Why do Christians take the Bible so literal? Some parts are absolutely absurd. There was a well-known Baptist, George Hensley, who took the Bible as the word of God. He thought thay he would be invulnerable to snake bites and poisions This lunatic was constantly in trouble with the law for endangering the idiots that went ot his church. having them touch snakes, etc. Let me fast foward to the ending Hensley died of a snake bite

workerbee

De Maria

Lob, you and I already discussed this in "For believers only" message #76, 80, 81 and 84.
Here's a link:
http://www.askmehelpdesk.com/christi...-143702-9.html

If you still have questions, start another thread. This thread is about taking the Bible literally. I believe everyone else is trying to get back to the subject at hand.

Sincerely,

De Maria

lobrobster

No need to re-hash all that. My point was that you yourself know what it means to question certain truths about other people's religion. So it shouldn't come as such a shock to you when someone questions the truth about ALL religions. I'll agree that using terms like 'BS' isn't the most tactful form of expression. But it basically just means they don't buy into any of them, in a similar way that you don't buy into Hinduism.

Credendovidis

First of all : the percentage of people who take the Bible literal is rather low.
Most Christians see the Bible as a religious guide to life.

If you during your youth have been brainwashed into Christianity, and when there is somewhere in your brain all kinds of religious doubt gnawing around, you can do two things :
1 - Open up your mind, and ask yourself if what you believe is in any way realistic and can be based on reality. If the answer is no, become a non-believer or deist.
2 - Those who fear the thorn of "God", and/or the reaction by the (religious) people around them tend to force themselves into strict religious rules, one of which is taking the Bible literal in the hope that this will stop their queries.
In this second group religion seems mainly based on fear, not on love of and gratitude for the deity.

De Maria

In other words, you are justifying rude language and insults. Bumblebee (or whatever his name is) has done the same. If that is the way this forum will go, I foresee that things are going to get very distasteful.

I'd rather have polite discussions. But let me know when you want me to describe your beliefs as BS. I'm ready, willing and able.

lobrobster

I've already said that use of the term BS was not tactful and am not sure I would have used it myself. And by the way... If you ever feel that a belief I hold is BS, feel free to say so (but please be sure to point out exactly what you think is false about it). I won't take offense, I promise. Being able to justify my beliefs is important to me. If ever I can't, I will most likely concede. I see no shame in that.

Fr_Chuck

Thread closed, it is ending up as most, with attacks on religious beliefs by those with none, name calling and attempts to hijack the thread