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Dec 6th, 2017
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,388
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,388 |
Originally Posted By: NW Ponderer
Should a recent discovery change the way you read the Bible? Nothing is liable to change the way I read the Bible. The stuff of bad fiction. 
"The liberals can understand everything but people who don't understand them."
Lenny Bruce
"The cleverest of all, in my opinion, is the man who calls himself a fool at least once a month."
Dostoevsky
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 12,004 Likes: 133
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 12,004 Likes: 133 |
The only thing that would get me to even open a Bible is if I was told there were a bunch of $100 bills stashed in it!
You never change things by fighting the existing reality.
To change something, build a new model that makes the old model obsolete.
R. Buckminster Fuller
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 19,831 Likes: 180
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 19,831 Likes: 180 |
The only thing that would get me to even open a Bible is if I was told there were a bunch of $100 bills stashed in it! Christians would have you believe that there is eternal life stashed in it. I'd rather have the $100 bills.
Good coffee, good weed, and time on my hands...
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 27,583
Administrator Bionic Scribe
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Administrator Bionic Scribe
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 27,583 |
I find that there are many good things in the Bible. I do not consider it a literal book. I look upon it as more of a guide. I try to follow the teachings of Christ. While some may call the Bible "fiction", that is their opinion and they are welcome to it. But the teachings of Jesus makes sense to me. And i have no trouble living my faith and incorporating science and logic in it. So I read the Bible with a questioning eye and mind. Does it make sense? Does it hurt people or the earth? Can I live with what Jesus taught?
milk and Girl Scout cookies ;-)
Save your breath-You may need it to blow up your date.
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,388
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,388 |
Did historical Jesus really exist? The evidence just doesn’t add up....
The first problem we encounter when trying to discover more about the Historical Jesus is the lack of early sources. The earliest sources only reference the clearly fictional Christ of Faith. These early sources, compiled decades after the alleged events, all stem from Christian authors eager to promote Christianity – which gives us reason to question them. The authors of the Gospels fail to name themselves, describe their qualifications, or show any criticism with their foundational sources – which they also fail to identify. Filled with mythical and non-historical information, and heavily edited over time, the Gospels certainly should not convince critics to trust even the more mundane claims made therein.
"The liberals can understand everything but people who don't understand them."
Lenny Bruce
"The cleverest of all, in my opinion, is the man who calls himself a fool at least once a month."
Dostoevsky
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 27,583
Administrator Bionic Scribe
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Administrator Bionic Scribe
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 27,583 |
Well, Ezekiel, I just don't consider or believe that Jesus was or is fictional. 
milk and Girl Scout cookies ;-)
Save your breath-You may need it to blow up your date.
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,388
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,388 |
I know. That is what you believe-which is fine. But the historical evidence is not very strong. That is the point: based on faith you can of course believe what makes you happy but that is a personal belief - history is a different story. 
"The liberals can understand everything but people who don't understand them."
Lenny Bruce
"The cleverest of all, in my opinion, is the man who calls himself a fool at least once a month."
Dostoevsky
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 18,003 Likes: 191
Moderator Carpal Tunnel
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OP
Moderator Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 18,003 Likes: 191 |
There are a number of things that I believe, some of which are in the Bible. I happen to believe in the historicity of Jesus (i.e., that he did exist), even if I do not accept some of the clearly mythical stories that are ascribed to him (many of which predated his life). There are many good notions to be gleaned from the text, as well as endless opportunities for abuse.
I have, for a very long time, enjoyed researching the record, as well as trying to find archaeological analogs to mythic stories. (I'm starting a new thread on one of them.) There are a number of very enjoyable shows on Discovery, National Geographic, and the History Channel (among others) that explore the reality versus the myth of everything from the Great Flood to Ronald Reagan. I also enjoy engaging in theological discussions with many of my friends who have seminary training - most of whom view those with literalistic views of the Bible with chagrin.
So, these new discoveries are fascinating to me, even if they do not change my view of the Bible or of religion generally.
A well reasoned argument is like a diamond: impervious to corruption and crystal clear - and infinitely rarer.
Here, as elsewhere, people are outraged at what feels like a rigged game -- an economy that won't respond, a democracy that won't listen, and a financial sector that holds all the cards. - Robert Reich
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 27,583
Administrator Bionic Scribe
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Administrator Bionic Scribe
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 27,583 |
I know. That is what you believe-which is fine. But the historical evidence is not very strong. That is the point: based on faith you can of course believe what makes you happy but that is a personal belief - history is a different story. For a long time, people did not believe that there were microbes, either. 
milk and Girl Scout cookies ;-)
Save your breath-You may need it to blow up your date.
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,388
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,388 |
But we have proven their existence
"The liberals can understand everything but people who don't understand them."
Lenny Bruce
"The cleverest of all, in my opinion, is the man who calls himself a fool at least once a month."
Dostoevsky
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