Given the contradictory nature of the bible, why quote it?

Question

Why do people use the bible as a reference when it is obviously not reliable?

It's not contradictory only if you totally ignore the tens of thousands of answers given on Yahoo by those claiming to use the bible as their reference.

It's contradictory nature is evident by the answers given.

Eyelovesjesus:

That's a smirk, not a smile :-)

On another question, someone told me I look like Moses. Do I really look THAT old??? What is he, 5,000 years old by now?

Once again:

I am referring to the answers given on Yahoo. I am not referring to the bible, per se, I am referring to the contradictory answers given by those claiming the bible as their reference.

Answer 1

* pouts *
I'm not going to answer this question.

I'm so disappointed that you've declined to accept the challenge I gave in my answer to one of your prior questions.
Here's where that declined challenge is:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AvKx47lBD1GjOT0tCLzpxZLsy6IX?qid=20060708110017AAp9hWG

This is where you claimed, in error I contend, that the injunction against self-serving boastful self-focused public prayer in Matt 6 CONTRADICTS every single passage in the Bible promoting communal prayer among believers whose hearts are of one accord.

* singing * When the spirit says pray, I'm gonna pray, when the Spirit says pray I'm gonna pray. Oh, I pray you spare Keith and his family from more grief. In Jesus' precious name I'm gonna pray. * end singing *

Well I've given an answer to two of your questions so far, JT. Since THREE is an EXTRA special number to us Christians, for a number of reasons, I'm going to give us both a little time to ANTICIPATE question number three.

Answer 2

All religions and religious texts are interpretable in many ways, usually only correctly by the mystic few in the particular religions hierarchy.

It makes for an easy control mechanism, giving the interpreters the ability to decide the best outcome dependent on current circumstance. Otherwise, how could a 1600 year old text which was based on verbal tradition within a tribal society be considered to have any real relevance in a modern western society any more than the tales of the Brothers Grimm are used to warn children of life's dangers? And how could the same religious statements have resulted in such diverse versions ot that religion based on the number of christian and jewish sects and "faith", so of which have been in continuous conflict if indeed the bible does not have contradictions or interpretable untruths?

Even the Jewish old testaments and books were not made uniform until at least AD 800 and even now there is contention about what actually really constitutes the "correct" bible with most religions having their own "correct" versions hence the need for "scholars" to interpret the texts.

AS to the "what contadictions?" answers, see my second reference and consider yourself better educated by the reading of it. Unlike most of the "It's the bible, therefore it's true and it's correct" these contradictions can be confirmed or disproved by merely checking you own version of god's word. What will you do when you find they are right?

Answer 3

That's a good question, and I'll give one possible answer, maybe with two tracks, and we'll see if I match what anybody who knows more than I do says.

The books of the Bible were written by people who took what they saw, heard, experienced or were told and put it into writing, in the context of which they lived. Take slavery for instance. Some parts of the Bible seem to suggest that slavery is a useful and non-abusive endeavor. But slavery was a fact of the times. Often in fact, a slave was treated as a member of the family. Today, we interpret the Bible to find the Slavery is an abusive treatment of humanity, and we'd never condone it. This is because God speaks to us still and has show more light on this and many other subjects, through the life and teachings of Christ and through his people, even today.

We also put much faith in what the Bible says because our mothers and fathers, and their fore-bearers did, and it seemed to work for them. Look for instance at the Ten Commandments. Thou Shalt not Kill, sounds like a pretty good rule for life. In most instances where one human kills another we find it evil, or at least regrettable. Tradition.

Does this start anyone with a better explanation?

Answer 4

Contradictions are only created by those who take things out of context or leap to conclusions that make the apparent contradictions.

Or they are caused by translational error.
The reasons are that sometimes translators try to hide the meaning or are directed by preconceived beliefs. This is shameful, as transation correctly and honestly will mean life or death to those that don't test to see if their favorite translations are accurate.


Ex. Some trans. Say at John 1:1 "the word was god"
yet this creates a contradiction at John1:18" no man has seen God at any time"
As i have seen by comparing from interlinear Bibles
the form of the word "god" used in the first instance theos has obviously different vowel pointers and if the translator doesn't translate it "a god" (having Gods qualities, like a separate son)
then the contradiction with verse 18 is created.
Also there are many more of these created contradictions, but with a little effort they are easily defeated.
Does this help at all?

Answer 5

I have seen many of your questions - I have seen you put the Bible down and I have seen you deny there is a God, Why do you come to the religious forum of yahoo answers if you do not believe? If you truly do not think that there is a God why would you even bother? You speak hateful to those who try to live a good life. Does it offend you that people try to promote love. Regardless if you believe it to be made up or whatever should mean nothing to you. I know many on here believe as you but you seem to have a true hate for all that is good - and no I am not talking about good in the sense you don't believe in God but because of the hate in your words. Is it your goal in life to promote so much hate? As for your question: Those that use the Bible as a reference belief it to be reliable even if you or others try to convince them it is not. Just as much as you try to use logic that also can not be proved. Life is nothing more than opinions. No one really knows what is right or wrong not you not me but we go through life seeking answers and follow paths and we do this so we can find peace and happiness. I feel sorry for you that you seem to have no love or compassion for your fellow man.

Answer 6

The bible in its original form was 100% accurate and error free. Over the 4000 years since the first books were written, there have been a few minor copyist errors, a few minor translation errors and millions of people taking things out of context.

If you want to see a refutation of all biblical 'contradictions' please visit the site listed as my source. Whenever I have had a so-called contradiction pointed out to me, there has always been a logical explanation and I have yet to find a situation where the bible did not tell me the truth.

There is no other book in existance that has lasted as long as the Bible, no been kept as accurate to the original manuscripts. In fact there are so few that it seems... miraculous.

Answer 7

Because it's very hard to talk to a Chirtian and make a point simply because he or she goes "my Bible says this, my Bible says that" so we have to use quote something they trust the most.

For example when a person walks up to me and says why you guys do the physical prayer then I have to quote Bible to show them that prophets in Bible did the same Including Jesus. It's Paul asked people to do everything oppsite, not Jesus for example fasting, circumsision polygamy, phsical paryer and list goes on.

Funny thing is that Paul thought Jesus was a mystery:
In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, (Ephesians 3:4)

Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: (Colossians 4:3)

BTW, there is no new law and old law, there is only one law that was sent by God to his prophets.

Answer 8

The contradictions are between the Old Testament and the New Testament, the old law and the new law. Of course there are going to be differences. The thing is, we don't follow the rules and regulations of the Old Testament that people tend to quote on yahoo answers. Modern day Christianity is about following the teachings of Jesus.

Answer 9

No contradictions. Just man's inept at understanding.
70 scholars translated the Bible. Get a Strong's concordance and you can take any English word from the Hebrew ( old testament ) or Greek (new testament ) word back to the original meaning.

Answer 10

Hello J T.. :)

I like your smile by the way.. :)

When satan comes as a roaring lion, I quote scripture and lift up the name of Jesus, and he flees.. :)

I used to be an Atheist..now I am serving the Lord, since 1978 and now I am answering a question, from a nice man, who used to be a Christian and is now an Atheist..

Praise the Lord..You and your Loved ones, are in my heart and prayers.. :)

In Jesus Most Precious Name..
With Love..In Christ..

ADDITONAL: Please accept my deepest apologies, as I really did think you were smiling..

As for looking like or as old as Moses..I cannot say, for I do not know what Moses looked like.. :)

But No, you do not look 5,000 years old.. :)

Answer 11

The Bible has been used to monstous effect in the defamation of gay people for 2 millenia...this book is a piece of utmost crap and I'm no longer going to humour Christians or pretend reverence to something so hate-filled that it is the equivalent of Mein Campf if you are a Gay person...this book The Bible is pure evil!