Evolution Promotes Brutality

[HitchSlap]

The closer one walks with God, the more unworthy they should feel.

Which is one of the reasons why religion is harmful, IMO.

 

[VirOptimus]

Isn't she a saint?

She isnt, and even if she was that wouldnt mean anything to me, I'm an atheist.

 

[TLK Valentine]

Which is one of the reasons why religion is harmful, IMO.

Indeed -- it fosters insecurity, neuroses, and self-loathing... which often ends up directed at someone else, often non-believers.

How else can they hope to set up a cycle of perpetual dependence? The pusher needs the junkies to come back for their fix...

 

[AV1611VET]

If she was homosexual, would that somehow stop her from becoming a saint?

I doubt it.

 

[AV1611VET]

Which is one of the reasons why religion is harmful, IMO.

Ya ... the Bible kinda frowns on calling oneself a "wise man," doesn't It?

That's probably one of the reasons It got expelled from school.

 

[HitchSlap]

Ya ... the Bible kinda frowns on calling oneself a "wise man," doesn't It?

That's probably one of the reasons It got expelled from school.

The bible also frowns on marriage. So what?

 

[TLK Valentine]

I doubt it.

Obviously... every saint started off as a sinner, correct?

 

[TLK Valentine]

Ya ... the Bible kinda frowns on calling oneself a "wise man," doesn't It?

Of course -- any level of self-esteem is anathema to religious indoctrination. You need to believe you're sick before you'll swallow the snake-oil "cure."

That's probably one of the reasons It got expelled from school.

Would you allow it back in if I got to teach it, AV?

 

[Hoghead1]

Sorry to say it, AV1611, but you are seriously deluding yourself if you think you are dealing with true biblical scholars here. Starting with your minister, you did not tell me what field his degrees are in or from what school. Many clergy have a D. Min. degree. This is a legit doctorate, but is a service-oriented not a research-related degree. You have to do an applied project of some sort. Giving papers at the SBL (Society of Biblical Literature) won't count; developing a program for wayward youth will.

Turning to the list of other names you provided, all Hovind's degrees are from mill-degree programs. Barb Forest, an expert on the history of creation science, once pointed out that Hovind's lack of education makes academic discussion with him impossible.
Ken Ham sports honorary doctorates offered by more than one unaccredited school, for example, Mid-Continental University, which is now closed.
Josh McDowell has a legit M.Div. and a legit honorary doctorate. However, the latter is for his work in television, not biblical studies.
John Ankenberg has a legit D.Min. But that is a service, not a research-oriented degree. If, for example, you had a D.Min and applied for a position as professor of biblical studies in any legit college or seminary, you would be immediately rejected as not qualified.
Neither Manse nor Larson have doctorates.
Bottom line: These sources do not qualify as biblical scholars. A biblical scholar has at least a doctorate in biblical studies or closely related area and a history of published research.

 

[Spiritlight]

As a Christian I believe God set nature into perfect harmony with itself. What has caused brutality is religion and mans belief he is somehow separated from the harmony of natural life and superior. Religion states your philosophy is the only right way and you must kill outsiders and livestock to make amendments for your sinfulness.

Modern brutality is factory farming livestock into a life of unspeakable torture so humans can grow fat on their excessive greed while nature dies for it and they don't care.

 

[Hoghead1]

Interesting and informative read, and definitely Bishop Spong has raised some important points to think about. TK, I'll say that. I'm just not sure how much acceptance he will receive. He is, after all, very controversial.

 

[Hoghead1]

There is no doubt, Extraneous, that Paul did not like women. That's why he told them to keep silent. In a legit but extra-canonicxal work, "Paul and the Acts of Teekel," his animosity toward women is brought out even further. Teekel, a young woman, converted and became an effective preacher. Nevertheless, Paul refused to baptize her. At one point, Teekel was thrown to the lions, so to speak, or some sort of awful fish and managed to perform a miracle and survive. Paul still refused to baptize her and simply left the stadium. Teekel, it is said, went on to preach for 75 more years. In the Eastern church, she is a saint.

 

[Extraneous]

There is no doubt, Extraneous, that Paul did not like women. That's why he told them to keep silent. In a legit but extra-canonicxal work, "Paul and the Acts of Teekel," his animosity toward women is brought out even further. Teekel, a young woman, converted and became an effective preacher. Nevertheless, Paul refused to baptize her. At one point, Teekel was thrown to the lions, so to speak, or some sort of awful fish and managed to perform a miracle and survive. Paul still refused to baptize her and simply left the stadium. Teekel, it is said, went on to preach for 75 more years. In the Eastern church, she is a saint.

I just love the stuff i read on this website. Catholics posing as protestants, and Atheists posing as Christians, and Atheists who love their quality of life so much that they cant waste their life believing in God, but they can waste it on a Christian website. Man, what a world.

 

[Hoghead1]

All you are doing here, Extraneous, is simply trying to cast dispersion on the character of others. That is a big no-no in any serious theological discussion groups such as this.

 

[TLK Valentine]

Interesting and informative read, and definitely Bishop Spong has raised some important points to think about. TK, I'll say that. I'm just not sure how much acceptance he will receive. He is, after all, very controversial.

Glad you enjoyed it... Spong's overarching thesis has always been that since the principle characters, authors, and audience of the New Testament are Jews, one must read it "through a Jewish lens" to find original truth.

I suspect he gets very little acceptance... but luckily, ideas are right or wrong based on their merits, not their popularity.

 

[TLK Valentine]

All you are doing here, Extraneous, is simply trying to cast dispersion on the character of others. That is a big no-no in any serious theological discussion groups such as this.

It's sad when people feel the need to lash out because their belief systems are threatened by new ideas... we get that a lot around here.

 

[Hoghead1]

Well, TK, I think the problem Spong will have with acceptance is not the Bible but psychology. For example, I have a graduate degree in clinical psychology. Now, I'm just not sure Spong has presented a strong psychological case for Paul being homosexual.

 

[TLK Valentine]

Well, TK, I think the problem Spong will have with acceptance is not the Bible but psychology. For example, I have a graduate degree in clinical psychology. Now, I'm just not sure Spong has presented a strong psychological case for Paul being homosexual.

Fair enough, but consider the difference between being homosexual now and being homosexual 2,000 years ago...

 

[Hoghead1]

I'm not sure what difference in attitudes about homosexuality then and now you are seeing. In the ancient world, homosexuality was very much accepted. Hence, Caesar was said to be the husband of every woman and the wife of every man. Israeli culture, of course, did not accept homosexuality, probably because they wanted to make themselves off from other cultures.

 

[TLK Valentine]

I'm not sure what difference in attitudes about homosexuality then and now you are seeing. In the ancient world, homosexuality was very much accepted. Hence, Caesar was said to be the husband of every woman and the wife of every man. Israeli culture, of course, did not accept homosexuality, probably because they wanted to make themselves off from other cultures.

And since Paul was a devout Jew, that would mean that he knew as well as anyone that being homosexual meant condemnation and death from both God and his countrymen... that's gotta have a negative effect on one's self-image.