Using the Bible as an excuse for bigotry

[Outrider]

There isn't a transcript, unfortunately. He makes the point that what happened is a picture of what will happen at the final judgment. He doesn't elaborate but i guess it is like the Flood, where the old creation was destroyed to make way for a new creation (thus the Canaanites' animals were destroyed as well). Hence after the last judgment there will be a new heavens and earth.

So, again, more killing rather than attempts at correction?

O.

[ProfessorDavey]

But you don't get to blame God or religion if you don't believe in them or them that do believe in them.

I don't blame god for the simple reason that I don't believe he/she/it exists. I think what people here are doing it asking a hypothetical question, namely 'if god did exist and was as described in the bible would we consider that god to be nice or nasty?'.

However religion certainly does exist and it is perfectly acceptable to blame religion for acts performed in its name or justified by its teaching.

[Christine]

So, again, more killing rather than attempts at correction?

O.

Why does it always have to be... destruction of all mankind?

Do I disappoint you in just being human?  And not one of the elements that you can light your cigar on?

(Thanks Rufus Wainwright)

I'm not quoting either Spud or Sassy, as both seem to have deranged and dangerous views of morality I don't think need amplifying.  I'm assuming it's OK to say that, as I've been accused of 'brutal nastiness' by Spud, the slavery and genocide apologist, and of lying by Sassy in what I believe is her first reply to me.  Lovely.

[ippy]

Why does it always have to be... destruction of all mankind?

Do I disappoint you in just being human?  And not one of the elements that you can light your cigar on?

(Thanks Rufus Wainwright)

I'm not quoting either Spud or Sassy, as both seem to have deranged and dangerous views of morality I don't think need amplifying.  I'm assuming it's OK to say that, as I've been accused of 'brutal nastiness' by Spud, the slavery and genocide apologist, and of lying by Sassy in what I believe is her first reply to me.  Lovely.

Don't  go losing any sleep Christine, take it as a compliment when that sort of message comes from our dear old Sassy she's a gem.

Regards, ippy.

[Dicky Underpants]

There isn't a transcript, unfortunately. He makes the point that what happened is a picture of what will happen at the final judgment. He doesn't elaborate but i guess it is like the Flood, where the old creation was destroyed to make way for a new creation (thus the Canaanites' animals were destroyed as well). Hence after the last judgment there will be a new heavens and earth.

Oh no - it will be the whole earth this time, which will disappear "with a hissing noise" - according to 'Peter' in the spurious letter attributed to him.

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and the works that are upon it will be burned up.

On the other hand, the OT tells us "the earth abides forever".

[Spud]

So, again, more killing rather than attempts at correction?

O.

My guess is it's a warning, and that it wasn't repeated since that time. There are the same problems, in that there are bad influences around, but instead of doing what they did in Joshua the recommended policy is to avoid them - don't go out on drunken sprees when invited, get to bed before 11 etc.

[jeremyp]

I've been accused of 'brutal nastiness' by Spud, the slavery and genocide apologist, and of lying by Sassy in what I believe is her first reply to me.  Lovely.

Sassy tends to spend a lot of time in the sin bin for that exact reason. She's a committed Christian and she doesn't mince words. Just remember that her threats are all empty.

[Aruntraveller]

Sassy tends to spend a lot of time in the sin bin for that exact reason. She's a committed Christian and she doesn't mince words. Just remember that her threats are all empty.

You are wrong.

Every time she posts she minces words, then she mangles them and then she crushes them on the ground beneath her stiletto heels.

[Roses]

You are wrong.

Every time she posts she minces words, then she mangles them and then she crushes them on the ground beneath her stiletto heels.

That is her speciality!

[Christine]

Spud,

Correct me if I'm wrong but you think the Bible is literally true, all of it, even the contradictory bits, and you also think the various depictions of "God" therein describe a consistent and moral being?

And you also think that this supreme moral being instructed his followers to carry out genocide (actual genocide, with primitive weapons) as an appropriate warning to future generations not to stay up after 11pm?

I don't think further argument on this is necessary really.  Carry on getting your strange beliefs thoroughly debunked on the 'eye witnesses' thread, I'm learning from the other posters and I expect there are lurkers out there similarly benefiting. 

(Same goes for Searching for God - you and Alan Burns are excellent warnings of the dangers of religious indoctrination, at any time of the day.)

[Spud]

Spud,
as an appropriate warning to future generations not to stay up after 11pm?

That was a joke, Christine.

[Roses]

People like Spud and AB are so entrenched in their versions of the faith, they don't appear to be able to see the wood for the trees.

[Christine]

That was a joke, Christine.

So hard to tell, Spud.

[SteveH]

I've just come from a lovely, funny, warm-hearted, inclusive all-age service at church, to the carping, sarcasm and mean-spirited bitterness on show, as always, on this forum. I really ought to give R&E up and leave you to it, but I'm addicted.

[Roses]

I've just come from a lovely, funny, warm-hearted, inclusive all-age service at church, to the carping, sarcasm and mean-spirited bitterness on show, as always, on this forum. I really ought to give R&E up and leave you to it, but I'm addicted.

Try giving it up for Lent.

[ippy]

Try giving it up for Lent.

  Like.

Regards, ippy.

[ippy]

I've just come from a lovely, funny, warm-hearted, inclusive all-age service at church, to the carping, sarcasm and mean-spirited bitterness on show, as always, on this forum. I really ought to give R&E up and leave you to it, but I'm addicted.

I suppose I enjoy some very similar friendly warm hearted inclusive company with people of most ages too.

I suppose where we differ is that I think that anyone can be social just as you describe except why do you seem to need the delusional bit to go along with your happy time?

ippy.

[Roses]

I suppose I enjoy some very similar friendly warm hearted inclusive company with people of most ages too.

I suppose where we differ is that I think that anyone can be social just as you describe except why do you seem to need the delusional bit to go along with your happy time?

ippy.

It is sad that he finds it hard to refrain from having a go at people who don't see it his way.

[Nearly Sane]

It is sad that he finds it hard to refrain from having a go at people who don't see it his way.

Perhaps for Lent we should all give that up.

[ippy]

It is sad that he finds it hard to refrain from having a go at people who don't see it his way.

I wasn't aware that there was some sort of special forum requirement that deems it necessary to like and have some form of special respect for religions, any of them.

ippy.

[Roses]

I wasn't aware that there was some sort of special forum requirement that deems it necessary to like and have some form of special respect for religions, any of them.

ippy.

I have respect for people who deserve it, religious or otherwise.

[ippy]

I have respect for people who deserve it, religious or otherwise.

I wasn't aware that there was some sort of special forum requirement that deems it necessary to like and have some form of special respect for religions, any of them.

I was careful to state the underlined above and I can't see any special reason why should I have respect for religions?

I have one close member of my family that seems to be religious he's not on a blog where these things are up for discussion but if he were to present his religion to me in some way whilst I have a lot of respect for him, a good uncle to my two boys, sod his religious beliefs if he were to put them to me I don't see why I should be holding back.

You don't seem to have any particular liking for religions in general either L R.

Regards, ippy.

[Roses]

I wasn't aware that there was some sort of special forum requirement that deems it necessary to like and have some form of special respect for religions, any of them.

I was careful to state the underlined above and I can't see any special reason why should I have respect for religions?

I have one close member of my family that seems to be religious he's not on a blog where these things are up for discussion but if he were to present his religion to me in some way whilst I have a lot of respect for him, a good uncle to my two boys, sod his religious beliefs if he were to put them to me I don't see why I should be holding back.

You don't seem to have any particular liking for religions in general either L R.

Regards, ippy.

I don't think religions have done the world many favours, especially Christianity and Islam. But having said that there are of course good, decent people who are religious, but they would probably be so whether they had a faith or not.

[Harrowby Hall]

The sentiments at the heart of christianity, the parable of the Good Samaritan and the Sermon on the Mount, are admirable and very worthwhile. Unfortunately, over time, different approaches to the achievement of objectives related to these sentiments have developed, and these approaches have been infused with the desire to have control over the thoughts and behaviour of adherents. A consequence is the vilification (and worse) of people who subscribe to other approaches than the one held by any particular individual.

These sentiments are such that to adopt them as a guide for one's own life does not require the adoption, at the same time, of bizarre and fanciful beliefs that have become bundled with them.

[Outrider]

The sentiments at the heart of christianity, the parable of the Good Samaritan and the Sermon on the Mount, are admirable and very worthwhile.

Are they at the heart of Christianity, or are they rather the focus of one particular strand of Christianity, a strand that jibes to an extent with modern Western values? Prosperity gospel in the States largely relegates these concepts to, at best, of secondary importance, Christianity in Africa has a distinctly liberal interpretation of these parts, historically Christianity has been unconcerned with them for an extended period.

Unfortunately, over time, different approaches to the achievement of objectives related to these sentiments have developed, and these approaches have been infused with the desire to have control over the thoughts and behaviour of adherents. A consequence is the vilification (and worse) of people who subscribe to other approaches than the one held by any particular individual.

I prefer people who adhere to that particular version of Christianity, but I don't see very much that makes it inherently 'the right' way of being Christian.  The Old and New Testaments offer enough support for pretty much any tribal outlook you'd like to adopt.

O.