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Bible believers

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By *bat OP Man 42 weeks ago

Alicante, Spain. (Sometimes in Wales)

People believe all sorts of things, and that’s okay.

A question for people who believe in the bible.

Do you believe all of it as fact or some of it as fact?

If it’s only some of it, how did you choose?

I ask because my sister seems to have gone a little over the top with Bible quoting to prove a point, but seems to be cherry picking the bits that suit her world view.

Gbat

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By *arlot o scaraWoman 42 weeks ago

Hell

There are so many contradictory elements to the bible that that’s what many people do

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By *inkygentkentMan 42 weeks ago

Maidstone

I apologise in advance if I come across as preaching - it honestly isn't my intention.

I believe the core message of the Bible but some of what is written is imagery. A lot of the New Testament was written in Greek and they have multiple words for one English word. "Love" for example - I believe there are 4 Greek words for love.

With the Creation story in Genesis the days mentioned could potentially have been ages, not literal days.

Thing is, in our modern world the Bible is a really tough read, and there is a definite tendancy to cherry-pick as you've stated OP. I'm in constant conflict of what it says and how I behave, but as a Christian I have to trust in God's grace.

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By *VineMan 42 weeks ago

The right place

The bible is more of a library than a single book. I think it tells us a lot about the views of the people that wrote it but it doesn’t mean that it’s all factual.

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By *emorefridaCouple 42 weeks ago

La la land

"I ask because my sister seems to have gone a little over the top with Bible quoting to prove a point, but seems to be cherry picking the bits that suit her world view."

I generally think that this isn't a religion thing but a people thing. If you had someone who was say arguing against climate change they would do the very same thing.

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By (user no longer on site) 42 weeks ago

I'm not religious, or even spiritual I don't think...but when I was younger I was once adviced to think or the Bible in allegorical terms, as a metaphor rather than take it literally.

As it's a book that's trying to express the glory of God, than trying to be historically accurate..that stuck with me, because it came from someone I know to be very religious and spiritual

.. I've never read the Bible in it's entirety. I think I'd like to at some point, same with the Iliad, Odyssey, Bhagavad Gita

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By *icecouple561Couple 42 weeks ago
Forum Mod

East Sussex

Some of it is factual, traditions and practices of the time it was written for example. I think most people realise that it's a collection of hearsay, memories, poetry and life advice that relies heavily on symbolism and storytelling to explain often confusing concepts.

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By *eyondlimitsMan 42 weeks ago

Middlesbrough

I follow Judaism were slightly different in that we believe God is one, has no form he created the world, is eternal and is still actively involved in world affairs

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By *ackformore100Man 42 weeks ago

Tin town

"People believe all sorts of things, and that’s okay.

A question for people who believe in the bible.

Do you believe all of it as fact or some of it as fact?

If it’s only some of it, how did you choose?

I ask because my sister seems to have gone a little over the top with Bible quoting to prove a point, but seems to be cherry picking the bits that suit her world view.

Gbat"

Is it any different to any other belief system? People pick and choose what suits them all the time. On pretty much every aspect of their lives. That includes religious texts to international treaties.

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By *olfandtazCouple 42 weeks ago

Bristol

I stans by Stephen frys take on the bible and God

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By *ackformore100Man 42 weeks ago

Tin town

""I ask because my sister seems to have gone a little over the top with Bible quoting to prove a point, but seems to be cherry picking the bits that suit her world view."

I generally think that this isn't a religion thing but a people thing. If you had someone who was say arguing against climate change they would do the very same thing. "

Exactly this.

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By (user no longer on site) 42 weeks ago

It was created to control people and to divide people .fact all 3 main religions come from the same place .

Did you know the only trusted religion is Sikh they only took the good from each book but again a made up religion .

Fact all the religious books are evil to the core I can read some quotes I won’t but shows the badness.

Jordon maxwell explains very well worth watching him for sure .

The whole system we live in is a lie and fictional

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By (user no longer on site) 42 weeks ago

"The bible is more of a library than a single book. I think it tells us a lot about the views of the people that wrote it but it doesn’t mean that it’s all factual. "

It was re written that many times you are right what is fact . Like bk then there was many called Jesus it was a popular name .

It’s all fictional for sure

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By *ackformore100Man 42 weeks ago

Tin town

"It was created to control people and to divide people .fact all 3 main religions come from the same place .

Did you know the only trusted religion is Sikh they only took the good from each book but again a made up religion .

Fact all the religious books are evil to the core I can read some quotes I won’t but shows the badness.

Jordon maxwell explains very well worth watching him for sure .

The whole system we live in is a lie and fictional "

Those are your beliefs. Does that mean they are a lie and fictional?

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By *nightsoftheCoffeeTableCouple 42 weeks ago

Leeds

Personally to me it's a story book that's been altered time and time again.

I mean Noah..... Surely people don't believe 2 of each animal made their way across skys and oceans into a man made giant boat?

It seems to get cherry picked as to which parts maybe believable.

Mrs

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By (user no longer on site) 42 weeks ago

We are forced to follow paganism for example days of the week are all pagan gods , Christ mass is all pagan the new year is pagan .

It’s crazy

The system we live in is fictional reason your name is in capital letters on a bill or if you want credit just look at that advert experia your data self thenfictional you .

Reason when you die your a dead corps (corporation a buisness) you get divorced the business gets split in half . Go meet your strawman haha

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By (user no longer on site) 42 weeks ago

It’s pretty much right to be honest I did the research and interpretations of words etc took a lot of years .

But suppose its my view yeah

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By *eftariiMan 42 weeks ago

Dublin

Nice breakdown.

We believe God is one; 3 co-equal persons make up the trinity. We also hold to the sovereignty and providence of God!

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By *eftariiMan 42 weeks ago

Dublin

I'd suggest you create time to visit the ark encounter in Kentucky.

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By (user no longer on site) 42 weeks ago

"Nice breakdown.

We believe God is one; 3 co-equal persons make up the trinity. We also hold to the sovereignty and providence of God! "

We are all creators we are all gods

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By *loscouplegl3Couple 42 weeks ago

Gloucester

"I'd suggest you create time to visit the ark encounter in Kentucky."

I’ve seen that on the telly. It looks totally ‘Batshit’.

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By *ooBulMan 42 weeks ago

Missin’ Yo’ Kissin’

Op, Tell her to go forth and multiply in retort. Now, that's in the bible...

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By (user no longer on site) 42 weeks ago

Prepare slaughter for his children and the only ones that will survive in the kingdom are the Jews the real Jews above all people on the face of the earth .

Nice haha

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By *bat OP Man 42 weeks ago

Alicante, Spain. (Sometimes in Wales)

The bit that annoyed me was when my sister quoted Leviticus (which is basically a list of rules, not a story).

She said it’s against the bible to be a gay man.

But also in Leviticus, it says you shouldn’t cut the sides of your hair or wear mixed fabrics.

I just wonder why people would think one rule still stands and is important, but another from the same text can happily be ignored. Leviticus is also in the Torah.

Of course anyone is entitled to cherry pick these rules, I just wonder why you would?

I asked her, but she was already storming off as I suspect she didn’t really have an answer.

Gbat.

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By *tephTV67TV/TS 42 weeks ago

Cheshire

I always ask religious people what bit of the bible did God write ?

You’ll be surprised how many don’t know the answer.

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By (user no longer on site) 42 weeks ago

"The bible is more of a library than a single book. I think it tells us a lot about the views of the people that wrote it but it doesn’t mean that it’s all factual.

It was re written that many times you are right what is fact . Like bk then there was many called Jesus it was a popular name .

It’s all fictional for sure "

Jesus is still a popular name in some languages. Even used for girls as a second name.

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By *eftariiMan 42 weeks ago

Dublin

Go to Kentucky!

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By *eftariiMan 42 weeks ago

Dublin

The key is Imago Dei.

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By *cottish guy 555Man 42 weeks ago

London

When you think about the general levels of knowledge at the time the gospels were written and even as late as the creation of the king James Bible, you can't really take any of it seriously.

I get that it's about faith, and if you have it I'm glad for you, but don't try and use it to tell people how to live.

More so back then, and even today, the organised religions of the world were not the most enlightened thinkers. Galileo anyone?

Our ancestors believed some pretty weird shit. This one just took hold more and I can't believe it's still being spouted.

It inspired some amazing stuff, cathedrals in the middle ages were no small feat. But it also inspired some proper horror and continues to even to this day.

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By *aramel.desiresMan 42 weeks ago

Holborn

I'm go church but would not say im a believer. The priest is really good and his primary message is Love! There are few core principles I like to follow that you don't need to be religious to apply to you life.

Be kind, forgiving, charitable, help people, support one another and also Love never hate.

I think they have saved me many times.

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By *icecouple561Couple 42 weeks ago
Forum Mod

East Sussex

"The bit that annoyed me was when my sister quoted Leviticus (which is basically a list of rules, not a story).

She said it’s against the bible to be a gay man.

But also in Leviticus, it says you shouldn’t cut the sides of your hair or wear mixed fabrics.

I just wonder why people would think one rule still stands and is important, but another from the same text can happily be ignored. Leviticus is also in the Torah.

Of course anyone is entitled to cherry pick these rules, I just wonder why you would?

I asked her, but she was already storming off as I suspect she didn’t really have an answer.

Gbat. "

If someone has a strong faith or belief you can't argue with them because their last word will always be "faith". Some people will acknowledge that there are inconsistencies and it's difficult to reconcile them but others with simply gloss over them and tell you that unless you have faith you wouldn't understand.

I watch people who are prepared to acknowledge and accept or completely discount all the bad things Donald Trump has done but still adore him. It's the ability of us humans to believe exactly what we want despite evidence to the contrary getting up and bashing us right between the eyes.

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By *otoBlue69Man 42 weeks ago

Stockport

I think if there was no religion in the world we would quickly invent one.

Think about your immune system. From before you are born it is working continuously to protect you. Get an infection and feel unwell, it reduces your appetite and raises your body temperature to maximise the effect of your immune system. It makes you tired, clingy towards your loved ones and reluctant to socialise. It knows for you to survive you need to strengthen the bonds with ones that will support you and distances you from those that won't.

What better way of surviving than creating a super group with shared beliefs that would support you at time of need. The best way of cementing that bond is to demonise none members.

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By *ty31Man 42 weeks ago

NW London

I don't believe that one needs to the Bible in a literal sense, word for word. It's perfectly acceptable to cast doubt on certain aspects.

For example did a serpent really lead Adam and Eve into eating a piece of fruit? Very possibly not but it's still Christian belief that they chose knowledge of the world (and the suffering that comes with it) to the blissful ignorance of eden.

It's the word as inspired by God (and written down formally years later) as opposed to (for example) the Muslim belief that the Koran was dictated to Mohammed directly by Allah.

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By *ust RachelTV/TS 41 weeks ago

Horsham

If it gives someone hope, is it religion really a bad thing.

Most of my elderly relatives found religion later in life, it gave them comfort when they were dying.

I was brought up a catholic, but take a very relaxed attitude towards religion, as I don't think it fits in with the current world.

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By *ermbiMan 41 weeks ago

Ballyshannon

"I always ask religious people what bit of the bible did God write ?

You’ll be surprised how many don’t know the answer.

Why would you ask something like that? And what do non religious say when you ask

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By *ermbiMan 41 weeks ago

Ballyshannon

"If it gives someone hope, is it religion really a bad thing.

Most of my elderly relatives found religion later in life, it gave them comfort when they were dying.

I was brought up a catholic, but take a very relaxed attitude towards religion, as I don't think it fits in with the current world."

It's not that it doesn't fit in, it's more that people choose to take their own path with religion as less significant in their lives. Consumerism and individualism have risen above with the person being the most important thing. People make their own choice to suit them and make any belief system irrelevant or lesser to their thought or choice.

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By *oubleswing2019Man 41 weeks ago

Colchester

As an instruction manual on how to ascend to divinity/ godhood, it's pretty lacking on the details.

Which, considering 1/3rd of the Angelic Host are supposed to have rebelled, tells me things weren't quite so peachy-dory and a fair few "servants" were not happy.

Even a God must have a means of removal and replacement. Otherwise you have a Dictatorship.

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By (user no longer on site) 41 weeks ago

"I apologise in advance if I come across as preaching - it honestly isn't my intention.

With the Creation story in Genesis the days mentioned could potentially have been ages, not literal days.

My attitude to the bible is similar to the above.

Any religion text generally tries (or should try) to make you a better person. That is what is important, irrespective of the religion and whether you follow a religion.

Having endless discussions on a book or chapter or verse or sentence or even a word is meaningless. I have listened to full sermons one just a word.

I have been lucky to meet people, even strangers, who are just good people.

So don’t worry about your sister. She is going through a phase. We all do. Each to their own.

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By *arcosaMan 41 weeks ago

London

I am an atheist but I've read a bit about the bible, you can't criticise something if you don't know anything about it.

First of all,the gospels of the New Testament were written about 100 years after Jesus was (allegedly) crucified. The stories of Jesus and the accounts of his life are not contemporary with Jesus's lifetime.

The bible, as it is today, has been edited and altered over many years, sometimes on purpose and sometimes accidentally by misunderstandings, bad spelling or mistranslation. Then the whole thing was looked at again at the council of Nicea because they needed to standardise the bible. There were lots of different bibles around at that time and they didn't all match. It was impossible to spread the good word if everyone was confused about exactly what the word was.

So a load of high ranking priests and pontiffs went through the lot. They chucked a load of stuff out, decided exactly which gospels stayed in (there were others,) added some bits, clarified some other stuff, corrected the spelling and packaged it up for use. The bits that didn't make the cut but we're worth keeping around they put in a book called The Apocrypha. It's all the non-canon stuff.

So,the modern bible is a bit of a mish-mash and even now errors have been discovered. A good example was the 17th century King James known as The Adulterers Bible in which, through a printing error, "Thou shalt not commit adultery" became "Thou shalt commit adultery". Red faces and recalls all round.

So, what I'm trying to say is,the Bible isn't exactly a reliable document. It's certainly not God's word but a whole lot of human voices all smushed together into a very questionable book.

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By *ackformore100Man 41 weeks ago

Tin town

"I am an atheist but I've read a bit about the bible, you can't criticise something if you don't know anything about it.

So, what I'm trying to say is,the Bible isn't exactly a reliable document. It's certainly not God's word but a whole lot of human voices all smushed together into a very questionable book.

That was good until "the questionable" bit. Why questionable? Sounds like a peer reviewed scientific set of results to me. Especially after all the experts got together and sorted out the outliers.

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By *ools1964Man 41 weeks ago

Swadlincote

The bible is utter nonsense, there is no god, the very concept of diety is absurd, as far as I'm concerned religious people are a bunch of deluded crackpots.

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By *owestoft ManMan 41 weeks ago

Lowestoft

I posted a similar answer in a forum called ghosts lol.

Personally I believe when you die you cease to exist. I believe in the Facts shown in Science from the Big Bang. But there have and still are Scientists that believe in God / Bible.

One such Scientist from the early to mid 1600', Blaise Pascal

Pascal contends that a rational person should adopt a lifestyle consistent with the existence of God and actively strive to believe in God. The reasoning behind this stance lies in the potential outcomes: if God does not exist, the individual incurs only finite losses, potentially sacrificing certain pleasures and luxuries. However, if God does indeed exist, they stand to gain immeasurably, as represented for example by an eternity in Heaven in Abrahamic tradition, while simultaneously avoiding boundless losses associated with an eternity in Hell.

Science has moved on since then and I firmly believe there is not.

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By (user no longer on site) 41 weeks ago

"The bible is utter nonsense, there is no god, the very concept of diety is absurd, as far as I'm concerned religious people are a bunch of deluded crackpots. "

Noted

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By (user no longer on site) 41 weeks ago

""I ask because my sister seems to have gone a little over the top with Bible quoting to prove a point, but seems to be cherry picking the bits that suit her world view."

I generally think that this isn't a religion thing but a people thing. If you had someone who was say arguing against climate change they would do the very same thing. "

Yeah agree - all info, even scientific data can be sliced, extracted, manipulated to demonstrate your desired narrative

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By *ackformore100Man 41 weeks ago

Tin town

"The bible is utter nonsense, there is no god, the very concept of diety is absurd, as far as I'm concerned religious people are a bunch of deluded crackpots. "

And those are your beliefs to which you are entitled.

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By *uddy laneMan 41 weeks ago

dudley

As with all religions they are the writings of men and a form of regimenting the human race.

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By *ouple in LancashireCouple 41 weeks ago

in Lancashire

"The bible is utter nonsense, there is no god, the very concept of diety is absurd, as far as I'm concerned religious people are a bunch of deluded crackpots. "

Why be so judgemental and rude about what others believe?

If people gain comfort from whatever they believe at the bad times in life we all have then just live and let live..

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By *alandNitaCouple 41 weeks ago

Scunthorpe

"The bible is utter nonsense, there is no god, the very concept of diety is absurd, as far as I'm concerned religious people are a bunch of deluded crackpots.

Why be so judgemental and rude about what others believe?

If people gain comfort from whatever they believe at the bad times in life we all have then just live and let live.."

Personally, the concept of religion seems beyond belief, but everyone believes what they believe... and nobody will change that.

In my mind, the main driver for believing in religion, is the need for "something" after death. The idea of just ceasing to "be" is scary.

Cal

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By *rHotNottsMan 41 weeks ago

Dubai & Nottingham

It’s actually 133 or so books covering historic records , ancient laws , letters, songs , poetry there’s even a 9000 year old opera in there.

You can read and understand it in many different ways - textual analysis , theological or spiritual. Like anything it can be misused but that is usually a sign of spiritual immaturity

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By *inkygentkentMan 41 weeks ago

Maidstone

"The bible is utter nonsense, there is no god, the very concept of diety is absurd, as far as I'm concerned religious people are a bunch of deluded crackpots. "

More than happy to be a crackpot

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By *ouple in LancashireCouple 41 weeks ago

in Lancashire

"The bible is utter nonsense, there is no god, the very concept of diety is absurd, as far as I'm concerned religious people are a bunch of deluded crackpots.

Why be so judgemental and rude about what others believe?

If people gain comfort from whatever they believe at the bad times in life we all have then just live and let live..

Personally, the concept of religion seems beyond belief, but everyone believes what they believe... and nobody will change that.

In my mind, the main driver for believing in religion, is the need for "something" after death. The idea of just ceasing to "be" is scary.

Cal"

It's scary for many I agree..

I agree on the belief point personally even after an upbringing within the Catholic church I find it puzzling and a mystery that some have so much faith..

But each to their own, if it works for them and more importantly it isn't a negative thing for others then fine..

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By (user no longer on site) 41 weeks ago

I love my bible but I don’t quote it. It’s more of a personal comfort thing to me

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By (user no longer on site) 41 weeks ago

"The bible is utter nonsense, there is no god, the very concept of diety is absurd, as far as I'm concerned religious people are a bunch of deluded crackpots.

Why be so judgemental and rude about what others believe?

If people gain comfort from whatever they believe at the bad times in life we all have then just live and let live.."

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By (user no longer on site) 41 weeks ago

"I love my bible but I don’t quote it. It’s more of a personal comfort thing to me

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By *ackformore100Man 41 weeks ago

Tin town

"I love my bible but I don’t quote it. It’s more of a personal comfort thing to me

Good for you

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By *eftariiMan 41 weeks ago

Dublin

Good start! ????

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By *eftariiMan 41 weeks ago

Dublin

[Removed by poster at 11/02/24 13:18:06]

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By *eftariiMan 41 weeks ago

Dublin

"The bible is utter nonsense, there is no god, the very concept of diety is absurd, as far as I'm concerned religious people are a bunch of deluded crackpots. "

And yet the concept of the imago Dei played a significant role in shaping your being. Refusing to acknowledge and suppress this undeniable truth can only be described as "crackpotism," a term that you appear to embrace without any hesitation, I must say!

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By *ornLordMan 41 weeks ago

Wiltshire and London

I couldn't be on this site - a.k.a. putting myself in the way of temptation - if I were still in any way professing a Christian faith.

Others seem to manage it, but the tradition where I was brought up - and forced to attend and participate in church every Sunday - was freighted with all sorts of guilt about sex outside (Christian) marriage. Eventually, much later than I should have done, I left the church. By then I had made various life choices which would have been much better judged had they not been influenced by what was or wasn't going to offend family and other church people. But I can reconcile being here with who I really am, as well as other stuff I've since learned about other family.

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By *lym4realCouple 41 weeks ago

plymouth

The Bible is basically a collection of fairy stories used to do intolerable harm to other's who don't believe in their version of a space monkey ??? and the jesus story was stole off the romans anyway ?? and most don't actually read all of the bible just the bits that condones their behaviour to others ?? and used as a justification to strip peoples basic human rights away ??? and reason there is more faith schools now despite falling numbers going to church or actually believing in various space monkeys ?? as just like the tobacco adverts they desperately need to recruit the young ??? as the regular smokers/god squad are dying ....

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By *arcosaMan 41 weeks ago

London

Questionable is a fair description because of the Bible's unreliability as a document. Being made by humans, with human faults and foibles "baked in", it's a very shaky document to found a faith upon. The same goes for the Koran but at least they have the concept of abrogation associated with their holy book to explain inconsistencies.

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By *ermbiMan 41 weeks ago

Ballyshannon

"The bible is utter nonsense, there is no god, the very concept of diety is absurd, as far as I'm concerned religious people are a bunch of deluded crackpots. "

You wouldn't say the say the same about Allah or the Koran. Bible and God are easy targets

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By *ermbiMan 41 weeks ago

Ballyshannon

" The Bible is basically a collection of fairy stories used to do intolerable harm to other's who don't believe in their version of a space monkey ??? and the jesus story was stole off the romans anyway ?? and most don't actually read all of the bible just the bits that condones their behaviour to others ?? and used as a justification to strip peoples basic human rights away ??? and reason there is more faith schools now despite falling numbers going to church or actually believing in various space monkeys ?? as just like the tobacco adverts they desperately need to recruit the young ??? as the regular smokers/god squad are dying ....

A very ill thought attack. Punitive statements meant to insult.

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By *oxy jWoman 41 weeks ago

somerset

belive none of it ... its a book used for power and control ...

there a interesting docu on netflix i think it was about the links between the bible and ra the sun god from 2000 years before change a few words and both nearly the same ...its power make people fear then control then power ..

i dont have a problem in what people belive that there choice and fair play to them but to me its just another fantasy book ....

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By *ackformore100Man 41 weeks ago

Tin town

I find it strange that people who don't believe or have no faith need to be quite so offensive and insulting to those that do. One things for sure. Those who have belief in the fora are not the ones throwing insults about. Of nothing else perhaps people could believe in being a little more pleasant.

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By *oquars19458Man 41 weeks ago

sheffield

"I stans by Stephen frys take on the bible and God "

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By *andE2000Man 41 weeks ago

Bathgate

"Nice breakdown.

We believe God is one; 3 co-equal persons make up the trinity. We also hold to the sovereignty and providence of God! "

That goes against 3000 year understanding of the bible by the Jews.

Goes against what Jesus says who god is "And this is eternal life, that they may know you (Speaking to the father) The Only One true God, and Jesus whom you have sent."

A man called him "Good Teacher" He said::

"Why do you call me good?! God alone is good"

So why do you believe in a 3 persons team of God creed invented in 2 stages of 2 councils held in 325Ad and 385AD? The council was made up by Bishops who apostated to Paganism in 303. The Bishops who preferred to die ruther than convert to Paganism were not allowed in those councils and were outcasted as Heretics, extremists.

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By (user no longer on site) 41 weeks ago

I don't believe what's written in the Bible and I think most of it belongs in the bad fiction department of the history of literature. Having said that there are some good bits in there, Ezekiel 23:20 always comes to my mind whenever a Bible thumper wants me to belive in God so that I can "enter the eternal freedom of Heaven" or whatever the preachers of Starford or Oxford Street are banging on about. It's amazing how long those "sacred" texts have survived and how much influence they have had over our lives.

I am more inclined to believe what's written in the maths, physics, chemistry, and biology unversity books that the Bible, Quran, Torah, or any other religious texts.

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By *egasus NobMan 41 weeks ago

Merton

"The bible is utter nonsense, there is no god, the very concept of diety is absurd, as far as I'm concerned religious people are a bunch of deluded crackpots. "

Not believing is also a religion.

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By *bflirtyCouple 41 weeks ago

Milton Keynes

1) Re-written 300 years after te fact by nobody who was there.

2) Less than 50% of UK population actively practice christianity so why is it still taught in schools? If most people believe it to be fiction why brainwash kids with what is essentially fake news?

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By (user no longer on site) 41 weeks ago

"The bible is utter nonsense, there is no god, the very concept of diety is absurd, as far as I'm concerned religious people are a bunch of deluded crackpots.

Not believing is also a religion."

No. It is not. Non believing is simply not giving a fuck about a bunch of badly written fiction that others believe to be the word of their favourite deity.

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By *icecouple561Couple 41 weeks ago
Forum Mod

East Sussex

"1) Re-written 300 years after te fact by nobody who was there.

2) Less than 50% of UK population actively practice christianity so why is it still taught in schools? If most people believe it to be fiction why brainwash kids with what is essentially fake news?"

If most people believe it's fiction how are children being brainwashed?

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By *ackformore100Man 41 weeks ago

Tin town

"1) Re-written 300 years after te fact by nobody who was there.

2) Less than 50% of UK population actively practice christianity so why is it still taught in schools? If most people believe it to be fiction why brainwash kids with what is essentially fake news?"

Schools teaching kids about religions? Yeah that's terrible. All that history and philosophy and discovery and exploration .... Terrible business.

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By *andE2000Man 41 weeks ago

Bathgate

"The bible is utter nonsense, there is no god, the very concept of diety is absurd, as far as I'm concerned religious people are a bunch of deluded crackpots.

Not believing is also a religion.

No. It is not. Non believing is simply not giving a fuck about a bunch of badly written fiction that others believe to be the word of their favourite deity."

You sund like an angry zealous Atheist who has plenty evidence God doesn't exist. If that's not religion then what is? Lol

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By *ty31Man 41 weeks ago

NW London

"1) Re-written 300 years after te fact by nobody who was there.

2) Less than 50% of UK population actively practice christianity so why is it still taught in schools? If most people believe it to be fiction why brainwash kids with what is essentially fake news?"

Far less than 50% of the population identify as being anywhere on the LGBTQ+ spectrum but imagine the uproar if kids weren't taught about those that do.

Regardless of whether you identify as person of faith or an atheist it's still very important to teach religion in schools. Understanding about other faiths, cultures and customs is very important for a respectful, understanding society.

And as for brainwashing with fake news, I'd say that the media is far more guilty of this- I'd rather kids learn lessons from faith than about materialism, jingoism and blind patriotism.

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By *rialbyfire1235Man 41 weeks ago

South KK

‘We’re Christians buddy, we don’t like what you said’

‘Then forgive me.’

- Bill Hicks

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By *ssex_tomMan 41 weeks ago

Chelmsford

The Bible is comfort to many and why deprive them.of that comfort. It's a belief system for many and a coping system..

Global warming being one. Enough scare mongering going on. If a person can find peace in the sacred text then good luck to them

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By *ermbiMan 41 weeks ago

Ballyshannon

"1) Re-written 300 years after te fact by nobody who was there.

2) Less than 50% of UK population actively practice christianity so why is it still taught in schools? If most people believe it to be fiction why brainwash kids with what is essentially fake news?"

People choose to send their children to a religious ethos school. They are taught, not brainwashed. Far more frivolous brainwashing going on daily through various mediums.

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By (user no longer on site) 41 weeks ago

"The bible is utter nonsense, there is no god, the very concept of diety is absurd, as far as I'm concerned religious people are a bunch of deluded crackpots.

Not believing is also a religion.

No. It is not. Non believing is simply not giving a fuck about a bunch of badly written fiction that others believe to be the word of their favourite deity.

You sund like an angry zealous Atheist who has plenty evidence God doesn't exist. If that's not religion then what is? Lol"

Wrong again. I have no proof for the existence of gods or against it. I just don't care.

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By *ddie1966Man 41 weeks ago

Paper Town Central, Essex.

Personally, I don't believe much of the bible.

A great deal has been lost in translation and even more been embellished and forgotten due to handing down via word of mouth.

However, I do believe there are some rules we should aspire to follow where possible and practicable.

If the question was "do you believe in God" then that's something theologians will continue to argue for centuries to come. I listen to my heart on that one, but was told by my regimental padre that in the end, everyone will accept god.

Until that day, first and foremost, I'll continue to believe in myself.

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By *ssex_tomMan 41 weeks ago

Chelmsford

There are many religions that fools follow and one being science but if it makes you happy then why knock it

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By (user no longer on site) 41 weeks ago

"There are many religions that fools follow and one being science but if it makes you happy then why knock it"

There is a difference. An ill religious person goes to see a GP instead of a vicar. There are clearly limits to faith and all believers and non-believers will take two paracetamol to relieve a headache rather than recite the Rosary. So, science is generally proven to work regardless if you "believe" in it whereas religion doesn't work even for the believers. So, it is a waste of time. At least for me.

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By *ldgeezermeMan 41 weeks ago

Newcastle

"There are many religions that fools follow and one being science but if it makes you happy then why knock it"

A basic tenet of science is that any aspect of it can be disproved if an alternative is found

Is that true of any religion?

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By *andE2000Man 41 weeks ago

Bathgate

"The bible is utter nonsense, there is no god, the very concept of diety is absurd, as far as I'm concerned religious people are a bunch of deluded crackpots.

Not believing is also a religion.

No. It is not. Non believing is simply not giving a fuck about a bunch of badly written fiction that others believe to be the word of their favourite deity.

You sund like an angry zealous Atheist who has plenty evidence God doesn't exist. If that's not religion then what is? Lol

Wrong again. I have no proof for the existence of gods or against it. I just don't care. "

That's quite a radical shift in your beliefs after a couple comments!

Aren't the following your own words? :

"there is no god, the very concept of diety is absurd, as far as I'm concerned religious people are a bunch of deluded crackpots."

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By *irexMan 41 weeks ago

Hertford

"belive none of it ... its a book used for power and control ...

i dont have a problem in what people belive that there choice and fair play to them but to me its just another fantasy book .... "

What Foxy said. All religion is a form of social control based on irrational fear - and it’s a way for many to make shed loads of money too - the Vatican is a prime example of that. Governments love religion because it saves them a job.

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By *arcosaMan 41 weeks ago

London

"There are many religions that fools follow and one being science but if it makes you happy then why knock it"

I read this somewhere, I can't remember exactly where or by whom, but it goes like this. If all knowledge of religion and science were somehow erased from humanity, that we were starting again from scratch, we would not find ourselves rewriting the Bible, Koran or any religious literature as it was before. But, eventually, all our science books will be the same as they were because the understanding of our universe is based upon immutable laws which govern our existence. Science is not a religion. Science is based upon evidence but religion is based upon faith.

That isn't to say religion doesn't serve an important function, it's the source of so much great art and beauty. It gives comfort to many people. It can offer a supportive community of people to those who need it. It's morals are, basically, good. It promotes good deeds, not harming others, and helping those in need where you can. It has a lot going for it.

I have a rule when it comes to this kind of thing, if you don't try to talk me into it, I won't try to talk you out of it, meaning if you don't start proselytising at me, I'm not going to turn into an atheist arsehole at you.

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By *iltsTSgirlTV/TS 41 weeks ago

chichester

Does Gandalf win in the end

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By *ackformore100Man 41 weeks ago

Tin town

"There are many religions that fools follow and one being science but if it makes you happy then why knock it

I mean I admire your argument. But to think and say that all science is perfect and fact based is nonsense. It's been proven time and again that peer reviewed science papers that are funded by agendas are less than truthful. Fundamentally in its purist form I'd probably agree. But some aspects of "science" have been so corrupted by greedy scientists in the quest for ego or cash. And that's ignoring the fact that beliefs and culture are not welded to science at all. They touch the soul and emotions which thankfully have not been scientised yet.

There's a reason why some people when on their death bed say send for the priest/imam/rabbi.its to provide comfort and belief that science on its own can't.

Lastly. It really isn't a contest between fact and science and belief systems. They can happily Co exist and add value to our lives. So long as people stop trying to insult and attack others who dont share the same beliefs.

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By *alandNitaCouple 41 weeks ago

Scunthorpe

"It's been proven time and again that peer reviewed science papers that are funded by agendas are less than truthful."

Can you please provide some "peer reviewed" proof of this?

Cal

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By *onameyet2Man 41 weeks ago

chorley

"There are many religions that fools follow and one being science but if it makes you happy then why knock it

I have to comment on your plus points for religion

Art and beauty are not the result of religion the are the result of talented humans

Giving comfort to people through lies is never a good thing, do you think mediums are a good thing?

Supportive communities are made up of decent caring people of any creed or none

The morals of religion are anything but good, crusades, inquisition, child abuse, sharia laws, genital mutilation etc etc

Good deeds, not harming others, see above

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By *onameyet2Man 41 weeks ago

chorley

"I'd suggest you create time to visit the ark encounter in Kentucky."

Is this similar to the religious theme park where men and dinosaurs existed at the same time?

God bless America

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By *onameyet2Man 41 weeks ago

chorley

"The bible is more of a library than a single book. I think it tells us a lot about the views of the people that wrote it but it doesn’t mean that it’s all factual.

It was re written that many times you are right what is fact . Like bk then there was many called Jesus it was a popular name .

It’s all fictional for sure

He plays for Arsenal with his mate Gabriel

Jesus is still a popular name in some languages. Even used for girls as a second name. "

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By *onameyet2Man 41 weeks ago

chorley

"I think if there was no religion in the world we would quickly invent one.

What better way of surviving than creating a super group with shared beliefs that would support you at time of need. The best way of cementing that bond is to demonise none members. "

WTF ???

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By *onameyet2Man 41 weeks ago

chorley

"If it gives someone hope, is it religion really a bad thing.

Most of my elderly relatives found religion later in life, it gave them comfort when they were dying.

I was brought up a catholic, but take a very relaxed attitude towards religion, as I don't think it fits in with the current world.

All the kids in faith schools do not make up their own minds they are indoctrinated, the CofE currently has a £3 million project designed to evangelise kids in schools and not just faith schools, wake up very few adults suddenly get religion because it makes no sense and they can’t be bullied, that’s why most people tell the Jehovah’s Witnesses to fuck off

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By *onameyet2Man 41 weeks ago

chorley

"The bible is utter nonsense, there is no god, the very concept of diety is absurd, as far as I'm concerned religious people are a bunch of deluded crackpots.

You wouldn't say the say the same about Allah or the Koran. Bible and God are easy targets"

That’s because the Christians have stopped killing peoples (generally) but the Islamist’s haven’t

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By *ackformore100Man 41 weeks ago

Tin town

"The bible is utter nonsense, there is no god, the very concept of diety is absurd, as far as I'm concerned religious people are a bunch of deluded crackpots.

You wouldn't say the say the same about Allah or the Koran. Bible and God are easy targets

That’s because the Christians have stopped killing peoples (generally) but the Islamist’s haven’t "

Maybe see what's going on in gaza right now. It's far from that.

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By *onameyet2Man 41 weeks ago

chorley

"The bible is utter nonsense, there is no god, the very concept of diety is absurd, as far as I'm concerned religious people are a bunch of deluded crackpots.

Not believing is also a religion."

Incorrect, it’s a normal state of being

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By *onameyet2Man 41 weeks ago

chorley

"The bible is utter nonsense, there is no god, the very concept of diety is absurd, as far as I'm concerned religious people are a bunch of deluded crackpots.

Not believing is also a religion.

No. It is not. Non believing is simply not giving a fuck about a bunch of badly written fiction that others believe to be the word of their favourite deity.

You sund like an angry zealous Atheist who has plenty evidence God doesn't exist. If that's not religion then what is? Lol"

You don’t require evidence for the nonexistance of something, just for its existence, this is termed burden of proof, ask any judge.

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By *onameyet2Man 41 weeks ago

chorley

"The Bible is comfort to many and why deprive them.of that comfort. It's a belief system for many and a coping system..

Global warming being one. Enough scare mongering going on. If a person can find peace in the sacred text then good luck to them "

Mediums are comforting for people are they ok?

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By *onameyet2Man 41 weeks ago

chorley

"1) Re-written 300 years after te fact by nobody who was there.

2) Less than 50% of UK population actively practice christianity so why is it still taught in schools? If most people believe it to be fiction why brainwash kids with what is essentially fake news?

You can’t teach something that has no proof to support it, you can only indoctrinate by fear and lies

People choose to send their children to a religious ethos school. They are taught, not brainwashed. Far more frivolous brainwashing going on daily through various mediums. "

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By (user no longer on site) 41 weeks ago

I am very much into standards so the 10 commandments stand prominent in my life.

12 disciples one traitor

On the 7th day God rested.

40 days and 40 nights being tempted by the evil spirit

I have had many traitors in my life. I have worked Sundays. Have never been tempted only on fab.

Thou shalt not commit adultery. Never have never will.

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By *ouple in LancashireCouple 41 weeks ago

in Lancashire

"The bible is utter nonsense, there is no god, the very concept of diety is absurd, as far as I'm concerned religious people are a bunch of deluded crackpots.

Not believing is also a religion.

Incorrect, it’s a normal state of being"

To what extent is not believing normal, laws and rules that are not religious based are also written by people..?

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By *onameyet2Man 41 weeks ago

chorley

"There are many religions that fools follow and one being science but if it makes you happy then why knock it

A basic tenet of science is that any aspect of it can be disproved if an alternative is found

Is that true of any religion?"

Why would anyone try to disprove something that has never been proven?

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By *onameyet2Man 41 weeks ago

chorley

"belive none of it ... its a book used for power and control ...

The Vatican also harbours paedophiles with outstanding warrants for their arrest

i dont have a problem in what people belive that there choice and fair play to them but to me its just another fantasy book ....

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By *onameyet2Man 41 weeks ago

chorley

"There are many religions that fools follow and one being science but if it makes you happy then why knock it

There's a reason why some people when on their death bed say send for the priest/imam/rabbi.its to provide comfort and belief that science on its own can't.

Science isn’t a belief it just is and is proven to be

Religion is a dangerous control mechanism which does no good and harms millions

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By (user no longer on site) 41 weeks ago

Someone once said this, and it's very true

Remove all religious and scientific literature. ALL of thier teachings.

In 500 years Science will not have changed, because they are indelible FACTS

Religion will completely change, as its based on feelings, and ideas

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By *ldgeezermeMan 41 weeks ago

Newcastle

"There are many religions that fools follow and one being science but if it makes you happy then why knock it

A basic tenet of science is that any aspect of it can be disproved if an alternative is found

Is that true of any religion?

Why would anyone try to disprove something that has never been proven?"

Are you saying that science doesn't exist or that new ideas don't supercede older theories when new evidence comes to light?

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By *ackformore100Man 41 weeks ago

Tin town

"There are many religions that fools follow and one being science but if it makes you happy then why knock it

A basic tenet of science is that any aspect of it can be disproved if an alternative is found

Is that true of any religion?

Why would anyone try to disprove something that has never been proven?

Are you saying that science doesn't exist or that new ideas don't supercede older theories when new evidence comes to light?"

Isn't the world flat then?

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By *ackformore100Man 41 weeks ago

Tin town

"Someone once said this, and it's very true

Remove all religious and scientific literature. ALL of thier teachings.

In 500 years Science will not have changed, because they are indelible FACTS

Religion will completely change, as its based on feelings, and ideas"

Fact

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By *onameyet2Man 41 weeks ago

chorley

"The bible is utter nonsense, there is no god, the very concept of diety is absurd, as far as I'm concerned religious people are a bunch of deluded crackpots.

You wouldn't say the say the same about Allah or the Koran. Bible and God are easy targets

That’s because the Christians have stopped killing peoples (generally) but the Islamist’s haven’t

Maybe see what's going on in gaza right now. It's far from that. "

This makes no sense?

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By *onameyet2Man 41 weeks ago

chorley

"There are many religions that fools follow and one being science but if it makes you happy then why knock it

A basic tenet of science is that any aspect of it can be disproved if an alternative is found

Is that true of any religion?

Why would anyone try to disprove something that has never been proven?

Are you saying that science doesn't exist or that new ideas don't supercede older theories when new evidence comes to light?"

God has never been proven to exist so there is no requirement to disprove it.

The whole basis of science is proof

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By *ldgeezermeMan 41 weeks ago

Newcastle

"There are many religions that fools follow and one being science but if it makes you happy then why knock it

A basic tenet of science is that any aspect of it can be disproved if an alternative is found

Is that true of any religion?

Why would anyone try to disprove something that has never been proven?

Are you saying that science doesn't exist or that new ideas don't supercede older theories when new evidence comes to light?

God has never been proven to exist so there is no requirement to disprove it.

The whole basis of science is proof"

You're preaching to the converted

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By *onameyet2Man 41 weeks ago

chorley

Amen brother and sister soz

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By *arcosaMan 41 weeks ago

London

"There are many religions that fools follow and one being science but if it makes you happy then why knock it

There's a reason why some people when on their death bed say send for the priest/imam/rabbi.its to provide comfort and belief that science on its own can't.

Anything people are involved with is open to abuse. I have no illusions about this. But this doesn't invalidate the science, it only proves that people are willing to manipulate data to suit their purposes. Remember there's lies, damned lies and statistics.

I've already said that people find comfort in religion and that's fine, I don't begrudge anyone their faith. But you can use science to find that comfort too, science tells us about our place in the universe, what processes are involved in death and how our death is part of a natural cycle. It demystifies death which helps to dismiss the fear associated with it.

I think there will always be tension between science and religion. They're basically both the same thing, a search for an understanding of reality and our place in it. The methods used though are diametrically opposed. This is where the tension lies and I can't see anyway of reconciling the two.

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By *andE2000Man 41 weeks ago

Bathgate

[Removed by poster at 12/02/24 14:50:47]

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By *ortyairCouple 41 weeks ago

Wallasey

Ignoring science and its differences in revealing truths from religion. I find how religion is interpreted is very problematic.

If any god is omnipotent, all powerful, all knowing and created everything then surely any texts documenting the history of that particular religion, the main players and the rules to live your life as a believer should be free from interpretation of man. Now I know man 'wrote' the Bible and man is fallible but God is not, that's one of the thing that makes him God.

So surely such texts are the word of the particular God for that particular religion. Although written by man, through the guidance of their God, it surely must not be open to interpretation or problems with translation, God being all knowing would be able to see this and ensure that their word is true.

So followers of the same religion could be wrong in their beliefs, even though they follow the same text, believe in the same God.

Moderates believe that there is some leeway in what the text actually states, what with it being man made and the problems of translation and the like. Zealots on the other hand believe every word was handed down by God and should be followed with no deviation from the text.

Although being a non-believer I find the Zealot approach more understandable, even if I do not believe the approaches they take to follow their religious path.

After all they all believe in the same God, but only the zealots believe that 'their' version of the same God is infallible, moderates appear to accept that God can make mistakes because by allowing man to write these texts God did not see what mistakes and problems with interpretations would arise.

So if any God can make mistakes are they really a God? It wouldn't be any God I could believe in and follow.

Even though I said I understood the Zealots approach to reading and following their texts doesn't mean that I believe in those texts.

If you take any approach that says these texts are to be taken literally, they are the actual word of God's, then you run into problems within the text themselves.

Looking at the Bible, in Isaiah 40.22 it states 'He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth...'.

So we all know when viewed from space, 'above the earth', that the earth is a sphere. But the Bible does not say that, it says 'circle'.

Now moderates would jump in here with a translation or interpretation argument but zealots cannot do that for this is the word of God.

A circle is a very defined name for a two dimension object. It's not a ball or a sphere. A plate can be a circle and if you look at it from above that's how it appears. However if viewed from the side its flat. The same shape that the earth was thought to be when these texts were written.

That may be why in Provebs they say the phrase 'edge of the earth...".

Ultimately this is the problem I have with religious texts, no matter what approach you follow in reading these texts, or how you follow your life upon your interpretation of them, it seems that there's too much contradiction contained within them for me to believe.

That's my interpretation. I think I may have a problem saying that in my last sentence haha, Mrs x

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By *andE2000Man 41 weeks ago

Bathgate

[Removed by poster at 12/02/24 14:54:55]

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By (user no longer on site) 41 weeks ago

"I always ask religious people what bit of the bible did God write ?

You’ll be surprised how many don’t know the answer.

None of it

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By (user no longer on site) 41 weeks ago

"Ignoring science and its differences in revealing truths from religion. I find how religion is interpreted is very problematic.