FRDB Archives

Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The archives are read only.


Go Back   FRDB Archives > Archives > Religion (Closed) > Biblical Criticism & History
Welcome, Peter Kirby.
You last visited: Today at 03:12 PM

 
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old 01-09-2010, 07:20 AM   #21
Veteran Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: On the path of knowledge
Posts: 8,889
Default

The best way that I can think of to explain the experience of being able to perceive, 'see' and comprehend a 'vision' that most remain utterly insensate and blind to, is being willingly subject to a major and dramatic "paradigm shift".
(unwillingly, it would be an unimaginably intense nightmare, likely resulting in immediate catatonic shock, or instant death.
Even willingly, I have no doubt at all that the immensity and intensity of my 'vision' would have killed me at the moment, except that it was progressively comprehended bit by bit, as it were 'line upon line, precept upon precept.....' and my mind was allowed sufficient time to absorb, adjust and integrate, this new view and also disentangle from my previous old paradigm associations.)
With a paradigm shift however, a person (or a people) receive the ability to peer around a formerly unperceived and unrecognized 'invisible corner', and to 'view' all things from a new and different perspective, ("outside the box") one that only those who have so 'repositioned' themselves, are capable of even recognizing the existence of.
If you cannot perceive that the "box" you are in exists, you cannot 'see' its corners, nor ever view it from the outside.

So what I am talking about here is a "paradigm shift" that the entire human race is ultimately going to experience, Something very old will be brought to light that will supplant and overthrow the present paradigms, and permanently change all views.
The now 'present "box" (this aeon 'world', 'age') will be annihilated, being replaced by a renewed better 'paradigm box' (aeon 'world', 'age') where all will respect the same Standard, and equal measurements are shared by all men everywhere.

While I could expound for hours upon the meaning, significance, or ramifications of this, that, or another ancient 'word' or 'find', I will not.
I have done my homework, and am fully confident that whoever likewise does theirs, will ultimately 'see' around that same invisible corner, then we will see eye to eye.
Those who do not 'do their own homework' will be taken unawares, for their ignorance will not hold back an idea, or a comprehension, whose 'time' is at long last come.
Sheshbazzar is offline  
Old 01-09-2010, 08:23 AM   #22
Regular Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Sheffield ENGLAND
Posts: 102
Default

Thankyou to all who replied for helping me understand a little more about "Visions" as written in the bible.
I do not like the idea that the "Visions" in the bible should be taken as FACTUAL events. That was my main focus. John keslers reply was indeed an insight into the "word" Vision but it still left some answers...Incidentally and in relation to this debate, Andrew Criddle has said that the "Visions" should maybe regarded as altered states of conciousness?..Yes i could easilly agree with that thought and thankyou for that Andrew. In biblical times alcohol was readily available and so were drugs and there were no laws as such that we have in place today. Perhaps the "Visions" these people were having were a combination of dreams or hallucinations due to the effects of alcohol/drugs. Very probable id say. Thanks again.
FinBak is offline  
Old 01-09-2010, 09:22 PM   #23
Contributor
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 11,525
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by FinBak View Post
Can anyone here please explain to me, in what sence is the bible portraying the "Visions" that people had?.
...a few that come to mind

Ezekiel's description of the wheel in heaven

Jacob's heavenly ladder

Daniel's visions (which greatly influenced revelation)

Paul's heavenly vision in 2 Cor 2:12+

The gospel vision of Jesus with Moses and Elijah

The entire book of Revelation
spamandham is offline  
Old 01-10-2010, 06:26 AM   #24
Veteran Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: On the path of knowledge
Posts: 8,889
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by FinBak View Post
Now, the word "Vision" can mean quite a few things (Aptly i guess!), it all depends on how it is phraised.

Eg. I have vision=I can see with my own eyes=true fact...

On the other hand if i say, "HE" "SHE" had "A" vision,

this can mean that ["I" /"THEM" have an IDEA for the future...

It can also mean that "I" "WE" "HAD" "A" "DREAM"...

Are the "Visions" depicted in the bible the latter?

Any help grately appreciated. Thankyou.
Separated into its component parts, FinBak's question involves the differences between the possible meanings of having a "Vision", being;

(A.) I have vision=I can see with my own eyes=true fact...

Is the 'Vision' a factual account of something that is actually seen?
AND what is being 'seen' in the "Vision" IS an accurate account of an actual factual event(s) that will (or did) take place.
(and at a time or place the 'Vision's" reporter could not have been physically present to 'see')

(B.) 'On the other hand.... "A" vision, that is only.. "an IDEA for the future" which would be only "A DREAM".... about the possibility
of something taking place.

FinBak then wants to know "Are the "Visions" depicted in the bible the latter?"

The 'Visions' depicted in the Bible are actually neither.
The Bible was written and composed by men over many generations.
The prophetical 'dreams' and 'visions' present within Biblical texts are all latter literary compositions wholly invented by latter religious writers and cleverly inserted into earlier folk tales to give support to those writers own political and religious views and explanations as to what they believed to be the causes of whatever present distress their nation was then experiencing.

These tales of the lives, dreams, and visions, of Patriarches and Prophets reflect what these latter writers wished their national 'history' to have been,
They are not accurate accounts of the lives or situations of any actual people, or their visions, or dreams.

These 'dreams' and 'visions' were virtually all composed well after the events and situations they were inserted to 'predict', or to be a 'prophecy' about.
Sheshbazzar is offline  
Old 01-11-2010, 03:07 AM   #25
Veteran Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: On the path of knowledge
Posts: 8,889
Default

I should not have said "all" above, as I am willing to concede that those portions of prophecies that failed to materialize, were likely to have been written before the events predicted, and that never happened.
In reading it appears that these latter writers and redactors were sometimes either unaware of, or unconcerned with what the actual course of history had been,
The older writings they were redacting and supplementing only being convenient vehicles employed to put their own twist and spin on.
Hmmm, reminds me of what religionists still do with old religious writings to this very day, quote a section of old text for a patina of legitimacy, and then add their contemporary spin material.
Sheshbazzar is offline  
Old 01-11-2010, 10:10 AM   #26
Regular Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Sheffield ENGLAND
Posts: 102
Default

Thankyou all for your replys. Having read them and consulting the bible and the whole internet. I still come to the conclusion that these people who wrote the bible and about the people there in, they were "ON Something"....Alcohol and drugs. Hence the HALLUCINATIONS that they had.. 99.9% of the "Visions" they had cannot be proven as FACTUAL EVENTS..Prove me wrong if you can?..
FinBak is offline  
Old 01-11-2010, 10:28 AM   #27
Regular Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Sheffield ENGLAND
Posts: 102
Default

I am covering this on another thread...Nebie here so i was not sure where to start. A common thesis of our brain?. Were not perfect. Well at least im not.. Wonky teeth and a brain that refuses to go to sleep..Thats me .Hmm.
FinBak is offline  
Old 01-11-2010, 10:39 AM   #28
Contributor
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Los Angeles area
Posts: 40,549
Default

If you search this forum and the archives for cannabis or ergot, you will find some previous discussions of possible drug use in shaping the Bible.
Toto is offline  
Old 01-11-2010, 10:52 AM   #29
Regular Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Sheffield ENGLAND
Posts: 102
Default

Thanks TOTO. I have done a lot of research into this field..I dont need to be pointed for the evidence. It allready exists. Thankyou anyway.
FinBak is offline  
Old 01-11-2010, 11:04 AM   #30
Contributor
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 11,525
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Toto View Post
If you search this forum and the archives for cannabis or ergot, you will find some previous discussions of possible drug use in shaping the Bible.
...also magic mushrooms and wormwood.
spamandham is offline  
 

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 04:42 PM.

Top

This custom BB emulates vBulletin® Version 3.8.2
Copyright ©2000 - 2015, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.