The "Cultural Context" Excuse

[Edwardo Piet]

I don't get what God was doing in all the intervening time, to allow society to get so utterly fucked. How did it stray so badly? Why didn't he do anything? He let it get so bad that he had to regulate slavery instead of abolishing it, because... even God can't alter how a society works?

I know, Rob, but God works in mysterious ways, what can we do? I can only hope he'll save us from damnation in the end.

[Nihilist Virus]

I couldn't agree more with the OP. How's this for "cultural context": the ancient Jews who wrote the Bible had no word for rape.

Says it all.

[Thumpalumpacus]

Interestingly, those christians most likely to retreat behind cultural context to excuse the old testament are also more than likely willing to propose that god is a moral law giver handing down objectively true moral edicts that apply to all people at all times regardless of personal opinion.

So, I mean, that'd give me pause for thought.

Exactly. Moral abosolutists retreating to context to defend their fables are missing an essential contradiction in their thinking.

[LadyForCamus]

(Apologies to readers for the typos in my post that I am only noticing now, lol. Thanks for forging ahead anyway! ?)

[The Grand Nudger]

I couldn't agree more with the OP.  How's this for "cultural context": the ancient Jews who wrote the Bible had no word for rape.

Says it all.

Sure they did.  Believe it translates literally to "Friday Night Out With The Boys" or, more contextually "Destruction of Property". 

[Drich]

What many Christians don't seem to understand is that you can't have your cake and eat it. If you're going to excuse the worse verses in the bible by appealing to mundane reasons such as cultural context and historical accident, then there's no justifiable way to then turn around and say, well, God was supernatural, the bible is his word and we should listen to it.

Religion is either the product of human intellect or it isn't. Take a position and stand by it, don't fluctuate between the two, unless there's a good reason to do so, and there isn't, as far as I can tell.

This idea you have is only right if you wrongly assume that God's 'cultural standard' did not set a very high bar when first introduced.

The problem you and the OP are having is because we have 'changed' our cultural standards you feel you have evolved past the standard God put into place, giving you the 'high moral ground'.

However, the 'race' you are in is not about 'morality.'

[Excited Penguin]

What many Christians don't seem to understand is that you can't have your cake and eat it. If you're going to excuse the worse verses in the bible by appealing to mundane reasons such as cultural context and historical accident, then there's no justifiable way to then turn around and say, well, God was supernatural, the bible is his word and we should listen to it.

Religion is either the product of human intellect or it isn't. Take a position and stand by it, don't fluctuate between the two, unless there's a good reason to do so, and there isn't, as far as I can tell.

This idea you have is only right if you wrongly assume that God's 'cultural standard' did not set a very high bar when first introduced.

The problem you and the OP are having is because we have 'changed' our cultural standards you feel you have evolved past the standard God put into place, giving you the 'high moral ground'.

However, the 'race' you are in is not about 'morality.'

I don't care about cultural standards or morality, I care much more about the fact that you have no better reason to believe in your God than a Muslim has to believe in Allah, a Hindu in Brahma, and so on.

You are all like children who refuse to grow up. We all have our weaknesses in that way, things we believe that we know deep down inside they aren't real or true, but some of us keep them secret for that simple fact.

I mean, seriously, man, do you really believe this stuff? Because if you really do, then you are a little insane, I'm sorry to say. But if you're not, isn't it about time to get your head out of your ass and see reality for what it is? Do you think any of us like it? No, life is shit, but what can you do about it? Believing fantasy is the death of the mind. It dampens the spirit.

[Drich]

...and why wouldn't it be God word? because it does not conform to what is secularly right and wrong?

Um...well, yes.  What kind of "good" god is cool with humans stripping other humans' of their right to live as autonomous beings?  I mean...I don't understand how such a thing could even be up for debate.  Actually, coming from YOU, I can see how it would be up for debate...

Maybe... Not all humans are created equal. Maybe if you give complete and free 'autonomy' to some men they would set the world ablaze to simply watch it burn.

So then the question then becomes what do you do with them? Subjugate them? or eradicate them? We will learn given enough time and weekly terrorist attacks that living 'progressively' along side them is not an option.

So then if "WE" given all of our technological and sociological advantages can not live at peace with our enemies then what hope would a new nation of people have 4000 years ago?

[Drich]

I don't get what God was doing in all the intervening time, to allow society to get so utterly fucked. How did it stray so badly? Why didn't he do anything? He let it get so bad that he had to regulate slavery instead of abolishing it, because... even God can't alter how a society works?

hey moron,

WE ARE DOING THE SAME THING! (Regulating slavery)

Or do you not understand Slavery is alive and well on your watch?

[The Grand Nudger]

LOL, I can see it now, 2k years from today..apologists for the revealed gospel of Drich (PBUH) will say:

"OFC we enslaved Those People™, they were lesser beings who would have set fire to the world just to see it burn..what should we have done..eradicate them...we're not savages..!!!"