Matthew Chapter 13: What kind of drugs was the author on that wrote this?

[Darnell 8,479]

The Bible should rock, and stuff ! Don't you agree, man?

Actually, no, I don't agree, that the Bible should rock, and stuff.

OTOH, what each person gets OUT of reading it, varies by the person. Those that posses faith have a different experience, when reading it. Those without faith, eh - many times is not a useful book for them. Then there's all variants inbetween.

So, what are your plans with all of these points I've awarded you? Any plans to cash them in, buy something meaningful or useful?

[Darnell 8,479]

Well, if you were molested by priests wearing nun habits when you were young, you might have some resentment toward organized religion.

are you leaning towards the Word of God in the New Testament? Ya know, that schism with the Jews, the Chosen People, who already had a pile of prior 'Word of God' compilations, known as the Torah?

Are you having any similar issues with what you read in the Old Testament, and somehow having other 'feelings' towards Jews?? Just asking, to be polite...

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

are you leaning towards the Word of God in the New Testament? Ya know, that schism with the Jews, the Chosen People, who already had a pile of prior 'Word of God' compilations, known as the Torah?

Are you having any similar issues with what you read in the Old Testament, and somehow having other 'feelings' towards Jews?? Just asking, to be polite...

English please outside the regional forums.

Lots of good stories out there. Some of my favorites can be found in the Constantine commission for a compilation of the New and Old Testaments that became later known as the Roman Bible, which most Christians follow with some variance in translations here and there. What I find more interesting are all the works referred in the New Testament by Jesus Himself that were popular at that time, but were not compiled in the Bible, as well as the portions of the works recovered from the Dead Sea Scrolls. The mythology in the Koran also refers to similar works and oral traditions that have been lost to the ages.

The Torah, or first five books of the Old Testament, was only a portion of the scholarly work compiled during the Babylonian Captivity, after the destruction of the First Temple.

Edited June 9, 2012 by ☼

[mawilson 2,133]

I like the Parable of the Yeast.

"The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast infection in a woman's #######. Even though she only had a little yeast in three measures of normal genital bacteria, it permeated every part of the dark and moist environment, causing itching, discharge, redness, and burning... in Hell."

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Ignorance is bliss.

[웃 910]

Scandal and Mawilson and 97% of our planets greatest scientists are 100.1% certain there is no God. You and your parents are wrong, get over it..

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Scandal and Mawilson and 97% of our planets greatest scientists are 100.1% certain there is no God. You and your parents are wrong, get over it..

You're the one with the issues. Get help.

[웃 910]

You're the one with the issues. Get help.

You and your forefathers are wrong, get over it!!!!! They are bottom 1%, top scientists are TOP 1%. Get over it! Your forefathers are wayyyy off!!

[spookyturtle 9,466]

You and your forefathers are wrong, get over it!!!!! They are bottom 1%, top scientists are TOP 1%. Get over it! Your forefathers are wayyyy off!!

First of all, you have no idea what my beliefs are. Second, you are such an insecure person that you feel the need to constantly try to tell people who believe otherwise that they are wrong. You sound like a jackass.

[Darnell 8,479]

Scandal and Mawilson and 97% of our planets greatest scientists are 100.1% certain there is no God. You and your parents are wrong, get over it..

Ya know, the USA is a place where there is Freedom of Religion - anyone can believe in anything, or nothing.

Perhaps you were seeking to live in a place, in a society, perhaps even IN a country, where there is Freedom from religion?

I dunno, but one of the cool things about living in the USA is that it's totally uncool to attack a person based on religious beliefs. You are not wanting to do that, right? Make personal attacks based on your perception of another person's religious beliefs?

Look, it's all cool and stuff to b|tch, gripe, moan and complain about the Bible, The God, and whatnots. IMO, you cross the line when you make a personal attack about it - as for most folk, religion is a personal choice, made without your input, prior.

You weren't involved in someone's personal choice of religion prior, why to get mixed up with that choice now?

Edited June 10, 2012 by Darnell

[james&olya 1,121]

So who wrote it if it was written at least 60 years after Jesús died? The old poor hygiened no doctors in sight desert dwellers didn't live very long so that is 2 to 3 generations after Jesús died.

If blonde haired blue eyed fair-skinned all-American Jesús wrote it I am not impressed at all. He was one of thousands of supposed Gods and for a God, you would think it would make more sense and be more eloquent. I can go to any bookstore and pick a random book off the shelf and 10 out of 10 times the random author will be far superior in writing. How come God was so horrible at writing?

I don't believe there is a literal God. But come on, you do realize that Jesus and Matthew were not speaking or writing in English don't you? There are many very legitimate avenues to criticize the idea of 'God' but this is certainly not one!

[B_J 2,752]

You and your forefathers are wrong, get over it!!!!! They are bottom 1%, top scientists are TOP 1%. Get over it! Your forefathers are wayyyy off!!

I like that now you're pointing out how smart atheists are but earlier you admitted that you can't understand a few parables.

[james&olya 1,121]

I like that now you're pointing out how smart atheists are but earlier you admitted that you can't understand a few parables.

Atheists have a wide range of intelligence. I have never seen any actual statistics but my impression is that many atheists are above average intelligence.

Many of the writings contained within the christian Bible are significant in their wisdom and philosophy. I would certainly include the above mentioned parables there! As to the other 'issue' regarding the grade level at which these were written down or originally spoken, the most intelligent of speakers and writers adjust the words and grammar to the level of their intended audience. Unless, of course, the intention is less to educate than to bamboozle them with bullshit!

[B_J 2,752]

Atheists have a wide range of intelligence. I have never seen any actual statistics but my impression is that many atheists are above average intelligence.

Many of the writings contained within the christian Bible are significant in their wisdom and philosophy. I would certainly include the above mentioned parables there! As to the other 'issue' regarding the grade level at which these were written down or originally spoken, the most intelligent of speakers and writers adjust the words and grammar to the level of their intended audience. Unless, of course, the intention is less to educate than to bamboozle them with bullshit!

I agree. Most people I've known who claimed to be atheists have been very intelligent. And all have had respect for the teachings of Jesus. VJ is my first experience with someone who couldn't appreciate Jesus as a teacher/philosopher.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I agree. Most people I've known who claimed to be atheists have been very intelligent. And all have had respect for the teachings of Jesus. VJ is my first experience with someone who couldn't appreciate Jesus as a teacher/philosopher.

I have as yet to meet an intelligent atheist, or even see one on TV. I have known a lot of agnostics that freely quote the works of the various religions, both eastern and western, as evidence of being well read and familiar with a diversity of philosophies. Even those folks I know that have a distaste for organized religion, have a believe in a higher power, collective consciousness, and the concept of dharma. Concepts of all deeds rewarded or punished seven fold seem to hold in both Christians and the counterculture hippie dope smokers. Only an insecure and ignorant person, or a Communist, could possibly feel the calling to ridicule and condemn all religious thought. However, where that calling comes from would suggest something beyond himself has an active influence on his life.