Beware of Worldly Dressing

[Eudaimonist]

The Bible is not a novel.

I never thought that it was.

You do not do that in trying to understand it.

I get the best context that way. Reading passages out of context is the best way to misunderstand the Bible.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[awitch]

Mmmm worldly dressing....

It's sacrilicious!

 

[Rajni]

Mmmm worldly dressing....

It's sacrilicious!

Okay, that's suitable for framing.
I laughed way too hard at that!



-

 

[Cearbhall]

This lady does not read the Bible. Atheists don't either.

Eehhh, got some statistics on that?

 

[juvenissun]

Eehhh, got some statistics on that?

You want to see a statistics on that atheists do not read the Bible?
That is a funny request.

 

[Cearbhall]

You want to see a statistics on that atheists do not read the Bible?
That is a funny request.

Not really. Atheists tend to know a lot about world religions, and many in the United States who are atheist/agnostic or otherwise unaffiliated were raised Christian.

 

[Jane_the_Bane]

Poe's Law? Poe's Law. Honestly, I for one, wouldn't mind a pant-less society.

SKIRTS FOR EVERYONE!!!

 

[Jane_the_Bane]

juvenissun, my deconversion is directly indebted to my decision to learn more about my religion (Christianity), and that process involved reading the Bible and familiarizing myself with theology - first in relation to the denomination I already belonged to, then in relation to others.
I'd say I can hold my own in a theological debate against most Christians, particularly those who believe that they are somehow magically able to understand their scriptures by virtue of the "holy spirit" (the results are usually... less than impressive).

 

[juvenissun]

Not really. Atheists tend to know a lot about world religions, and many in the United States who are atheist/agnostic or otherwise unaffiliated were raised Christian.

OK, then we should compare statistics of that in US, in Europe, in Asia, and the whole earth. I think the statistics would be very different.

Also, to look at it in a deeper way. How do you count if one have read the Bible or not?

 

[Cearbhall]

OK, then we should compare statistics of that in US, in Europe, in Asia, and the whole earth. I think the statistics would be very different.

That would indeed be interesting.

Also, to look at it in a deeper way. How do you count if one have read the Bible or not?

Exactly. I don't see how you can make such a claim.

 

[juvenissun]

juvenissun, my deconversion is directly indebted to my decision to learn more about my religion (Christianity), and that process involved reading the Bible and familiarizing myself with theology - first in relation to the denomination I already belonged to, then in relation to others.
I'd say I can hold my own in a theological debate against most Christians, particularly those who believe that they are somehow magically able to understand their scriptures by virtue of the "holy spirit" (the results are usually... less than impressive).

I say you can not.
You may want to try on one of your best understanding. If you can not hold that one, then you have a very good reason to doubt yourself.

 

[juvenissun]

That would indeed be interesting.

Exactly. I don't see how you can make such a claim.

I said that atheists don't read the Bible. It really means that (most) atheists do not study the Bible. I think what I said is true.

 

[Jane_the_Bane]

I say you can not.

Ah, I take it you are one of those who believe themselves magically enlightened by the "Spirit"? Good luck with that.
I'd LOVE to debate you, but can't guarantee that it'll be possible, since General Apologetics is still a HUGE taboo around here, and moderators can shut me up at any point on charges of "belittling Christianity" or some such nonsense. So in that sense (and that sense alone), you might even be correct: the rules of this site do not allow me to take my gloves off and talk freely.

 

[awitch]

Good news, everyone!

I just saw a message on myspace that said it's OK to wear pants, as long as you keep them buckled. Soooo...

 

[juvenissun]

Ah, I take it you are one of those who believe themselves magically enlightened by the "Spirit"? Good luck with that.
I'd LOVE to debate you, but can't guarantee that it'll be possible, since General Apologetics is still a HUGE taboo around here, and moderators can shut me up at any point on charges of "belittling Christianity" or some such nonsense. So in that sense (and that sense alone), you might even be correct: the rules of this site do not allow me to take my gloves off and talk freely.

If you can not use reason to defend or to attack, then you do not really understand.
Show me your idea. And I will try to point out that you are wrong. Let me play offense and you play defense. It would then be more safe for you.

 

[Jane_the_Bane]

If you can not use reason to defend or to attack, then you do not really understand.
Show me your idea. And I will try to point out that you are wrong. Let me play offense and you play defense. It would then be more safe for you.

What idea? *headscratch*

 

[juvenissun]

What idea? *headscratch*

You said: "my deconversion is directly indebted to my decision to learn more about my religion (Christianity), and that process involved reading the Bible and familiarizing myself with theology -"

What's wrong with what you learned? Just mention the one you feel the strongest.

 

[Jane_the_Bane]

You said: "my deconversion is directly indebted to my decision to learn more about my religion (Christianity), and that process involved reading the Bible and familiarizing myself with theology -"

What's wrong with what you learned? Just mention the one you feel the strongest.

Everything, basically. Where to start?

The notion of a personal deity who resembles a race of sapient apes (in terms of emotions, motivations and so forth) is extremely silly: it's kind of analogous to people attributing human feelings to natural phenomena ("the river spirit must be angry because it sank our boat"), and bespeaks a kind of cultivated ignorance that is out of touch with what we know about the universe at this point.

The Christian way of conceptualizing and evaluating human behaviour also strikes me as less than accurate: ethical behaviour derives from social impulses and rational contemplation, not rulebooks handed down by deities.

Last but not least, I am less than impressed by the moral dynamic of Christianity, particularly in its protestant version. The whole idea of salvation by party membership (and a cosmic death camp for the rest, no matter how irrelevant their shortcomings) strikes me as morally and intellectually bankrupt. It gets even worse when you add the Reformed element of Predestination, where people cannot even make the (morally bankrupt) choice of applying for party membership, and the vast majority is specifically created for the purpose of eternal suffering.

 

[juvenissun]

Everything, basically. Where to start?

The notion of a personal deity who resembles a race of sapient apes (in terms of emotions, motivations and so forth) is extremely silly: it's kind of analogous to people attributing human feelings to natural phenomena ("the river spirit must be angry because it sank our boat"), and bespeaks a kind of cultivated ignorance that is out of touch with what we know about the universe at this point.

I like to understand you clearly before reply. Do you mean the shape of human, which resemble apes, is silly? Or do you think Jesus the God who incarnated into the shape of human is a silly thing to do? So you think the following is silly:

Jesus the God ~ Human ~ Apes. They all look similar in shape, emotion and physiology.

 

[seashale76]

Fear not, OP. This issue of worldly dressing may be solved for you one day here in the US and Europe. If Saudi Arabia gets its way, they will personally fund more than enough mosques for every refugee and Muslim in our countries. They have already offered this deal for Germany. It's fabulous. Germany would be foolish not to take them up on their generous offer. Luckily for you, Islam is very concerned with worldly dressing. We'll probably even get those billboards like they have in Iran, showing flies surrounding an uncovered lollipop on one side, and a gleaming lollipop still in its wrapper on the other side. No more seeing 'girls that shouldn't' wearing yoga pants out and about again. That will be a happy day for all.