2007-08-10 13:37:35 · 15 answers · asked by Desiree 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Historically it is most often used as a tool of oppression.
2007-08-10 13:49:43 · answer #1 · answered by Shawn B 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depends on who you ask.
The Bible has been used to justify everything from keeping women "barefoot and pregnant" to slavery to discriminating against homosexuals.
If I was a woman, an african american or a homosexual, I'd say that the bible is a tool of oppression. If I were a believer, I'd say the Bible is a tool of enlightenment.
2007-08-10 20:44:30 · answer #2 · answered by Adam G 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both. It's pretty obvious that it's been used for oppression. But it's also the basis for The Enlightenment, in a way. It was the Biblical worldview, as interpreted by thinkers like St. Augustine, that gave Western society it's unique individualism. People in other societies, historically, just haven't been looked at as individuals the way they are in western society; it's much more group-oriented. That seed of individualism when divorced from it's dogmatic roots became secular humanism... voila! Enlightenment. All of our democratic values stem from that.
Peace to you.
2007-08-10 20:47:44 · answer #3 · answered by dreamed1 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Bible is a spiritual book meant to be spiritually discerned by spirit-filled men and women.
In other words, without the Spirit the Bible may be improperly used and interpreted by evil people with insincere motives.
But with the Spirit? With the Spirit, the Bible is the holy, living, active Word of God. The Bible is peace and comfort, hope and promise, joy everlasting and salvation eternal.
Nothing else like it, my friend.
I pray one day you may know this too.
2007-08-10 21:24:12 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both. It enlightens those who know better by showing how easy it is to be oppressed by it.
2007-08-10 20:44:56 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If it is a tool at all, a great deal depends upon the user. A hammer can be used for demolition or construction.
2007-08-10 20:42:50 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
It is a tool of redemption, but it has been used and abused for the purposes you cite.
2007-08-10 21:11:32 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous Lutheran 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Enlightenment to the one that is saved and going to heaven . Oppression to the one that wants to follow Satan.
2007-08-10 20:42:58 · answer #8 · answered by CJ 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It all depends upon who is using it. It can be used for both purposes but woe to the one who would use God's Word in service to Satan!
2007-08-10 21:19:14 · answer #9 · answered by Martin S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on who's using it. Though historically it seems to be mostly the latter.
2007-08-10 23:07:18 · answer #10 · answered by au_catboy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋