Over the past 2000 years churches have changed the bible to they way they please. They have sold get out of hell free cards (if you believed your uncle did some bad things and might have ended up there you could pay $50 and get him out) and passes that get you to heaven etc. So my question is how much of the bible do you believe can be based upon factual content and not just things that people made up or believe to be convenient. Sorry to touch such a sensitive subject, I just wanted to hear some of your opinions. BTW this post does not necessarily reflect my religious opinions.
It was after all written by people who had there own political ends in sight, then there are the numerouse versions of it A very good question indeed.
It is an excellent question Freaky and I'll end up rehashing some of my old statements. For starters there are five kids in my family. At 46 I'm the youngest. When we were growing up my dad wanted us all to attend church according to my mom (not even sure which one) and mom said no. Let them make up their own minds. I can remember my two oldest brothers and sister would go to the Lutheran church. Sometimes my next oldest brother would go. I stayed home As we grew older we all drifted away (not that I was there). My dad was never really a church goer then became a Southern Baptist later in life and started laying it on pretty heavy. I was glad for him but told him not to preach to me. I was a grown man by then. Now my oldest brother is Baptist (has been for many years now). Same thing - good for him. It is a shame to me at times though. When he's really rolling with his "it's the only way" mentality he shuts himself off from the family. I called to wish him a happy birthday several years ago and he was "too busy" to talk to his youngest brother. His wife was embarassed and I was disappointed. I still see him and his family at our family get togethers and get along fine. Can't say I've picked up the phone since then nor has he. This is silly when I look at the circle of friends I have made over the years. I grew up with a lot of Catholics, non-denominational and Jewish friends. We got along just fine. At my wedding the best man and one of the ushers are Catholic while the other usher is a devout Baptist. My wedding took place in a Lutheran church. My wife has been in several churches and left because of inconsitencies of word versus deed. At this point she's had enough of organized religion because of this. So. Is the bible propoganda? Well, I wasn't around when it was written but it sure has taken on a flavor of it since then. So many religions and beliefs based on interpretation of one book. It's a tool used to make people follow what a particular mindset believes. May not have been intended that way but it sure leans toward it now.
The bible represents different things to different people. Why can't we just leave it at that? Usually, an attempt to label it comes from either a religious zealot or an anti-religion zealot.
That would be great David I agree. Unfortunately it's been interpreted and used for a long time now. I'm not taking it this way but I am neither a religious zealout nor an anti-religioun zealot. I calls them as I sees them basically. The Bible and the way people have chosen to interprate it have caused a lot of the world's problems both in the past and present. A big reason I have chosen to not attend any church to this point in my life. I really don't care what another's beliefs are nor should they care about mine. The Bible (and it's interpretation) should not be a point of conflict or wars IMHO but sadly it often is and has been.
I understand what you're saying, but I have this question for the whole group: Is the problem in the Bible, or its interpretation?
A very tough question KLJ especially when posed by "a really smart guy" I'll do my best here. First what is the Bible? Is there an original copy laying around somewhere that we don't know about or is it a copying of several different texts? Different authors with different views? Who collated them? What were their thoughts? How did THEY interprate what they were putting down? What verses were kept while others left out and why? In essence the Bible was an interpretation to begin with IMHO. Then you have it translated into other languages. Words and meaning are often lost in translation are they not? It's like playing the old game of "Chinese telephone" in grade school. A teacher whispers something into a student's ear and it is passed along in whispers. The end result is often very different than the original message. Some cultures have a plethora of words that describe basically one in English. Snow leaps to mind. Meaning is lost in translation. Then you get the people that are actually preaching the words in the Bible and how THEY translate it. To me that's when it can really get ugly hence my use of the word tool in a prior post. So back to the original question I do NOT think the Bible is the problem. The problem is in the interpretation and unfortunately it's been interpreted for a long time and will continue to be so. On the other hand I may be totally wrong and fact of the matter is we may never know.
But then you just had to post, just had to! But hey, we are posting our OT agendas, and not sticking to the theme of the post which is nastier IMHO than talking about abortion, death penalty, Iraq, Bush/Obama etc.
The problem is the bible can and always will be interperated anyway a fanatic needs it to. IMO its a guide book for life.
