Numbers 31:5-20) You know why? Because kids wouldn't believe in the bible if they heard half the shit that was in there. No, instead kids are started off with the good stories in the bible. And I don't deny that the bible has some decent stories in it. But, it's setting them up for a lot of agony, because they're going to have to work their ass off and psychologically mess themselves up in order to defend all the bad stuff that's in there. Or, they'll just ignore it. That's the Christian way; "I'll hear what I want to hear and believe what I want to believe even though the God I believe in specifically told me to believe everything in his holy book."

[Minimalist]

Think of the rammifications of a world where people treated each other with respect and dignity! Don't just accept Jesus' words!'

More stuff the xtians stole from the Greeks.

We should conduct ourselves toward others as we would have them act toward us.

-- Aristotle

[tackattack]

Min know as well as anyone here I'm more than willing to rationally discuss any topic. I always try and answer any question asked of me and I've never to my topic failed to adress any points, given by anyone not just looking for a good laugh or a rise. If you would like to make some valid points and drop the 2 tons of rhetoric and synicism it's buried under so it's not such a nausiating read, i would be more than happy to continue the discussion.

[Minimalist]

Let's start with #1.

Deuteronomy 22:28 "If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found; Then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel's father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife."

Perhaps a couple of thousand years ago it was "moral" to treat women as the property of their fathers. Are you prepared to admit that times, at least in our culture, have changed?

Of course, if times have changed, what use is the bible?

[tackattack]

I fully admit that times and society have of course changed greatly since then. Thankfully we don't (for the socially acceptable majority) treat our women like property. Moses must like his women in dresses with fringes too. Before this gets into a "cherry picking" conversation:
a. I know of no jew that follows all 613 of the laws or claims to.
b. As a Christian I follow the

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Matthew 22:37-40 (New International Version)37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'[a] 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'[b] 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

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2 commandments prescribed by Jesus, and the rest to the best of my abilities, where it is practical and that are in line with my personal morals.

What use is the Bible? Well it makes a good conversation starter at least hunh

[Minimalist]

Usually, I find, it is employed as a conversation "ender."

[chatpilot]

My favorite christian tactic is the one where they like to say that things they don't have an answer for cannot be known but will be when they get to heaven.

1 Corinthians 13:12
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

All the mysteries of life will no longer be mysteries if only you would believe in god.

[fr0d0]

You must end a lot of conversations then Min