Volt the Mean

Feb 26 2014, 06:30 PM

I remember being in the same position a year ago when I visited Mexico, there was a lot of hate towards any religion not named Christianity or Catholic. Most people that lectured me about these topics over there were so obsessed with their religion that it blinded them, and made them grow anger towards any religion that isn't theirs. But I digress, imo OFG, just move to California, over here no one gives a damn (from what I've seen and I've been living here my entire life).

Herald of the Titans

 

I had to make an account (being a long time browser myself) to reply to this topic, if only to point out a bit of hypocrisy..

I mean no offense by this, but perusing this very debate forum, it seems that the OP is extremely guilty of what he or she is describing. A lot of people, in fact. I can't count how many times (while reading the amusing threads and "debates" posted here) where people that claim to not be Christians post the most outlandish and out of context Bible verses to make their point, when in fact, are completely off the mark and incorrect as to what the passage is referring to or implying.

There also seems to be a lot of "mainstream Christian bashing" that goes on here, too. Most people on this forum view Christians as hateful, judgmental people, who Bible bash and tell gays they're going to hell and that God doesn't love them. This could not be further from the truth, but all you see is what you see on the news and media. Most Christians are not like this, as Jesus Christ definitely did not set that example. Broaden your horizons a bit.

Just saying.

Ketchupis Ultionis

Feb 26 2014, 06:59 AM

Copy_Ninja

Feb 26 2014, 06:40 AM

I think some Atheists are purposely ignorant about Christianity too so they can find it easier to mock. Such as taking quotes out of context and trying to use them in an argument, then outright rejecting any other interpretation of the text. I'm not religious by any means but when people do that it's incredibly frustrating.

I agree for the most part, but even if it's taken out of context, it's still seen to condone certain questionable behaviors or values under the right circumstances. There's no question about that.

For example, slavery is one, even if it's not an indiscriminate and absolute condoning, it still condones actually keeping another human being for servitude. However, the string attached is that it can only be a fellow Jew (this is the Old Testament, so Christianity didn't exist then), and you must allow him to leave your ownership after seven years. I don't know the exact text right off hand, but I believe if he chooses to stay in your employ, you must buy him a wife or something of that nature, and his wife and children are yours as well.

The Bible even condones murder and genocide under certain circumstances, which at face value, seems to violate and contradict the "Thou Shalt Not Kill" commandment. However, there's certain rules that allow it as according to God.

So the Bible does indeed have contradictions, but it does actually usually clarify these circumstances to which it's allowed.
However, on occasion, you will get conflicting stories. Sometimes it can be explained by the fact that not all scriptures that were considered holy were actually put into the Bible. In addition to this, phrase meanings got lost in translation, and you do get some that don't make a whole lot of sense at all and do blatantly contradict not only the word of God, but the other texts as well.
Going back to the texts that were left out, The Gospel of Judas is one that was left out.

Therefore even if the Bible is the "word of god", it's not the full word of God due to censorship from the church when these texts were compiled into an actual book, which wasn't until around year 700.

Buuberries

Mar 1 2014, 01:51 AM

this is like the umpteenth time ive reposted this on this forum, but some ppl just dont seem to understand it.

The Bible isn't simply a set of laws by which we all have to abide. It's a two-part story that depicts mankind's fall and condemnation, and its redemption through Jesus Christ. The Ten Commandments are God's eternal laws that all Christians are commanded to follow.

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The specific applications of the Ten Commandments, as given to the Israelites in Leviticus, the book everyone just looooveeeeessss to quote and misinterpret, show two things: they were designed to distinguish the Israelites from the other nations around them; more importantly, they were meant to show the impossibility of keeping the Ten Commandments perfectly and demonstrate the need for a savior, Jesus Christ, who is prophesied throughout the Old Testament. When he did come down to Earth, he fulfilled the law by keeping the Ten Commandments perfectly and subsequently dying for the sins of mankind. By doing so he saved mankind from being condemned for their failure to follow the Commandments. He still commands mankind to follow them, and he gave them a new set of guidelines (not so much strict laws like the Old Testament one) in his Sermon on the Mount and others, but failure to follow them does not condemn them, since they're saved by God and not by their own works.

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Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

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Micah 5:2
But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting

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Micah 5:6
And they shall waste the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod in the entrances thereof: thus shall he deliver us from the Assyrian, when he cometh into our land, and when he treadeth within our borders.

Buuberries

Mar 1 2014, 07:45 AM

what was their culture like over there and back then? cuz im p sure it aint similar to what we know. names were probably more descriptive. if you take a look at the meaning of immanuel, it means god is with us according to a google search.

not seeing anything about a tribe of jews w/ my searches.

no clue about the third one, but it could be referring to his second coming (ho ho ho)?


anyway, you've clearly missed my point if you're picking up on those. you referred to god's laws in your post -- e.g., the bible condoning murder and genocide... to quote you: "The Bible even condones murder and genocide under certain circumstances [...]"
can't remember if it was you or other people from last year, but plenty of other passages from the old testament are also referred to such as not wearing clothing made of wool and linen woven together (deutronomy something something), teenagers being rebellious should be killed (deutronomy), slavery being condoned (levicticus and exodus), cursing one's parents should be punishable by death (levicticus), and so on.
all of those laws were created by the israelites as a way of applying the ten commandments. they were specific to the israelites back then, but were abolished when jesus came around and did his thing.

that's my point. so many people have the idea that everything mentioned in the bible is a law when really it's just misinterpreted -- as i've mentioned at least half a dozen times on various threads, it depicts mankinds downfall and redemption.

i'm still an agnostic atheist btw; i haven't converted over the past few weeks/months i haven't been on. i was just lurking and saw misconceptions in a religious misconceptions thread and was drawn in. ukno how it is.

matthew 5:17-20

 

Think not that I am come to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.
18 For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass away, not one jot or one tittle shall in any wise pass from the law till all be fulfilled.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
20 For I say unto you that unless your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.