Before you dismiss the bible, you (seem like a person who) should trouble to come to a clear understanding of what the bible is. That requires at two things, almost certainly more, but these two at least: that you read it, and that you know how to read it. Consider a church with a good sized congregation - a thousand communicants. How many have read the bible? Not read from the bible or read some of or part of the bible, or listened to homilies in church, which is merely the practice of adopting excerpts for agendas that not biblical and that are with respect to the bible, outrageous. How many? I doubt five. Of the five, or if you like, fifty, how may have understood it as a whole? Not this book or that section or that story. How many? In my opinion you'd have to scour a dozen churches to find that individual, and he might not be the minister of any of them!I feel that strong contradictions completely undermine the bible and that it is hard to rescue truth from it because of this dilemma. — Andrew4Handel
I was brought up to believe that the Bible was infallible and True. Then as a young adult I discovered a website concerning numerous contradictions in the bible. — Andrew4Handel
"No man hath seen God at any time". John 1:18, 1 John 4:12
The Lord talked with you [the people of Israel] face to face in the mount out of the midst of the fire. Deuteronomy" 5:4 — Andrew4Handel
why should the bible be infallible?
is human understanding absolute? If not, how can anyone judge anything to be infallible?
does the bible need to be infallible to offer appreciable teachings?
what are you seeking in the bible?
how/what/who determines truth for you?
(From Kalama Sutta)Now, Kalamas, don’t go by reports, by legends, by traditions, by scripture, by logical conjecture, by inference, by analogies, by agreement through pondering views, by probability, or by the thought, ‘This contemplative is our teacher.’
When you know for yourselves that, ‘These qualities are skillful; these qualities are blameless; these qualities are praised by the wise; these qualities, when adopted & carried out, lead to welfare & to happiness’ — then you should enter & remain in them.
It does not need to be literally true, to be true to its purpose. — Rank Amateur
I was brought up to believe that the Bible was infallible and True. — Andrew4Handel
strong contradictions completely undermine the bible — Andrew4Handel
But if you want to build a case against the Bible (for whatever reason) you should come up with something more substantial and compelling than a few contradictions. — Bitter Crank
Like art. Typically entirely fictional, but often shining a useful light on truths about the human condition. — Jake
The problem is religion has been the source of atrocities as well as more positive things. If something is wrong and inspires cruelty then I think the problems need highlighting. — Andrew4Handel
So, you haven't read it? And I am pretty sure you do not understand it - as a whole book. Disagree? One or two simple sentences is all it takes to limn the overall theme of the bible, and if you've got it, you've got it!I spent my whole childhood having the bible read to me everyday for 17 years. — Andrew4Handel
And within here is a central insight, although many are old before they get it, and some never do. Logic is a tool. Logic is a tool, and that's all it is. And you will gain more of a feel for the significance of this if you also apply another tool to your three sentences: definition. Not definition as found in the dictionary or a textbook; those are usually good but not to the point I'm making. But rather you thinking through your own thinking so that you know as exactly as possible what it is you are exactly thinking about! What in your sentences and the thinking they represent does "true" and "truth" mean? What do they have to do with "contradiction"? What is the relation (in your thinking) between these and "truth in philosophy"? Untie these - or somehow cut them - and a lot of other knots will fall away loosed. Fail to do so and your words - this is harsh but true - will never be more than rant.Can something that contains contradictions be true and if so what does that mean?
If you have two statements that contradict each other how can you know which is true.
Exposing contradictions seems a tool for exploration and truth in philosophy. — Andrew4Handel
It is not a few contradictions it is numerous contradictions on key doctrines which make it totally incoherent. — Andrew4Handel
Should people be punished for the sins of their fathers? The Bible gives conflicting answers definitely Yes and definitely No. — Andrew4Handel
Should people be killed definitely yes and definitely no. — Andrew4Handel
Is salvation permanent? Both yes and No. — Andrew4Handel
Is marriage a good thing ? Yes or No — Andrew4Handel
Yes, some people will suffer the consequences of those they're associated with. Those who can avoid it, should and often do. It's all a part of being in situations and relations. — BrianW
I first have to ask you if we are going also going to be highlighting the mass slaughter of millions by explicitly atheist regimes in the 20th century. If yes, then I would accept your proposal as being a function of reason. If not, then I would define it as mere ideology. — Jake
This what the bible actually says in Exodus 20:5
" I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me." — Andrew4Handel
But then in Ezekiel 18;20 it claims:
"The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. " — Andrew4Handel
What I would be attacking hear is biblical literalism. — Andrew4Handel
No man hath seen God at any time". John 1:18, 1 John 4:12
The Lord talked with you [the people of Israel] face to face in the mount out of the midst of the fire. Deuteronomy" 5:4 — Andrew4Handel
As someone who grew up in a hell and damnation religious environment I am not happy to face years of threat and intimidation based on a highly suspect definitely incoherent and contradictory text. — Andrew4Handel
It can be difficult for dyed in the wool Christians to reject their religious system, but it can be done. — Bitter Crank
none of the above — Rank Amateur
This what the bible actually says in Exodus 20:5
" I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me." — Andrew4Handel
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