This will very well be a contraversial post (and I won't even be around till later this evening to see the results) but I am really curious to know:
How many of the religious folks on this board:
Actually beleive that the things in their religious text (bible, etc) actually happened???
I am not personally religious, and while I do beleive its possible a man named Jesus lived, as many of the other 'characters' in the Bible may have, I do not personally believe much more than that.. as far as virgin mary, etc...
Historically it may be based on facts, but I am of the beleif that the bible is written as a moral and social compass, something to guide us, and help us answer the questions that have burdened society from the beginning of time. Questions like 'why are we here' and 'what happens when we cease to exist'.
Society, as a whole, depends on some kind of 'creation myth', and something to guide the morality of its people, we see thousands of religions across the world... I don't see how someone can look at ONE religion and say 'This is the one that is correct, and everyone else is WRONG'
This is not meant to offend. I think that following a religion is a valid and healthy way to live (even thought its not mine). I am really just curious how much people look at religion as FACT, and how much people think of it as more of a guide/lifestyle.
This is not to say I don't believe in some sort of 'God' or 'power', etc... I do, I just don't see why one interpretation would be any more valid than another? ie. christianity, Judaism, Bhuddism, etc...
Please forgive my aweful spelling and lack of punctuation. I do not mean to offend by spelling your religion wrong or anythign like that...
PS I HONOSTLY think everyone has a right to their own belief, I am just curious to know about others, and the only thing that ever bothers me is when one persons beliefs are pushed on another person, or when someone is told their belief is 'wrong'. This is meant more as a philosophical discusion than a religion bashing!
BMD'sPeanut
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Re: Total curiousity...
I think a lot of people who aren't religious miss the point of what it provides for people...
I don't think it's a question of believing the stuff as fact or fiction...Alot of it is FAITH based. You don't have to SEE to BELIEVE. That sort of thing...
MrsTC
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Re: Total curiousity...
I am not going to go into detail or a lengthy explanation but those stories in the Bible happened thousands of years ago and I'm sure may have been changed a bit over the years in terms of interpretation - BUT - I don't know of any other book in this world that has as many readers and believers! I don't think that came from no where or was made up. I know you don't mean to offend but did you honestly think this wouldn't offend some people - people who put their faith in God their whole lives..to say that it is a myth or that people in the Bible are just characters will offend people. I don't think one way or the other is right. In fact, (and some people may disagree here) I have recently read the Left Behind series of books and that series makes you really look at religion and THINK....it is too much detail to go into. Ok I am gonna stop rambling now.
mims107
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Re: Total curiousity...
Posted by CIMINOK
I think a lot of people who aren't religious miss the point of what it provides for people...
I don't think it's a question of believing the stuff as fact or fiction...Alot of it is FAITH based. You don't have to SEE to BELIEVE. That sort of thing...
I actually think this is true. I, personally, don't have the faith. It is very possible that I am missing out on something, I won't disagree But I do think that it is just as valid to have faith in one religion as another... or none at all I suppose...
BMD'sPeanut
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Re: Total curiousity...
I'm curious to know what you think about the Left Behind series... I was reading them and then I stopped abruptly for my own reasons...We can talk about it in FM if you want.
Lunatrek
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Re: Total curiousity...
The way I see it, the Bible is God's message to us (me). Like,
'Dear Jill,
This is all you need to know.
Love, God'
Remember, the Bible has been interpreted countless times by so many different groups of people. The Old Testament, New Testament, Qu'ran, Torah... (forgive spelling errors) all stem from the same things. There's a study called 'hermeneutics' which is a way to decipher all of these various different interepretations and figure out which one seems to be the most factual. Not everything in the Bible is meant to be taken literally... this is why things get so out of whack, I think. But then you can ask, 'so then how do I know what's meant to be taken literally and what isn't?' You have to study. You can't just pick up the Bible, read it cover to cover, and have your answer. Granted I still have a long way to go with my study.
To put an answer to this poll, YES I believe the Bible is God's word. That's the difference between having faith and not having faith. It feels a LOT better to have faith!! I know what it's like to be on the other side of the fence.
I also wanted to say... I believe that any person who lives their lives with honesty, compassion, and faith (be it Christianity, Judiasm, Buddhism, etc.) will ultimately achieve their goal. In other words, if a devout Buddhist dies, I believe his or her soul will continue on with the way that person practiced their religion. They're not going to die and see the Pearly Gates and think 'Whoops, I guess I should have been praying to Jesus all those years!' I think whatever is right for you, and whatever religion you choose to follow (as long as you uphold its 'rules', for lack of a better word) will be your final reward. There are no wrong decisions. God is God, no matter how you pray to Him. He knows His children.
BMD'sPeanut
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Re: Total curiousity...
Posted by mims107
Posted by CIMINOK
I think a lot of people who aren't religious miss the point of what it provides for people...
I don't think it's a question of believing the stuff as fact or fiction...Alot of it is FAITH based. You don't have to SEE to BELIEVE. That sort of thing...
I actually think this is true. I, personally, don't have the faith. It is very possible that I am missing out on something, I won't disagree But I do think that it is just as valid to have faith in one religion as another... or none at all I suppose...
I didn't say you were missing out by not having faith...(Could be, but not my point...) All I am saying is that people who aren't faithful, just might not know what its' like to be faithful...And people who are probably have a hard time verbalizing what it means to them...
mims107
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Re: Total curiousity...
I know you don't mean to offend but did you honestly think this wouldn't offend some people - people who put their faith in God their whole lives..to say that it is a myth or that people in the Bible are just characters will offend people.
Do people need to be offended when someone has different beleifs? Should Christians be offended by Jews just because they think of Jesus differently? I guess I am just not personally offended by others beleifs.
I suppose, by your reasoning, I should be offended that you beleive in Jesus? I mean, I have put faith all my life into the fact that he WASN'T the son of God. So, by you telling me I am wrong.. I should be offended? I guess I just think of it more like, we have different faith.
This post wasn't to say one faith was right or wrong. it was to say what I believe, and what I have been taught, and to learn about what others believe !
I love all of you, regardless of your religion. And if my beliefs (or lack there of) offend you I am sorry Please feel free to state your points, however!
kel2004
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Re: Total curiosity...
I don't think that all of the stories in the Bible are meant to be taken as fact. They are interpretations of events that happened.
BMD'sPeanut
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Re: Total curiousity...
Posted by Lunatrek
Not everything in the Bible is meant to be taken literally... this is why things get so out of whack, I think.
agreed.
mims107
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Re: Total curiousity...
Posted by CIMINOK
I didn't say you were missing out by not having faith...(Could be, but not my point...) All I am saying is that people who aren't faithful, just might not know what its' like to be faithful...And people who are probably have a hard time verbalizing what it means to them...
Sorry hon, didn't mean to put words in your mouth! I really did mean it when I said that I respect, and often have awe for people who live a life of faith! For some reason its just not how my brain is programmed.
mims107
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Re: Total curiousity...
Posted by Lunatrek
The way I see it, the Bible is God's message to us (me). Like,
'Dear Jill,
This is all you need to know.
Love, God'
This makes me smile *not sarcastic*
peeweesgirl
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Re: Total curiousity...
My view of the bible
B asic I nformation B efore L eaving E earth
MrsTC
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Re: Total curiousity...
Posted by CIMINOK
I'm curious to know what you think about the Left Behind series... I was reading them and then I stopped abruptly for my own reasons...We can talk about it in FM if you want.
FM
BMD'sPeanut
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Re: Total curiousity...
Posted by MrsTC
FM
Back at you.
Becky
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Re: Total curiousity...
I didn't vote because I don't think I can put my faith in a category like that. I truly believe that faith in anything is a beautiful. I refuse to stand in judgment of someone else's faith because that is not my place.
While I am intrigued by this post, I don't think I can offer you an answer because I can't explain my faith. It is sort of like Kelly said, faith isn't something you see. It is more than fact becuse you have it in the absence of, and sometimes despite, cold, hard facts. The whole basis of Christianity is the faith in something that seemingly is impossible (like the virgin birth) without needing DNA evidence to prove it And I think that is across the board in all religions.
BTW - Can I get some information on this series of books that you all are talking about? I am curious about that.
shamma
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Re: Total curiousity...
Posted by Becky
I didn't vote because I don't think I can put my faith in a category like that. I truly believe that faith in anything is a beautiful. I refuse to stand in judgment of someone else's faith because that is not my place.
While I am intrigued by this post, I don't think I can offer you an answer because I can't explain my faith. It is sort of like Kelly said, faith isn't something you see. It is more than fact becuse you have it in the absence of, and sometimes despite, cold, hard facts. The whole basis of Christianity is the faith in something that seemingly is impossible (like the virgin birth) without needing DNA evidence to prove it And I think that is across the board in all religions.
BTW - Can I get some information on this series of books that you all are talking about? I am curious about that.
Becky the best way to put it, is like this, you can't see cold but you feel it and you know its there, that is how I can best explain faith.
Didn't they also make movies about those books. I've finished the first 5 books and was in the video store and saw Left Behind II for rent. Kirk Cameron as 'Cameron' heh
Xelindrya
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Re: Total curiousity...
As far as the poll goes I couldnt really choose.
I was raised to believe in the bible as the one and only way to heaven (Mom pushed hard) later I explored other ideas.
My current feeling is the bible isn't meant to be the exact roadmap to my life, but a general idea. I find a lot of what I was told it said, it doesnt and it is interpreted in so many different ways.
Faith, I believe in. The bible.. Im ify on that one. I won't say it's false or incorrect, nor that there's any other book out there more qualified to tell the stories it does. I just ponder the facts within as valid.
Diane
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Re: Total curiousity...
Posted by Xelindrya
As far as the poll goes I couldnt really choose.
I was raised to believe in the bible as the one and only way to heaven (Mom pushed hard) later I explored other ideas.
My current feeling is the bible isn't meant to be the exact roadmap to my life, but a general idea. I find a lot of what I was told it said, it doesnt and it is interpreted in so many different ways.
Faith, I believe in. The bible.. Im ify on that one. I won't say it's false or incorrect, nor that there's any other book out there more qualified to tell the stories it does. I just ponder the facts within as valid.
I agree with you. I dont believe that the world was created in 7 days. I truly believe in the Big Bang Theory, and the Theory of Evolution. I will leave it at that.
