Dont you think people should stop arguing over whether the Bible is true or not ?

Question

It is obvious most of the stories in the Bible are either metaphors or parables and not actual fact. But the point of the Bible, in my opinion, is to show people how to live life to the fullest and make life easier for others. I dont think it really matters whether you believe the stories or do what God tells you to do. It's all up to you whether you want a happy life or not, and has nothing to do with the afterlife(heaven or hell). I think whoever wrote about heaven or hell misunderstood the point of what Jesus was teaching. What do you think?

Answer 1

I think you are a sharp cookie!

Proving truth or fiction is impossible. Religion is based on faith, a word many seem to not understand. Believing in the bible does not require accepting it as verbatim history. Believing in the message (which is subject to millions of different interpretations) is.

The funny thing is, for all those that feel the bible is indeed accurate history, the hebrew words in the old testament often had multiple meanings and were clearly used (as there were always alternative words that had specific and narrow meanings) with the intent of allowing the reader to interpret a passage to fit different circumstances.

A lot of condemnations presumed by Christians, such as homosexuality, are merely one interpretation of what certain passages mean. There are reasons for that interpretation that many do not understand. After Rome became Christian, the emperor fully understood that he could better control the empire if it existed under only one religion. So the original version of Christianity was drastically altered to attract more converts.

Rules such as those condeming homosexuality, the concept of the virgin birth, that Mary was a whore, eliminating circumsicion, dietary restrictions and requiring priests to be chaste were all added hundreds of years after the birth of Christianity.

Quite a lot of current doctrine, especially in the fundy groups, is really a reflection of centuries of change, not the original faith.

All of which has led each group to a sense that somehow "their" interpretation is the right one.

It is not hard to get back to basics, to study multiple translations and/or original text (if you can read it), to really see how twisted it has become.

Anyhow..not all religious people are rigid jerks, only those who are so insecure, they are grasping for things to make them feel superior.

So sad.

Answer 2

Technically, we should stop arguing about it, but when it comes down to dictating how people should live their lives, the Bible always comes up.

There is never going to be a definitive answer regarding the truth of the Bible. There will never be physical proof of Jesus, God, or any divine being.

As such, arguments will always break out. Those who believe, believe. Those who don't, don't.

You do bring up a valid point. We should focus on the messages taught in the Bible, not about whether the supernatural events in the book are true or not.

However, that's one interpretation. In a free society there's going to be many interpretations. I take the Bible as a book of stories to read as metaphors, and other parts are just Stone Age bunk. Others take every word as if it was the holy truth brought down by the Almighty.

So, I don't think we'll ever get past the Bible (or any religion) bringing conflict into our lives. If only we could take the live and let live teaching of Jesus, we'd all get along much better.

Some people just have to be right.

Answer 3

I agree that people should stop arguing about the Bible. It is pointless and serves no purpose. I think discussing the Bible, however, is beneficial and enlightening. If the Bible is made up of metaphors or parables, then they are there to teach us something inasmuch as a parable or illustration is meant to teach a thing. But if it doesn't matter whether we believe the illustration, then the illustration itself is pointless, yes?

If those who wrote about heaven and hell misunderstood the point of Jesus' teaching, on what basis do we say they misunderstood? And how do we ascertain the point of Jesus' teaching? By what barometer do we measure the teaching? By what standard do we define the point?

And if it's all up to us whether we want to be happy or not, doesn't that leave out other considerations? One man's happiness is another man's misery. Should my happiness be measured by another? Should another's happiness be measured by me? Is man really able to isolate himself to such a degree?

I think my opinion is one of many. And opinions are like noses - everybody's got one. Therefore, my opinion means nothing in the final analysis. There must be a standard. If there is no standard and everybody goes by opinion, there is nothing but chaos. To illustrate: if everybody drives on the highways and roads according to their own opinion and irrespective of the laws governing traffic, we have chaos, accidents, blood and body parts. Even now, with only a relative few driving according to their own opinion, we have that. Think would it would be if every single individual rejected the laws of the road.

There must be a standard. There must be one with the authority to set the standard and the power to enforce it. Else we are all of us abandoned to chaos with no direction or purpose.

So if the point of the Bible is to show us how to live life to the fullest and make life easier for others - then the Bible obviously manifests a standard by which that can be done. Interestingly enough, 1 Timothy 6:17-19 and Matthew 22:39 underscore your position quite nicely. Yet these scriptures are not parables but clearcut commands.

Answer 4

First of all. ALL stories in the Bible are true! However; as long as man exists there will always be debates as to whether the Bible is true or not. Everyone should take the Bible on faith. I suppose as long as there are arguments, there will be more chances for people to come to understand and believe the Bible and know God. As far as heaven and hell. Oh yeah! They exist.That too has to be taken on faith.

Answer 5

The Bible replaced into written over hundreds of years - sixty six books and approximately 40 authors who ALL tell a similar tale. Missler has likened the be conscious to a hologram - a three-d photograph which, unlike a photo, in case you decrease a slice out of it, you will no longer lose the photograph (however you need to lose some sharpness). this is via fact this is an integrated message from God. it is likewise a message containing approximately 28% prophecy, this is basically approximately a million out of each and every 3 verses being destiny-prophetical. in basic terms a God who exists exterior of time can try this with one hundred% accuracy.

Answer 6

Sorry, sweetie...I have to disagree...on all points. Especially your first question. Arguing about the Bible gives everyone a chance to hear the good news, whether they agree with it or not!

The Door to living in God's Presence, in fellowship with Him, was closed when the first Adam was kicked out...(which ruined it for everyone) before this he was perfect and knew God deeply. A second perfect Adam reopened the Door so that we could be restored to the original Relationship. So man chooses which Adam he wants to follow. Not choosing just leaves you in the first one...I know not all can understand this, but at least you won't be able to say, "But Lord...I DIDN'T KNOW! Nobody ever told me!"

Answer 7

i dont beleive in god and thats fine but i get in an argument when people say im a sinner because i dont. well to other people who follow a different religion arent they sinners in a way. i think people should look at the facts of what they are arguing about i mean i have a solid argument I HAVE YET SEEN PROOF OF GODS EXISTANCE. plus i beleive the bible was made up by i whole lot of kings to keep their ppl under control but it backfired when the church became more powerful then them. but the bible did do some good without it can you imagine what people would be like their would be no sense of doing something wronge

Answer 8

I agree with you totally. In my Sunday School we were taught the stories of the Bible and learned about how to use them to live our life. We did not learn that all the stories are true etc...We believed that they were there to help guide us to make the right decisions in life. Rules that we should live by, but not necessarily NEED to follow. I get tired of people trying to push off their beliefs that the Bible is true etc, and I hate arguing about it. People have their own opinions and each of us should respect the opinions the other has. The problem is with the ones who go around trying to force their beliefs on other people. I get aggravated...let me live my life the way I want, as long as I'm not hurting anyone, and they can go live theirs.

Answer 9

No, people shouldn't stop arguing over whether the Bible is true or not because everyone has different opinions and thoughts that they should share with the world so that everyone can find their true believes. If some people think that the bible is false - share them your thoughts about it and then they might see the true answer. Who knows?

Answer 10

I have always believed exactly what you have stated. God gave us all a brain to think and to reason. God did not write the Bible, man did and they (various) wrote to to keep people on a righteous path. It is a good book if it is used to guide us to live better lives. It can be dangerous if it's used to support personal bigoted beliefs. Christianity is not a belief in the Bible, it's a belief in Christ, hence the name.