Soul Invictus

I just finished doing a google, however what I am able to ascertain from the KJV, Gentiles would be the Greco-Roman people at least. I don't have one of the maps with me, but it appears to be a European people that this would alude to. Anyone know the background behind this name-title, and its original connotation?

What did the term "Gentile" mean?

Magus55

Non-Jew.

Aerik Von

This makes the first time you and I have ever fully agreed! I am having a drink to this

Koyaanisqatsi

Interesting question, since "non-Jew" does not say anything. Were they "non-pagans" as well? Perhaps, Agnostics?



It's interesting to me that no one can consider the idea that each generation is dynamic and therefore the same. In other words, there were about ten percent atheists then as there are now.

Why? Becuase there will always be about ten percent of the population who will always think critically of the other ninety percent.

There's a common misconception (IMO) that everyone always believed in some sort of deity; that our ancestors were all deists in some fashion. Ironically, this negates the idea of free thinking.

I content that there have always been atheists (or critical thinkers), throughout all of humanity's existance (and this is borne out by recorded history).

This is the way humanity breaks down (IMO). A handfull of intelligent thinkers enslave the rest for being to brutish. Thus, religion/state.

It ain't rocket science.

Peter Kirby

I believe this 10% figure for atheists is based on the USA. The figure for atheists is much higher in Russia (once USSR) and China, as well as thoroughly democratic countries such as Australia and the Netherlands. The figure is also lower for several countries in Latin America or in Arab countries. The figures do change based on the state of education, cultural background, and relationship between church and state in the country.

I agree. But in theocratic countries, when the scientific method was unknown (and Darwin & Wallace were yet to be born), such as there were in the ancient Near East, the percentage of atheists was much lower than in countries which cherish the wall of separation and attempt to promulgate scientific knowledge with free education. But there were some, sure.

best,
Peter Kirby

Toto

Non-Jew identifies them as not part of your group. Most of them were people who would later be branded as "pagans" by Christians.

Non-Greeks were known as "barbarians."

JaeIsGod

You sure its much higher in the Netherlands? I live there and in my area it's 99% fundies =[
Guess in the cities there are more atheists , though it seems the number of muslims is skyrocketing there as well.

Kosh

The rural areas is where most of our fundies are in the US as well. As Peter pointed out, it varies by education...

Doctor X

. . . and oral hygiene. . . .

How many teeth do they have in your area of Holland?

--J.D.

JaeIsGod

Depends. If you count the black ones as well , quite alot. If you dont count the black ones , not too many =p

The majority of adults here has had neither decent education nor a visit to the dentist in the last 20 years.