Zone1 When I look at mama's old Bible

[Meriweather]

So 99.99995% of christians dont understand the bible. Mkay.

That percentage reflects atheists that don't understand the Bible. Most Christians understand more, and all understand that teeny percent that atheists kick aside as not worthy of their consideration.

 

[TNHarley]

That percentage reflects atheists that don't understand the Bible. Most Christians understand more, and all understand that teeny percent that atheists kick aside as not worthy of their consideration.

So now you are claiming most christians understand hebrew?

 

[ding]

My grandmother/mother passed on my birthday last year, and she left behind her old Bible and her mother's old Living Bible.

The common theme?

They're both falling apart. Spines frayed, torn pages, pages falling out, whole sections of verses highlighted or underlined...

So when I look at mama's old Bible, I'm reminded of a saying:

"A Bible that's falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn't."

And no, she (nor her mother before her) never fell apart. Her faith saw her through life. And I plan to make sure the same is true with me.

If you are a Christian and feel you have backslidden, I encourage you to jump back into God's word. If you're on the fence, give it a try. As stricken with grief as I still am over her passing, I will not let my faith in God diminish.

Please, go read your Bible, make it fall apart if you have to! By the time it does, you won't. Obey and adhere to everything it says. You won't regret it.

Successful behaviors naturally lead to success.

 

[ding]

I just cant agree. All religions are completely ridiculous. Except for Taoism. And maybe the church of Satan. As it teaches liberty, privacy, knowledge and kindness. The complete opposite of most religions. And the fundamental natural rights that started this country.
The church of Satan does not believe in a literal satan. They just do it as a backhand to the religious tyrants.

Religion offers a functional advantage that atheism does not.

 

[ding]

"do as i say or be punished for eternity" isnt free will. It isnt love.
Especially since he apparently knows whats going to happen to us. Why would he even make us if he knew he would punish us for eternity? Us humans call people like that psychopaths.

Maybe stop seeing religion like a third grader?

 

[TNHarley]

Maybe stop seeing religion like a third grader?

So I should make stuff up like you, pagan?

 

[ding]

So I should make stuff up like you, pagan?

I think you should keep doing exactly what you are doing and expect different results.

 

[TNHarley]

I think you should keep doing exactly what you are doing and expect different results.

Na, its always the same with you people.
bUt mUh aLlEGorY

 

[ding]

Na, its always the same with you people.
bUt mUh aLlEGorY

People seek conflict to fulfill deep-seated psychological needs for stimulation, control, and validation, often using drama to feel alive, important, or secure. It acts as an outlet for high emotional intensity, a way to gain attention, or a strategy to cope with boredom and insecurity. Underlying factors include childhood conditioning, low self-esteem, or, in some cases, Cluster B personality disorders.

 

[JustAnotherNut]

"do as i say or be punished for eternity" isnt free will. It isnt love.
Especially since he apparently knows whats going to happen to us. Why would he even make us if he knew he would punish us for eternity? Us humans call people like that psychopaths.

Samson, David and many of the greats didn't always do what they were supposed to do......yet they believed in Him and He still forgave them......that is love.

Those to be punished for eternity are those who reject Him.

So 99.99995% of christians dont understand the bible. Mkay.

In many ways that is true. There are as many interpretations as there are readers. People tend to gravitate to what fills their own desires/wants/needs instead of what it actually says.

 

[ding]

"do as i say or be punished for eternity" isnt free will. It isnt love.
Especially since he apparently knows whats going to happen to us. Why would he even make us if he knew he would punish us for eternity? Us humans call people like that psychopaths.

Religion offers significant functional advantages by promoting better physical and mental health, strengthening social bonds, and providing existential meaning. Key benefits include lower stress and anxiety, increased longevity and immune function, enhanced community support, and improved coping mechanisms during crises. It also fosters altruism and provides structured, ethical guidelines for life.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) +4
Key Functional Advantages of Religion:

• Physical Health & Longevity: Regular attendance at services is linked to lower blood pressure, improved immune systems, and longer lifespans.
• Mental Health & Coping: Religion provides a sense of meaning and control, which reduces existential anxiety. It aids in coping with trauma, lowers rates of depression, and promotes faster recovery from mental illness.
• Social Capital & Cohesion: Religious communities offer strong social support networks, fostering belonging and reducing loneliness.
• Behavioral Regulation: Many faiths promote self-control and encourage prosocial, healthy behaviors, such as reducing drug and alcohol misuse.
• Psychological Well-being: Practices like prayer and meditation (awe, gratitude) act as buffers against daily stress, aiding in emotional regulation.
• Structured Life: Rituals provide structure, stability, and predictability to life.
  National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) +6

Societal and Psychological Impact:

• Value System: Provides clear guidelines for behavior, teaching compassion, forgiveness, and charity.
• Cognitive Reappraisal: Helps individuals re-evaluate negative events in a more positive or hopeful light.
• Community Services: Historically and presently, religious institutions often establish schools, hospitals, and support for the vulnerable.

 

[Meriweather]

So now you are claiming most christians understand hebrew?

Not what I said. At all. Hebrew studies do give one a better understanding of the Bible, particularly the Old Testament. That takes decades. And studying with someone whose first language is Hebrew. In my case, it was an atheist Jew whose first language was Hebrew.

 

[TNHarley]

Not what I said. At all. Hebrew studies do give one a better understanding of the Bible, particularly the Old Testament. That takes decades. And studying with someone whose first language is Hebrew. In my case, it was an atheist Jew whose first language was Hebrew.

Ok good. Because I was really about to hammer you lol

 

[The Irish Ram]

"do as i say or be punished for eternity" isnt free will. It isnt love

But, TN, He didn't say that. He didn't give us a command, or else. He gave us an option. The punishment for sin is the second death. He went to great lengths to offer us a pass from that. A very great length. The free will is whether we accept His gift or not. We have the right to choose.
In fact, when He did hand down Laws for the Jews, He also gave them the ability to escape the consequences when they failed.
Through Jesus, God gave us 2 rules to live by. Love God, and each other.
When you realize the sacrifice it took to offer us the gift, then you will know of a love that surpasses understanding.

If you were sick, and I had the cure and offered it to you, free of charge, and you refused it, is it my fault that you died?

 

[Meriweather]

"do as i say or be punished for eternity" isnt free will. It isnt love.
Especially since he apparently knows whats going to happen to us. Why would he even make us if he knew he would punish us for eternity? Us humans call people like that psychopaths.

Let's try this again: If you see signs that warn, Danger - Quicksand; or Danger - Riptide you wouldn't yell about the "punishment" you were receiving as the quicksand or riptide pulled you under. You would think you should have heeded the information being presented.

The same is true of free will and the Commandments. The Commandments are given to help us through the perils of this life--and also to help you choose your kingdom in the afterlife. Are you selecting a kingdom with God--or without God? One of the most puzzling things I note in atheists, is how interested they are in finding issues with God. Compare it to yelling and snapping at people for putting up danger signs, insisting if they really cared about people they would eliminate all riptides and quicksand. However, since they only put up danger signs, they are the most hateful beings in the universe.

The Ten Commandments are not practice for how to live a heavenly life; they are the How-to Manual on living here on earth.

 

[ding]

I reject what the bible actually says. I dont need people to make stuff up like you do.

No. You reject what the Old Testament says. I've never heard you say anything bad about the New Testament.

 

[ding]

So 99.99995% of christians dont understand the bible. Mkay.

They understand the New Testament.... mostly. It's the Old Testament that they struggle with. Same as you. Same as the Gnostic Christians who you would have hated.

 

[ding]

Thats what they always say when stuff makes zero sense. You got to make stuff up to justify your silly beliefs, and thats ok. Most people do that.

Ancient Israelites crafting narratives of historical events that taught lessons about the covenant, obedience, justice and their relationship with God is the only way these accounts DO make sense. You are a bigot, so you refuse to accept the only thing that makes sense.

 

[ding]

At least I dont live in fantasy land, boomer

But you do. You live in a little cocoon where you are the writer, director and narrator of the fucked up movie playing in your head.