Rejecting the Bad Parts

[ding]

Birds obviously gather food, often storing it in their own sorts of "barns" for "rainy days." And good thing, else they and their offspring would no doubt (and do) starve just as humans do without food. So we are not actually any "better" or "more valuable than" them on this score nor any other. Unlike humans, Mother Nature doesn't actually play favorites.

Why the delay-materialism doctrine then? Know thy place. First bust your ass, then immediately give (a significant portion of) your hard won earnings to the church, the government, any owed rents, the establishment,.. in short, always pay your betters before taking care of your own. Point being, you are like dirt in the grand scheme of things. Don't get uppity or you'll not only suffer through this life, but your supposed "spirit" for eternity as well.

But that's still largely smoke and mirrors. The real trick is simply getting you accept that the religious establishment is one of your betters. The others are simply borrowed for comparison because the illusion works. Did the Romans suck? Does the Pope wear a funny hat? Well people keep bowing to them.. all that matters! If you support the religious establishment, then they never need worry about breaking a sweat or getting their hands dirty. Congrats on being played like a fiddle.

Some people actually believe the benefits of faith exceed the benefits of materialism on the journey to death.

Who is it that is trying to force you to believe anyway?

Some people actually believe the benefits of faith exceed the benefits of materialism on the journey to death.

.
who's dying ...

there are no benefits to faith other than self induced, those benefits occur for the underlying reality the faith tries to embrace - faith is as good as air for support for who has fallen out a window. ask any survivor who has tried it.

at least in regards for certain peoples obsession over materialism ... having anything to do with faith.

You were born to die a physical death. Anyone who loves God shares in His existence. How can that not offer amazing benefits?

.

You were born to die a physical death. Anyone who loves God shares in His (their) existence. How can that not offer amazing benefits?

.
those are one and the same - you and physical death ... no, not everyone - who triumphs correctly. christian. is admitted to the Everlasting. hardly from the forgeries and fallacies of a 4th century book.

who loves, love - would be more appropriate ...

We were made to worship the Creator not the created. Worshiping the Creator has practical benefits on the journey to a physical death that worshiping the created does not have. He invites to the wedding feast who He wants to invite. You and I have no say so over that and should not concern ourselves with that.

 

[ding]

Should Christians reject the bad parts of the Bible?

I say that Christians should reject the bad parts of the Bible.

They don't need to reject any part of the Bible. Christians should, however, find the parts of the Bible that speak to them the most and stand on them like a rock in the middle of a flooding river.

I guess I am just thinking out loud. I was hoping Christians could embrace the identical ethics of their atheist counterparts by embracing things that are good and rejecting things that are bad.

If atheists could see that the bad parts of the Bible can be rejected freely by Christians then atheists could view Christians as intellectual and moral equals. For example: Christ’s teachings to turn the other cheek, Christ’s teachings to avoid planning for the future, the description of homosexuals in Romans Chapter 1, and even teachings to pray nonstop. These are all horrible and disgusting teachings that Christians should be rejecting or at least ignoring. It would be good to see atheists and Christians agree that Jesus was dumb as hell when He said we should sell all that we own and give it to the poor. That’s just bad for society. Christians should ignore the Bible on that aspect and be able to enjoy the luxury to keep some of their belongings.

It is just a thought I guess. I’d like to see more Christians ignore the Bible on the stupider things and hold steadfast and fire on the good aspect of the Bible. You know, like atheists do. I guess in essence that would make the Christians atheists too. Oh well. Nobody said philosophy wasn’t complicated. I guess they just have to decide how bad they need to be labeled as “Christian”. If you need that label real bad you might want to go ahead and turn that other cheek.

Please provide an example of a bad part of the Bible, and one of a good part of the Bible.

Simple enough.

Bad Part: Matthew 6:25-26 HCSB This is why I tell you: Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the sky: They don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they?

Good part: Ephesians 4:26-29 HCSB Be angry and do not sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger, and don’t give the Devil an opportunity. The thief must no longer steal. Instead, he must do honest work with his own hands, so that he has something to share with anyone in need. No foul language is to come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear.

Perhaps you should read the entire Chapter (6) rather than take it out of context... People are often obsessed with materialism. Jesus is also addressing HIS disciples and saying that HE will provide what is necessary when things seem to be otherwise stressful...

Matthew 6​

​

New International Version​

​

​

Giving to the Needy​

6 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Prayer​

5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
9 “This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,[a]
but deliver us from the evil one.[b]’
14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Fasting​

16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Treasures in Heaven​

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy,[c] your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy,[d] your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Do Not Worry​

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[e]?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Good idea. It still says what it says. I took nothing out of context. I never do. The message is as obvious as the nose on my face and my nose is pretty big. I have read the entire Bible three times and plan to do it again. It says what it says. As an atheist I have no obligation to make it fit my organization’s particular brand of theology. The Bible says what it says. “Take it out of context” “discern of the spirit” or whatever other excuse you want to have is fine. The Bible will still say what it says no matter how determined you are to preserve your own thoughts.

I prefer taking it at face value and rejecting the dumb ideas and embracing the good ideas. That’s what we all do in life anyways. Why should the Bible be treated differently?

You should try worshiping God rather than reading a book that confuses you.

Basically ignore the Bible completely? I wouldn’t take it that far. There is some wisdom in there. I haven’t been confused by the Bible in over a decade.

I just read it for what it says. It doesn’t have to match with any tangible church organization or a specific theology. It just says what it says. It doesn’t confuse me anymore.

The New Testament is actually a pretty pure and consistent system of stoicism. I love the Bible. Why do you hate it and recommend I avoid it like the plague?

I passionately hate the way Christians hate the Bible. It is the most powerful book ever written. Why do you guys hate it so much?

Again... You should try worshiping God rather than reading a book that confuses you.

 

[ding]

Why do you hate it and recommend I avoid it like the plague?

Why do you believe I hate the Bible and avoid it like the plague?

Is it because I don't interpret it foolishly like you do?

 

[ding]

I passionately hate the way Christians hate the Bible. It is the most powerful book ever written. Why do you guys hate it so much?

I think it is more likely that you hate Christians.

The book itself is not powerful in and of itself. It's just a book. It's what it teaches that is powerful. But I don't believe you have ever scratched that surface.

 

[Blues Man]

Should Christians reject the bad parts of the Bible?

I say that Christians should reject the bad parts of the Bible.

I think everyone should carefully examine all religious doctrines and dogma and only adhere to what is best for them and leave the rest.

 

[CarlinAnnArbor]

Should Christians reject the bad parts of the Bible?

I say that Christians should reject the bad parts of the Bible.

There are no "bad parts" moron.

Should Atheists understand the scriptures before posting?
I say Atheists should understand the Bible before posting in this forum

 

[Blues Man]

Should Christians reject the bad parts of the Bible?

I say that Christians should reject the bad parts of the Bible.

There are no "bad parts" moron.

Should Atheists understand the scriptures before posting?
I say Atheists should understand the Bible before posting in this forum

There are plenty of bad religious doctrines.

 

[CarlinAnnArbor]

Should Christians reject the bad parts of the Bible?

I say that Christians should reject the bad parts of the Bible.

There are no "bad parts" moron.

Should Atheists understand the scriptures before posting?
I say Atheists should understand the Bible before posting in this forum

There are plenty of bad religious doctrines.

There is NOTHING "bad" in the Bible.

It is:

1/3 HISTORY of Israel
1/3 INSTRUCTION for Mankind
1/3 Prophecy

If you find ANY of it "bad," the problem is you, not the Scriptures

 

[Blues Man]

Should Christians reject the bad parts of the Bible?

I say that Christians should reject the bad parts of the Bible.

There are no "bad parts" moron.

Should Atheists understand the scriptures before posting?
I say Atheists should understand the Bible before posting in this forum

There are plenty of bad religious doctrines.

There is NOTHING "bad" in the Bible.

It is:

1/3 HISTORY of Israel
1/3 INSTRUCTION for Mankind
1/3 Prophecy

If you find ANY of it "bad," the problem is you, not the Scriptures

Really?

I see plenty of bad shit in the bible.

Slavery for one.

The capricious killing of people and children

to name 2

 

[BreezeWood]

Birds obviously gather food, often storing it in their own sorts of "barns" for "rainy days." And good thing, else they and their offspring would no doubt (and do) starve just as humans do without food. So we are not actually any "better" or "more valuable than" them on this score nor any other. Unlike humans, Mother Nature doesn't actually play favorites.

Why the delay-materialism doctrine then? Know thy place. First bust your ass, then immediately give (a significant portion of) your hard won earnings to the church, the government, any owed rents, the establishment,.. in short, always pay your betters before taking care of your own. Point being, you are like dirt in the grand scheme of things. Don't get uppity or you'll not only suffer through this life, but your supposed "spirit" for eternity as well.

But that's still largely smoke and mirrors. The real trick is simply getting you accept that the religious establishment is one of your betters. The others are simply borrowed for comparison because the illusion works. Did the Romans suck? Does the Pope wear a funny hat? Well people keep bowing to them.. all that matters! If you support the religious establishment, then they never need worry about breaking a sweat or getting their hands dirty. Congrats on being played like a fiddle.

Some people actually believe the benefits of faith exceed the benefits of materialism on the journey to death.

Who is it that is trying to force you to believe anyway?

Some people actually believe the benefits of faith exceed the benefits of materialism on the journey to death.

.
who's dying ...

there are no benefits to faith other than self induced, those benefits occur for the underlying reality the faith tries to embrace - faith is as good as air for support for who has fallen out a window. ask any survivor who has tried it.

at least in regards for certain peoples obsession over materialism ... having anything to do with faith.

You were born to die a physical death. Anyone who loves God shares in His existence. How can that not offer amazing benefits?

.

You were born to die a physical death. Anyone who loves God shares in His (their) existence. How can that not offer amazing benefits?

.
those are one and the same - you and physical death ... no, not everyone - who triumphs correctly. christian. is admitted to the Everlasting. hardly from the forgeries and fallacies of a 4th century book.

who loves, love - would be more appropriate ...

We were made to worship the Creator not the created. Worshiping the Creator has practical benefits on the journey to a physical death that worshiping the created does not have. He invites to the wedding feast who He wants to invite. You and I have no say so over that and should not concern ourselves with that.

.

We were made to worship the Creator not the created. Worshiping the Creator has practical benefits on the journey to a physical death that worshiping the created does not have. He invites to the wedding feast who He wants to invite. You and I have no say so over that and should not concern ourselves with that.

.
that's a funny word - worship - I feel the sun not sure what worshiping it will do - you have a convoluted idea about materialism - howabout a set of wings to be able to fly. called metaphysical evolution.

if there are any christians in the Everlasting maybe ill see you there - for your sake, rewrite your book.

 

[ding]

Birds obviously gather food, often storing it in their own sorts of "barns" for "rainy days." And good thing, else they and their offspring would no doubt (and do) starve just as humans do without food. So we are not actually any "better" or "more valuable than" them on this score nor any other. Unlike humans, Mother Nature doesn't actually play favorites.

Why the delay-materialism doctrine then? Know thy place. First bust your ass, then immediately give (a significant portion of) your hard won earnings to the church, the government, any owed rents, the establishment,.. in short, always pay your betters before taking care of your own. Point being, you are like dirt in the grand scheme of things. Don't get uppity or you'll not only suffer through this life, but your supposed "spirit" for eternity as well.

But that's still largely smoke and mirrors. The real trick is simply getting you accept that the religious establishment is one of your betters. The others are simply borrowed for comparison because the illusion works. Did the Romans suck? Does the Pope wear a funny hat? Well people keep bowing to them.. all that matters! If you support the religious establishment, then they never need worry about breaking a sweat or getting their hands dirty. Congrats on being played like a fiddle.

Some people actually believe the benefits of faith exceed the benefits of materialism on the journey to death.

Who is it that is trying to force you to believe anyway?

Some people actually believe the benefits of faith exceed the benefits of materialism on the journey to death.

.
who's dying ...

there are no benefits to faith other than self induced, those benefits occur for the underlying reality the faith tries to embrace - faith is as good as air for support for who has fallen out a window. ask any survivor who has tried it.

at least in regards for certain peoples obsession over materialism ... having anything to do with faith.

You were born to die a physical death. Anyone who loves God shares in His existence. How can that not offer amazing benefits?

.

You were born to die a physical death. Anyone who loves God shares in His (their) existence. How can that not offer amazing benefits?

.
those are one and the same - you and physical death ... no, not everyone - who triumphs correctly. christian. is admitted to the Everlasting. hardly from the forgeries and fallacies of a 4th century book.

who loves, love - would be more appropriate ...

We were made to worship the Creator not the created. Worshiping the Creator has practical benefits on the journey to a physical death that worshiping the created does not have. He invites to the wedding feast who He wants to invite. You and I have no say so over that and should not concern ourselves with that.

.

We were made to worship the Creator not the created. Worshiping the Creator has practical benefits on the journey to a physical death that worshiping the created does not have. He invites to the wedding feast who He wants to invite. You and I have no say so over that and should not concern ourselves with that.

.
that's a funny word - worship - I feel the sun not sure what worshiping it will do - you have a convoluted idea about materialism - howabout a set of wings to be able to fly. called metaphysical evolution.

if there are any christians in the Everlasting maybe ill see you there - for your sake, rewrite your book.

Probably because you don't know what worship means. Worship comes from the word worthy. We worship God to show God we are worthy of the gift He gave us. We do this by using our talents because that's what you do when someone gives you a gift. You use the gift they gave you to show that you were worthy of receiving the gift.

So I worship God by treating every act as a sacred act. You should try it. It is an amazing feeling and gives meaning to everything I do.

 

[ding]

Should Christians reject the bad parts of the Bible?

I say that Christians should reject the bad parts of the Bible.

There are no "bad parts" moron.

Should Atheists understand the scriptures before posting?
I say Atheists should understand the Bible before posting in this forum

There are plenty of bad religious doctrines.

There is NOTHING "bad" in the Bible.

It is:

1/3 HISTORY of Israel
1/3 INSTRUCTION for Mankind
1/3 Prophecy

If you find ANY of it "bad," the problem is you, not the Scriptures

Really?

I see plenty of bad shit in the bible.

Slavery for one.

The capricious killing of people and children

to name 2

You mean the OT, right?

 

[Blues Man]

Should Christians reject the bad parts of the Bible?

I say that Christians should reject the bad parts of the Bible.

There are no "bad parts" moron.

Should Atheists understand the scriptures before posting?
I say Atheists should understand the Bible before posting in this forum

There are plenty of bad religious doctrines.

There is NOTHING "bad" in the Bible.

It is:

1/3 HISTORY of Israel
1/3 INSTRUCTION for Mankind
1/3 Prophecy

If you find ANY of it "bad," the problem is you, not the Scriptures

Really?

I see plenty of bad shit in the bible.

Slavery for one.

The capricious killing of people and children

to name 2

You mean the OT, right?

The bible consists of both books

 

[Grumblenuts]

 

[ding]

Should Christians reject the bad parts of the Bible?

I say that Christians should reject the bad parts of the Bible.

There are no "bad parts" moron.

Should Atheists understand the scriptures before posting?
I say Atheists should understand the Bible before posting in this forum

There are plenty of bad religious doctrines.

There is NOTHING "bad" in the Bible.

It is:

1/3 HISTORY of Israel
1/3 INSTRUCTION for Mankind
1/3 Prophecy

If you find ANY of it "bad," the problem is you, not the Scriptures

Really?

I see plenty of bad shit in the bible.

Slavery for one.

The capricious killing of people and children

to name 2

You mean the OT, right?

The bible consists of both books

Yes, but which one were you referring to when you said, you see plenty of bad shit in the Bible?

What "bad shit" did you find in the NT?

 

[LittleNipper]

Should Christians reject the bad parts of the Bible?

I say that Christians should reject the bad parts of the Bible.

They don't need to reject any part of the Bible. Christians should, however, find the parts of the Bible that speak to them the most and stand on them like a rock in the middle of a flooding river.

I guess I am just thinking out loud. I was hoping Christians could embrace the identical ethics of their atheist counterparts by embracing things that are good and rejecting things that are bad.

If atheists could see that the bad parts of the Bible can be rejected freely by Christians then atheists could view Christians as intellectual and moral equals. For example: Christ’s teachings to turn the other cheek, Christ’s teachings to avoid planning for the future, the description of homosexuals in Romans Chapter 1, and even teachings to pray nonstop. These are all horrible and disgusting teachings that Christians should be rejecting or at least ignoring. It would be good to see atheists and Christians agree that Jesus was dumb as hell when He said we should sell all that we own and give it to the poor. That’s just bad for society. Christians should ignore the Bible on that aspect and be able to enjoy the luxury to keep some of their belongings.

It is just a thought I guess. I’d like to see more Christians ignore the Bible on the stupider things and hold steadfast and fire on the good aspect of the Bible. You know, like atheists do. I guess in essence that would make the Christians atheists too. Oh well. Nobody said philosophy wasn’t complicated. I guess they just have to decide how bad they need to be labeled as “Christian”. If you need that label real bad you might want to go ahead and turn that other cheek.

Please provide an example of a bad part of the Bible, and one of a good part of the Bible.

Simple enough.

Bad Part: Matthew 6:25-26 HCSB This is why I tell you: Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the sky: They don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they?

Good part: Ephesians 4:26-29 HCSB Be angry and do not sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger, and don’t give the Devil an opportunity. The thief must no longer steal. Instead, he must do honest work with his own hands, so that he has something to share with anyone in need. No foul language is to come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear.

Perhaps you should read the entire Chapter (6) rather than take it out of context... People are often obsessed with materialism. Jesus is also addressing HIS disciples and saying that HE will provide what is necessary when things seem to be otherwise stressful...

Matthew 6​

​

New International Version​

​

​

Giving to the Needy​

6 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Prayer​

5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
9 “This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,[a]
but deliver us from the evil one.[b]’
14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Fasting​

16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Treasures in Heaven​

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy,[c] your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy,[d] your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Do Not Worry​

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[e]?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

.

Perhaps you should read the entire Chapter (6) rather than take it out of context... People are often obsessed with materialism. Jesus is also addressing HIS disciples and saying that HE will provide what is necessary when things seem to be otherwise stressful...

.
and christianity is not the height of materialism, laissez fare - capitalism. really.

to bad for those people they did not return the favor - why was that nipper what could go wrong falling on your sward for the redeemer -

no doubt the "materialist", who wrote your book and certainly not very brave in the least.

I would disagree. Christianity places GOD and not government at the center of one's expectations...

 

[LittleNipper]

Characters are based on fact and not fiction. Just because Dan Barker doesn't like GOD, doesn't mean that Mr. Barker is worthy to critique HIM.

 

[CarlinAnnArbor]

Should Christians reject the bad parts of the Bible?

I say that Christians should reject the bad parts of the Bible.

There are no "bad parts" moron.

Should Atheists understand the scriptures before posting?
I say Atheists should understand the Bible before posting in this forum

There are plenty of bad religious doctrines.

There is NOTHING "bad" in the Bible.

It is:

1/3 HISTORY of Israel
1/3 INSTRUCTION for Mankind
1/3 Prophecy

If you find ANY of it "bad," the problem is you, not the Scriptures

Really?

I see plenty of bad shit in the bible.

Slavery for one.

The capricious killing of people and children

to name 2

God is just. Man is evil. You're lucky to be alive.

If your mind was right you'd thank God DAILY for giving you "space to repent"

And, you clearly don't understand Biblical slavery as part of the criminal justice system

 

[presonorek]

Should Christians reject the bad parts of the Bible?

I say that Christians should reject the bad parts of the Bible.

There are no "bad parts" moron.

Should Atheists understand the scriptures before posting?
I say Atheists should understand the Bible before posting in this forum

Do Christians get a pass?

 

[CarlinAnnArbor]

Should Christians reject the bad parts of the Bible?

I say that Christians should reject the bad parts of the Bible.

There are no "bad parts" moron.

Should Atheists understand the scriptures before posting?
I say Atheists should understand the Bible before posting in this forum

Do Christians get a pass?

A pass for what?