Are the ten Commandments a metaphor or not to be taken literally . Can you have it both ways when it suits you

Question

I get accused all the time when I quote the bible that it does not mean that at all .
Like Falwell said homosexuals should be killed .
He quotes the bible and it does actually say to stone them to death as well as those committing adultery or breaking the Sabbaths no work restrictions .

So what is it we can use from the bible and whats just a story .

I like the" thou shalt not kill " and I say to all of Bush's supporters that they are compliciate in the killing of others and can not be good christians .
Unless thou shalt not kill is not what he meant . That you can kill if you are doing it in his name for a just cause .

This would mean the terrorist are correct in killing the none believers . That they in fact have it right and because they believe are the ultimate followers and faithful of their God .

The problem then comes in which religion is the right one and what is the real truth .

So tell me why Mormons are misguided then and your God is the right one .

Answer 1

Only in self defense, whether an individual or a family or a nation.

Answer 2

The Ten Commandments are basic natural law. You take things out of context. You see the Bible was written over 2000 yrs ago. It also says to obey the laws of the land. I don't think you can stone anyone to death in the US. I'll have to check on that, but I think stoning even gays is illegal in the US. You could burn people at the stake less than 200yrs ago though.
God himself killed what are you talking about? He told Lot not to look back when he personally wiped Sodom and Gamorah off the map. He lead Joshua to destroy Jerico. I think the problem you are having is transforming the words of thousands of years ago into todays philosophies. That takes faith, which you lack. Do you believe in Global Warming?

Answer 3

What's your question?

FYI in Ex 20:13 Thou shalt not kill... the Hebrew word is ratsach meaning murder. Sooo Thou Shalt Not Murder. Anyone reading the Old Testament will see that there were lots and lots of wars that God himself told them to fight. To drive out the enemy. So no you can't pick and choose.

Answer 4

The bible is full of contradictions. Thou shalt not kill--then a thousand other passages where it's ok. The old testament is a translation of Jewish law and applies only to them --if you want to get technical. It seems the current religious climate(s) want to have it all ways. Claiming that the bible (or other holy book) is both literal and figurative. Claiming that such and such passage refers to [fill-in-the-blank] current affair. I agree that you can't have it both ways. But then again trying to reason with someone who worships a holy trinity and still claims it's monotheism or claims an invisible being talks to them is kind of pointless venture to begin with.


Amazing how they split hairs over thou shalt not 'murder' or 'kill'. But are sure that Leviticus can't be taken any other way....what a joke.

Answer 5

The Bible is a book of opinions and it was originally created to teach morals.

I think a lot of Jesus's miracles were exaggerated, to have more effect on the reader. But I have no doubt there was a man who did things that people at the time would think could not be humanly possible.

Answer 6

the more accurate translation for 'thou shall not kill' is a word that means 'murder'.

religion is meant to give comfort and hope to people IMO but those who pervert it to make their interruption and views the only 'truth' are the terrorists who kill people who disagree with them. it has nothing to do with religion, it is about power and dominance.

Answer 7

Yes and No. The contents of the commandments should be taken in metaphorical terms, but maybe you should ask a Theologian this question

Answer 8

you seem pretty angry about gods laws. The 10 commandments are pretty self explanatory, most passages in the traditional bible are.

Oh and your god's law blast of thou shall not kill, but you can't have it one way, America is evil. Dude, almost everyday your on here spitting anti-Bush, Anti-American crap. Here's a news flash for you, if you DON'T like it here then LEAVE, Go life in the Middle East (I have been there many times as a former soldier, everyday of your life you should thank god for being born in America)and see if you have the same rights and privileges there, you have here!!! But we both know you, ain't got the stones to do it!! and remember if it wasn't for THE USA in World war 11, aiding our Allias, ad a bad tactical move by Hitler in Russia, we would all be speaking German and living UNDER A TRUE DICTATORSHIP.

1.Was it ok for terrorists to kill 19 Airman and wound 300 in 96 at Khobar Towers?

2. Was it ok for Terrorists to blow up 2 U.S. Embassy bases in Africa in 98?

3. Was it ok for terrorists to blow a hole in the U.S.S. Cole of the coast of yeman in 2000?

4. Was it ok for terrorists to kill 3,000 Americans on 9-11?

Here's another one for ya
During the Saddam's time as Dictator of Iraq, he did the following,

Was it ok ot Invade His Neighbor we call that The Gulf war?

Was it ok to Gass his own People, with mustard gas?

Was it ok to Strave and Brutally ruled his people with terror?

Was it ok to VIOLATE 17 U.N. LAWS FOR 17 YEARS?

Was it ok to Refuse U.N. WEAPONS INspectors to do there job?

Was it ok to Bomb Saddam in 98 by Clinton with the same intell Bush and CONGRESS HAD TO INVADE?

Was it ok savagely beat and killed who ever opposed him?

Was it ok to HARBOR TERRORISTS CAMPS AND WAS A STATE SPONSOR OF TERRORISM OF THE WEST?

Was it ok that he Had a plot to Kill George Bush our President?

Yeah we should have let Saddam stay in power he was a GREAT GUY, glad he is dead, and most sane people are.

Answer 9

I think of them more as guidelines to help one live a better life.

Answer 10

Jesus sumed it up best "let those without sin cast the first stone"