Something I don't think people question enough is what the deal is with the people who put the current bible together, leaving out certain text that were written at the same time as the ones allowed in the New Testament. Leaving out books about very important events of the era but leaving in Revelations; a book with an unknown author about outlandish forecasts. Were they left out to satisfy goals of the church or for other reasons? It seems a bit unethical to not fully represent all of the writers of the time but who am I to judge. Your opinions on the matter would be greatly appreciated.

__________________
What was the best thing before sliced bread?
-George Carlin

Anger and intolerance are the enemies of correct understanding.
-Gandhi

All religions, arts and sciences are branches of the same tree.
-Albert Einstein

I think it was an effort to consolidate Christianity under some uniform code but flawed and more destructive than constructive. They pieced together something that they found a bit easier to defend or explain at the time but did a great disservice by ordering "unapproved" writings destroyed.
The left in the part about the truth setting you free. They should have read that part a couple more times.

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"Some men eventually stumble over the truth but they usually pick themselves up and walk on as if nothing ever happened."
-Winston Churchill

"But though there is no difference in this respect between the best demagogue and the worst, both of them having to present their cases equally in terms of melodrama, there is all the difference in the world between the statesman who is humbugging the people into allowing him to do the will of God, in whatever disguise it may come to him, and one who is humbugging them into furthering his personal ambition and the commercial interests of the plutocrats who own the newspapers and support him on reciprocal terms."
-George Bernard Shaw

I agree, I mean if there is an afterlife I bet Mary Magdeline and Judas are pretty mad ya know. Burning those text was kind of overkill to me. But then again they took religion a lot more serious than most people do today. I just think it would be so much better if all the texts were readily available now so people could draw their own conclusions about the stories. Might could have saved a lot of lives over time.

__________________
What was the best thing before sliced bread?
-George Carlin

Anger and intolerance are the enemies of correct understanding.
-Gandhi

All religions, arts and sciences are branches of the same tree.
-Albert Einstein

Well the Church "officials" were pretty damn uppity at the time and twisted religion to suit their politics imho. Lots of weird crap that went on that the Christians today would not tolerate. Too bad about the burning of the library at Alexandria also. What a gold mine of knowlege !

__________________
"Some men eventually stumble over the truth but they usually pick themselves up and walk on as if nothing ever happened."
-Winston Churchill

"But though there is no difference in this respect between the best demagogue and the worst, both of them having to present their cases equally in terms of melodrama, there is all the difference in the world between the statesman who is humbugging the people into allowing him to do the will of God, in whatever disguise it may come to him, and one who is humbugging them into furthering his personal ambition and the commercial interests of the plutocrats who own the newspapers and support him on reciprocal terms."
-George Bernard Shaw

It bothers me that modern Christians don't question things like this. They put their faith in what other men centuries ago have told them to. Men who had never even met Jesus. It's not their fault for believing what they do but I do wish they would be a little more curious. All in all though, they aren't hurting anyone, nowadays.

__________________
What was the best thing before sliced bread?
-George Carlin

Anger and intolerance are the enemies of correct understanding.
-Gandhi

All religions, arts and sciences are branches of the same tree.
-Albert Einstein

I talk with a lot who have the courage to question old interpretations and share new insights. I'd be a bit wary to underestimate the depth of some Christian's beliefs.

__________________
"Some men eventually stumble over the truth but they usually pick themselves up and walk on as if nothing ever happened."
-Winston Churchill

"But though there is no difference in this respect between the best demagogue and the worst, both of them having to present their cases equally in terms of melodrama, there is all the difference in the world between the statesman who is humbugging the people into allowing him to do the will of God, in whatever disguise it may come to him, and one who is humbugging them into furthering his personal ambition and the commercial interests of the plutocrats who own the newspapers and support him on reciprocal terms."
-George Bernard Shaw

Maybe it's just my area, but everyone around here that goes to church, especially the older ones, are happy just following whatever their preacher says is in the bible.

__________________
What was the best thing before sliced bread?
-George Carlin

Anger and intolerance are the enemies of correct understanding.
-Gandhi

All religions, arts and sciences are branches of the same tree.
-Albert Einstein

Well, as long at they aren't hurting anyone, and they are happy, then more power to them!

__________________
Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.
~Voltaire

Yes, I agree, i just don't understand why they wouldn't want to know more history of their own chosen religion.

__________________
What was the best thing before sliced bread?
-George Carlin

Anger and intolerance are the enemies of correct understanding.
-Gandhi

All religions, arts and sciences are branches of the same tree.
-Albert Einstein

fear ? Who knows ?

__________________
"Some men eventually stumble over the truth but they usually pick themselves up and walk on as if nothing ever happened."
-Winston Churchill

"But though there is no difference in this respect between the best demagogue and the worst, both of them having to present their cases equally in terms of melodrama, there is all the difference in the world between the statesman who is humbugging the people into allowing him to do the will of God, in whatever disguise it may come to him, and one who is humbugging them into furthering his personal ambition and the commercial interests of the plutocrats who own the newspapers and support him on reciprocal terms."
-George Bernard Shaw

Well, you did say they were mainly "older" people.

I think younger people do question more. Someone can believe in God, yet not take the bible literally.

Many Christens believe in gay rights and are pro-choice, are non-judgemental and want to make the world a better place.

Religion is so subjective, and you don't have to go to a church to worship God.

__________________
Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.
~Voltaire

Where does the future lie for the Bible then? If it continually gets debunked, do you think we are going to see a move to a new type of worship. Like when humans moved from pagan worship to monotheistic religion to worshiping figures like Jesus, Mary, Muhammed, etc.

__________________
What was the best thing before sliced bread?
-George Carlin

Anger and intolerance are the enemies of correct understanding.
-Gandhi

All religions, arts and sciences are branches of the same tree.
-Albert Einstein

Well, humans will always worship some kind of higher spirit.

Different religions will always exsist, until there are no more humans left on Earth.

I like this quote:


"I believe in God, but not as one thing, not as an old man in the sky. I believe that what people call God is something in all of us. I believe that what Jesus and Mohammed and Buddha and all the rest said was right. It's just that the translations have gone wrong."

~John Lennon

__________________
Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.
~Voltaire

many have no true understanding of the Word of God. In a culture that tells people its ok to do whatever you want as long as it doesn't hurt anyone, the search for true understanding of what the Bible is saying becomes lost and irrelevant. Thats why alot of people like to call people like the Bass a zealot and fundie. The Word of God never changes, its endures forever, but man does change.

Sorry but *REAL* Christians do not believe in gay rights[such as gay marriage and the belief that homosexuality in natural and that God accepts it] and abortion.

So you are saying someone who has accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior can't believe in gay rights and so that makes them non-Christians?

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

__________________
Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.
~Voltaire