why do people quote the bible when arguing over the validity of religion?

Question

isnt the point of the debate over the truth of the religion? this would also include the bible. we all know that there is absolutely no proof that the bible is the words of god. it was written by humans that claim it so when someone is debating the truth of the religion why would you use the stories as proof?
thats like saying "this particular story that i just made up is absolutely true because this other story i made up says that all the stories i make up are true."

i dont think itsways the argument 1 inch when you quote something as truth that is the very topic of the debate.

very good answers so far, except for one i wanted to counter. Lankey90 "there is not a single part of the bible that contradicts the other."
are you kidding or being serious?

how about -Thou shall not kill- which seems to be the foundation of morality worldwide. then you have things like this:
"He who sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the Lord only, he shall be utterly destroyed." If this commandment is obeyed, then the four billion people who do not believe in the biblical god must be killed. 22:20

then you have the entirety of Leviticus and Deuteronomy that are like step by step guides to murder, genocide, and cruelty.

i think there is plenty of contradiction to be found.

Answer 1

When I was a fundy, I was taught that the actual words of the bible had a power. Hmm, like a force within the words themselves.

There were a couple of verses they used to back this up:
1. (Paraphrasing) The word of god is more powerful than a two-egded sword, able to tear asunder...
2. (Paraphrased) My word will not return to me void.

So they think that the words of the bible have a (if you will) magical power that their own words would not. That's why they use them.

Answer 2

Sometimes it's a necessity.

Jesus raised people from the dead with a touch of his hand.

In the last 50 years we developed CPR which uses selective touch to restore life in limited circumstances.

This is a valid point considering Jesus did this 2,000 years ago.

The fact found in the Bible helps to establish a reality based spirtuality.

One day science may figure out how to walk on water.

Do you think for one moment we won't CEASE that opportunity!

Do you think our ceasing it will be invalid for some reason.

Science gives a nodd to those who experimented or wrote of space flight, from the ancient Chinese who put skyrockets onto thrones to Jules Verne and HG Wells.

Well they should, these people were a type of prophet.

Remember some Scientists once said we'd be crushed if we travelled 60 MPH

A visionary is a visionary

Jesus once said we could all walk on water

One day that may be true

People will praise science but not Jesus for that event!

That is wrong

Science may find the way, but Jesus told us the truth centuries before science may find a way

The Bible is about the way and the truth

It is UP to US to discover what all this means and then do something with it.

Answer 3

You are right in saying that (paraphr.) "the first story I made up confirms the second" is nonsensical. However, this is not relevant. The books of the Bible are not from a single document. They have been collected over about 1,500 years by unrelated people from vastly distant regions. The prophecies contained confirm one another, primarily around the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Also, the stories and morality contained in it, convey the ultimate, and noblest ideals the human spirit could hope to reflect. There is no source of guidance which can so completely describe the fullness of meaning and substance God has planned for you. It is this law which we are to follow; ironically, this is impossible without the life of Jesus Christ guiding and empowering us. This is not demeaning, but, really a love relationship between our Creator and ourselves - for those who will have a faith in Jesus.
I hope this helps.

Answer 4

The Bible is as legitimate a historical document as anything else from that time period. The experiences of Moses, who wrote the first 5 books of the Old Testament, with God were significant enough, that it created a religion. The Jews were incredible accurate record keepers. That has been proven. In 2nd Timothy, there is a scripture which states, "all scripture is given by inspiration of God". Which means it isn't directly from God to paper. God spoke to the authors of the Bible over hundreds of years giving promises and fulfilling them. The words were written by devout followers.

People wrote "stories" about the life of Julius Caesar yet no one doubts he existed or that he was who the stories say he was. It is really no different with Jesus. Only those whose non-belief is threatened by the possibility that everything in the Bible about Him is true have a problem with it.

Ponder this, if there really is a God, don't you think he's powerful enough to make sure what He wants us to know ends up in His book? He guides and directs those who are devout and ask for His guidance. Most people in the world today do not hear the voice of God because they are unwilling to humble themselves and their lives enough to do so. Then, they ask for proof. Sorry, doesn't work that way. It works God's way and until someone takes the journey to find that out, they will never understand.

Answer 5

I agree... Yet , WHY? Because those of us who are believers in The word of God (written by his apostles over a span of hundreds of years and glorifying the facts which can be supported) know what power is contained within...
Our goal in life is to lead people to the word and truth. So that everyone will know the route of eternal salvation !
Though, I understand the complexity of your question, I must say, what more can one do ? Proof is what YOU believe and make of it..... Just like the metaphor of Seeing is believing... You must first see that the tree has roots before you know how it is growing.. The word of the Bible is an extension of the tree, and we are like the branches.... The word we spread like the leaves that are spread across the land... The thought must be implemented so the truth will be told and known to all! This is God's will.

Answer 6

I hope you mean on a message board or something. This is no place to discuss much. I think that this site is just for little blurbs of opinion and truth, if truth can be had!

But some of us Christians are not as good at applying scripture as others might be to the subject at hand.

As far as the Bible goes, the claim is that it was inspired by God, and some would say inerrant ( I would disagree) , and I would agree that it was inspired by God to be an example for us to understand.

I can explain why I think that without using scripture, but I wouldn't want scripture to be counted out as I can pull examples of how it illustrates God's control or foresightedness of history. Disregarding all examples of that would make the Christian perspective thin and only of unreferenced opinion.

Answer 7

Christianity is a highly structure system of controls and dogma. It is to keep the sheeple (sheep+ people) under control and following the line dictated by select few. Independent though is a wrong thing for a christian. They are not learn about other faiths or think of other interpretations of the bible. I think of a speech by Winston Churchill talking about dictators. " You see these dictators on their pedestals surrounded by their soldiers and the dungeons of their police. But yet in their heart , there is unspoken un speakable fear. They are afraid of words and of thoughts. Words spoken abroad and thoughts stirring at home. A little mouse, a little mouse of thought enters the room, and even the most potent dictator is thrown into utter fear." SO there thought process is based purely around the bible. They can't help it they are trained in that manner.

Answer 8

How can you explain that the bible has over 40 authors(not books, authors) and there is not a single part of the bible that contradicts the other. I mean every prophacy has came true so far so that would prove that it is without error.

Answer 9

There is no other standard a truth. What else do you quote when the question is about it's validity? Especially when there is nothing to refute it's teachings. Do you want to debate mans goodness? Mans intelligence? Both are looking pretty poor these days, wouldn't you say? Science is all over the place. Scientists don't even know what their colleague's are saying from day to day. No truth there. Stick to the standard that has lasted thousands of years.

Answer 10

Do you believe that George Washington did ever exited? If yes, than what makes you so sure? Where you there with him? Did you talked to him? Can you prove his existence? How can you be so sure that what ever was written about George Washington is not a myth. Maybe some one made up a story of our first president and started painting pictures and writing stories...