GunnerJ

I'd like to test a theory.

It's been stated that the passages of the Bible can be twisted to justify or support anyhthing someone wants. My challenge is to prove this contention beyond a reasonable doubt.

Simply put: those who accept the challenge must used biblical quotations/stories/themes/etc. to prove that the Bible condones, supports, and (for bonus points!) commands the free-market capitalist system of economics. You can use any parts of the Bible you like, any version you like, and heck, you don't even have to quote in context (Lawd knows that people trying to show that the OT "prophesized" Jesus don't!).

The test to see if you've succeeded will be to troll the Baptist Boards or I Love Jebus or some other Xian board, pretending to be a Xian, and promoting your interpretation. If any Xian praises/supports/converts to you line of reasoning, YOU WIN!

Prizes include... well, I haven't though of that yet. Enjoy!

Pantera

Easy. Matthew 13:12

This is the Republican platform in a nutshell, isn't it?

GunnerJ

Maybe, but I was really looking for support of free-market capitalism, not nessisarily Republican politics. Still, a good entry.

Sojourner553

How about 2 Thessalonians 3:10


"If any one will not work, let him not eat".

(it continues in verses 11-12):

"For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work.
Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work in quietness and to earn their own living."

Also try this site:The importance is not in the verses themselves -- but how the verses are "interpreted"


<a href="http://www.natreformassn.org/statesman/00/exalt.html" target="_blank">http://www.natreformassn.org/statesman/00/exalt.html</a>

Is there a prize?

Sojourner

[ March 27, 2002: Message edited by: Sojourner553 ]</p>

lpetrich

Actually, there is a certain problem of definition; what might count as free-market capitalism. Is it simply buying and selling? Or is it "anything goes when running a business"? Or "business leaders are morally superior beings and society's legitimate rulers"? Especially big-business leaders.

There is a lot of buying and selling in the Bible, but I don't know what might support the other viewpoints.

Alternatively, there are parts of the Bible which seem rather anti-capitalist, like Jesus Christ's famous temple temper tantrum.

[ March 28, 2002: Message edited by: lpetrich ]</p>

Sojourner553

I think Rimstalker's point was this: That one can find and/or interpret verses in the Bible pretty much to justify whatever you want. This includes justifying BOTH sides of a proposition.

Yes, liberals generally love to quote from Jesus. Conservatives look elsewhere in the Bible to prove the opposition position.

So you proved his REAL point!

Sojourner

B. H. Manners

If someone wanted to really press the issue and force one to stay with context (which I know the contest does not require) then you could argue that none of the qoutations argue capitalism.

[ March 29, 2002: Message edited by: Why? Why Not? ]</p>

Sojourner553

Obviously the word "capitalism" did not exist in biblical times. As I think you suspect, the original challenge was as follows:

"It's been stated that the passages of the Bible can be twisted to justify or support anyhthing someone wants. My challenge is to prove this contention beyond a reasonable doubt"

I think this was proven! Can you refute this?

<img src="graemlins/boohoo.gif" border="0" alt="[Boo Hoo]" /> Sojourner

[ March 29, 2002: Message edited by: Sojourner553 ]</p>

B. H. Manners

I agree the point was made. You can justify anything with the Bible. People can argue and argue over the same verses until blue in the face and still not reach a concensus.

GunnerJ

Probably true, but then, people with an axe to grind or a POV to justify, and who want to use the Bible to do so, rarely worry about context. That was the thrust of this challenge. (And, btw, this goes for believers as well as unbelievers.)