My only objective in stirring the pot is that I want others to believe because they feel it, not because the read it. Jesus gave us an example and only wanted people to be good to other people - THAT IS ALL HE ASKED OF US!!!! Why is there so much focus on literal translation of the bible? Why can't you just be non-judgemental, forgiving, and helpful to others? Think about the message we are given, and not so much the 1200 pages of text that you think will save your soul. It won't.
2007-11-08 17:19:06 · 24 answers · asked by coach 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I have heard that we should question all things and consider if they are true including those things written in our religious books.
2007-11-08 17:24:43 · answer #1 · answered by nikola333 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you when you said "Why is there so much focus on literal translation of the bible? Why can't you just be non-judgmental, forgiving, and helpful to others?" indeed. However one must pose this question as well. Why must one believe in Jesus to be non-judgmental, forgiving, and helpful to others? The answer is that we don't have to. People do not have to believe in Jesus, Muhammad or Buddha to do these things. In all reality the first form of morals for society were written in Egyptian about 3000 years before Christ was even born. The same can be said minus a few years for any religious figure on the planet. As a human race we were on the way to elevate ourselves without the burden of God Worship. But i digress. The bottom line for me is that if you believe in what you believe in with all of your heart then what are you doing arguing if in reality you aren't just trying to be right all the time. Let it go...and be happy.
2007-11-09 01:27:47 · answer #2 · answered by Javier S 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
your arguement is flawed
1.You want people to believe what is true because they feel it to be true. Feeling are subjective and have no bearing on objective truth.
2.You are allowing for yourself, in your arguement, something which you are asking others to refrain from employing. The only way you could possibly know that all Jesus asked of us is to be good to others would be if someone told you that, either in writing or orally. Why should you have that benefit while others are denied from it? By the way, what is you means of reference for that belief, your feelings? That's not logical at all
3. Very few Christians would ever say that they place their hope for salvation in the words on a page. They place it in the salvific work of God. I do agree with you, however that there is a certain overindulgence in bibliolitry (idolitry of a book), especially when you factor in that Jesus established a Church rather than a book. The book (at least the N.T.)came second, and the canon of scripture was approved by Christ's Church.
4.Do you mean only that Christians might try to refrain from using the Scriptures as apologetic tools, or all religious works, such as that of Thomas Aquinas? You should specify.
5.Truth is reasonable, this is part of what makes something true. Therefore reason can be employed in the form of philosophy to defend the faith (this is called Fides et Ratio--faith and reason). this is not to say that everything natural and supernatural can be explained and put into tidy litttle boxes, only that it not contradict reason. therefore i myself would have a problem with the statement: "The bible is inspired because it says so in the bible" this is circular logic and does not stand up to philosophical reasoning. Thus the arguement can be proven false thru reason.
5. In his Summa Theologica, Thomas Aquinas fused pagan philosophy (aristotle) with Christianity almost seamlessly. In other words he used what the Greeks had perfected (the use of logic) and applied it to Christian Theology. Christian Theology passed this very high bar. He proved the existence of God through purely pagan philosophical means (and by proof we mean here logical or philosophical proof, not scientific proof, which only deals with the material world, God somewhat superceding that).
6. You are predisposed to make a judgement that we are all judgemental, which would define (note that i do not Judge, or pass a sentence of punishment upon you) you as a hypocrite, once again asking others to be held to standards higher that you yourself are willing to be held to.
7. You should first have defined what you mean by "literal", in regards to the interpretation of the bible. Not all Christians hold to an "every word taken at face value" approach to the Scriptures. There are many accepted means of interpretation which uphold the Divine Authorship of the scriptures while rejecting the "face value " approach. An example would be the Historical Critical Method.
8. Thanks, this was fun
2007-11-09 02:09:27 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being nice is a very good and proper thing. But, if just by being a nice person qualified a person to go to Heaven, then what do we need Jesus for? Why did Jesus die on the cross to forgive our sins if we could get to Heaven because we're nice/good people? A person can be a nice and good person all while cheating on their spouse, using drugs, and into child pornography. That same person might give money to the cancer fund, give blood at blood drives, and help an old person that lives down the street. Those are all good, proper, and nice things, so should God be like "yeah, those are good things, I'll forget about the child porn, dope, and cheating on your spouse." That same person could be good and nice to his/her spouse when around them but are they really being a good person? The Roman soldiers that mocked Jesus and nailed Him to the cross might have actually been nice people, but they were good people doing wrongful, bad things. The 1200 pages tell us a lot. They tell us more than being good people. Good doesn't get us to Heaven. Jesus, salvation through Jesus, forgiveness of sins is what gets us to Heaven. One sin is one too many. We all sin many many times every day. We might be good people but we are still all sinners. Those sins should be admitted, repented of, and forgiven Being good cant do all of that. Jesus can and that's why we need Him.
2007-11-09 01:49:27 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If there is a text in existence, you have to look at the whole thing in its entirety. You can't just quote and follow parts of a religion that suits you to follow!
Granted, people do sometimes quote things too literally without trying to understand the meaning, but if you want to be a true follower of a religion then you must fully understand it, and be prepared to defend any aspect of it!
2007-11-09 01:31:47 · answer #5 · answered by F R 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a child I was taught the religious text. It gave me a guide to live by. I do my best to live the best I can by these guidelines, but I'm with you. I can't stand these people who break all the rules and then sanctimoniously cram their quotes down the throat of any victim they can bully into listening. Having said this I am still grateful that I have something to live by and without the texts I wouldn't.
2007-11-09 01:29:16 · answer #6 · answered by Rudolph'sGrandma 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Lol! i believe general populous would refer to stories of folklore (ex: Hesops Fables) and stories that teach morality,
this would possibly be the defense simply missplaced towards another object.
Another conclusion would be because so many people believe in this particular religion then it must be right...
Birds of a feather flock together , and ignorance is bliss..
2007-11-09 01:26:02 · answer #7 · answered by Curiosity Rules! 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
How do you know it won't? I would rather believe in those 1200 pages from God than believe you. Who are you? You like to stir the pot simply because you can.
2007-11-09 01:24:49 · answer #8 · answered by onyx1 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't use any religious text to defend my faith. I don't necessarily think that makes me stronger in my faith...just different. My faith is based entirely on my own personal experience...what I "know" to be my own truth. My religion isn't bible-based, so I HAVE TO know in my heart that my path is the right one for me, without any *ahem* "evidence". Besides, I don't need to worry about defending my religion. I fully support everyone else's choices, and I believe, to the very bottom of my soul, that your beliefs are just as right for you as mine are for me. I have no desire to change your beliefs.
2007-11-09 01:26:53 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What's really your question? If you really believe that Jesus gave us an example: Are you following it? The way you're talking tells me that I'm judgmental, unforgiving and unhelpful. Is that what you call non-judgmental?
2007-11-09 01:38:46 · answer #10 · answered by bLaNe 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know how to answer that. But the Bible guides us through life once we're a christian..it teaches us about Christ. If we love Christ and we're living for him then we want to know about him, what better why to do that than reading the Holy Word..? You cant get to Heaven by your good deeds.
2007-11-09 01:23:45 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋