But to answer your question(which I'm sure I already have in another thread) my biggest reason for believing, has to do with the simple message it conveys(love). I definitely could not live without it(it being "love" of course), nor would I want to continue living, if I was not given the chance to experience it at some point - within this convoluted thing we call life.
So what makes thou not believe?
__________________
Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom.
Gender: Male Location: Southern Oregon,
Looking at you.
Re: Re: Why do you believe in the bible?
I agree, the love that Jesus talked about is a great part of the Bible. However, the reason I don't believe in the Bible is because of all the hateful lies in it.
Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Why do you believe in the bible?
I wouldn't consider that a hateful lie.....
The hateful lies qualify more as the existance of Hell. The destruction of Sodom and Gomohrra, the banishment of Adam and Eve, the justification for the execution of homosexual men, the second-class citizenship of women, the selling of daughters into slavery, and the justification for slavery in general.
Gender: Male Location: Southern Oregon,
Looking at you.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Why do you believe in the bible?
Tell that to the all of the people who were killed because they would not accept Jesus as the son of god.
What Jesus taught was not hateful in any way, but those who made him divine set into action something that became hateful of other beliefs and cultures.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Why do you believe in the bible?
Well it is not a lie. However, based on your rather adament opinion of it - I find it rather difficult to convince you otherwise. But take this into consideration - perhaps those who wrongfully killed others while professing their belief in Christ's divinity - were not truly Christians at all.
Christ's message is a loving one, but please realise my friend - that love isn't just about "doing what makes you feel good." It's about pain, hurt, sacrafice, and many other unpleasant things. But perhaps most importantly - love is about truth.
Everyone can't be right, nor can everyone be wrong. If one believes in a God who is wrong about just one thing - then that means that their God is wrong about everything, and I definitely can't find myself worshipping(or having any other type of relationship with) a fallible God. Particularly one that lies, accepts bribes, and values certain people over others.
I would rather worship one who was flawless by nature, sticks to his word, loves all people, and doesn't base his word on any approval or condemnation he has received. Even if this means that his word, involves something that is unpleasant to myself. To me this is what Christ's word(love) is all about - and it is unchangeable, despite individual acknowledgement(or lack thereof) of his obvious divinity.
__________________
Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom.
* i beg to disagree, my friend... you see, that is the reason why i'm always trying to tell you guys, that the Catholics are not the real Christians in the Bible... talk about their infamous mass killing, "The Holy Inquisition", we now blame God, or Christ, or the Bible or all Christians being responsible in that terrible incident... but what does the Bible says about Christians? what is the doctrine of Love and Respect in the Bible?
"But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,"
Matthew 5:44
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another."
John 13:34
"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
John 15:12-13
"Love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor."
Romans 12:10
"Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all.
If possible, so far as it depends upon you, live peaceably with all.
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God; for it is written, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.
No, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
Romans 12:17-21
"So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of faith."
Galatians 6:10
* now, if we really are that picky, let us first know whether those who were involved in the "Holy Inquisition" are true Christians in the Bible...
"Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;"
John 8:31
* did the oppressors in the "Holy Inquisition" continue to abide the words of Christ? heck nope... are they real Christians? of course not! let us remember:
"Not every one who says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
On that day many will say to me, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?
And then will I declare to them, I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers."
Matthew 7:21-23
* not all faith/s are true... what should we do?
"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are of God; for many false prophets have gone out into the world."
I John 4:1
* test them if they are of-God, what is the basis?
"If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him."
John 7:17-18
* the doctrine, the teaching, if it's according to the words of Christ in the Bible...
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Why do you believe in the bible?
This is the Legendary Christian cop out. "They weren't REAL CHRISTIANS".....
Whose a real Christian these days? What intepretations of the Bible are correct and what are not ? How do you tell?
Is Literalism true Christianity ? Or is it personal intepretation of the Bible ? Or is there some kind of compass you find to guage correct Christianity verses corrupted Christianity ?
Mormons? Catholics ? Baptists ? Evangelicals? Utalitarian ? Who are the REAL CHRISTIANS ?
Christianity, like all other things, can only be accurately judged by its ENTIRETY, not by its preferred aspect. Christianity is the atmosphere created by Christians, ALL CHRISTIANS, good and bad.
Your religion encompasses all who claim it. Please stop trying to separate yourself from your spiritual kinfolk by saying " oh their not like me...im a real christian, they aren't "
So If I torture you, that means I love you ?
If I control you, that means I love you?
If I kill you, that means I love you ?
watch how you use your words.....your own words can get you in trouble.
So how do you know your God is perfect ? Do you know what perfection is ? Have you ever met God ? Had a full conversation with him ?
Then you have a major problem
The Bible, Christ's followers, and Christianity as a whole all contradicts itself and each other.
Consistancy and Clarity are two of the things Christianity severely lacks and always had.
Unchangeable ? Are you aware that the Bible has been translated and editted numerous times ?
Are you aware that Christianity has evolved drastically over the centuries and is ever changing, ever reforming, and ever dividing ?
How can you claim God is unchanging when his representations here on Earth (The Bible and his people) are ever changing ?
KMC Community Forums
Why do you believe in the bible?
Nov 15th, 2006 03:47 PM
Same here.
