[Split] Bible discussion split from Iranian woman to be stoned for adultery

[oilyfan]

Originally Posted by normtwofinger

Well if you actually have read the bible, you'll know that it's not man who wrote it.

"Man's opinion expressed to other men." This sounds like CP.

I know this is a discussion that could go on forever. You have your opinion and I have mine. We both feel strongly about them, and neither opinions are going to change. From experience, I can say that I feel the bible is a good thing to have in your life. I know the meaning of life, why we are here, what happens to us when we die, what is going to happpen to this world in the future. I have completeness in my life. Can you say the same?

I know this is your personal opinion, but my personal opinion is that you are delusional.

If you want to live in a make believe construct where everything you do is counted either in the positive or negative column so that it can be added up in the end, by an loving and forgiving god, to send you to eternal damnation or eternal bliss, go ahead.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by normtwofinger

I know the meaning of life, why we are here, what happens to us when we die, what is going to happpen to this world in the future.

These things are unknowable.

[DuffMan]

Originally Posted by normtwofinger

. From experience, I can say that I feel the bible is a good thing to have in your life. I know the meaning of life, why we are here, what happens to us when we die, what is going to happpen to this world in the future. I have completeness in my life. Can you say the same?

Please tell me, what is the meaning of life. i've always wondered.

[Rockin' Flames]

Originally Posted by oilyfan

If you want to live in a make believe construct where everything you do is counted either in the positive or negative column so that it can be added up in the end, by an loving and forgiving god, to send you to eternal damnation or eternal bliss, go ahead.

This shows that you actually don't quite understand what Christianity is about. It's about grace not keeping track of the positive or negative things that a person does in their life.

[Daradon]

Originally Posted by normtwofinger

Well if you actually have read the bible, you'll know that it's not man who wrote it.

"Man's opinion expressed to other men." This sounds like CP.

I know this is a discussion that could go on forever. You have your opinion and I have mine. We both feel strongly about them, and neither opinions are going to change. From experience, I can say that I feel the bible is a good thing to have in your life. I know the meaning of life, why we are here, what happens to us when we die, what is going to happpen to this world in the future. I have completeness in my life. Can you say the same?

The only problem with your opinion on the quote is there is not a shred of proof to back it up. Where there is strong historical, logical, scientific, and circumstantial (in context I guess, looking at the claims and the situation) proof of the other opinion.

As for knowing the meaning of life, well that's different for everyone anyway isn't it? Everyone needs to figure out their own meaning. Even if one did believe in God one could argue that there are different plans for all of us, and different meanings.

Plus too, many a wise man and fool has proclaimed to know the meaning, and there is no way to verify it.

That goes too for what happens when we die.

I completely believe you THINK you know these things, but I doubt anyone else here would agree. Even most of the religious followers here are humble enough not to proclaim they know these things to a certainty.

It is however a little boring and depressing to hear people go on about all this knowledge they have when it's 1. impossible to prove to a certainty, and 2. what proof there is is definitely not in your favour.

Maybe not boring and depressing. Maybe just funny.

[Azure]

I think a better way to explain it would be to say he has 'faith' that the path he has chosen is the correct one.

[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by normtwofinger

From experience, I can say that I feel the bible is a good thing to have in your life. I know the meaning of life, why we are here, what happens to us when we die, what is going to happpen to this world in the future. I have completeness in my life. Can you say the same?

From experience, I can say that I feel "Traddy's Book of Telling Others How To Live Their Lives" is a good thing to have in your life. I know the meaning of life, why we are here, what happens to us when we die, what is going to happpen to this world in the future. I have completeness in my life. Can you say the same?

[Daradon]

Originally Posted by Azure

I think a better way to explain it would be to say he has 'faith' that the path he has chosen is the correct one.

Which is fine, if it was said that way. Nothing wrong with that at all.

But it wasn't said like that. Having faith that your personal views are correct, and proclaiming to have all the answers are very different things. And the second has proven to be very dangerous thinking, both for the individual and for society. Especially when it's used to act against others. Not saying anyone here would do that, but many people and organizations do.

If you just start with the simple difference above, that becomes a lot less likely.

[Azure]

I think even the most devout Christian SHOULD have moments where they have to sit down and seriously question their faith, and their belief in God.

But thats just me.

I fail to understand how people can have such a strong belief in their faith without it having been challenged.

[Daradon]

^^^ Everyone should really. I'd like it if atheists gave other belief systems more look too. (some do, not saying all don't, but many don't)

And even getting away from the obvious benefits to the world if everyone behaved like this, isn't that what life is supposed to be all about anyway? Figuring things out and making your own opinion? Listening and learning from other viewpoints? Exploring your own life and the spirituality that connects you to the higher questions? And finally coming up with your own (enlightened because you've searched) view.

It's such a waste when one just listens to their family, or their community, or what they've been told (often indoctrined). Or blindly follow one set of rules or one book.

[photon]

Originally Posted by normtwofinger

Well if you actually have read the bible, you'll know that it's not man who wrote it.

Which Bible?

[Azure]

Thanks for splitting this off.

[DuffMan]

Speaking of religion,,, I got home from work the other day after midnight sometime and was flicking the channel up to thescore, and on a channel or 2 below it was a religous guy, who said God wanted me to be debt free. I watched it for a bit as I love these guys and the gist was, if you got his Miracle Spring Water and Debt cancellation Kit, God would make me debt free, supernaturally. The testimonials had me believing, if a person owed 48,000 on credit card debt, they unexpectedly got a cheque in the mail from an unknown source for 48,000, say hallelujah. How Peter actually put it, was you would be debt free supernaturally, he actually said that.
So anyhow, if anyone wants to be debt free, because God wants you to be debt free, go to his website and get the Miracle Spring Water, hallelujah.
http://www.peterpopoffministries.com/index.php

[Azure]

Getting it right now. Sweet.

[chemgear]

Originally Posted by duffman

please tell me, what is the meaning of life. I've always wondered.

42.

[photon]

Peter Popoff is the guy that got caught red handed using a radio transmitter to defraud people attending his meetings. He would have "supernatural" words about people there, when in fact it was just his wife reading info from prayer request cards and transmitting that to a small radio on Popoff. He went bankrupt after that, but is back now.

[J pold]

Peter Popoff is evil.

[Thor]

Originally Posted by normtwofinger

Well if you actually have read the bible, you'll know that it's not man who wrote it.

You are right its "men" since Biblical scholars are in agreement on at least 3-4 writers, since they each used unique writing styles. Its also why there are so many contradictions in the gospels (especially if you have had a chance to read the gospels that didn't make the cut.)

I know this is a discussion that could go on forever. You have your opinion and I have mine. We both feel strongly about them, and neither opinions are going to change. From experience, I can say that I feel the bible is a good thing to have in your life. I know the meaning of life, why we are here, what happens to us when we die, what is going to happen to this world in the future.

But thats if your one book is the correct one, assuming the other 100's of Gods that have existed or still exist today in people's beliefs, how do you know yours is the true one God? Its amazing that you can feel so certain and based your whole life on that, to me its hard to understand and someone who grew out of belief at a young age. But anyhow besides the point.

I have completeness in my life. Can you say the same?

And people call Atheists arrogant Why is it you think in order to have completeness some belief has to tell you comforting stories about and afterlife and give you rules on how to live, since apparently you'd murder/rape and do such vile things if a book didn't say so.

So am I complete, such a strange question. For me I'm in awe of discovery and of learning. I'm an absolute nerd when it comes to science news, especially when it comes to anything space related. Every week theres something exciting and wonderous, the unknown to me is something I cherish.

Wondering what will be, having this amazing curiosity we humans have, to me its so wasted thinking the final truth has already been given by people 2000 years ago. To think oh this universe is mysterious is infinitely more exciting than "oh god did it."

So yes as for being complete, I love this one life I have, I cherish the family/friendships and care about keeping our future safe from destroying our environment to fighting against backwards ideology like anti-gay positions and the radical elements of all religions which seek to destroy secular human values which are vastly superior to any Bible or Koran and their hideously bad morals on how to treat slaves, how to punish children, murdering whole cities because of sin, etc..

There are millions of books written since then, so many of them are much better at guiding morality, I'm sure peter12 could offer up a bunch, and you can bet that morality based on secular values, liberty and freedoms will always lend you the way to morals that modern societies thrive on.

[Cain]

Originally Posted by normtwofinger

Well if you actually have read the bible, you'll know that it's not man who wrote it.

"Man's opinion expressed to other men." This sounds like CP.

I know this is a discussion that could go on forever. You have your opinion and I have mine. We both feel strongly about them, and neither opinions are going to change. From experience, I can say that I feel the bible is a good thing to have in your life. I know the meaning of life, why we are here, what happens to us when we die, what is going to happpen to this world in the future. I have completeness in my life. Can you say the same?

Perhaps it is not the intent, but I love how condescending this comes off as.

It is like me saying: "I am basically the most awesome individual ever and I constantly have threesomes with supermodels, can you say the same?"

Point being, those of us who do not base our beliefs on the bible or similar teachings cannot conclusively answer any of those questions that you claim to be able to. However, this does not rule out "completeness" in our lives either which you seemingly receive from your supposed knowledge.

Additionally, you do know "know" any of those things you claim to either. You think you do, but really, you are just speculating like the rest of us...and feeling pretty high and mighty while doing it.

I don't mean to come off as venomous or looking for a fight. I am actually quite tolerant on all levels, something in this post just irritated me.

And if god wrote the bible, he isn't as good a writer I would have pegged him to be.

[Delthefunky]

[QUOTE=normtwofinger;2586764]^Why not have a little guidance along the way. There's a manual for everything, why not a manual for life?[/QUOTE

there's some great teachings in the bible, but I don't think we'd be hopeless savages without it.

An eye for an eye leaves us both blind, but the bible doesn't preach that...