Okay, I'll be the guinea pig. I believe half those stories are literally true and the other half are merely representative of some idea or lesson. Now please explain how that invalidates the whole Bible.The question I asked is the most fundamental and relevant question in this thread. Landlord's question is actually irrelevant if my question is answered in the only way it can be answered.
So you were referring to people out there not discussing this topic?I have always believed, based on Biblical theology, that god is god. But apparently some believe that is not the case.
Have you not actually read anything I've posted in this thread? Really?Okay, I'll be the guinea pig. I believe half those stories are literally true and the other half are merely representative of some idea or lesson. Now please explain how that invalidates the whole Bible.The question I asked is the most fundamental and relevant question in this thread. Landlord's question is actually irrelevant if my question is answered in the only way it can be answered.
So you were referring to people out there not discussing this topic?I have always believed, based on Biblical theology, that god is god. But apparently some believe that is not the case.
You haven't confirmed I was right on the question you're referrring to. If I am right, I've already answered it.
It doesn't matter if all of them should be taken literally or half of them or 1/4 of them.
Can you stop with this bad guy schtick?So you were referring to people out there not discussing this topic?I have always believed, based on Biblical theology, that god is god. But apparently some believe that is not the case.
You haven't confirmed I was right on the question you're referrring to. If I am right, I've already answered it.
It doesn't matter if all of them should be taken literally or half of them or 1/4 of them.
Is this really more important than the foundation of a major world religion? Why are you so focused on this?
Take whatever worst-case scenario you're hinting at here and I'll cop to it. I'm doing whatever the worst bad thing you're on about. OK? Good.
Now that I've admitted to my crimes, can we get back to discussing how the Bible is a farce? Or do you need to focus on me more?
I have no idea what you're talking about in the first paragraph. I only know you said that apparently some believe god isn't god and I still don't know if you were referring to people in this topic or people outside this topic.That answer, in context, was perfectly obvious. The intent, the meaning, the focus. Everything was obvious.
Every time you continue to post about this, and not about the subject of the thread, further confirms why you're on this tangent.
Shall we go on? Are you done?
Tell me which religion, as a base core tenet is promoting bigotry and hatred. Not some perverted offshoot or some band of crazies like Westbrook but an actual religion that pushes this. I bet if you consider it completely you will find that people are the real problem. I might be open to revising my thoughts if you can convince me this bigotry and hatred only manifests from religion and is not found in any other source.I disagree. Blaming religion, and the people who commit violent acts in their religion's name, is warranted.Religion isn't a thing that can be blamed for human actions. Religion is a human construct. It is no more to blame for bad actions than sport, nationalism, politics, love, money, or anything else humans create to explain their existence.
Religion is not inherently bad. Like a spoon or a pillow, it can be misused for bad things. But by its nature it is not bad.
Blaming religion for anything is a copout. It's humans who are to blame. Every time.
For example, Let's say I am not religious at all but I am searching for meaning. I pick up a New King James Bible, the Quran, or some other similar holy book. Further, had never really thought of, or considered, that being gay was "wrong." I always thought, meh, it's not for me but if someone is, that's their orientation. In addition, I've never thought that anyone who believes differently than I do is necessarily wrong. Then religion gets ahold of me. Suddenly, anyone who doesn't believe what I do, is "going to hell" or they are a sinner and need to repent to "their god." (Because everyone else's god is the wrong one.)
Religion, just took someone who was formerly not a bigot and twisted them into one. So yes, you can absolutely blame religion.
And yes, I am talking almost exclusively about the religious crazies who take their religion too far.