Question for religious people

[GhostGuy]

How many of you out there actually believe more than a small fraction of the stories in the bible? How many of you believe that absolutely everything in the bible is 100% based on fact?

[Inside_Voices]

It's not entirely based on fact, you fool. It's made in parables and metaphors. For the record, im atheist and am not defending the bible. If it was all based on fact, it would probably be a more persuasive text.

[---Beany---]

quote:Originally posted by Inside_Voices:

It's not entirely based on fact, you fool.

You're the fool. All he did was ask a question.

[Inside_Voices]

quote:Originally posted by ---Beany---:

You're the fool. All he did was ask a question.

He was implying that anyone would think that. But like i said, much of it is not based on fact. It just seemed like a dumb question.

[inquisitor_11]

The various texts which make up what we know today as "the bible" are exactly that, various texts, of varying text types. e.g. Revelations is in a style of writing common in the period (1st Century AD), Apocalyptic. Psalms is like a collection of songs. Books like Luke's Gospel and Acts are written as a historical account. Other text types include Oracle's, Personal Narratives, early legal and constitutional documents, letters from leaders in the early church and so on.

There is also more manuscript witnesses for the validity of the New Testament than any other piece of ancient literature. (I can post the evidence if u really want it). And this is accepted among secular historians.

This means that what we have today is the same as what was written originally. As for the legitimacy of its content...e.g. the events contained in the New Testament, both archaeology and historical documents bear witness to many of the events contained in the New Testament (i can post this evidence also) . THere are a number of internal factors (e.g. the major lack of discrepency between the texts of the New Testament. Also, the people of the time it was written would have known the texts to be fraudulant, if they were, and thus the whole following would have collapsed.

So yes, i know (not believe) that the bible is a trustworthy document. Yes it contains accounts of miracles, some of which seem explainable. Others do not. It provides alot of answers to alot of questions. On other questions, it appears strangely silent.

If you really want to look into the reliability (or lack thereof) of the bible, look at Josh McDowell's "Evidence that demands a verdict" or "More than a Carpenter", or something by John Stott, or "Who rolled away the stone?" or something like that. Hell, even go to any university library and look through the ancient history section for the Middle East.

[bluntman457]

I believe all that is said in the bible except for what is labled "parable". I only believe these things through faith and faith alone.

[Froonhed]

quote:Originally posted by bluntman457:

I believe all that is said in the bible except for what is labled "parable". I only believe these things through faith and faith alone.

and where does this 'faith' come from?

[Froonhed]

Oh shit sorry, I forgot, faith doesn't come from anywhere doesn't it, except possibly the fear of death.

[Inside_Voices]

quote:Originally posted by Froonhed:

Oh shit sorry, I forgot, faith doesn't come from anywhere doesn't it, except possibly the fear of death.

Honestly, what is there to fear?

Crazy theists.

[Froonhed]

I dunno but thinking about death twists people because they are trying to think about something they have zero knowledge of, hence why religion is so fucken twisted. Complete life ideologies based on zero factual information.