I am non-religous and I would not mind believing in something but so much of The Bible just seems ridiculous to me. Noah's Ark for example... I mean come on.
2007-12-10 21:25:19 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The fact that you are "non-religious" is a great start. Stay that way!!! Ask God to reveal to you the meaning of scripture and how you should interpret His word as you read and study.
2007-12-10 21:37:20 · answer #1 · answered by Halfadan 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should NOT _blindly_ believe everything you read. You have to study and understand it. Eg. if you take the KJV literally, then you believe that hell existed in the old testament. Read the NIV and nearly any other bible translation (or better yet the original Jewish bible) and you'll see there's NO mention of eternal hell in the old testament at all. The original text always just called it the grave/the pit. This is only one point in which you should not believe in what the KJV bible or others say on particular points.
What you call 'ridiculous' could very well mean you're right, but your 'disagreement' with the bible may very well be agreeing with God's intended word in the first place.
Everyone told me a hell of eternal tormenting was the consequence for not believing in God and for me calling it a sadistic act incompatable with God's loving nature (which was why i stopped believing in God, but later came to believe again once I realised not everyone is right, even when they are the majority).
Stay inquisitive and don't blindly believe anyone. Keep an open mind, thinking sincerely and humbly, and the answer may come to you.
2007-12-10 22:40:16 · answer #2 · answered by grassfell 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Religion is your relationship with a higher power. The Bible is a power text and can seem a bit off kilter but remember it's the message not the madness that makes the bible such a amazing book. It is only logical to assume that in the many translations of the book that the literal content could have been corrupted.
The bible seems to have a solid defense against that - with four separate testaments to Jesus - the Four Gospels for example often compliment and support each other. In other places they have compelling differences. I personally believe that the Bible has been altered by time and translation. Given the religious connection to the state it is only logical that a powerful enough king could alter text (cough cough... King James?)
Conclusion: There is a reason they call it faith. It's a magic tool that only you will find for yourself. The bible is a great guide. Enjoy the read, but don't go takin' it too literal.
2007-12-10 21:36:35 · answer #3 · answered by PopeFred 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
start from the basics. We are all basically bent on doing things we shouldnt do. We lie, we steal, we cheat, we lust, we envy, etc etc, all these things lead to death because the law must be fulfilled. The wages of sin is death. But, God made a way for us to be reconciled to Him. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. So Jesus came and paid the penalty for all who would believe in Him. He died for all, but not all accept, and that is their choice. Once we are born again, the Holy Spirit is then placed in us to help us grow spiritually and to learn the truth.
The stuff you dont understand right now, I would not worry about it. Believe in Christ, repent, be baptized in the name of Jesus, receive the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth.
When you think you hear the Holy Spirit, He will never lie to you, and you can check out what He says by looking in the bible, if what the Spirit says is true, it will always line up with what the bible says.
Use the bible as the standard to measure everything else by.
Ask God to lead you to a bible believing church, not a purpose driven church(emergent), they are not biblical, they are for a one world religion, one world government.
You can also go here: http://www.raptureready.com/ visit their bulletin board. You will have to register, but it is free.
As far as Noah's Ark and the flood, there is geological evidence of a flood all over the earth and it is believed that the ark has been found as well. The bible has never been proven wrong.
if you want to think about laws, there are only 2 that we have to even think about. One is Love the Lord with all your heart, mind and soul, and the second one is Love your neighbor as yourself. If we just do these 2 things, most everything else will fall into place.
Most of all, we really just have to believe in Jesus and believe that He is our Saviour, that he died and rose again and in His death, paid the penalty for all our sin.
By the way, I am not religious either. I just have a relationship with Jesus. That is what being a Christian is all about.
If you dont have a bible, I would suggest getting a NKJV. It leaves out the thees and thous and is still a pretty good translation. Will pray for you.
2007-12-10 21:44:23 · answer #4 · answered by Sherry 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The bible, especially the OT, are tales passed on from generation to generation until it was finally documented... translated from language to language and influenced by Kings and powerful ideals along the way.
No you can't take it text for text... but if you read the GOOD BOOK... you will feel the love. It is the message of loving ones neighbor and one's self that brings the true intent of Jesus Christ.
A Father's love for all his Children. Do on to others as you would have others do on to your self. Love, respect, loyalty.
Read it a section at a time... it is not easy to read straight through. There is a lot of good wisdom in this book. You have to believe in something.
Math would start off by saying everything is logical but the more you look at the odds, the only logical reason is intelligent design.
2007-12-10 21:36:30 · answer #5 · answered by nobodyspecial 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You know there is a lot of historical evidence to prove noahs ark. There is evidence in canyons and physical evidence of the boat. You know, a man decided to use the design of the ark to build a ship, and now a lot of ships use the exact ratio's as that used in the Bible.
As you read the Bible, it builds your faith because you see parrallels. you see how stories in the old testament help build your understanding of things in the new testament, like prophecy for example. There is a lot of prophecy in Daniel in the OT which helps give understanding to the prophecy of revelation in the NT. There is so much to discover which people have no idea about. Just give it a chance. You've got nothing to loose.
2007-12-10 21:34:45 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
It is Okay, you are doing fine, but if you find the Noah's Ark unacceptable, than just skip it. Read whatever you like and take whatever you like. That way we still have a chance to trap you and get 10% of your earnings.That is why there is so many books on the Bible, we know one would strike your heart or play with your emotion. As long as you read it, we are please.
2007-12-10 21:39:25 · answer #7 · answered by Kingdomchild07 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think you have to follow everything in the bible. The Old Testament has a lot to do with morals through vengeance but we all (should) know the difference between right and wrong and therefore, if you're not hurting anybody and living a good life, it's all good?
2007-12-10 21:31:59 · answer #8 · answered by da_been101 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Christian belief in God is not founded on "I would not mind".
There was a story in the Bible about the rich young man who came to Jesus and wanted to be a follower. Jesus told him to sell all he had, give it to the poor and then follow. The young man couldn't do it. You see, he too would not have minded becoming a Christian.
2007-12-10 21:44:55 · answer #9 · answered by Matthew T 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The bible isn't supposed to be taken literally. Jesus says in many places "I speak in parables..." The bible is a guide, you read it and think about the lessons they are trying to teach...in riddles. It's more a tool for morality than a step by step instruction book.
Another point I want to make is that the bible was written by man and translated over and over and over again. Man is fallible. Think of the telephone game where you whisper something in a persons ear and they whisper what you said into the next persons ear, etc. By the last person the message is very different. I know the Christians are going to give me many thumbs down for saying that, but I'm just being honest. And yes, I am Christian. Now, Christians who are sitting there saying that what I just said isn't very Christian I say to you it's not your place to judge me, it's God's place. It's not very Christian to judge me for stating an opinion. God doesn't want us to follow blindly, He wants us to think.
2007-12-10 21:33:15 · answer #10 · answered by serendipity 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋