The Bible and other text was written at a time when Science was just being discovered. Early on it was held back because it was saying something that religion wasn't. So why do we still hang on to these beliefs that are so old?
It seems that most, if not all, religions are STUCK in the past. Forcing it's believers to think like those who lived 2 millienia ago. Does this sound very reasonable? I don't understand it.
I guess the next question I should ask is, which would you choose? A doctor of today or a doctor of 2,000 years ago. Think about it.
2006-09-18 16:18:29 · 32 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
...I was about to mention Galen!
2006-09-18 16:29:58 · update #1
Well said.
I think the God of the Hebrew Bible is clearly just a myth. But I'm agnostic with respect to whether there is a "god" who created the universe. I've wondered to myself at times why more theists aren't willing to use modern philosphy and logical reasoning to define a more logical framework for belief in a higher power. We would be a lot better off if we could throw out the ancient texts that are holdling societies back to the world view of fearful desert nomads of three thousand years ago.
2006-09-18 16:28:34 · answer #1 · answered by Jim L 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋
A better question might be whether you would choose medicine that is based on 2000 years of history or medicine made up today with little or no history behind it. Christianity has 2000 years of history behind it, with many billions of people, both good and bad, a part of that long history over the years.
Much of the Bible followed by Christians (the New Testament) is still applicable today. By similar measure, how much of the science (or the medicine) of just a hundred years ago is still applicable today?
Over the centuries, contrary to popular rhetoric today, the two were not that opposed to each other - science has benefited from the church, just as the church has benefited from science.
2006-09-18 16:52:47 · answer #2 · answered by Dwight S 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
1. People feel safe in their belief of God...gives them a sense that they will have a nice after-life.
2. Churches are very organized, and run off of a business model, even two thousand years ago. Of course, a church that doesn't bring in money won't last. To accomplish the task of bringing in money, churches must grow in membership...the more members, the more power the church will yield. Sometimes churches are very aggressive in doing so. An example is the very youthful endeavor of mormonism. These people have only been around for a hundred years or so, but are very forceful when it comes to promoting the church, keeping members, and recruiting new members. They are also ruthless with the tithe. Fifteen percent or you have your privileges removed!
3. I think all people will choose current medical practices! Science isn't thrown out by church people.
4. While I don't believe in God, is there room for God in the theorems that govern the physical world? I don't know. It has neither been proved or disproved.
2006-09-18 16:28:59 · answer #3 · answered by powhound 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I am not stuck in the past. The Bible does not force me to do anything. Nor does God. The Bible speaks to all ages [times, eras] about how we should live our lives. The Bible's message is timeless. Why should how we live our lives change just because of the advances in modern science? How we treat people, loving them as Christ loves us, should be the same now as it was 2,000 years ago. Just taking something as basic as the 10 commandments. They are just as relevant today as they were when God gave them to Moses about 4,000 years ago. Jesus Christ's Golden Rule is also just as relevant ... Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. I embrace the Bible. It is alive! God's Word lives in all believers. I pray that you will embrace it and invite Jesus into your life before it's too late. God bless!
2006-09-18 16:57:08 · answer #4 · answered by celticwoman777 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, I find it rather helpful to believe in things such as air, sex, food, and so forth that people have believed in for milenia.
If you will check, Galen and so forth from those 2000 years ago is the basis of your doctor today. In point of fact, every doctor today is a doctor of/from/because of 2000 years ago.
2006-09-18 16:21:14 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
There's a lot of area to cover to fully and properly answer this question but I'll give you the short and sweet of how I see it.
"God" is an abstract concept. It is imposable to, scientifically prove or disprove his/her/it's existence.
Most people, to be 'normal' ‘sane’ people need to feel like they have some grip on things. Believing there is a god/dess/es that have a hand in it and have some plan for each and every one of us gives them that 'security'.
Another reason we're still living with 1000's year old religions has to do with power. Those with power want to keep it and a large percentage of those without the power look to those with the power to be told what to do and what to believe. (most people are lazy, it's easyer to be told what to do than think for yourself)
There are some religions, Buddhism primarily comes to mind, that are still around because they have principals that are still relevant today and primarily teach peace, love, compassion. To a great extent all religions teach these concepts but often the powerful change the religion to give themselves more power or take power from others.
The final general religion that is still relevant is Paganism which is based around living with the seasons. It was, originally, a religion followed by farmers that let them understand when and how to take care of their crops. The other half of the religion is 'magic' which goes back to the earlier comments about 'god/dess/es'.
Hope this helps. I tried my best to keep my personal beliefs out of it.
2006-09-18 16:49:29 · answer #6 · answered by perchinawhitewinesauce 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Not only are people evolving but so is science itself. While science aims to explain and provide the answers to many of our questions it can not explain everything, and nor does it try to. While science aims to "prove occurrences and phenomena beyond reasonable doubt" it is still questionable, since many old scientific theories of the past have been disproven or altered. Therefore, in answer to your question, what "we" believe in is constantly changing and evolving based on the evidence which is continually being uncovered and challenged.
2006-09-18 16:27:29 · answer #7 · answered by wombatusium 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
True wisdom is being able to see the timeless truths in a piece from a different time period. such as ".... and so, these three things abide: faith, hope, and love, and the greatest of these is love." That never goes out of date, and the Bible is full of such things. it's unfortunate that most people don't realize that in order to appreciate the bible, you have to open it and read it. lots of people think bibles are for hitting each other over the head. Remain in light
2006-09-18 16:23:48 · answer #8 · answered by dimbulb52 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It is simple...Jesus is the Rock of ages....He is the living inherit word of God....one reason why it doesn't change is because you can't change him...Another example is...God said in Jeremiah 33:20-21
Thus saith the Lord; If ye can break my covenant of the day, and my covenant of the night, and that there should not be day and night in their season;
21. Then may also my covenant be broken with David my servant,
Jesus said in Matthew 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
The point being Gods word cannot be changed...and for good reason...It applies to them and it applies to us...WHY?...because the bible says God is the same yesterday, today and forever...He does not change..neither does his word
It was a finished Product from the beginning..and in the mind of almighty God was not tampered with changed or distorted.
If that were possible he would have wiped out all existance according to Matthew 5:18
Why are we still here??..because man could not change Gods word...
So ..you need to trust the eternal God...Why? because He knows us all from our beginning to our end ,..who better to trust then the one who created you....He is my doctor lawyer..mechanic,,.whatever I need he is...When Moses said to God "who do I say sent me"..God said tell them I AM...I Am...that I AM...menaing when you ask ...what do I need??...God says I Am...God bless
2006-09-18 16:32:53 · answer #9 · answered by soldier612 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
how are religions stuck in the past? there are scientists, doctors, teachers, students, millions of people around the world who practice religion AND science. your statement assumes that something that was done in the past is inherently inferior and not useful in the present. thats a flawed belief.
2006-09-18 16:22:17 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋