Freethought & Rationalism Archive

ltasey · 01-15-2006, 02:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yahzi

Because it is.

Yes!

hayahtowb · 01-15-2006, 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lilyofthevalley

I think you say what a lot of us feel: We would quite like to believe the Jesus story (God becomes incarnate on this planet because God loves us - let's face it: it's a beautiful idea) - but we can't accept it. It's just too implausible. It belongs to another era.

If we had all been born centuries ago maybe the story would have rung true as the only story available. But we know differently. It's just too hard to believe. I personally feel a real sense of loss that I can't believe it.

Nevertheless, fundy-that-you-were, you shouldn't be fucked. If we do have a creator, then one assumes He likes His creatures - and he doesn't mind us thinking about things. Even if we doubt His Bible or his scheme of salvation I imagine he can take it with equanimity.

I like this post, lots of thinking going on. It all comes down to faith.

David B · 01-15-2006, 04:28 AM

Why does the bible sound like fairy tales? Why do the Norse Myths, the accounts of the Greek and Roman Pantheons, the various creations myths from aboriginal people all over the world sound like fairy tales?

Because it is what they are. Why treat the myths from one people thousands of years ago differently from all the others - unless there is really good evidence so to do.

As far as I can see, such evidence is lacking.

David B

Killer Mike · 01-15-2006, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ltasey

I have a question. Why does the bible sound like a fairy tale? I mean, back in the ancient and medieval times, the bible probably wasn't all that unbelievable. But with the advent of contemporary science and biblical criticism--to say nothing of the horrors of the 20th century--the bible seems like some irrelevant Iron Age book.

I'd like to believe in these fairy tales, but the way the world has grown in knowledge--and suffering--it's just too impossible to believe anymore. Perhaps God could wind back the clock; God could take our knowledge of the sciences and biblical criticism away, so that we can once again believe in fairy tales. Then more people would believe and go to heaven--which, the last time I read the bible, is God's wish.

So believers, pray for me; pray that God will help me to believe in absurdities. Pray that I can jam the crazy creed into my head, so that God will be happy and I can go to heaven.

And unbelievers, tell me to give Fundyism up for good and move on with my life. I know it sounds crazy, but sometimes I wonder if I'm in "big trouble" with God becasue I can't believe in biblical nonsense. I just hope that, if there is a God, God will reward me because I followed the *way* of Jesus and not because I couldn't believe ridiculous things *about* Jesus.

I hope it's not the latter, because if so, I'm fucked. Satan and the demons will bend me over and rip me good. But hopefully God can turn back the clock, thus making it easier to believe in these Neanderthalish things.

ltasey

If one were to take a trip to some remote island somewhere off the coast of Africa and talk to the locals and they presented you with a book handed down for centuries, with stories of flood waters being divided, and miracles, and god coming down to earth, etc.. I mean how could anyone even take it seriously?

Like the stories in Greek and Roman Mythology, one would just chuckle a little and perhaps be polite and play along with their silly stories. One would look at it like a cultural anthropologists might, you might find the stories interesting and their culture as well, but one would not even for a second take them seriously as history.

I look at Christian Mythology in the same way. I mean did Jonah really get swallowed by that whale? And did Jesus really get resurrected from the dead? :Cheeky:

BadBadBad · 01-15-2006, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ltasey

I'd like to believe in these fairy tales, but the way the world has grown in knowledge--and suffering--it's just too impossible to believe anymore.

God knew from the beginning of time exactly what level of revelation would be required for every person to bend his knee to God. God is omnipotent, omniscient and omnibenevolent. He could reveal himself unequivocably to you in a second. He could also reveal himself to you such that a leap of faith would be trivial and totally natural. Why did God choose to reveal himself insufficiently to you?

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01-15-2006, 04:28 AM	#13
David B Contributor Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Wales Posts: 11,620	Why does the bible sound like fairy tales? Why do the Norse Myths, the accounts of the Greek and Roman Pantheons, the various creations myths from aboriginal people all over the world sound like fairy tales? Because it is what they are. Why treat the myths from one people thousands of years ago differently from all the others - unless there is really good evidence so to do. As far as I can see, such evidence is lacking. David B

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