My best friend loves it when people quote Leviticus at him because he’s gay. He’ll look at them, ask “Ever eaten shrimp? I’ll save you a seat when I get there.”
I agree with the tone of this article but the points it uses to prove its stance are pretty stupid. All the “facts” the article says that people don’t know about he Bible are things that many people would not know, even if they did attend Christian schools. Let’s ask basic economic questions to a given sample and see if people understand the economy. I am sure the number would be staggering (of course in the way that people do not understand basic economics). The argument will only encourage people who already agree with the author.
These are basic facts about the Bible. Naming one of the four gospels, knowing where Jesus born and knowing who Moses was are things Christians SHOULD know, no two ways about it.
Congressman Broun obviously suffers from constitutional illiteracy. The government has no business promoting his favorite work of fiction, and by demanding that it do so, he disqualifies himself from acting as an elected official. He took an oath, and he’s violated it.
Andrew: “All the “facts” the article says that people don’t know about he Bible are things that many people would not know” Seriously? The first book of the bible is something many people would not know? The name of ONE of the gospels? Bethlehem? Come on, haven’t you ever seen A Charlie Brown Christmas?
And why did you put ‘facts’ in quotes? These are facts. Basic obvious facts that anyone who has ever even picked up a Bible, much less read it, would know.
OTOH, never be surprised at the stupidity of the American public, it is impossible to underestimate just how stupid people are. Anyone who doesn’t know the facts in this story certainly has never read the bible and has no right to consider themselves a christian.
Heck, I’m an atheist and I know all those facts in this story and many more. My favorite verses, which I use often to shut up people who pretend to know their bible is Matthew 6:5-7. They usually have to go look it up, as it’s not particularly popular, like Matthew 6:9-15.
Lewis, as an atheist you believe the Bible is a fairy tale. As a Chistian I understand it otherwise. If you really understood what you were reading, Matt. 6, 5-7 would disturb you greatly. That verse wouldn’t shut up a real believer, only start them praying without your knowledge. I know, you think that’s a waste of time also, but I’ve seen too many of what you would consider ‘coincidenses’. You have no idea what you may have started in your behalf.
You do realize that your friend is comparing apples to oranges right? He can’t really use a verse in the old testament that he doesn’t understand in order to refute another one that he equally doesn’t understand.
I’m a believer but find it refreshing to call out anyone who simply quotes as if it were doctrine without any understanding or scholarly studies. It’s always about context, history, etc…you don’t just find this with believers but non-believers as well.
They both spout out-of-context versus and claim them as total truth (or some sort of contradiction). I’m a scientist I need more then just a single line of words, I need to know more. Unfortunately, this is a commonplace in religion, politics, and anything where someone is trying to persuade another party to adopt their beliefs without a sufficient understanding.
Again, this was a refreshing bit on why you should have an understanding before speaking or at least speak with an open-mind knowing you aren’t exactly a SME on it (subject matter expert). I thought perhaps this was intended as a shot at believers but find it interesting that it could be applied to nearly any hot topic today.
If the Bible and Jesus (specifically) are fictitious why are such passions aroused among unbelievers? What difference could something possibly make if it doesn’t exist?
Speaking of Christians, a wise Pharisee named Gamaliel said:
“…if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” Acts 5:38-39 NIV
If it is not from God, it will die.
If it is from God, you will not be able to stop it.
Christianity has been and will be around for a long, long time. The hatred stirred at that statement is a biblical promise. Christians KNOW that!
Debbie, the Bible and Jesus are fictitious, at least to me and those of my ilk. But the “passions” you speak of amongst “unbelievers” (I would rather use the word anger) comes on behalf of die-hard believers who make their faith a public and/or political matter. It makes no difference to me what people believe in. My beliefs are a private matter, as should everyone else’s be. But when the Christians of the disgusting types (namely the self-described born-again and Evangelicals) try to gain political power and change public policy (which based on our Constitution most be secular), it angers us greatly. Believe what you want, but it keep it to yourself. Don’t judge me or others who don’t believe what you believe. Don’t tell us that we are inherently wicked or sinful because we don’t accept Christ. Don’t try to push for the teaching of pseudoscience in public schools because evolution and science scare you or disagree with your beliefs. Don’t rally in numbers for political purposes and try to pass discrimination laws against minority groups whose lifestyle you disagree with. It’s the vulgar and fraudulent Christians who do the above mentioned things that causes a great deal of anger from us nonbelievers. We don’t tell you what to believe or how to live your life, and we would like it if you offered us the same courtesy.
[...] Related PostsBible illiteracy rampant in US, even among Bible enthusiastsHookers for Jesus founder, Stryper guitarist wed in VegasChristians battle each other over [...]
As believers we are to follow through with the commission Jesus gave to us. Unfortunately for unbelievers that means we have to tell you, but you are still free to disbelieve. People of faith always have to tell somebody! Whether mandated from Christ or Allah or being enlightened in some way the disciple does not experience the Divine and then just clam up.
As Christians we push the Bible and it’s teachings because they are true. Heck half of the ten commandments are law. Our very nation was founded by Christian men who died for the religious freedom to practice Christianity. You get angry when people state their religious views. You say “keep your views to yourself” to us who tell the truth, and yet you are OK with our schools teaching that evolution is real. Scientifically proven to be false yet still taught today. Every part of Darwin’s teachings, that evolution is based upon, was renounced by Darwin himself shortly before his death. He himself admitted he was wrong about his teachings and that they were false. Yet our schools insist on teaching this religion to our children. George Washington, Our fore father who helped found this great nation stated this one undeniable fact “It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible.” to not follow or accept Jesus is your choice and no one is depriving you of that choice. After all God gave us free will right? How ever to deny his entire existence based on the teaching of lies is just plain foolish. There is way to much truth to overlook that God is real.
I’ll wager that a significant proportion of raging homophobes can cite chapter and verse for their favourite bits.
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@nullifidian
My best friend loves it when people quote Leviticus at him because he’s gay. He’ll look at them, ask “Ever eaten shrimp? I’ll save you a seat when I get there.”
shum mire jeni
I agree with the tone of this article but the points it uses to prove its stance are pretty stupid. All the “facts” the article says that people don’t know about he Bible are things that many people would not know, even if they did attend Christian schools. Let’s ask basic economic questions to a given sample and see if people understand the economy. I am sure the number would be staggering (of course in the way that people do not understand basic economics). The argument will only encourage people who already agree with the author.
These are basic facts about the Bible. Naming one of the four gospels, knowing where Jesus born and knowing who Moses was are things Christians SHOULD know, no two ways about it.
Congressman Broun obviously suffers from constitutional illiteracy. The government has no business promoting his favorite work of fiction, and by demanding that it do so, he disqualifies himself from acting as an elected official. He took an oath, and he’s violated it.
-jcr
Andrew: “All the “facts” the article says that people don’t know about he Bible are things that many people would not know” Seriously? The first book of the bible is something many people would not know? The name of ONE of the gospels? Bethlehem? Come on, haven’t you ever seen A Charlie Brown Christmas?
And why did you put ‘facts’ in quotes? These are facts. Basic obvious facts that anyone who has ever even picked up a Bible, much less read it, would know.
OTOH, never be surprised at the stupidity of the American public, it is impossible to underestimate just how stupid people are. Anyone who doesn’t know the facts in this story certainly has never read the bible and has no right to consider themselves a christian.
Heck, I’m an atheist and I know all those facts in this story and many more. My favorite verses, which I use often to shut up people who pretend to know their bible is Matthew 6:5-7. They usually have to go look it up, as it’s not particularly popular, like Matthew 6:9-15.
That’s so gay.
Lewis, as an atheist you believe the Bible is a fairy tale. As a Chistian I understand it otherwise. If you really understood what you were reading, Matt. 6, 5-7 would disturb you greatly. That verse wouldn’t shut up a real believer, only start them praying without your knowledge. I know, you think that’s a waste of time also, but I’ve seen too many of what you would consider ‘coincidenses’. You have no idea what you may have started in your behalf.
@Jay
You do realize that your friend is comparing apples to oranges right? He can’t really use a verse in the old testament that he doesn’t understand in order to refute another one that he equally doesn’t understand.
I’m a believer but find it refreshing to call out anyone who simply quotes as if it were doctrine without any understanding or scholarly studies. It’s always about context, history, etc…you don’t just find this with believers but non-believers as well.
They both spout out-of-context versus and claim them as total truth (or some sort of contradiction). I’m a scientist I need more then just a single line of words, I need to know more. Unfortunately, this is a commonplace in religion, politics, and anything where someone is trying to persuade another party to adopt their beliefs without a sufficient understanding.
Again, this was a refreshing bit on why you should have an understanding before speaking or at least speak with an open-mind knowing you aren’t exactly a SME on it (subject matter expert). I thought perhaps this was intended as a shot at believers but find it interesting that it could be applied to nearly any hot topic today.
Kudos.
If the Bible and Jesus (specifically) are fictitious why are such passions aroused among unbelievers? What difference could something possibly make if it doesn’t exist?
Speaking of Christians, a wise Pharisee named Gamaliel said:
“…if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” Acts 5:38-39 NIV
If it is not from God, it will die.
If it is from God, you will not be able to stop it.
Christianity has been and will be around for a long, long time. The hatred stirred at that statement is a biblical promise. Christians KNOW that!
Debbie, the Bible and Jesus are fictitious, at least to me and those of my ilk. But the “passions” you speak of amongst “unbelievers” (I would rather use the word anger) comes on behalf of die-hard believers who make their faith a public and/or political matter. It makes no difference to me what people believe in. My beliefs are a private matter, as should everyone else’s be. But when the Christians of the disgusting types (namely the self-described born-again and Evangelicals) try to gain political power and change public policy (which based on our Constitution most be secular), it angers us greatly. Believe what you want, but it keep it to yourself. Don’t judge me or others who don’t believe what you believe. Don’t tell us that we are inherently wicked or sinful because we don’t accept Christ. Don’t try to push for the teaching of pseudoscience in public schools because evolution and science scare you or disagree with your beliefs. Don’t rally in numbers for political purposes and try to pass discrimination laws against minority groups whose lifestyle you disagree with. It’s the vulgar and fraudulent Christians who do the above mentioned things that causes a great deal of anger from us nonbelievers. We don’t tell you what to believe or how to live your life, and we would like it if you offered us the same courtesy.
[...] Related PostsBible illiteracy rampant in US, even among Bible enthusiastsHookers for Jesus founder, Stryper guitarist wed in VegasChristians battle each other over [...]
Exactly bhavens!
As believers we are to follow through with the commission Jesus gave to us. Unfortunately for unbelievers that means we have to tell you, but you are still free to disbelieve. People of faith always have to tell somebody! Whether mandated from Christ or Allah or being enlightened in some way the disciple does not experience the Divine and then just clam up.
@ Debbie
As Christians we push the Bible and it’s teachings because they are true. Heck half of the ten commandments are law. Our very nation was founded by Christian men who died for the religious freedom to practice Christianity. You get angry when people state their religious views. You say “keep your views to yourself” to us who tell the truth, and yet you are OK with our schools teaching that evolution is real. Scientifically proven to be false yet still taught today. Every part of Darwin’s teachings, that evolution is based upon, was renounced by Darwin himself shortly before his death. He himself admitted he was wrong about his teachings and that they were false. Yet our schools insist on teaching this religion to our children. George Washington, Our fore father who helped found this great nation stated this one undeniable fact “It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible.” to not follow or accept Jesus is your choice and no one is depriving you of that choice. After all God gave us free will right? How ever to deny his entire existence based on the teaching of lies is just plain foolish. There is way to much truth to overlook that God is real.
Matt,
Half of ten is not three. Only three of the ten commandments are law: murder, theft and perjury.