Straightforward, hard-to-answer-questions about the Bible/Christianity

I have one, perhaps two (as in gluing two religions together, and then ignoring both in favor of mere commentary from those with diagnosable conditions under the DSM-IV-TR).Why doesn't the 'church' stop using the Ten Commandments (particularly that one about bearing false witness) and the Sermon on the Mount (particularly about feeding the poor, healing the sick and bringing peace where once was strife) as toilet paper?My objection is not with the basic ideals of Christianity itself, it is with how it has been abused for selfish purposes. Makes one wonder how that OT god of wrath and jealousy could be asleep for so long, indeed perhaps rigor mortis has set in.Edited by anglagard, : uncapitalize the term god in referring to the OT, since almost no one follows the rules (ultra-Orthodox Jews excepted), very few can honestly say they believe in this OT god.

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The idea of the sacred is quite simply one of the most conservative notions in any culture, because it seeks to turn other ideas - uncertainty, progress, change - into crimes.
Salman RushdieThis rudderless world is not shaped by vague metaphysical forces. It is not God who kills the children. Not fate that butchers them or destiny that feeds them to the dogs. It’s us. Only us. - the character Rorschach in Watchmen

Considering your supposed support of human slavery as per the OT, are you not guilty of race-ism?Also on a minor note, how come when you post about your favored deity you refuse to capitalize the word God?

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The idea of the sacred is quite simply one of the most conservative notions in any culture, because it seeks to turn other ideas - uncertainty, progress, change - into crimes.
Salman RushdieThis rudderless world is not shaped by vague metaphysical forces. It is not God who kills the children. Not fate that butchers them or destiny that feeds them to the dogs. It’s us. Only us. - the character Rorschach in Watchmen

Thank you for a clear answer. With some of your responses over the last few months, I was getting, what to me, were some mixed messages. Thanks for clearing that up, as a supposed heretic, I was just curious.Edited by anglagard, : provide proper tense as in changing you to your

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The idea of the sacred is quite simply one of the most conservative notions in any culture, because it seeks to turn other ideas - uncertainty, progress, change - into crimes.
Salman RushdieThis rudderless world is not shaped by vague metaphysical forces. It is not God who kills the children. Not fate that butchers them or destiny that feeds them to the dogs. It’s us. Only us. - the character Rorschach in Watchmen

If you were expecting to convert people to your own unique interpretation of what constitutes the divine, guess what, you are alone in your relationship to God.This forum is for those who question, not those who follow without question. As for the viability of which side is more moral or ethical, let history be the judge. Are you explicitly stating that your purpose in this forum was to convert rather than to learn? As if you have already declared yourself perfect in the eyes of God and require no further progress. What a small god you worship. Did you really expect to convert any old timers here to your version of reality without having the deep knowledge and understanding of both scripture and science that so many have?This forum is not for kids, please 'know thyself' first.Go ahead and run away from knowledge and self-examination, eventually you will regret your selfish egotism in the face of God.The only emotional response I have for you is one of sadness, for that of a soul who insists upon being lost over false pride.

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The idea of the sacred is quite simply one of the most conservative notions in any culture, because it seeks to turn other ideas - uncertainty, progress, change - into crimes.
Salman RushdieThis rudderless world is not shaped by vague metaphysical forces. It is not God who kills the children. Not fate that butchers them or destiny that feeds them to the dogs. It’s us. Only us. - the character Rorschach in Watchmen

If you were expecting to convert people to your own unique interpretation of what constitutes the divine, guess what, you are alone in your relationship to God.This forum is for those who question, not those who follow without question. As for the viability of which side is more moral or ethical, let history be the judge. Are you explicitly stating that your purpose in this forum was to convert rather than to learn? As if you have already declared yourself perfect in the eyes of God and require no further progress. What a small god you worship. Did you really expect to convert any old timers here to your version of reality without having the deep knowledge and understanding of both scripture and science that so many have?This forum is not for kids, please 'know thyself' first.Go ahead and run away from knowledge and self-examination, eventually you will regret your selfish egotism in the face of God.The only emotional response I have for you is one of sadness, for that of a soul who insists upon being lost over false pride.

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The idea of the sacred is quite simply one of the most conservative notions in any culture, because it seeks to turn other ideas - uncertainty, progress, change - into crimes.
Salman RushdieThis rudderless world is not shaped by vague metaphysical forces. It is not God who kills the children. Not fate that butchers them or destiny that feeds them to the dogs. It’s us. Only us. - the character Rorschach in Watchmen

I am of many minds, some even seemingly contradictory. So if someone asks if "Are you out of your mind?" I must ask which one. According to my religion, if you curse the works of God, then you are against God. Now perhaps you can persuade me differently. If you demand an absolute literal reading of the Bible in the face of the fact Jesus often spoke in terms of parables, despite the obvious works of God which are more important for understanding than the words of men, there is no common ground.I obviously don't live by any edict to stone Wal Mart shoppers to death and neither do you. What is the difference between your opinions and your faith? Have you not presented them as one and the same? Since you said you were leaving, and evidently have not left, one wonders about your commitment to the Ten Commandments.Evidently I shamed you into staying, at least for one more post. (sorry )I have read some of your posts, and I have thrown down the gauntlet. Either man up or run, don't whine.

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The idea of the sacred is quite simply one of the most conservative notions in any culture, because it seeks to turn other ideas - uncertainty, progress, change - into crimes.
Salman RushdieThis rudderless world is not shaped by vague metaphysical forces. It is not God who kills the children. Not fate that butchers them or destiny that feeds them to the dogs. It’s us. Only us. - the character Rorschach in Watchmen