mata leao

feed the hungry, heal the sick, comfort widows and orphans..... THe problem is this: the Bible says a lot of things, but many of the things it says to do, people just dont want to do (especially if it involves real sacrifice)...sooooo, the human nature is to reject it.

Bender

I'll grant you that there are some nice things in the bible, but I think that most people (who do) reject the bible do so because of the ludicrous stuff within it. Resurrections, creation ex nihlo etc? Along with horrible commands to do things such as stone people to death for silly things.

mata leao

maybe its a test! Adolf Hitler vs. Albert Scweitzer......... some focus on the evil, some focus on the good

Bender

Or perhaps we should ditch the bible and do what is best for all of humanity, and not have to use 2,000 year old morals for modern day situations. But that would be silly wouldn't it.

Hallandale

The following letter was written to an 'Advice Column" in my local newspaper.
I did not write it. But I think it is humorous.
I think that its message is appropriate to this thread. The letter is funny because it demonstrates how ridiculous some of the inspired word of God is.

Dear Aurelia,
Thanks for doing so much to educate people regarding God's laws. I have learned a great deal from you and try to share 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. End of debate. I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of God's laws and how to follow them:

1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

2. 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?

3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual un-cleanliness (Lev. 15:19-24). The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev. 1:9). The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?

6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination (Lev. 11:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there "degrees'of abomination?"

7. Lev. 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?

8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?

9.1 know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

10. My uncle has a farm. He vioªlates Lev. 19: 19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? (Lev. 24:10-16). Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair, as we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14).

I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, so I am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging. —John Z.

I hope you enjoyed the humor of God's word.

Nick Hallandale
enterprisestrategy@earthlink.net

mata leao

well hallandale, you have a good "excuse" now for not feeding the hungry, not helping heal the sick and not comforting widows and orphans....

Bender

His post had no relation to whether or not he does anything noteable when it comes to making the world a better place. I notice you automatically assume he doesn't do anything to help people. :huh:

mata leao

no bender, I was making a point about selective bias and emphasis, some prefer to focus in on some things as opposed to others....it says a lot about the person's inner character and true motives.... and truth is, secular humanists do very very little sacrifical charitable work.

jackrabbit

Do you have any independent surveys (not from religious sites) proving that?

mata leao

google BARNA, but even better, show up, and count the atheists who show up for habitat for humanity,etc etc etc vs. the christians...Christians do the heavy lifting of charitable work in every city of the U.S.