Why the bible?

[SkyWriting]

Plus, i'm kinda drunk. And high. Lol
Just came back from a great spring equinox party

Honesty open many doors.
Have you ever been so wasted that Rehab wouldn't take you in?

 

[DogmaHunter]

Honesty open many doors.
Have you ever been so wasted that Rehab wouldn't take you in?

In case you missed it: rehab stands for rehabilitation and it is a system put in place to help people who are addicted.

It's not a place for people who can enjoy a nice party once in a while.

Mazzletof.

 

[PsychoSarah]

In case you missed it: rehab stands for rehabilitation and it is a system put in place to help people who are addicted.

It's not a place for people who can enjoy a nice party once in a while.

Mazzletof.

Also, rehabilitation can be for physical injuries too. My grandmother went to rehab after getting a hip replacement so that she could learn to use it.

 

[DogmaHunter]

Also, rehabilitation can be for physical injuries too. My grandmother went to rehab after getting a hip replacement so that she could learn to use it.

True, true.

But I don't think that's what Sky was refering to though.
But hey, I'm an atheist... Can you blame him? I mean, chances are rather big that I'm some loser heroin addict who spends 95% of his welfare check on my next hit, right?


Hahahaha.

 

[PsychoSarah]

True, true.

But I don't think that's what Sky was refering to though.
But hey, I'm an atheist... Can you blame him? I mean, chances are rather big that I'm some loser heroin addict who spends 95% of his welfare check on my next hit, right?

Hahahaha.

yeah right, just like we all worship satan and eat babies (sarcasm)

 

[Senator Cheese]

I guess I can give you this one.

*breaks out champagne*

I do agree with this, I just think that observation also plays a large role.

Most definetely. But the fact that a basis of morality exists even in small children is an exciting observation. More so if you consider that the ability to lie is something that develops later than the ability to speak!
Matthew 18:3 And he said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

We should really discuss the origin of morality (in another thread) because I think it's a great topic. Off the top of my head, I can't think of an example of a moral position that couldn't be explained by evolutionary psychology, but then again I haven't given this much thought.
I am merely certain that pure rationalism is incompatible with many moral values that humanists hold dear.

Not really, but that if a god were to demonstrate which religion to follow it might be a good idea to show that he really cares about those who follow him.

That would be true, were it not that the LORD wanted to stress exactly the opposite: that worldly wealth is utterly irrelevant in comparison to spiritual wealth (compassion and humility).

It has nothing to do with being a literalist. If you don't worship the Christian god you don't go to heaven. If worshiping the Christian god was not necessary then the whole religion would be pointless.

It was never said that Jesus taught anyone to "worship" (in the sense of going to church). Jesus said that the entire law boils down to two golden rules (love your neighbour and love god = compassion and humility).
Again, if you're living somewhere near the end of the world (Belgium or something ) and never once heard of "Jesus of Nazareth", but lead a life of compassion and humility, then I am sure the LORD will respect that. He is infinitely wise and just, after all.

They would probably have their own religion since they live in a different geographical area. They would not just drop their religion for a foreign one.

That's the point. And so long as they are compassionate and humble (which everyone knows to be as part of their intuitive "moral compass", then why would God have a problem with that?

 

[Kyle Arn]

I cannot say for sure. I was raised in a christian home and have studied a wide majority of things. I have never read the Quran. I would encourage anyone who answers two have at least read both. I have read the Bible. Now i must say that if you are a new person who has just become religious. It would not be a question of which book you would choose it would be why you chose the book you did. For instance i was saved at a very young age. I am now 15 years old and still read the bible go to church Ect.. Do i still do this because i was raised that way or i was impacted as a child. I still do these things because i know Jesus is my savior. That is why i read the Bible. I do not read the Quran as my solid foundation of truth. Why is one more truthful then the other. That answer comes with the answer of what truth really is. Truth is something that is and always was. If what is true for me only true for me then this defeats the purpose of truth. Truth is not something you can control. Truth is something that is as long lasting and as sure as sin is against God. Truth however is a choice i believe the Bible is the truth. Why because Jesus has saved me.

 

[PsychoSarah]

I cannot say for sure. I was raised in a christian home and have studied a wide majority of things. I have never read the Quran. I would encourage anyone who answers two have at least read both. I have read the Bible. Now i must say that if you are a new person who has just become religious. It would not be a question of which book you would choose it would be why you chose the book you did. For instance i was saved at a very young age. I am now 15 years old and still read the bible go to church Ect.. Do i still do this because i was raised that way or i was impacted as a child. I still do these things because i know Jesus is my savior. That is why i read the Bible. I do not read the Quran as my solid foundation of truth. Why is one more truthful then the other. That answer comes with the answer of what truth really is. Truth is something that is and always was. If what is true for me only true for me then this defeats the purpose of truth. Truth is not something you can control. Truth is something that is as long lasting and as sure as sin is against God. Truth however is a choice i believe the Bible is the truth. Why because Jesus has saved me.

If you haven't read the Quran, and don't know anything about what it says, how can you possibly expect to fairly compare it to a book you have read?

 

[Syd the Human]

*breaks out champagne*



Most definetely. But the fact that a basis of morality exists even in small children is an exciting observation. More so if you consider that the ability to lie is something that develops later than the ability to speak!
Matthew 18:3 And he said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Again I agree. That is one of the reasons I like to volunteer with children (Almost every summer since the freshman year of high school I work with 1 and 2 graders to improve their reading skills) is that they are usually really honest in what they think.

We should really discuss the origin of morality (in another thread) because I think it's a great topic. Off the top of my head, I can't think of an example of a moral position that couldn't be explained by evolutionary psychology, but then again I haven't given this much thought.
I am merely certain that pure rationalism is incompatible with many moral values that humanists hold dear.



That would be true, were it not that the LORD wanted to stress exactly the opposite: that worldly wealth is utterly irrelevant in comparison to spiritual wealth (compassion and humility).

I partially agree, yes spiritual wealth is good. But I don't think that showing that the leader of this faith was tortured to death as a good thing. Because, as living organisms, we don't want to be put to death (usually)

It was never said that Jesus taught anyone to "worship" (in the sense of going to church). Jesus said that the entire law boils down to two golden rules (love your neighbour and love god = compassion and humility).
Again, if you're living somewhere near the end of the world (Belgium or something ) and never once heard of "Jesus of Nazareth", but lead a life of compassion and humility, then I am sure the LORD will respect that. He is infinitely wise and just, after all.



That's the point. And so long as they are compassionate and humble (which everyone knows to be as part of their intuitive "moral compass", then why would God have a problem with that?

I don't mean in the church sense, I mean in the actual definition of the word worship. If worshiping god is not that important, then the entire religion is not important. Just be a good person to others and don't even bother with the religious faith.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Many non-believers understand the historicity of the bible better than Christians. Pew did a study a couple of years ago on religious knowledge and; non-believers scored the highest, evangelical Christians scored the lowest.

Matches up well with this premise; many non-believers tend to investigate something thoroughly before deciding to believe in it or not. Other people, tend to believe what they have always been told.

Christian belief is based on the calling, not knowledge. Study comes later, but sadly most don't get into the bible any deeper than the weekly sermons and occasional bible studies. Also, God doesn't call many of the brightest. He calls the "weak and foolish" to confound the mighty of the world. As evidence of this these forums are filled with atheists who are dumbfounded as to why we believe what we believe.

 

[PsychoSarah]

Christian belief is based on the calling, not knowledge. Study comes later, but sadly most don't get into the bible any deeper than the weekly sermons and occasional bible studies. Also, God doesn't call many of the brightest. He calls the "weak and foolish" to confound the mighty of the world. As evidence of this these forums are filled with atheists who are dumbfounded as to why we believe what we believe.

Are you any less dumbfounded as to why Hindus believe as they do, or why atheists don't believe?

 

[bhsmte]

Are you any less dumbfounded as to why Hindus believe as they do, or why atheists don't believe?

I didn't post that.

 

[Ruthie24]

It goes back to witness testimonies and archeological evidence of Biblical events and of Jesus Christ. There is a whole slew of it out there for those who question the authenticity of the Bible.

 

[bhsmte]

Christian belief is based on the calling, not knowledge. Study comes later, but sadly most don't get into the bible any deeper than the weekly sermons and occasional bible studies. Also, God doesn't call many of the brightest. He calls the "weak and foolish" to confound the mighty of the world. As evidence of this these forums are filled with atheists who are dumbfounded as to why we believe what we believe.

What is the purpose behind God doing as you claim? There is a definite correlation between education levels and belief in creation and or Gods, but why would an all loving God who loves all his creation want to make it so difficult for certain people to believe in him? Sounds like a childish game to me.

 

[PsychoSarah]

I didn't post that.

I know, OldWiseGuy did. What the heck is going on?

 

[bhsmte]

It goes back to witness testimonies and archeological evidence of Biblical events and of Jesus Christ. There is a whole slew of it out there for those who question the authenticity of the Bible.

Well, many biblical scholars and historians don't agree the NT has eye witness testimony. Considering the four gospels were written 40-70 years after Jesus died and were written by anonymous authors, eye witness testimony is in serious question.

And even if there were eye witness testimony, this type of evidence has been proven to be unreliable and prone to significant bias.

 

[Ruthie24]

Actually none of what you said is true. I've done my research. A lot of people who don't believe in the Bible use this argument but have not done their homework. They just repeat what the naysayers spout without doing the hard work of research.

 

[Sayre]

Actually none of what you said is true. I've done my research. A lot of people who don't believe in the Bible use this argument but have not done their homework. They just repeat what the naysayers spout without doing the hard work of research.

Righteo then. Let's see the evidence.

 

[Ruthie24]

There is one thing that really bothers me about nonbelievers. Not only are you unwilling to have even one iota of faith, but you are obviously unwilling to do any kind of work to search for biblical scholarly evidence. Instead you piggyback off of internet hearsay, atheist quacks who run with 2 or 3 quips that must prove the Bible false because "well they must be right because I got it off the internet".

I have collected a well documented library of evidence that I worked hard at for 3 years because I was full of doubt at one time until I came upon biblical archeology and scholars who understood ancient history and scripture.

Instead of asking me to present you evidence that you won't believe anyway because you are already ensconced in your beliefs, why don't you open your mind up and do the research yourself? No authors or works I present will change your mind because you have already made it up.

 

[Sayre]

There is one thing that really bothers me about nonbelievers. Not only are you unwilling to have even one iota of faith, but you are obviously unwilling to do any kind of work to search for biblical scholarly evidence. Instead you piggyback off of internet hearsay, atheist quacks who run with 2 or 3 quips that must prove the Bible false because "well they must be right because I got it off the internet".

I have collected a well documented library of evidence that I worked hard at for 3 years because I was full of doubt at one time until I came upon biblical archeology and scholars who understood ancient history and scripture.

Instead of asking me to present you evidence that you won't believe anyway because you are already ensconced in your beliefs, why don't you open your mind up and do the research yourself? No authors or works I present will change your mind because you have already made it up.

Huh? What? You said there was evidence for the authenticity of the bible. When we ask for it you tell us to find it ourselves because we lack faith and are lazy. What kind of debate is this? LOL

I suspect some of us have done far more research than you realise and that is WHY we are not believers. I am open, more open than you might realise, to hearing your evidence - but don't presume me lazy before you've come up with the goods and provided your evidence.

Let's hear it, or don't accuse me of being lazy.