Ignorance and the Bible

[Margot]

Obviously much of Genesis is allegorical. But are the "history" books also supposedly allegorical?

I know you don't like standard Christianity which integrates both the OT and the NT but we are stuck with a God in the NT that is, per every single line of the NT, the same God as the OT.

The reason many of us atheists focus on the OT is because that represents the ORIGIN of God. It represents the BASELINE of God. Given that Christianity does NOT allow one to ignore the OT (that is heresy) it means that the God of the OT has to be dealt with in any discussion of Christianity.

Personally I would recommend to Christians that they revisit Marcion and consider evolving the faith to be more focused on the NT and totally disavow the God of the OT. The God of the OT represents most of the bad intentions many modern Christians carry. Whether it is their homophobia (based on Leviticus) or their eschatology (wanting the return of Jesus via the Holy Land which is "supernaturally" given to one group etc.)

I personally love the teachings of Jesus for the most part. They are brilliant and I can definitely see the makings of a great religion that would be a net benefit to the world. Which it finally seems capable of being. It had a rocky adolescence with a lot of murdery stuff and intolerance.

I like the fact that modern Christians are evolving the faith away from the fire and brimstone stuff, but the fire and brimstone stuff still rides along far too much for my comfort.





That's good because I've not seen anyone except Hume call Christians as many names as you imagine in your posts that they are being called.

In reality most of these conversations have been quite pleasant overall. I don't see anyone really attacking Christians on this thread. But I also get the sense that some posters get really upset when anyone so much as points out a theologically problematic part of Christianity.



Again, no one on this side has said that.

Atheists are obsessed with the Bible and especially Jesus,because deep inside they are hedging their bet!

 

[Margot]

Gentile Christians made a huge mistake distancing themselves from their Jewish roots , as now we are speeding full speed ahead into
The other side of Passover!

 

[domer76]

Kind of but since Paul died over 300 years before the Bible was canonized and, since Christian leaders had a motive to push the religion in a particular direction under Constantine the Great, I doubt all the other writers were given a fair shake. Paul was pushed for a reason that satisfied both Constantine and Christian leaders.

Paul popularized and spread the religion to the Gentiles. That was the difference maker right there.

 

[Ross Dolan]

This is what I said, Frank. “Unlike the Bible myths, atheism doesn’t claim to know the origin of life. A simple “we don’t know” is sufficient. There is no “God of the gaps”.” Yep. I said there is no God of the gaps for atheists. Try some reading comprehension.

No...you did not...and I do not appreciate the bullshitting on your part being portrayed as stupidity and a lack of reading comprehension on my part.

But you seem unable to come to grips with your bullshitting, so I guess it has to stand, despite you saying exactly what I said...and you even quoting your saying what I said you said.

You cannot answer the question(s) I asked, so you have to deflect. We see lots of that happening these days, so you are learning the lessons being taught by Trump. (Congratulations are NOT in order for that achievement.)

I can understand many of the theists who blindly guess there is a GOD, because they fear that if they do not take that position they will be severely punished, or denied sorely sought reward, if they do not. But I laugh at you atheists who insist that you are not suggesting that there are no gods (MAKING A BLIND GUESS ABOUT THE TRUE NATURE OF THE REALITY OF EXISTENCE) rather than truly taking the stance that you do not know. I laugh with even more gusto at the suggestion that your blind guesses about that lack of knowing...as being attributable to study, logic and science.

For the record, "I do not know" is sufficient.

You suggest that "we don't know is sufficient"...and then mock yourself by going beyond that...and PRETENDING that you are not.

The guesses of many (perhaps, most) religion is dangerous for the human community...and the blind guesses of atheism is every bit as dangerous, because it abets the blind guesses of the religious.


People who choose "atheist" as a personal descriptor should grow the hell up.