Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Coragyps · 05-24-2003, 02:54 PM

Ah, but no matter how deep you go into alchemy, you're still only digging up turds. It's superstitious nonsense.

Magus55 · 05-24-2003, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 111111
Sadly, many of the Christian believers on this site do not realize that all of the Bible is metaphor and symbolism, images meant to help focus the mind of Man on the long and arduous journey it must undertake in order to grow closer to the Glory of God. Nothing in the Bible is to be taken at face value; it must all be analyzed for it's deeper mythic meanings. There's much wisdom in the Holy Bible, but only for those who learn to look beyond the surface.

And what brought you to the conclusion that the entire Bible is a metaphor or symbolic? We know for a fact the whole Bible isn't - there is too much history in it for it just to be one giant parable. And if it is all symbolic, why did Jesus purposely point out the times that He was making a parable? You don't say, this parable...., if the entire book is one. You can believe Genesis and Revelation are parables all you want, but the majority of it isn't. And if it is, Jesus points it out. You can't call yourself Christian if you think the life, death and ressurection of Jesus is only symbolic. Thats the entire basis for Christianity, and the only reason Christianity succeeded.

Mageth · 05-24-2003, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 111111
Mageth:

I agree that all the mystical sources you've listed can of great use to the seeker of Truth. I meant in no way to slight or offend practitioners of those paths.

Also, I believe you have simply percieved God in an entirely naturalistic fashion; you need no props or icons to represent the Almighty; to you, He is existence itself, as filtered through the eyes of science.

And that, Mageth, is just as valid a path to Enlightenment as the road I trod.

Fair enough, but I see no reason to label anything "God"; in fact, I think it's counterproductive.

One note; I mentioned "dream of Shiva" above. Later I recalled that it's Vishnu that's the slumbering dreamer in Hindu mythology.

Beyond that, GunnerJ's right; this discussion would perhaps be better off somewhere.

Mageth · 05-24-2003, 08:23 PM

if it is all symbolic, why did Jesus purposely point out the times that He was making a parable? You don't say, this parable...., if the entire book is one.

You don't? You certainly could. A writer of fiction or metaphor would not be precluded from using that device. Surely you've read other fictional books that do just that?

You can believe Genesis and Revelation are parables all you want, but the majority of it isn't. And if it is, Jesus points it out. You can't call yourself Christian if you think the life, death and ressurection of Jesus is only symbolic.

Why, certainly you could. There are people around that call themselves Christians that do just that.

Key elements in the Jesus story are also found in many other of the world's mythologies, both Old and New World, including the Virgin Birth, the death, and the resurrection.

Thats the entire basis for Christianity, and the only reason Christianity succeeded.

Hardly. And note that Christianity is not the only successful religion.

Queen of Swords · 05-24-2003, 09:23 PM

Originally posted by Magus55
And if it is all symbolic, why did Jesus purposely point out the times that He was making a parable?

If Watership Down is all fictional, why did the rabbits purposely designate the times that they were telling stories?

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

05-24-2003, 02:54 PM	#41
Coragyps Veteran Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Snyder,Texas,USA Posts: 4,411	Ah, but no matter how deep you go into alchemy, you're still only digging up turds. It's superstitious nonsense.

05-24-2003, 08:23 PM	#44
Mageth Contributor Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Deep in the heart of mother-lovin' Texas Posts: 29,689	if it is all symbolic, why did Jesus purposely point out the times that He was making a parable? You don't say, this parable...., if the entire book is one. You don't? You certainly could. A writer of fiction or metaphor would not be precluded from using that device. Surely you've read other fictional books that do just that? You can believe Genesis and Revelation are parables all you want, but the majority of it isn't. And if it is, Jesus points it out. You can't call yourself Christian if you think the life, death and ressurection of Jesus is only symbolic. Why, certainly you could. There are people around that call themselves Christians that do just that. Key elements in the Jesus story are also found in many other of the world's mythologies, both Old and New World, including the Virgin Birth, the death, and the resurrection. Thats the entire basis for Christianity, and the only reason Christianity succeeded. Hardly. And note that Christianity is not the only successful religion.

05-24-2003, 09:23 PM	#45
Queen of Swords Contributor Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Canada. Finally. Posts: 10,155	Originally posted by Magus55 And if it is all symbolic, why did Jesus purposely point out the times that He was making a parable? If Watership Down is all fictional, why did the rabbits purposely designate the times that they were telling stories?

Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The archives are read only.