Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Julian · 12-27-2005, 07:50 AM

There are so many bad ones in the OT, I wouldn't know how to pick one. Hosea should certainly get a mention here.

Hosea 13:16 Samaria shall become desolate; for she hath rebelled against her God: they shall fall by the sword: their infants shall be dashed in pieces, and their women with child shall be ripped up.

Julian

Iskander · 12-27-2005, 03:49 PM

Genesis, The Binding of Isaac

I have seen in this the willingness to act with cruelty to others and remain joyful and righteous while carrying orders or discharging duties.

Insane obedience to an absurd command explains the joy of Inquisitors and the like during their sinister work.

I have always felt frightened and sicken by this passage

BTW I have read a Midrash that says that Isaac was actually sacrificed but resurrected by god and that Sarah died of grief when Abraham returned home alone.

Some others speculate about the psychological profile of Isaac as an adult referring to him as passive.

fatpie42 · 12-27-2005, 04:05 PM

For me it would have to be Deuteronomy. Just look at all this horrible stuff! http://www.thebricktestament.com/the_law/index.html

My favourite book is ecclesiastes. That guy is a philosopher and he talks a lot of sense.

Apikorus · 12-27-2005, 05:39 PM

Quote:

And now, would you like to say which book of the Bible you find most morally reprehensible.

In their historical context, none of them is particularly reprehensible.

RUmike · 12-27-2005, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apikorus

In their historical context, none of them is particularly reprehensible.

Yes, you're absolutely correct. Given the nature of the times, it is no wonder that a bunch of human savages produced a work that seems exactly like it was written by, well, a bunch of human savages. But in light of the claim that a perfect, loving, compassionate, merciful, unchanging, and infinite God is said to have been behind all of the commandments, wars, and atrocities in these books, I find them all incredibly reprehensible.

J-D · 12-27-2005, 11:08 PM

My vote goes to Revelation. Sure, in the Flood God wipes out everybody, but he doesn't go on to torture them eternally in the afterlife. And Revelation is unrelieved atrocity, all presented as completely justified.

J-D · 12-27-2005, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven Carr

Esther is surely the worst.

The glee over killing as revenge is more pronounced there than in any other book.

I have to dispute that. What you have in Esther is: (a) judicial executions (of Haman and his sons); (b) defensive warfare (or quasi-warfare; police action perhaps); and (c) celebration of military victory. There's room for objections to all of those, but I don't think they qualify as the worst in the whole collection.

Charioteer · 12-28-2005, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tars Tarkus

For me, Job.
God lets Satan kick the crap out of the guy, to see if he'll curse him. God knows he won't do this of course, but allows all of his sons and daughters(the original party animals) to be killed. After this and other calamities, Job passes the test and actually gets 7 new sons and 3 new daughters refunded to him.

Actually it's God that does all the kicking. Satan's role is purely that of an antagonist. It seems as though God tortures Job to impress Satan. Oddest damned thing.

Good choice for this thread though. I am surprised nobody has mentioned the book of Judges.

fatpie42 · 12-28-2005, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charioteer

Actually it's God that does all the kicking. Satan's role is purely that of an antagonist. It seems as though God tortures Job to impress Satan. Oddest damned thing.

Good choice for this thread though. I am surprised nobody has mentioned the book of Judges.

Satan isn't supposed to be evil in that book of the Bible. He is supposed to be involved in judging human beings. He is claiming that even the most seemingly loyal of God's subjects is only loyal because of his circumstances. I think the book is quite good because it dismisses the view (held by some at the time it seems) that anyone who has anything bad happen to them is being punished by God. It may not have a very satisfying ending and it may be longwinded and boring, but remember that it is a centuries old attempt to deal with the problem of evil - and that is no easy task!

NOGO · 12-28-2005, 08:33 AM

REVELATIONS.

There are others to be sure but revelations takes the cake.

Why?

It is not just what it describes but the whole attitude is vengeful and petty
Nobody is holy enough for this guy.
And if you don't make it in his holy club you will be damned.

This book contains what I think is the very worst in Christianity and in religion in general.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

12-27-2005, 07:50 AM	#11
Julian Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Washington, DC (formerly Denmark) Posts: 3,789	There are so many bad ones in the OT, I wouldn't know how to pick one. Hosea should certainly get a mention here. Hosea 13:16 Samaria shall become desolate; for she hath rebelled against her God: they shall fall by the sword: their infants shall be dashed in pieces, and their women with child shall be ripped up. Julian

12-27-2005, 03:49 PM	#12
Iskander Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 3,619	Genesis, The Binding of Isaac I have seen in this the willingness to act with cruelty to others and remain joyful and righteous while carrying orders or discharging duties. Insane obedience to an absurd command explains the joy of Inquisitors and the like during their sinister work. I have always felt frightened and sicken by this passage BTW I have read a Midrash that says that Isaac was actually sacrificed but resurrected by god and that Sarah died of grief when Abraham returned home alone. Some others speculate about the psychological profile of Isaac as an adult referring to him as passive.

12-27-2005, 04:05 PM	#13
fatpie42 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Britain Posts: 5,259	For me it would have to be Deuteronomy. Just look at all this horrible stuff! http://www.thebricktestament.com/the_law/index.html My favourite book is ecclesiastes. That guy is a philosopher and he talks a lot of sense.

12-27-2005, 11:08 PM	#16
J-D Moderator - General Religious Discussions Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: New South Wales Posts: 27,330	My vote goes to Revelation. Sure, in the Flood God wipes out everybody, but he doesn't go on to torture them eternally in the afterlife. And Revelation is unrelieved atrocity, all presented as completely justified.

12-28-2005, 08:33 AM	#20
NOGO Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Canada Posts: 1,562	REVELATIONS. There are others to be sure but revelations takes the cake. Why? It is not just what it describes but the whole attitude is vengeful and petty Nobody is holy enough for this guy. And if you don't make it in his holy club you will be damned. This book contains what I think is the very worst in Christianity and in religion in general.

Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The archives are read only.