Who decides?

[Guest Terry]

As some of you know, every other week my wife and I run a Discussion Group. Each participant takes a turn in hosting the group and deciding on a topic, they really are a lot of fun.

 

Next Sunday's gathering is on "Integrity & a moral compass". This topic is certainly going to get a reaction as the group is made of Humanists, Atheists, fundamental Christians, Catholics & New Agers. In doing some research on the topic I stumbled across this:

 

The following reflects a letter that an Internet wag is supposed to have addressed to televangelist Reverend Jerry Falwell:

 

Dear Jerry Falwell

 

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination.

 

I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the other specific laws and how to follow them:

 

1. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

2. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?

3. Leviticus 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?

 

I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help.

 

Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.

:deadhorse::deadhorse:

[slngsht]

This might fall under politics, religion and controversy. I'll move it there.

[slngsht]

I'm not religious at all, but a little googling turns up some explanations:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20120430072818AAxaUgg

[coffee break]

Biblical context is important. What was spoken thousands of years ago were for a was for the people of that time. Man is no smarter today than in times past. We have advanced technology to expand our knowledge, but our ability to be stupid is also keeping pace.

Edited December 3, 2013 by coffee break

[Guest Terry]

My slant on it is that most of the Bible is fiction, some is history, some poetry, some metaphors.

[bigdog]

I'm somewhere in the middle. Just as children need a guide post or a set of boundaries to operate within as set forth by their parental units. I think the Bible can do this (on a basic level) for adults that have lost their direction in life. It gives a person the hope that they are not just here for a bit and then disappear. Of course there are those that would use (twist) any book whether it is the Bible, Qur'an, Wiccan, The US constitution and use it for their own devices that are often contrary to the basic tenants of "their" book.

[Guest Terry]

To some extend I would agree with you, however in my opinion, the biggest problem is that the Bible is seen as a book instead of a library. It is my conviction that the Books that make up the Bible should have never been bound together. The other problem is the literal interpretation. Surely the Bible was never meant to be read in this light; (in my opinion the root of most of the division within the Christian church) one only has to do a small amount of research to discover that middle eastern people were story tellers. In my opinion the Bible is made up of fiction, history, poetry & metaphors.

 

In conclusion, We're right and everybody else is wrong, that's the message that the Christian church is proclaiming. As stated by a friend of mine the Christian church is selling fire insurance.

 

Having a faith in God has nothing to do with aligning ones self with an organized religion, however if I were to choose it would be the Baha'i.

[ben1364]

As some of you know, every other week my wife and I run a Discussion Group. Each participant takes a turn in hosting the group and deciding on a topic, they really are a lot of fun.

 

Next Sunday's gathering is on "Integrity & a moral compass". This topic is certainly going to get a reaction as the group is made of Humanists, Atheists, fundamental Christians, Catholics & New Agers. In doing some research on the topic I stumbled across this:

 

The following reflects a letter that an Internet wag is supposed to have addressed to televangelist Reverend Jerry Falwell:

 

Dear Jerry Falwell

 

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination.

 

I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the other specific laws and how to follow them:

 

1. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

2. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?

3. Leviticus 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?

 

I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help.

 

Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.

:deadhorse::deadhorse:

This must be an old letter. Dr. Falwell has been dead for a few years.

[Guest Terry]

It is

[coffee break]

There is an old joke that can poke fun at literal interpretation.

 

A preacher was asked why he would never fly on an airplane. He said " In the good book the Lord said 'I will be with you lo...' "

 

Many ancient cultures relied on oral means to pass down history, and other stories that explained who the were. The books of the Bible were written sometimes hundreds of years after the stories were originally spoken. Many people and purposes over time shaped the book referred to as the Bible. The books contained in it were set somewhere around the 2nd or 3rd century AD or CE. The original text were written in Aramaic or Greek, what we read was translated and interpreted from there. If you are looking for clear direction on how to live, it's clear as mud!

I find that KISS works for me.