Bible Club

[Prodigy54321]

[ QUOTE ]
I probably won't contribute much to this thread or anything past this post necessarily, as I don't wish to just end up arguing with non-catholics over interpretation issues especially when it could involve differences in translation with different bibles. And I can see how atheists/agnostics could sincerely be interested in reading this in a book club format. However if such a non-believer is only doing so with an intent to bash, then I suggest starting with the first two lines of Psalm 1 (RSV-CE):

[1] Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
[2] but his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.

[/ QUOTE ]

any theory can seem true if you are not critical of it...

the mark of real truth is when the theory holds up to criticism.

I really hope you are not suggesting that we accept everything that we read as true, rather than being skeptical.

[vhawk01]

*tapping my foot impatiently* Madnak....

[madnak]

Hey, hey, hold your horses. I've still got a few hours.

[John21]

Madnak,

I'm not a literalist or fundandamentalist. I consider myself a Gnostic Christian, which probably puts me in the Unitarian camp, but the particular gospel you chose to start with and more particularly, the Beatitudes (Sermon on the Mount) is what I consider to be the summary of the whole Christian teaching. However, I consider it as a spiritual, more than literary synopsis, summarizing the spirit of the message rather than the letter.

The Beatitudes is pretty much the only part of the Bible I read anymore, and at least from a spiritual standpoint, I feel I have a pretty good understanding of it - line by line. I don't feel it would be right to jump in uninvited, but if you want a slightly mystic, highly spiritual perspective or commentary, let me know.

[GBP04]

I haven't really read too many Bible threads lately, and I have no intention of bashing supporters of the Bible right now, but I have to ask: Aren't some of the actions that God condones in the Bible cruel? For starters, he's very partial towards one particular race of people. The Bible supports slavery (or at least guidelines for slavery), and makes bold statements about minorities. Haven't we agreed that slavery should be condemned as it is a basic violation of natural human right? Is the Bible cruel, or are these aspects not meant to be taken seriously?

Thanks for the enlightenment.

[GBP04]

also, can the Bible evolve after it has been written? Should it? No new evidence is gathered, so should it be changing or stagnant?

[madnak]

Genesis next week.