The Truth Within

[Roman_Catholic_1]

Are you saying it is questionable whether killing someone is wrong?

Are homophobia, racism, bigotry and misogyny all good things?

Why are they wrong? What is standard that have you used to judge them as being wrong. A racist would not care that you call them wrong, but they are, why? What is the standard that you have used to judge them?

Ok, please can someone answer me. DID GOD MAKE THE SOLAR SYSTEM AND ALL THE PLANETS?

You tell us, from the mind on one bewildered ape to another.

God bless

 

[Maher]

Why are they wrong? What is standard that have you used to judge them as being wrong. A racist would not care that you call them wrong, but they are, why? What is the standard that you have used to judge them?

Erm, “Thou shall not kill”

Straight from the fairytale of the Bible.

You tell us, from the mind on one bewilder ape to another.

God bless

Why can you not just say “yes” or “no”?

Do you not know? Seriously, I’m asking a question I genuinely do not know.

Do you know?

 

[Roman_Catholic_1]

Erm, “Thou shall not kill”

Straight from the fairytale of the Bible.

So your using the Bible, which you have criticized and attempted to show that it has no historical basis, as your standard to judge what is evil?

Why can you not just say “yes” or “no”?

Do you not know? Seriously, I’m asking a question I genuinely do not know.

Do you know?

Let me see if I can paraphrase my College science book, ‘The universe came from nothing. In the beginning there was nothing, then bang! The Universe expanded into the limitless space that we now see and experience.’

God bless

 

[Snerticus]

Why can you not just say “yes” or “no”?
Do you not know? Seriously, I’m asking a question I genuinely do not know.Do you know?

We know, but I guess you’re destined not to until you’re ready. Besides, it’s a self fulfilling question anyway. You won’t believe us even if we told you the truth. You’d question it and demand proof as to why you should believe us etc…

That’s probably why no one’s answering you.

 

[Maher]

Maher, if you don’t have faith, no one on this earth is going to explain it to you adequately.

If you don’t have faith, you can’t possibly interpret the Bible the way it was meant. I didn’t have faith for 33 years. I came back to the Church after a few incidents that I don’t want to get into right now, but during the time of these incidents, I started reading the Bible again, which previously I didn’t understand. For some reason, faith sparked in me this time. I didn’t feel it, but when I read the New Testament, so many passages I took in the wrong context before had jumped out at me like their meaning was hidden from me previsouly. “Why the heck didn’t I see that before!!!” I used to say all the time. Had I read them like a mere novel or textbook, I would have still taken them at face value like you do. But for some reason, faith was allowed to take over at certain times. This has continued to this day. Passages I previously hadn’t understood continue to “jump out at me from the pages”.

Actually I do know why this all happened, but for me to tell you would sound foolish. And Christ in the Gospels that his followers’ deeds would sound foolish to the men of this earth. He meant the unfaithful. The ones who needed proof for everything and didn’t understand God. Only He can give you the grace to read the Bible correctly and in the proper light of faith. Besides, the Bible is a spiritual book, and thus needs to be read in light of that too. It will enable you to tell which stories need to be interpreted differently as to spiritual matters. Since spiritual things probably don’t concern you, then you’ll never understand why.

I would suggest that sometime, just ask God in your head to let you understand. That’s really not that hard is it? No one would know you did it. Do it as an experiment and see what happens next time you decide to read the Bible. But I suggest you read the New Testament first. You’re better off with this because the OT is easier to understand in lieu of the NT. And mean it when you say it. If you do it flippantly, it probably won’t amount to anything.

Do I still have problems understanding things in the OT? Absolutely, but there are resources I can go to that help in syphoning off the meaningless garble to me. But without faith, those resources won’t help one iota.

That is actually a very good post. To be honest, when I read the Bible, I thought it was hilarious. Sorry of that is disrespectful.

I will genuinely do as you ask, and I give you my word for it.

What do I do? Do I just ask God to let me understand the Bible? How do I do this?

I do not want to be affiliated with the Bible, at all, but I will try this “experiment”, although will God let a homosexual guy understand the Bible? I’m not so sure.

 

[Maher]

We know, but I guess you’re desitined not to until you’re ready. Besides, it’s a self fulfilling question anyway. You won’t believe us even if we told you the truth. You’d question it and demand proof as to why you should believe us etc…

That’s probably why no one’s answering you.

I swear I will not demand proof or anything of the like. I will not mock the answer, either.

Can you please just tell me?

 

[Roman_Catholic_1]

I do not want to be affiliated with the Bible, at all, but I will try this “experiment”, although will God let a homosexual guy understand the Bible? I’m not so sure.

Why not? He let a lieing, blaspheming, adulteress-at-heart like myself understand it.

God bless

 

[Snerticus]

What do I do? Do I just ask God to let me understand the Bible? How do I do this?

I do not want to be affiliated with the Bible, at all, but I will try this “experiment”, although will God let a homosexual guy understand the Bible? I’m not so sure.

Quite honestly, I thought you were going to attack me about this. I’m glad you’d actually give it a shot.

Don’t worry about how you do it. Just pretend God is a friend you have over and you’re asking a genuine question that you’d like an answer to. It’s no biggie really.

As to being a homosexual. God won’t judge you until your last day, so being homosexual has nothing to do with it. I’m not going to get into a big theological discussion here, but if you believed in God, I’d tell you He loved you no matter what. But you don’t, so all I can do is just to say don’t worry about being homosexual, it has nothing to do with what I said. I think the mere fact that you ask Him something will be enough for Him to respond.

I can’t guarantee this is going to work, but it has actually worked in the past for many people like you (and me - but then again I didn’t ask, it just happened).

 

[Maher]

Quite honestly, I thought you were going to attack me about this. I’m glad you’d actually give it a shot.

Don’t worry about how you do it. Just pretend God is a friend you have over and you’re asking a genuine question that you’d like an answer to. It’s no biggie really.

As to being a homosexual. God won’t judge you until your last day, so being homosexual has nothing to do with it. I’m not going to get into a big theological discussion here, but if you believed in God, I’d tell you He loved you no matter what. But you don’t, so all I can do is just to say don’t worry about being homosexual, it has nothing to do with what I said. I think the mere fact that you ask Him something will be enough for Him to respond.

I can’t guarantee this is going to work, but it has actually worked in the past for many people like you (and me - but then again I didn’t ask, it just happened).

Ok, I will give this a go. I don’t know why but I will. I have nothing to lose.

Thanks.

 

[Snerticus]

Ok, I will give this a go. I don’t know why but I will. I have nothing to lose.

Thanks.

That’s actually what I thought when I started praying again during those times of difficulty I told you about. I guess it worked.

I don’t think I’d be here defending faith if it didn’t…

 

[Maher]

So your using the Bible, which you have criticized and attempted to show that it has no historical basis, as your standard to judge what is evil?

Do you not think we would have realised that murdering people was wrong, even without the Bible?

The Bible does not say rape is a sin, or anything like that, but we have, without the Bible, understood it to be wrong and unethical.

 

[Maher]

Maher, if you don’t have faith, no one on this earth is going to explain it to you adequately.

If you don’t have faith, you can’t possibly interpret the Bible the way it was meant. I didn’t have faith for 33 years. I came back to the Church after a few incidents that I don’t want to get into right now, but during the time of these incidents, I started reading the Bible again, which previously I didn’t understand. For some reason, faith sparked in me this time. I didn’t feel it, but when I read the New Testament, so many passages I took in the wrong context before had jumped out at me like their meaning was hidden from me previsouly. “Why the heck didn’t I see that before!!!” I used to say all the time. Had I read them like a mere novel or textbook, I would have still taken them at face value like you do. But for some reason, faith was allowed to take over at certain times. This has continued to this day. Passages I previously hadn’t understood continue to “jump out at me from the pages”.

Actually I do know why this all happened, but for me to tell you would sound foolish. And Christ in the Gospels that his followers’ deeds would sound foolish to the men of this earth. He meant the unfaithful. The ones who needed proof for everything and didn’t understand God. Only He can give you the grace to read the Bible correctly and in the proper light of faith. Besides, the Bible is a spiritual book, and thus needs to be read in light of that too. It will enable you to tell which stories need to be interpreted differently as to spiritual matters. Since spiritual things probably don’t concern you, then you’ll never understand why.

I would suggest that sometime, just ask God in your head to let you understand. That’s really not that hard is it? No one would know you did it. Do it as an experiment and see what happens next time you decide to read the Bible. But I suggest you read the New Testament first. You’re better off with this because the OT is easier to understand in lieu of the NT. And mean it when you say it. If you do it flippantly, it probably won’t amount to anything.

Do I still have problems understanding things in the OT? Absolutely, but there are resources I can go to that help in syphoning off the meaningless garble to me. But without faith, those resources won’t help one iota.

Something has just dawned on me. You encourage me to read the NT first because it fits with the OT. The NT was written after the OT, right? So, perhaps the prophecies were made to fit in NT?
That’s why it makes more sense to read the NT?

No?

 

[Roman_Catholic_1]

Do you not think we would have realised that murdering people was wrong, even without the Bible?

If we have, what is the standard? There has to be some absolute standard for evil to be real right? There must be some absolute good that we are judging these things to be evil. So what is it? What is this absolute good that renders things evil in an objective and not subjective manner?

The Bible does not say rape is a sin, or anything like that, but we have, without the Bible, understood it to be wrong and unethical.

I am not talking about the Bible, or God. I want to know why you know they are wrong? Again, though you have found them to be wrong and unethical, others have not. Hitler did not find the killing of innocent Jews as unethical or wrong. But it was, why? What is this ultimate good that you are judging these things to be evil?

God bless

 

[Snerticus]

Something has just dawned on me. You encourage me to read the NT first because it fits with the OT. The NT was written after the OT, right? So, perhaps the prophecies were made to fit in NT?
That’s why it makes more sense to read the NT?

No?

Well if you doubt the Bible in general, it’s quite possible to believe I would do that. But actually, no, I told you to read the NT because it’s easier to understand. The actions in the NT are much more “understandable” to us in this day and age than the OT, as you already have discovered.

I know that you’d be totally confused if you read the OT, but if you wish, you can still do it, that’s totally your prerogative. The OT was written for the Israelites. The NT was written for Christians. Only the Israelites around the time of the OT would properly be able to interpret it on it’s own. Unfortunately, I don’t know of any Israelites of that time that are still around, so that’s why I suggested the NT.

If you really want my opinion, the Bible is quite interesting even if you have no faith. If you research ancient Israelite society and then read the Bible, it will also open up your eyes to many things, although not spiritual. One of them is that ancient Israel had a definitely different social structure than today and was based on family tribes. 'Nuff said for now. I have a textbook on it and it is really enlightening.

 

[CWBetts]

I like the way you turn the tables. Ok, just because that devout Christian said so does not make it true. I agree. So, why believe the Bible when it possess no evidence?

Anyway, the proof is in the pudding. Church attendances are dropping considerably every year. Year upon year. What does that tell you?

Erm, you are stating the Bible is fact. Prove it. Bet you wont, bet you can’t.

My evidence is the simple fact that I have seen miracles in my lifetime. Now, why don’t you go home and go back to your “Why I hate Christians” videos on YouTube, and stew over the fact that all of your statements haveno merit. and for the record, there are very good reasons for the Gspels being different. However it is impossible to discuss anything until you agtee to pick a single issue to stick with. Going all over the place is a tactic of a poor debator who has nothing to offer but wind.

 

[Maher]

My evidence is the simple fact that I have seen miracles in my lifetime. Now, why don’t you go home and go back to your “Why I hate Christians” videos on YouTube, and stew over the fact that all of your statements haveno merit. and for the record, there are very good reasons for the Gspels being different. However it is impossible to discuss anything until you agtee to pick a single issue to stick with. Going all over the place is a tactic of a poor debator who has nothing to offer but wind.

Miracles? Did you just create a woman with one of your ribs? Enlighten me.

Perhaps you will answer my question. Did God create the Solar System and all the planets?

 

[Maher]

Well if you doubt the Bible in general, it’s quite possible to believe I would do that. But actually, no, I told you to read the NT because it’s easier to understand. The actions in the NT are much more “understandable” to us in this day and age than the OT, as you already have discovered.

I know that you’d be totally confused if you read the OT, but if you wish, you can still do it, that’s totally your prerogative. The OT was written for the Israelites. The NT was written for Christians. Only the Israelites around the time of the OT would properly be able to interpret it on it’s own. Unfortunately, I don’t know of any Israelites of that time that are still around, so that’s why I suggested the NT.

If you really want my opinion, the Bible is quite interesting even if you have no faith. If you research ancient Israelite society and then read the Bible, it will also open up your eyes to many things, although not spiritual. One of them is that ancient Israel had a definitely different social structure than today and was based on family tribes. 'Nuff said for now. I have a textbook on it and it is really enlightening.

Ok, fair enough, but I think it would be easy to write the NT ad make it fit in with the OT, thus rendering its prophecies seem genuine.

I will give it a go.

 

[Snerticus]

Ok, fair enough, but I think it would be easy to write the NT ad make it fit in with the OT, thus rendering its prophecies seem genuine.

I will give it a go.

I think that’s the argument of mondern day Jews. And it is a valid argument.

 

[CWBetts]

Miracles? Did you just create a woman with one of your ribs? Enlighten me.

Perhaps you will answer my question. Did God create the Solar System and all the planets?

Man cannot perform miracles, only God can do that. Does someonae in a coma with no chance of recovery waking up with no braindamage whatsoever count? I would say it does. And this happened after prayer.

God DID create the entire universe. All the planets, stars, moons, asteroids, comets, and all the other phenomena we don’t even know about yet. But also understand I am NOT a Biblical literalist. I understand that many portions of the Bible contain metaphors to explain natural phenomena. The Bible, after all, is not a history book or science book. It is a book of moral truth. Instead of reading the Bible with the attitude of “Is this historical or scientific fact?”, Try reasing with the attitude 'What is God trying to teach me through His Word?"

 

[Joe_5859]

That does not explain how men lived to 900+ years and how it is possible for someone to live in a large fish for three days, and how a man can be made from dust, and how a woman can be made from a man’s rib.

As well as, the unoriginal story of Christ. The book, “The Egyptian Book of the Dead” is identical to the story of Jesus Christ, apart from the small issue rolleyes: ) of it being around hundreds of years before the Bible. It’s as credible as the Bible. Are you not worried that the Bible has incited and exploited a fom of plagiarism? Perhaps you were brought up into the world of religion without being open to all possibilities, or more importantly, being open to reality. In that case, I genuinely feel sorry for you.

Once more, I have no evidence that the Bible is credible and genuine. I’m not surprised.

I think you need to pick up a book on basic scriptural exegesis. Catholics are not Fundamentalists. We do not interpret the Bible literalistically.

I suppose at 19, I thought I had all the answers, too. Save your sympathy for someone who needs it.