Kind of like this thread too.
http://www.killermovies.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=388197
BLEEEEH.
I would now like to mention astrology has nothing to do with the "important dates" in the bible.
In fact, I even have a few examples up my sleeves.
"Christmas - December 25" was originally the date of birth of the Persian god "Mithras," who was a very typical early saxon sort of guy. Great strength, great luck with ladies, and mounds and mounds of beautiful glittering gold. Also, he just so happened to be the god who delt out revenge [so basically he was the "Ocean's 11" of his crew]. Instead of Free Masons, there were Mithras Lodges.
"Easter - Black Friday through Resurrection Sunday"
... can anyone say Mohammed of Islamic fame?
"Sunday, the day of worship"
Used to belong to the Roman god Apollo, as his responsibility was bringing out the sun. SUN-day.
And the reason behind all of this is that when Romish missionaries first began to spread into just conquered Britain, and everywhere else, the Number One rule for these missionaries was not to add to much, because otherwise it would be too complicated to remember and the heathens would get lazy and go back to their heathenish religions. The Number One rule of missionaries was to ADD to what was already there. Yay for practicality creating one of the world's biggest religions!!
Humans have so many theories about the past that it is impossible to find them all out. That doesn't mean that we shouldn't seek out the truth though, just that we should make sure that we don't state our theories as though they are etched in stone truths that are indisputable. The Bible may have a lot of events that coincide with astrology but I believe that it is based on God's truth and reason for existing is the saving of mens' souls. I'm sure many people disagree with me but I can not go back in time personally to collect solid evidence to disprove their disagreements. The Bible being based on astrology is an interesting theory but what is the purpose for it? Is it to sway people to the study of astrology rather than the bible? Is it to disprove the validity of both or confirm them?
Originally posted by inimalist
not really, I don't think "seeking knowledge" falls in between two egregiously biased motives
Then it falls outside. Outside or middle does not matter. I'm only telling you why I think The MISTER doesn't understand your question. I could be wrong, but I think it is Us, Them mentality.
Originally posted by inimalistThere's no reason that that can't be the reason. The fact is that I'm asking whether it is or not. I'm not getting an answer which makes me even more curious. It's not like my question isn't valid.
it is a valid question thoughwhy can't someone study the history and origins of the bible without the agenda of disproving it? Isn't there such a thing as the quest for knowledge for knowledge's sake?
also the statement "The Bible is based off of astrology" doesn't seem as though all the knowledge hasn't already been aquired. My quest for knowledge has been hit with " Why are you asking questions?"
Originally posted by The MISTER
There's no reason that that can't be the reason. The fact is that I'm asking whether it is or not. I'm not getting an answer which makes me even more curious. It's not like my question isn't valid.also the statement "The Bible is based off of astrology" doesn't seem as though all the knowledge hasn't already been aquired. My quest for knowledge has been hit with " Why are you asking questions?"
Actually I was just pointing out that you're immediate reaction was to reframe the conversation with a loaded question. Your supposed "quest for knowledge" rings completely hollow.
Originally posted by The MISTER
There's no reason that that can't be the reason. The fact is that I'm asking whether it is or not. I'm not getting an answer which makes me even more curious. It's not like my question isn't valid.
well, it is sort of undeniable that the stories of the bible are influenced by the culture it was written in and the context of the time (social, geopolitical, religious, all that stuff). Your question is valid, but just because someone comes to a conclusion, doesn't mean they fall into the "I wanted to disprove the bible" camp.
Unless you are some strict literalist, seeing the Bible in some type of cultural context is almost a necessity of Christianity. How else do you deal with its clear advocation of mysogyny or slavery? I don't even think this threatens christianity as a religion at all.
To try and find what these influences might have been is not, in the slightest, attempting to say Christianity is false, and honestly, your God should be much more important than that. The message, which transcends the cultural context of some of the passages, is what is important, no?
again, I'm not a christian, so correct me if i'm wrong, maybe your god is that fragile...
Originally posted by The MISTER
also the statement "The Bible is based off of astrology" doesn't seem as though all the knowledge hasn't already been aquired.
I'd agree with you, Astrology, in terms of what we accept that word means in modern times, is a construct of "spiritualist" movements starting in the 60s/70s with little, if any, connection to ancient beliefs.
Astrology is probably not the basis of the Bible, though again, we cannot deny there are influences from, say, Roman culture. Though, this would be expected, considering when the New Testament was put together.
Originally posted by The MISTER
My quest for knowledge has been hit with " Why are you asking questions?"
especially in these forum contexts, this is a very relevant question. I'm sure sym would be all over me and my own biases if I were to start asking questions that showed my inner randian or anarchist. Its part and parcel of being part of a community where debate is one of the central features. We get to know eachother's biases, and through that, we can question eachother's motives, because we know a bit of background about people
its nothing personal, just we have a different opinion than you, but the common ground is that we are all interested enough to want to come here and debate it (lol, it sounds like I just did a line of MDMA, if only)