Could 83% of Americans be wrong? (stupid question)

According to Gallup, 35 percent of Americans believe that the Bible is the literal and inerrant word of the Creator of the universe. Another 48 percent believe that it is the “inspired” word of the same—still inerrant, though certain of its passages must be interpreted symbolically before their truth can be brought to light. Only 17 percent of us remain to doubt that a personal God, in his infinite wisdom, is likely to have authored this text—or, for that matter, to have created the earth with its 250,000 species of beetles.

Two myths now keep faith beyond the fray of rational criticism, and they seem to foster religious extremism and religious moderation equally: (1) most of us believe that there are good things that people get from religious faith (e.g., strong communities, ethical behavior, spiritual experience) that cannot be had elsewhere; (2) many of us also believe that the terrible things that are sometimes done in the name of religion are the products not of faith per se but of our baser natures—forces like greed, hatred, and fear—for which religious beliefs are themselves the best (or even the only) remedy.

Full text:
http://www.samharris.org/index.php/samharris/full-text/chapter-one/

I don't belive the Bible is intended to be taken literally in all parts. Not only is it full of metaphors, when you translate 3000 year old writings from an amalgam of different languages into modern English it would tend to change some of the vocabulary and vernacular.

Originally posted by Quiero Mota
I don't belive the Bible is intended to be taken literally in all parts. Not only is it full of metaphors, when you translate 3000 year old writings from an amalgam of different languages into modern English it would tend to change some of the vocabulary and vernacular.

I agree. Try translating the following sentence," My father would like to give you gift to take to you mother." from ancient hebrew (of which we only know about a quarter of the language) to arabic to ancient greek to latin back to hebrew back to latin again then on to english, french, german, spanish and all the rest of the world's languages over a perion of 3000 years and that sentence will not be remotely the same.

17% huh??...Wow, that's not a lot of people thinking for themselves....Kinda scary when you think about how religions influence and shape the world with it's politics and all.

Originally posted by debbiejo
17% huh??...Wow, that's not a lot of people thinking for themselves....Kinda scary when you think about how religions influence and shape the world with it's politics and all.

Actually it's funny how 83% of the people look at the world, see the nature of man and humanity, and choose to believe in God.

What's more funny is the flack they catch from the minority, which by all accounts, is more in control of the world than we are. 😉

Originally posted by sithsaber408
Actually it's funny how 83% of the people look at the world, see the nature of man and humanity, and choose to believe in God.

What's more funny is the flack they catch from the minority, which by all accounts, is more in control of the world than we are. 😉

I do hope you realize your mistakes.

If the 17% were more in control, they could... I don't know... fight for equality and legalise gay marriage?

But as far as I can tell, the government wants to get rid of two people's happiness.

And that is just one example.

in Norwegian it all would be " Why bother we all get cheese on our sandwich for lunch anyways"

These statistics are highly dubious

Originally posted by Capt_Fantastic
These statistics are highly dubious

I've read that something like 53% of families still pray over dinner, so I kinda thought it would be lower too.

Anyway to check the Gallup polls, and see?

It actually scares me that America is so God fearing, I think it's dangerous.

Originally posted by sithsaber408
Actually it's funny how 83% of the people look at the world, see the nature of man and humanity, and choose to believe in God.

What's more funny is the flack they catch from the minority, which by all accounts, is more in control of the world than we are. 😉

For a long time man thought the world was flat and the minority felt otherwise.

Majority doesn't mean its right it means you have more people that will agree with you and make your choice easier🙂

Originally posted by ImOne
Could 83% of Americans be wrong?

Yes. Just look at who is president.

Originally posted by Adam_PoE
Yes. Just look at who is president.

I can't stand the man and I don't even live in the same country! 😠

Originally posted by Makedde
I can't stand the man and I don't even live in the same country! 😠

Stick it, Aussie!

GO DUBYA!!!!!!!!!

Originally posted by Adam_PoE
Yes. Just look at who is president.

Shut up and stop singing, hippie!

GO DUBYA!!!!!!!

Originally posted by DiamondBullets
Shut up and stop singing, hippie!

GO DUBYA!!!!!!!

Originally posted by finti
in Norwegian it all would be " Why bother we all get cheese on our sandwich for lunch anyways"

I said it before, I'll say it again - Majority has the MIGHT, but minority has the RIGHT.

So yeah...majority can, and it usually is wrong.

Originally posted by DiamondBullets
Shut up and stop singing, hippie!

GO DUBYA!!!!!!!

💃 👆

Considering the fact that many Amercians found the sight of Janet Jackson's naked breats offensive, I'd say that about 99% of America is wrong. 😆