Who Believes the Bible Is Literally True?

[MaNuMaNiAc]

That perhaps people with a genuine belief that their life has been instilled with a GOD given purpose... are also likely to believe in 'Intelligent Design'... and likely to believe that they will be held accountable for their actions... they are less likely to end up in jail or be a drag on our society.

The key word being genuine.

I see, so you're basically saying that people who don't believe in God are more likely to commit a crime and end up in jail, right?

care to show some data supporting that claim?

[MaNuMaNiAc]

The problem for those without faith, or belief in a higher being, is that faith itself is not measureable... tangible... or palpable....

To them it is illogical, primitive, and unnecessary... Whereas to me it is fundamentally essential, nourishing, and compels me do be a better person, son, co-worker, teacher, and citizen. Why does that bother them? Because our all-allowing utilitarian society abhors the thought that there is no relativism to right and wrong...

I don't tell others what to do. But the mere fact that the tenets of my beliefs denounce certain acts irritates them to no end.

is that right? does it compel you to be a better person. That is great. Good for you. It is still religion, just YOUR belief. Don't try to sell it as science, because its not, and it won't be until conclusively proven otherwise. You act like you've been deprived of some right.

You need religion to be a better man. Other people need other things. Who's right and who's wrong?

Pretty soon, things that most would consider as a 'wrong' today will be allowed in our future... why? Because it's all relativistic...

Use to be that sex out of the confines of marriage was considered a wrong...
Today it is the norm...

Use to be that exploitation of the weak was looked down upon...
Today we murder millions of unborn children without remorse... and use political boundaries to denigrate other human beings...

Perhaps tomorrow someone will push for the rights of pedophiles...
And they will be able to wed your 12 year old daughters and sons...
However silly or far-fetched as that may sound... for the people of tomorrow we might be the ones who were 'primitive thinkers'... after all, moral relatisvism is an inherent off-shoot of liberal progressive thinking... most people just don't realize it.

How's your shoulder after that reach?

[Phenomanul]

I see, so you're basically saying that people who don't believe in God are more likely to commit a crime and end up in jail, right?

care to show some data supporting that claim?

It's about as quantifiable as the ability to quantify someone's genuineness to their beliefs...

But some food for thought...

If you followed the Ten Commandments to the letter would that keep you out of jail?

[JoeChalupa]

I really don't care if anyone believes in religion or not. It is a personal choice. I don't try to convert anyone or push my faith on anyone.

What ever works for you is fine by me.

[MaNuMaNiAc]

It's about as quantifiable as the ability to quantify someone's genuineness to their beliefs...

But some food for thought...

I you followed the Ten Commandments to the letter would that keep you out of jail?

I would imagine it would. More importantly, is it necesary for people to follow the Ten commandments to the letter in order for them to not end up in jail?

[MaNuMaNiAc]

I really don't care if anyone believes in religion or not. It is a personal choice. I don't try to convert anyone or push my faith on anyone.

What ever works for you is fine by me.

I respect your position

[JoeChalupa]

I respect your position

As I do yours.

[Phenomanul]

is that right? does it compel you to be a better person. That is great. Good for you. It is still religion, just YOUR belief. Don't try to sell it as science, because its not, and it won't be until conclusively proven otherwise. You act like you've been deprived of some right.

My religious beliefs have scientific implications... but never have I tried to pass them on as Science...

You need religion to be a better man. Other people need other things. Who's right and who's wrong?

What human decides what is wrong and what is right???? GOD is the one who has set the standard. If you look closer at the Bible, the book you call a work of fiction... you will find that standard of living.

You do what you will... to each their own... I know I am held accountable by GOD before being held accountable by any other authoritative designee on earth.

How's your shoulder after that reach?

For all your talk of empirical data you can't see an extrapolation when you see one. Yes, we can most definately agree that pedophilia is a horrible illness. But your grandchildren might be the ones thinking you were a primitive thinker 25 years down the road. It's not that implausible... at the rate things are going.

[Phenomanul]

I would imagine it would. More importantly, is it necesary for people to follow the Ten commandments to the letter in order for them to not end up in jail?

No, but why risk walking on the edge???

And therein lies the problem... people will always try to get away with as much as they possibly can.

[MaNuMaNiAc]

No, but why risk walking on the edge???

And therein lies the problem... people will always try to get away with as much as they possibly can.

do you honestly believe that people are born criminals, and only the teaching of the "Ten Commandments" is going to prevent them from ending up in prison?

That's a rather grim way to look at society, don't you think?

[angel_luv]

I haven't read this whole thread so forgive any randomness.

I just wanted to say that the Bible is literally true.

[jochhejaam]

I haven't read this whole thread so forgive any randomness.

I just wanted to say that the Bible is literally true.

Your randomness is welcome and your declaration of faith is respected and appreciated.

[smeagol]

what doesn't add up? that the masses are gullible? yes, because history hasn't shown us enough of that, right?

Show me another example in history of a book of fiction that is believed to be true by billions of people.

and by the way, we're not in 6th grade anymore. The "everybody is doing it, why won't you" cop out doesn't apply here. The fact that billions believe it doesn't make it the truth.

I never said this is the only reason to believe in the Bible. But if you add this one to many others, the picture becomes that more compelling. Neverhteless, at the end of the day everything boils down to Faith.

In fact, more people believe in Buddhism than Christianity so by your reasoning I suppose we should be praying to Buda.

No because my point was not the only reason.

I clearly stated that I believed everything in the bible that is not supported by solid evidence is fiction. Show me how that statement is false and then we can discuss some more.

I can't because you have no Faith.

[MaNuMaNiAc]

I can't because you have no Faith.

thank you. You just proved my point several times over

[Guru of Nothing]

If you followed the Ten Commandments to the letter would that keep you out of jail?

Do you follow ten commandments to THE letter?

If I were a Christian, and I followed the ten commandments to the letter, I'd be extraordinarily rare - to the point I'd feel, well, un-Christian.

[Winnipeg_Spur]

I bet this has already been brought up, but how can anyone believe the english translated version of the bible is literally, word for word true (I assume that's what we're talking about, the english version, since this is the US)?

Even if you believe somehow, that the original version (in whatever language it first appeared in, sorry I'm quite ignorant in these matters) was literally the word of God, 100% true, clearly it wasn't translated by God, so how can you be sure that the new version is all true?

[Guru of Nothing]

I bet this has already been brought up, but how can anyone believe the english translated version of the bible is literally, word for word true (I assume that's what we're talking about, the english version, since this is the US)?

Even if you believe somehow, that the original version (in whatever language it first appeared in, sorry I'm quite ignorant in these matters) was literally the word of God, 100% true, clearly it wasn't translated by God, so how can you be sure that the new version is all true?

Oh to be an everlasting retroactive fly on the wall.

[JoeChalupa]

Faith.

[scott]

Then give me back my taxes.... or don't expect me to support the public school system that does a crappy job to begin with... where are the higher math, and physics teachers??? Why is there more emphasis being placed on sports in our high schools?? --- follow the money trail and how resources are being managed...

Why is every other country surpassing our academic standards??? Sadly students don't care anymore... they're more concerned about trivialities such as popularity or who is the first to own a car... or drink alcoholic beverages.... Many parents don't care anymore either...

So then you get parents that do want their children growing with some sense of moral fabric and what does the liberal media do?? Slam them for bigoted interference... right..

Granted there are exceptions on both sides... the point being this problem is more complicated than it seems...

If you have read any of my posts on the topic of education, you will see that I am a strong proponent of reform. Our schools are in terrible shape. I don't see what this has to do with the topic of keeping religion out of schools though. Are you proposing that teaching that the bible is literally true (or any other religious belief) will somehow produce a bunch of brilliant students?

These parents you are talking about who want their children growing up with some sense of moral fabric - why is it the schools job to do that? Maybe the problem isn't that schools aren't teaching this - but that these parents are relying on the schools to do it instead of taking it into their own hands on their own time like, you know, a good parent would.

[scott]

I see, so you're basically saying that people who don't believe in God are more likely to commit a crime and end up in jail, right?

care to show some data supporting that claim?

It's about as quantifiable as the ability to quantify someone's genuineness to their beliefs...

But some food for thought...

If you followed the Ten Commandments to the letter would that keep you out of jail?

Actually, I've provided the evidence in this forum before and been blasted because some people don't like the results. You may have a different definition of what it means to be a Christian, but I define it as believing that Jesus is the son of God and savior of mankind. Now, whether someone is a "good" Christian or lives a life Jesus would approve is another question. But those who fit my definition of Christians are 37 times more likely to be incarcerated than atheists. So obviously, just believing that Jesus is the savior is not enough. I don't believe that teaching Intelligent Design or any other religious (in this case Christian but it could be any religion) theory in school does anything but get people to believe that Jesus is the savior. As the data shows, this doesn't do much for getting people to live a "good" lifestyle.

The myth of moral-less atheists running around and causing havoc is just that - a myth. The truth is that atheists are just as capable (and in fact just as likely) of living a moral lifestyle as anyone. Believing in God - in and of itself - does nothing to encourage morality.

With that said, I applaud the efforts of all religions, because they all have a common goal: to instill their followers with a sense of ethics. But this should be done at church and at home, not at school or any other public ins ution. Some people (like myself) don't need these religions to live a moral lifestyle. As of yet, I've yet to murder, rape, pillage, steal or any of the other sins that religion teaches us to avoid. And I did it all on my own sense, not divine inspiration.

[scott]

Show me another example in history of a book of fiction that is believed to be true by billions of people.

smeagol, do you believe the Koran is literally true?

[exstatic]

smeagol, do you believe the Koran is literally true?

Oh, snap.

[jochhejaam]

smeagol, do you believe the Koran is literally true?

Is there a difference between the billions that freely believe the Bible is the inspired word of God and those billions that are brainwashed from birth with the koran and dare not disavow it under the penalty of execution?

[exstatic]

Is there a difference between the billions that freely believe the Bible is the inspired word of God and those billions that are brainwashed from birth with the koran and dare not disavow it under the penalty of execution?

Of course. They are brainwashed but Christian kids believe freely. Sigh.

[jochhejaam]

Of course. They are brainwashed but Christian kids believe freely. Sigh.

Even in Parochial and Christian schools the students are not forced to believe, the information is presented to them and the choice to believe or not is made freely on an individual basis. No threats of execution if they don't become adherents as far as I know.