Let's continue our debate here

[notsolost42]

Originally Posted by Foro777

Yeah but everyone knows the old testament is crap anyways
I just try and go by the "do unto others rule". I figure thats the ultimate message of Christianity, whereas the old testament was written by Pharisees (presumably)(who jesus hated, presumably).

I find your statement to be nothing less than anti semitic. If I believed the bible to be anything more than a collection of fairy tales and fables as from Grimm and Aesop I might be offended by what you said. Presumably.

[wiley]

Originally Posted by Foro777

Yeah but everyone knows the old testament is crap anyways
I just try and go by the "do unto others rule". I figure thats the ultimate message of Christianity, whereas the old testament was written by Pharisees (presumably)(who jesus hated, presumably).

I don't think Jesus hated anybody, but I heard he was not too fond of fish.

[LissaMarie]

Originally Posted by 3d-aholic

Can't you just leave me out of your posts Miss Holyier than Thou. Black Kettle calling the Kettle Black.

Oh lighten up, Francis!

[Foro777]

Originally Posted by notsolost42

I find your statement to be nothing less than anti semitic. If I believed the bible to be anything more than a collection of fairy tales and fables as from Grimm and Aesop I might be offended by what you said. Presumably.

Haha. not my intention to come off like that... and I ahve plenty of Jewish friends, so clearly not my personality
but what i meant to say, was that the Old Testament is VERY vague. We have no idea who wrote it or when. We have no idea how biased the events that are presented are given. I'm not saying the New Testament is perfect, but we have a mcuh clearer idea of who wrote about what and when they wrote it. Hell, we even have found "gospels" written by others OTHER than those included in the Bible.

I think much of the Old Testament, like what the Catholic Church leaders now do (albeit without modifying the text), was written in a time when miracles did NOT happen. I mean... Abraham, Moses, and King David were all VERY far apart time-wise. So... much like what we've seen with the Church today... the Pharisees had to "adapt" as best they could; however, this adaptation led to a deeply traditionalist and conservative religion which led to said rules of oppression and punishment.
Technically, the only rules the Torah says are explictily from God are the Ten Commandments, and these are rules. And rules only. They do not suggest punishment... but, as humans, the leaders of the religion felt like they had to enforce those rules and added all those silly rules we see after Exodus.

It is NOT anti-semitic to say so. Especially because the Catholic Church is doing much the same thing. The Church excommunicates gays, refuses divorce, etc. While I, personally, believe in the values the Church endorses, its punishments are entirely un-Christian.
I can not like homosexuality, but I shouldn't exert any opposition or judgement to those who are that way. In the words of Jesus, "Do not judge; lest you be judged yourself"
Thus, the condemning books of the Old Testament are much like the condemning laws of the Vatican today. Religion's message is corrupted because we, as humans, feel the need to force our ideals upon others. And in doing so, we lose our religion.

And that's why I say the majority of the Old Testament is crap. Just like the modern day Chruch's policy is crap. Presumably

[Foro777]

Originally Posted by chester

The 'Ethic of Reciprocity' or The Golden Rule. Is not just "the ultimate message of Christianity".

Oh yeah. Don't get me wrong. I didnt say the message was uniquely Christian. In FACT, I think the simple fact that so many geographically separate countries have a very similar religious message implies that there is in fact some kind of greater deity. I waiver more towards Christianity because that's how I was raised. But if we were to sum up all the major religions of the world, their message would invariably be the same:
Love others.

[Jelena]

Originally Posted by Foro777

Oh yeah. Don't get me wrong. I didnt say the message was uniquely Christian. In FACT, I think the simple fact that so many geographically separate countries have a very similar religious message implies that there is in fact some kind of greater deity. I waiver more towards Christianity because that's how I was raised. But if we were to sum up all the major religions of the world, their message would invariably be the same:
Love others.

What all these religions are preaching are moral and ethical principles that we should abide by, and this, IMO, has nothing to do with a greater deity, nor is it proof that such a thing exists. I don't need a god to tell me to love others or to love myself.

[losttime]

Seems like I started a "jihad" up in here LOL

[losttime]

Originally Posted by Jelena

What all these religions are preaching are moral and ethical principles that we should abide by, and this, IMO, has nothing to do with a greater deity, nor is it proof that such a thing exists. I don't need a god to tell me to love others or to love myself.

Jelena I agree but thats is not what the purpose of the bible is for. Those are just principles in it. There is much much more to the bible than just being nice and worshiping God.

[Jelena]

Originally Posted by losttime

Jelena I agree but thats is not what the purpose of the bible is for. Those are just principles in it. There is much much more to the bible than just being nice and worshiping God.

Really? Like what?

Btw, are you aware that your avatar is the same as Lockeing? This might be confusing, you know.

[VincentIsMyBFF]

why are we talking about religion on a Lost forum? I mean, there are things we could talk about that doesnt turn people against each other. Liker for real! Maybe its an adult thing idk but I just dont understand who cares if kids are taught religion? over half of em dont even listen in class.