Zone1 Who created all things?

[BS Filter]

I bet it took the whole back 40 to make that straw man.

Even Einstein believed in Intelligent Design.

 

[cnm]

The Bible is widely regarded as a literary masterpiece by many literary critics, regardless of their personal religious beliefs.

As equally boring as the Quran, imo.

 

[cnm]

Have you taken any time to learn and to follow the Laws of God?

I tried to learn the art of selling a daughter.

How has that worked if you have?

It did not go well. I was informed that selling a daughter was not considered godly.

Strange.

 

[cnm]

Gone with the Wind is better too.

And about as loving...

 

[Meriweather]

Saying something is stupid is not hate. It's like saying a belief in Heavens' Gate is stupid is hate. I'm sure you agree that Heavens Gate is concocted. Or maybe not.

Saying something is stupid is contempt, and contempt is akin to hate. Could it be it wasn't fear that turned you from religion, but hate. Even those with childish fears grow and overcome them. You say you no longer fear....which is why I suggest that hate may be why you turned from religion?

 

[ding]

Alice in Wonderland beats it hands down, as does The Wizard of Oz, which is more believable as being factual than your bible.

Are you moving the goal posts now? Crawfishing away from your previous statement?

The Bible is widely regarded as a literary masterpiece by many literary critics, regardless of their personal religious beliefs. While some may focus on its religious significance, many scholars recognize its literary qualities, including diverse narrative styles, poetry, and compelling stories.

Here's why the Bible is often considered a literary masterpiece:

• Influence:
  The Bible has had a profound and lasting impact on literature, art, and culture worldwide.
  
  
• Diverse Literary Forms:
  It encompasses various literary forms, such as narrative, poetry, and legal texts, showcasing a wide range of writing styles.
  
  
• Timeless Themes:
  The Bible explores universal themes of love, loss, faith, morality, and the human condition, which resonate with readers across time and cultures.
  
  
• Compelling Stories:
  Many biblical stories, like those in Genesis and Exodus, are widely recognized and retold in various forms of art.
  
  
• Linguistic Beauty:
  The King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, in particular, is celebrated for its poetic prose and powerful language.

 

[ding]

Gone with the Wind is better too.

Was that written by a third grader? Because that was your claim, right?

 

[ding]

I bet it took the whole back 40 to make that straw man.

No strawman at all. I've yet to find an atheist here who hasn't argued against the mainstream science. Would you like to be the first?

 

[Meriweather]

View attachment 1117966

Focus on what Jesus taught: Repentance/Change of mind-heart for the forgiveness of sins. And, discern the will of God and follow, be obedient to it. He also quoted Hosea, that God desires mercy, not sacrifice. Jesus, who was both divine and human, took on human form to teach and demonstrate living faithfully according to God's plan.

Note how Jesus handled the "What ifs..." What if living according to the will of God led to trouble with earthly authorities who wanted to put you to death? Jesus' answer was to trust and submit to the will of God--even through death. Yes, Jesus' sacrificed his own life to make this point.

His final words (in English): It is finished. In Greek: Debt paid in full. In Aramaic (Jesus' spoken language): Peaceful submission/obedience.

I fully understand that due to the Greek many Christians believe that Jesus took on punishment for the sins of all mankind--past, present, future--because justice demanded punishment. Some go as far to say that Jesus already forgave and paid for their sins before they even committed them, before they were even born.

The meaning in Aramaic has its grip on me because it sums up what Jesus' was teaching about how to live life in God's kingdom. This teaching was not a laissez-faire of don't worry about wrong-doing, your sins are forgiven, someone else will pay the price. Jesus' teaching was change your mind and heart about doing wrong; discern the will of God and obey. Even unto death.

I tried to learn the art of selling a daughter.

It did not go well. I was informed that selling a daughter was not considered godly.

Strange.

I get it. My great-great grandmother became a widow with a family to support. Gasp! She gave some of her children to work for other people as servants so that all would have food, shelter, clothing. How do you think mom felt? Do you think she felt as happy as you over the thought of hiring out her children as you did over the prospect of selling your daughter?

 

[ding]

As equally boring as the Quran, imo.

That's nice. I'm glad you were able to get that off of your chest.

 

[Paradoxical#1]

And about as loving...

Those who push religion have to say "God loves you" to provide the carrot for the carrot-and-stick indoctrination game. "God will torture you in hell for all of eternity if you don't believe he exists, but he loves you and wants a relationship."

 

[ding]

Those who push religion have to say "God loves you" to provide the carrot for the carrot-and-stick indoctrination game.

No, they don't. That's your warped perception of reality because you are biased and can't be objective. But you keep beating that drum and I'll keep correcting it. Fair enough?

 

[Paradoxical#1]

Saying something is stupid is contempt, and contempt is akin to hate. Could it be it wasn't fear that turned you from religion, but hate. Even those with childish fears grow and overcome them. You say you no longer fear....which is why I suggest that hate may be why you turned from religion?

Don't kid yourself. You have as much contempt and anger at nonbelievers as I do for those who are duped by the Heaven's Gate duo, Mormonism, Islam and every other crazy religion ever conceived by the fertile minds of men. Note I didn't include women in that sentence because religion is fashioned all around men for the subjugation of the masses and especially women so that men can have their way with them. All in the name of their god of course,

 

[BS Filter]

Saying something is stupid is contempt, and contempt is akin to hate. Could it be it wasn't fear that turned you from religion, but hate. Even those with childish fears grow and overcome them. You say you no longer fear....which is why I suggest that hate may be why you turned from religion?

Those who push religion have to say "God loves you" to provide the carrot for the carrot-and-stick indoctrination game. "God will torture you in hell for all of eternity if you don't believe he exists, but he loves you and wants a relationship."

Do you believe there is a God?

 

[Paradoxical#1]

Are you moving the goal posts now? Crawfishing away from your previous statement?

The Bible is widely regarded as a literary masterpiece by many literary critics, regardless of their personal religious beliefs. While some may focus on its religious significance, many scholars recognize its literary qualities, including diverse narrative styles, poetry, and compelling stories.

Here's why the Bible is often considered a literary masterpiece:

• Influence:
  The Bible has had a profound and lasting impact on literature, art, and culture worldwide.
  
  
• Diverse Literary Forms:
  It encompasses various literary forms, such as narrative, poetry, and legal texts, showcasing a wide range of writing styles.
  
  
• Timeless Themes:
  The Bible explores universal themes of love, loss, faith, morality, and the human condition, which resonate with readers across time and cultures.
  
  
• Compelling Stories:
  Many biblical stories, like those in Genesis and Exodus, are widely recognized and retold in various forms of art.
  
  
• Linguistic Beauty:
  The King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, in particular, is celebrated for its poetic prose and powerful language.

You are using the argument from authority, a well-known tactic of those heavily indoctrinated. You believe because others "in authority" do. Doing what you do is what the general populace does with politics. They watch CNN or Don Lemon or some politician and then quote those people.

 

[Paradoxical#1]

Was that written by a third grader? Because that was your claim, right?

Yor bible was written and changed over 300 years and the interpretation is STILL being changed. Even a group of first graders could write something pretty good when it is massaged and changed for centuries.

If you go online and try to find out why the "Church" changed their views on the subjugation or women and that homosexuals don't deserve real death but figuratively only you find the copout that the church elders reached a better understanding of scripture. Curiously no apologies or explanation of why they were wrong for 2,000 years or any int that they were just conforming with current day morality.

It's kinda like those who suggest slavery was a thing back in the day and god made rules about when you beat your slave and he doesn't die that's OK because people owned indentured servants and they weren't slaves and that was the custom then. This means that your all-knowing god didn't want to make a law (613 must have been too many already) that owning slaves was immoral and to never beat anyone.

 

[ding]

You are using the argument from authority, a well-known tactic of those heavily indoctrinated. You believe because others "in authority" do. Doing what you do is what the general populace does with politics. They watch CNN or Don Lemon or some politician and then quote those people.

Actually I am using google to state that the wide spread belief of literary critics - regardless of their religious beliefs - believe the bible is a literary masterpiece to dispute your ridiculous and uneducated opinion that a 3rd grader could have done a better job.

It's your bias and use of hyperbole that gets you in trouble.

 

[Paradoxical#1]

No, they don't. That's your warped perception of reality because you are biased and can't be objective. But you keep beating that drum and I'll keep correcting it. Fair enough?

Without inserting "God loves you" they would have no drawing card. It's like a mafia underling saying his boss wants the best for the restaurant owner but demands respect in the form of a tithe of 10% and spreading the word that he boss is an AOK guy as long as people believe he will mete out punishment for nonbelievers.

 

[ding]

Yor bible was written and changed over 300 years and the interpretation is STILL being changed. Even a group of first graders could write something pretty good when it is massaged and changed for centuries.

If you go online and try to find out why the "Church" changed their views on the subjugation or women and that homosexuals don't deserve real death but figuratively only you find the copout that the church elders reached a better understanding of scripture. Curiously no apologies or explanation of why they were wrong for 2,000 years or any int that they were just conforming with current day morality.

It's kinda like those who suggest slavery was a thing back in the day and god made rules about when you beat your slave and he doesn't die that's OK because people owned indentured servants and they weren't slaves and that was the custom then. This means that your all-knowing god didn't want to make a law (613 must have been too many already) that owning slaves was immoral and to never beat anyone.

So you are still sticking with your original statement despite the widespread belief of literary critics that the bible is a literary masterpiece? Your bias is so strong that even when presented with overwhelming evidence you still won't let go of your biases. Amazing.

 

[ding]

Without inserting "God loves you" they would have no drawing card. It's like a mafia underling saying his boss wants the best for the restaurant owner but demands respect in the form of a tithe of 10% and spreading the word that he boss is an AOK guy as long as people believe he will mete out punishment for nonbelievers.

It's more like your biases have blinded you from reality. I doubt that is a one off situation for you. I can hardly wait for you to experience all of the predictable surprises from following failed behaviors.