The bible...

[obiwan94]

Ok, the bible says many things...1/2 of which are plain stupid and wrong. Why is it that people focus on some stuff and ignore the rest?

[Zephyr]

People pick and choose what they want to believe.
If something doesn't fit one's lifestyle,
Then they're not likely to believe in certain things.
If they deem something bullshit,
Then they'll boycott that part of the word of God.
If it doesn't match up with societies standards in this day and age,
They'll forget about it.

When we were doing Evolution in College Prep Biology in highschool,
The teacher brought in an intelligent design speaker to 'even things out' since we had some very religious people in the class,
I think his name was Troy or something,
But he said this himself, "When I was younger, I considered myself an Atheist because it fit my lifestyle at the time. I didn't have to worry about God or sinning, I could just be young, wild and free. People do pick and choose what they believe based on their lifestyles.".

[2D]

Please do explain the half that is wrong. Disprove beyond a shadow of a doubt that half the Bible is wrong and I'll take you seriously.

[AllThatIsLeft]

Reason Why I don't believe in the Bible.
It was written way too long ago, by people that were living in they're society's and it was their way of life.
The new testament has stories written by men, which can't be accurate as they are biased.
I'd be a fool to say that the teachings aren't useful.
But to live by things that have no relevance at all, I find it to be stupid.
Then again, each to their own.

[Giles]

To make the religion most sensible. Which fails because the non-believers can read.

[Marcie]

Ok, the bible says many things...1/2 of which are plain stupid and wrong. Why is it that people focus on some stuff and ignore the rest?

Would you be so kinda as to elaborate on some examples of half the Bible being "stupid and wrong."

[INFERNO]

Ok, the bible says many things...1/2 of which are plain stupid and wrong. Why is it that people focus on some stuff and ignore the rest?

Your argument rests upon half the bible being stupid and wrong, however, you have presented no argument to back any of that up. In other words, it's an assumption, although it could be a faulty assumption or it could be a rational one, either way, there's nothing the assumption is based on (if there is then it's not presented here).

Ignoring that though, the answer is summarized in one, five-letter word: faith. The bible has historical connotations and although I know fairly little on ancient history, some of the historical accounts are verified. When I say historical accounts, I want to explain what I mean. I do not mean anything regarding Jesus' or God's spooky magic that managed to make something amazing occur. To me that's a fairy-tale to make the story sound more complete to an ancient society who knew very little and would have believed a lot more than what most people today would. So, by historical accounts I mean the wars or battles between civilizations that were documented in the bible. I don't know if all have been verified but I think some have been. So, to me the bible is a way to see how society was back then and how it interacted with other societies.

The element I excluded earlier of the spooky magic comes into play when people formulate their explanations of why something happened based on what god may have done. When people want an explanation that's quick, easy to understand and applies to everything, this is the way to go. It works all the time and so what better reason to continue to use it? However, more goes into why people believe. I think lots of it has to do with changing one's mindset and how they view the world. If you view the world in terms of everything being made by a divine being who you worship and praise, then of course when something strange happens, who are you going to turn to? Science? No. God? Yes.

In other words, you "prime yourself" (prime in terms of the psychological definition).

[Ripplemagne]

Ok, the bible says many things...1/2 of which are plain stupid and wrong. Why is it that people focus on some stuff and ignore the rest?

What's plain wrong/stupid?

To make the religion most sensible. Which fails because the non-believers can read.

Because atheists are smart, intellectual gifted, self actualized elites of society and theists are uneducated, illiterate sloths with the Confederate flag hanging in their backyard, right?

[Death]

What's plain wrong/stupid?

'If a man lies with mankind as he lieth with a woman, they have both committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death: their blood shall be upon them.' Leviticus 20:13

'If a man still prophesies, his parents, father and mother, shall say to him, "You shall not live, because you have spoken a lie in the name of the Lord." When he prophesies, his parents, father and mother, shall thrust him through.' Zechariah 13:3

'I will sweep away everything in all your land," says the LORD. "I will sweep away both people and animals alike. Even the birds of the air and the fish in the sea will die. I will reduce the wicked to heaps of rubble, along with the rest of humanity," says the LORD. "I will crush Judah and Jerusalem with my fist and destroy every last trace of their Baal worship. I will put an end to all the idolatrous priests, so that even the memory of them will disappear. For they go up to their roofs and bow to the sun, moon, and stars. They claim to follow the LORD, but then they worship Molech, too. So now I will destroy them! And I will destroy those who used to worship me but now no longer do. They no longer ask for the LORD's guidance or seek my blessings.' Zephania 1:3-6

I'm not saying that the bible is full of this shit, but it still contains some of it, moreover in the first half. But it's still part of the bible.

[karl]

I wish I was strong enough and good enough to live by the Ten Commandments

[Ripplemagne]

'If a man lies with mankind as he lieth with a woman, they have both committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death: their blood shall be upon them.' Leviticus 20:13

The Levitical laws are only applicable to Jews.

'If a man still prophesies, his parents, father and mother, shall say to him, "You shall not live, because you have spoken a lie in the name of the Lord." When he prophesies, his parents, father and mother, shall thrust him through.' Zechariah 13:3

Read that in full context. (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zechariah+13&version=NIV) It's detailing things to come. To put succinctly: "When the new world comes, there will be no more prophets. If people still profess to be prophets, they are lying."

'I will sweep away everything in all your land," says the LORD. "I will sweep away both people and animals alike. Even the birds of the air and the fish in the sea will die. I will reduce the wicked to heaps of rubble, along with the rest of humanity," says the LORD. "I will crush Judah and Jerusalem with my fist and destroy every last trace of their Baal worship. I will put an end to all the idolatrous priests, so that even the memory of them will disappear. For they go up to their roofs and bow to the sun, moon, and stars. They claim to follow the LORD, but then they worship Molech, too. So now I will destroy them! And I will destroy those who used to worship me but now no longer do. They no longer ask for the LORD's guidance or seek my blessings.' Zephania 1:3-6

So?

I wish I was strong enough and good enough to live by the Ten Commandments

The Ten Commandments are also only for Jews. :P

[Death]

The Levitical laws are only applicable to Jews.

It may not be applicable to Christians, but it's still applicable to someone.

So?

Does that not seem a bit violent for God to be saying in the bible?

[Ripplemagne]

It may not be applicable to Christians, but it's still applicable to someone.

And Judaism is an inclusive religion and if you don't want to be a part of it, you don't have to. This is why Jews discourage people who wish to convert to Judaism and are not evangelical.

The purpose is for purity. That's why they eat Kosher, can't eat certain foods, can't do certain things, et cetera. There's nothing wrong or stupid about this.

Does that not seem a bit violent for God to be saying in the bible?

Nah. You need to put it in proper context.

There are two possible reasons for the creation of the book of Zephaniah. Either way, the primary purpose of the book’s composition was to alter the behaviour (particularly religious behaviour) of the author’s contemporary Jerusalemites.

If the book of Zephaniah was largely composed during the monarchic period, the author of the book of Zephaniah attempts to accomplish this change in behaviour through the threat of future calamity for “those who have turned back from following the Lord, / who have not sought the Lord or inquired of him” (1:6). The author conceives of a date in the future – the ‘great day of the Lord’ – when the Lord will judge all the people of the earth. This coming judgment will affect all of the nations, including the author’s own nation of Judah where God is understood to reside. The threats made against Jerusalem, however, are much more specific than the oracles concerning foreign nations. This strengthened the belief that the Israelites, who understood themselves to be God’s chosen people, were even more culpable than other peoples for not living up to God’s statutes because they were to be a ‘light unto the nations’. The book concludes by extending a promise of deliverance to the remnant of Israel which remains. The fulfilment of this prophecy is commonly understood to have taken place when Judah was captured by the nation of Babylon and many of its inhabitants were exiled in an event known as the Babylonian captivity.

If the book gained most of its present form in post-monarchic period, then the author likely intended to draw upon an understanding of the Babylonian captivity as a punishment from the Lord, urging his own contemporaries not to repeat the mistakes of the past. It is not known whether the religious syncretism, alluded to in chapter one (as in verse 5), was a significant issue in post-exilic Judah.

[L]

all i can say is, its going to take more then some old book to convert me to a religion. if i got some real solid proof or evidence that god exists, then, and only then, will i believe.

[karl]

My wish to be able to live by the Ten Commandments is what I feel I would like to be able to do. I feel that they are truly God's word and His will, and even if they are, as you say, only for Jews, I would like to believe I am capable of living by them too. I admit I am not, and that is why Jesus came to save me and the rest of us undeserving creatures.

[Giles]

Because atheists are smart, intellectual gifted, self actualized elites of society and theists are uneducated, illiterate sloths with the Confederate flag hanging in their backyard, right?

I didn't say that.
But they do try to make religion make sense. Because Atheists can read they know better than to listen to what religious people tell them.

[Ripplemagne]

My wish to be able to live by the Ten Commandments is what I feel I would like to be able to do. I feel that they are truly God's word and His will, and even if they are, as you say, only for Jews, I would like to believe I am capable of living by them too. I admit I am not, and that is why Jesus came to save me and the rest of us undeserving creatures.

I see what you're saying. But the Ten Commandments as well as the Levitical Laws, et al are all part of Jewish Law. As a Gentile, the only set of laws you're required to follow are the Noahide Laws, which are:

1. Prohibition of Idolatry: You shall not have any idols before God.
2. Prohibition of Murder: You shall not murder.
3. Prohibition of Theft: You shall not steal.
4. Prohibition of Sexual Promiscuity: You shall not commit any of a series of sexual prohibitions, which include adultery, incest, bestiality and homosexual acts.
5. Prohibition of Blasphemy: You shall not blaspheme God's name.
6. Dietary Law: Do not eat flesh taken from an animal while it is still alive.
7. Requirement to have just Laws: Set up a governing body of law (eg Courts)

That, of course, relies on you not believing in the New Testament/Covenant and is strictly Jewish in nature as it comes from the Talmud (words of Rabbis collected since about the second century or so) and not the Tanakh (Old Testament.) But I figured that bit of information would be beneficial to you, even if cooperation with it is only applicable if you believe it to be divinely inspired (even though it's not.)

It should also be noted that in most forms of Christianity, strict observance of the majority of these laws are encouraged, but not necessarily necessary. By most Christian doctrines, we are all considered to be sinners and fall short of the grace of Jehovah due to the Fall of Man (when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit.) Some denominations adopt different reasons why this is so, such as original sin, ancestral sin, actual sin and a few others.

Whatever the case may be, Yeshua was sacrificed on the cross so that your sins can be redeemed. As such, accepting his covenant washes your sins away.

I didn't say that.
But they do try to make religion make sense. Because Atheists can read they know better than to listen to what religious people tell them.

And surely that statement was much better. XD

[Perseus]

I didn't say that.
But they do try to make religion make sense. Because Atheists can read they know better than to listen to what religious people tell them.

Did you just say that religious folk can't read, my friend?

[2D]

I didn't say that.
But they do try to make religion make sense. Because Atheists can read they know better than to listen to what religious people tell them.

What are you saying? I can't read!!! I don't know what you're saying!!! Oh god, oh man, oh god, oh man, oh god, oh man!!!!

You are an idiot.

[Obscene Eyedeas]

The apostles did not write what they were said to have written. They were written 150 years after they died by merchants. Done and dusted

[Bluearmy]

The Holy Bible is very cryptic. Everybody who reads it is going to have their own interpretations. This is because when you read the Bible, your own experiences, logical way of thinking, and sense of ethics will effect what the text means to you personally.

[Resinflux]

Please do explain the half that is wrong. Disprove beyond a shadow of a doubt that half the Bible is wrong and I'll take you seriously.

The fact that there's no proof anything in the bible is right?

[Perseus]

The fact that there's no proof anything in the bible is right?

So, the Egyptians never enslaved the Jews?
Since that is in the Bible, it must not be true by your standards.

[2D]

The apostles did not write what they were said to have written. They were written 150 years after they died by merchants. Done and dusted

Show me.

The fact that there's no proof anything in the bible is right?

Show me too.

[Resinflux]

because some guy totally parted an entire sea and the sky rained frogs :3

[2D]

because some guy totally parted an entire sea and the sky rained frogs :3

Point being?

[LoveBullets]

Ok, the bible says many things...1/2 of which are plain stupid and wrong. Why is it that people focus on some stuff and ignore the rest?
Why do people choose to drink and drive when it's so obviously against the law?
Why do people have oral sex in places where it's still illegal?
Why do lawyers and politicians choose to focus on certain laws and court cases and ignore those that disaagree with their point of view?

Because they can?
Because we're all humans and like to bend things to our benefit?
I guess we'll never know.

[Perseus]

because some guy totally parted an entire sea and the sky rained frogs :3

That doesn't answer my question.
Also, the Romans are mentioned in the Bible, does that make them not real, too? As with any race mentioned in the Bible, since nothing is true in it.

Dude seriously, think before you act.

[Bluearmy]

Being Protestant, I have a theory on how to explain all of the "impossible" things that happen in the Bible.

From the beginning of time, God was very close to humans. He spoke to them like you speak to your friends. He would make things happen; like the flood, the burning bush, raining frogs or parting of seas. But as the Bible goes on, God becomes less and less of an undeniable reality. After the window of grace opens, God becomes even more distant from humanity. Almost completely alienated. Now that the strict laws have been removed, he allows mankind's free will to run practically by itself. It is ultimately our choice now.

Which is why we don't see any "super miracles" today. But I believe, that when things start to unravel, and the final parts of the divine plan come into action, his presence will start becoming more evident again.

A reminder: this is purely a theory of mine. But it makes sense.

[INFERNO]

because some guy totally parted an entire sea and the sky rained frogs :3

If we interpret that part of the bible literally, yes, it doesn't seem very likely. However, that doesn't account for how half the bible is supposedly nonsensical. If you wish to use that logic, then it works both ways and I can find an example of something professed in the bible that is evidenced to be true in modern times, and use your argument of extrapolating it to be true for everything in the bible. Not a good debate tactic.

[Pudd]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTeopOdov-U

Done