Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Clouseau · 07-01-2007, 09:04 AM

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Originally Posted by Mike Rosoft

Yes, I have thought about the commandments that are conveniently missing in the Bible. Why, instead of the commandment of exclusivity (you shall not have any other god before/besides me) isn't there "You shall respect and tolerate nations, races, and religions different from your own; you shall not engage in any kind of discrimination or persecution"?

Those commands are present.

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Why, instead of the one about graven images (the one which says that people will be held responsible for their ancestors' sins) isn't there "You shall not wage wars of extermination, use torture, or commit other acts of inhumanity"?

Those likewise.

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Why isn't there a commandment "You shall not buy, sell, or own another human as a slave"

Because slavery was preferable to death, which was frequently the only alternative in those days.

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in place of the misguided part about the Sabbath

It is pagans who now observe a sabbath.

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Why isn't the part about adultery (the Bible seems to imply that a woman is a man's property) replaced with the more relevant "You shall not commit rape, sexually abuse a child, or maintain a relationship with a woman without her free agreement"?

Those are all present.

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I already know the answer

That's your problem, chum.

Mike Rosoft · 07-01-2007, 09:16 AM

Okay, Clouseau, where are the commandments? (And I am not talking about generalities like "you shall love your neighbor like yourself".)

Mike Rosoft

Gullwind · 07-01-2007, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clouseau

Because slavery was preferable to death, which was frequently the only alternative in those days.

That doesn't make it right.

Clouseau · 07-02-2007, 04:50 AM

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Originally Posted by Gullwind

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clouseau

Because slavery was preferable to death, which was frequently the only alternative in those days.

That doesn't make it right.

So which would you prefer?

Gullwind · 07-02-2007, 05:05 AM

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Originally Posted by Clouseau

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Originally Posted by Gullwind

That doesn't make it right.

So which would you prefer?

We're not talking about me, we're talking about the laws set down in the bible by God, and nowhere does he say that slavery is a bad thing.

You'd think that for a book that is supposed to be the basis for morality, it would at least mention that the concept of owning another human being as property is wrong.

This is a derail, but if you'd like to discuss it further, we can always start a new thread.

Clouseau · 07-02-2007, 05:08 AM

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Originally Posted by Gullwind

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Originally Posted by Clouseau

So which would you prefer?

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We're not talking about me

Yes, we are. What would you rather do, sell yourself into slavery for perhaps a limited time, with guaranteed food, clothing and shelter, or starve to death?

Roger Pearse · 07-02-2007, 05:47 AM

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Originally Posted by Clouseau

What would you rather do, sell yourself into slavery for perhaps a limited time, with guaranteed food, clothing and shelter, or starve to death?

Um, can I ask if there are other options?

All the best,

Roger Pearse

Clouseau · 07-02-2007, 05:51 AM

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Originally Posted by Roger Pearse

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clouseau

What would you rather do, sell yourself into slavery for perhaps a limited time, with guaranteed food, clothing and shelter, or starve to death?

Um, can I ask if there are other options?

All the best,

Roger Pearse

Sorry, you can't pop down to the Benefits Centre.

Gullwind · 07-02-2007, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clouseau

Yes, we are. What would you rather do, sell yourself into slavery for perhaps a limited time, with guaranteed food, clothing and shelter, or starve to death?

Again, my preferences are entirely beside the point. This thread is about things that we wish were in the bible. I don't wish that my preferences regarding slavery or death were in the bible, and I doubt anyone else does either. (Speak up if you do.

)

The point is, that regardless of anyone's wishes, the bible never explicitly prohibits slavery, which many wish it did. Whether I would prefer it to death, or whether it was seen as a less evil option at the time are irrelevant.

Clouseau · 07-02-2007, 03:30 PM

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Originally Posted by Gullwind

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clouseau

Yes, we are. What would you rather do, sell yourself into slavery for perhaps a limited time, with guaranteed food, clothing and shelter, or starve to death?

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Again, my preferences are entirely beside the point.

Was it not you, Gullwind, who posted:

'That doesn't make it right.'?

That is your opinion? Or not?

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This thread is about things that we wish were in the bible.

Then why did you post 'That doesn't make it right.'?

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07-01-2007, 09:16 AM	#2
Mike Rosoft Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Prague, Czech Republic Posts: 965	Okay, Clouseau, where are the commandments? (And I am not talking about generalities like "you shall love your neighbor like yourself".) Mike Rosoft

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