Have you read this and what is your opinion?

Question

I'm currently reading "Letter to a Christian Nation" by Sam Harris and I find it very interesting. Especially this quote from the Bible which the author uses in his defense and argument for atheism: "Slaves, be odient to those who are your earthly masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of heart, as to Christ..." ( Ephesians 6:5) There are other quotes, some more concerning slavery, some about a man selling his daughter into slavery to "please her master" (Exodus 21:7-11). what do you make of this? Do you think that people take what they want from the Bible and leave the rest?

Answer 1

One of the best books I have read recently. And it's a quick read too. Sam Harris brings up a lot of good points. I believe that people pick and choose the parts that work for them.

Like they always love to quote the verse about man not laying with another man. But they never want to quote the one about stoning disobedient children in the street.

Answer 2

So what is your question? Are you asking about slavery?
As far as what we take from the Bible, we accept it all. The trouble with most people is that they have their own ideas of what is right or wrong depending on their culture and upbringing
remember the western world has come out of a terrible abusive slavery situation and that has certainly given us a bad taste towards slavery. However remember it is the terrible abuse that we oppose. Slavery in Bible days was instituted by God and was not abusive. It dealt with many of the social issues of that day. It was the way a poor person could make a living. It was the way they handled what we call bankruptcy today. It gave a means for those in debt to get out of debt. It was a way of dealing with POW's without putting them in prison camps. It was done humanely and only lasted 7 years. At the end of that time they were set free. Abuse was not tolerated and many slaves when the 7 years were up elected to stay on for the rest of their lives. Just because you have the mentality towards slavery that you have does not mean that it is wrong in all circumstances.

Answer 3

Some take what they want and leave the rest, while others come up with (sometimes outlandish) explanations for why a particular passage is in the Bible, and excuse or justify a particular verse. Most stories in the Bible are symbolic and should not be taken literally. Either way, because you don't believe in or relate to one particular holy book, this is not necessarily an argument for atheism.

Answer 4

The bible is written as such. It is a compilation of a bunch of people's opinion on one subject hence it can only be interpreted that way.

An example:

I can say to you that my mother is a sweet raving lunatic. Now take for example my sister says my mother is a sweet lady who is crazy. Same description of mom, but depending on who you are talking to it can be interpreted many ways.

Mom is either a phycopath or she is a humerous person. Each person will tell the story differently. Futhermore each person will take it the way they want and leave the rest.

To prove the point, the fact that she is my mom was never in the interpretation, only the fact that she is either crazy or funny, what about being mom, when does that fit in the equation, only because I made note of it otherwise it was lost in the translation.

Answer 5

This was the real situation back then but many don't study it all but pick a verse or so out of context. It was lawful for one who was in debt to offer to become a slave to pay it off. It was more like a servant than what we think of with slavery. Plus they had a law that every 7 years the slaves were to be set free plus given provisions to be able to start new again. Remember the world was much different 2,000 years ago.

Answer 6

Just so you understand,.....That Scripture was about Christian slaves, those who converted to Christ while in the system of slavery....

It doesn't condone slavery ay all.....

You will find that Christianity is about personal responsibility no matter what your circumstances in life....
Even in ones position as a slave a man has a responsibility as a Christian to be obedient to his master....just a s one today would be obedient to an employer.

Answer 7

Yes, and that's a good thing, while I'd rather no one follow such a twisted book, at least many people don't take the tirades of the bible literally.

Many never read the Bible, which again, is probably a good thing :O

Answer 8

yes, there are way too many religions and people who only take what they want from the Bible and leave the rest because it doesn't suit them and the life that they want. it's sad because then others get misled when they read what these people say. the right ideas do not come across when you take just bits and pieces from the Bible and you don't put all the pieces together.

Answer 9

To have a non-Christian try to interpret the Bible can be likened to having a 5 year old explain Quantum Physics. It's impossible.

Answer 10

Sadly yes they do! They go against the very grain of what scriptures say. If people understood the sole reason why Christ came to earth in the first place... they would then start to understand what the Bible is all about. People are human first... that's how their minds operate. Many see the sins of others, but blinded at their own sin.

A passage comes to me... its about don't remove the splinter from your brethens eye until you remove the boulder from your own. (paraphased) Here is the actual passage: Matthew 7:3 "And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?"

To many out here think they are more righteous then any other human living. They only kid them selves!!!!

The Old Testament ways are not the ways we are to live today. Oh you will have some say that we have tossed the Old Testament to the curb. But, until they understand the reasoning of Christ Jesus coming, will they learn how we are to take the Word of God.

We are NOT under the Law of Moses any more. We would be if Jesus Christ in fact never came to earth. He came not to condemn the world but to save the world. He brought in the New Covenant (Testament).

The Jewish people live under the Law of Moses still today, because the majority of them are still awaiting the arrival of their Messiah. They don't see that their Messiah in fact had come. They assisted in His killing... it was just not on the hands of the Romans that day. The blood of Christ was on both Jew and Greek (Gentiles).

Too many extract from scriptures what fits in their way of living. Believers as well as non believers!!!

The flaw in Jehovah Witnesses they don't believe Jesus is truly God in the flesh.. they don't believe and be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They have some good points, but the bad over weigh the good.