Why should I be expected to show respect to your beliefs when your belieffs include direct attacks against me?
"A fool says in his heart, 'there is no god'" - the Christian holy book calls me a fool.
"Cast ye not your pearls before swine." - it calls me a pig too (no big deal now, but it used to be the worst possible insult at the time that BS was written).
Why then is it not fair for me to say I thinkthat book is complete nonsense written by madmen on drugs? Why must I show deference to a hateful bigoted piece of garbage like the Bible that explicitly singles ME out (me personally, not just my beliefs) for discrimination? Am I not within my rights to take the gloves off considering statements such as that within the Bible?
I have read the whole thing multiple times. These references are not out of context.
2006-10-20 19:27:40 · 16 answers · asked by lenny 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
If there is no Creator, then who created Spam? Maybe it was made during the "Big Bang". Hmmmm... I gotta look into this....
2006-10-22 10:18:33 · answer #1 · answered by Mr. Boof 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, the Bible insults me as well, with lines such as "Suffer not a Witch to live". What I've found though, is that many terms are actually misinterpreted. Not necessarily by the reader, but by those who interpret the Bible. For example: many of the words interpreted as homosexual are actually referring to temple prostitutes.
That doesn't make it better, but it does lend a bit of doubt as to what verses really mean.
Too, ancient Hebrew had no vowels. The words written in the scripture had to be finished by the readers and different vowels could cause dramatic differences in the meaning. Also, none of the original texts used any punctuation whatsoever. This includes the New Testament. Those translating the scriptures have to use their best judgement to determine what is the begining of a sentence, where a comma or other punctuation might go. What this means is that the Bible is a book translated by men who make their best guess as to what the original texts really mean.
Still, it is a sacred book honored by many. I'll admit that I don't like being called an abomination, swine or whatever. I'd rather criticize on fact and principle rather than resort to emotional rantings. First, it shows the world that even though the Christians can be bigots, cruel and under educated in sexuality, other religions and science, there are others that can fight fairly and with arguments based in fact as opposed to an unlikely translation of a cryptic ancient text (or group thereof).
It just seems to me that throwing slurs and epithets back at them only serves to diminish your stature. Take the high road and just prove them wrong. (Check out the web site of Isaac Bonewits. He gets tons of evil email from these people. I like his style.
2006-10-20 19:40:36 · answer #2 · answered by Deirdre H 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
The Bible provides built-in justifications for discrimination against people who are different, and against those who would question the faith. Why be surprised? In the world of the Christian Bible, ignorance is a virtue, xenophobia is idealized, and outright murder is okay as long as the targets are rival tribes.
In regards to the "fool" reference: Who is the greater fool? The one who asks the qurestions or the one who thinks he has all the answers in a book written by desert nomads in the Bronze Age?
2006-10-20 19:51:23 · answer #3 · answered by Scott M 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You have the right to openly mock it, yeah. Who's telling you that you don't?
The Bible is calling you a fool because you are a fool for disbelieving in God. The "pearls before swine" thing is not calling you a pig literally, but it is saying that people who speak the truth of salvation through the Son of God to those who are prideful and who mock truth is a fruitless enterprise--since swine see no value in pearls. Unbelievers see no value in faith. Same difference.
You are just angry that the Bible is calling a spade a spade. That's fine--be angry. Apparently it's still working for you in some way, providing some payoff, so enjoy it while it lasts, I guess.
But, again, you can do whatever you wish. Your rights are protected by the documents our country was built on.
You may have read the Bible numerous times, but you have not read it once.
2006-10-20 19:35:37 · answer #4 · answered by Gestalt 6 · 3⤊ 3⤋
Spamandham...
Your anger against the Bible is not justified. Due to such outbursts of emotional momeens, ISLAM IS GETTING A BAD NAME.
In the koran , are we Momeens not advised to act againt non Muslims.? Each religion treats itself as closest to God, & other religions as heresy.We must learn to forget, forgive & co-exist with others.
2006-10-20 19:34:52 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you have the right. I do agree. But I see some good in the text too. It's good and bad together.
2006-10-20 20:06:05 · answer #6 · answered by Heron By The Sea 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can mock my bible all you choose to, but I think the issue is more of a mutual respect. If someone is RESPECTFUL to you, but also happens to be a Christian , does that alone give you justification to disrespect them?
2006-10-20 19:39:40 · answer #7 · answered by magen n 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Get it on!
You have a short time to speak.
The world is about to end anyway.
Your choice which side your on.
I hope you fully understand the consequences of your actions!
Larry T
2006-10-20 19:40:56 · answer #8 · answered by Larry T 3 · 1⤊ 3⤋
it is like going to Church's Chicken and don't like the food, then may be you have some right to complain.
2006-10-20 19:45:36 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If Christians and our Christian Holy Book are so stupid, why do you keep talking to us? The Christian Holy Book is just telling you like it is.
2006-10-20 19:35:29 · answer #10 · answered by Red neck 7 · 2⤊ 3⤋