When God poofed everything into existence, why didn't he make notes on how he accomplished his creation?
If the first book of the old testament is anything to go by (and is in fact god's word) then this god character isn't the sharpest pencil in the box.
He could have at least got stuff with knock on effects in the correct order...
It just makes me wonder how Christians can read it and accept it as truth without question.

Are they really that scared of the sky bully and his threats of an eternal barbecue, or are they not thinking about that and are hoping to be reunited with their loved ones in a better place?

All Greek to me.

It kinda drives me crazy, too.  But I guess it makes sense if you're a bronze-age goat-herder with lots of questions and not much ability to answer them.  It is kinda interesting that they built on earlier myths, like the "chaos" void before the official creation of the universe (that part's greek to me as well, probably because it was written in greek) and the fairly common flood myth (maybe inspired from a real flood event, though obviously much more localized)

We're lucky to have been born in an age where a lot more is known about the history of the Earth and cosmos, so naturally, there's a bit of a disconnect.

I think today's Christians just don't know how to think clearly, nor would they care to even if they did. Also, hardly any of them actually read any part of the Bible.

Quote from: Unbeliever on November 05, 2022, 12:33:07 AMI think today's Christians just don't know how to think clearly, nor would they care to even if they did. Also, hardly any of them actually read any part of the Bible.

I always have a little Bible refresher when we stay in cheap hotels. Travelodge stick one in the bedside cabinet, always sends me to sleep.

Why does the Old Testament have to be interpreted literally?

Quote from: Shiranu on November 05, 2022, 08:25:28 PMWhy does the Old Testament have to be interpreted literally?

Even if not interpreted literally, there are some messed up lessons in the Bible from a humane or moral perspective, particularly given this is supposed to be divine knowledge.

Quote from: GSOgymrat on November 05, 2022, 09:49:52 PMEven if not interpreted literally, there are some messed up lessons in the Bible from a humane or moral perspective, particularly given this is supposed to be divine knowledge.

Okay, and what then?

I don't understand what you're asking.

Quote from: Shiranu on November 06, 2022, 12:10:06 AMOkay, and what then?

The 'what then' for me is to relegate the OT (No matter the version) to the land of fiction.  And not good fiction, at that. 

 

You're better off getting life advice from Dr. Phil than the Bible, New or Old Testament.

Quote from: GSOgymrat on November 06, 2022, 01:00:08 AMI don't understand what you're asking.

What does it change if some of it is messed up?

Quote from: Mike Cl on November 06, 2022, 08:11:34 AMThe 'what then' for me is to relegate the OT (No matter the version) to the land of fiction.  And not good fiction, at that. 

 

Okay?

Quote from: Shiranu on November 06, 2022, 02:01:01 PMOkay?

So if it is used literally, then I must realize that the people are not ethical or moral--or nice.  If it is interpreted then one can make all kinds of claims with no relation to reality and just to gain power.  It is interesting to study and learn how and when it developed.  Other than that it produces little that is good.

Quote from: Shiranu on November 06, 2022, 02:00:46 PMWhat does it change if some of it is messed up?

The Bible is a collection of stories and stories are how we interpret reality. Narrative is everything. Believing that everyone is damn and the only means of salvation is to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior affects how you interact with others. The narrative that you will be judged by God when you die and if you didn't follow the rules of the Bible you will be punished for eternity causes people untold levels of anxiety. The stories we tell ourselves about who we are and how the world works matter. From a humanistic perspective, I consider the Bible to have a lot of bad stories.

Quote from: Shiranu on November 05, 2022, 08:25:28 PMWhy does the Old Testament have to be interpreted literally?

Because it's the word of God.

Of course very few people do interpret it literally and actually follow it's teachings. That would make them monsters.

Instead they read it, ignore the bad bits or interpret them to make the handbook more palatable.

If it's the word, it's the word.. you'd never read a car owners manual and ignore or change the instructions, that'd make the manual useless wouldn't it.