@fresco,
Quote:No its not 'as simple as that'!One of the main functions of religion is societal control, and the concept of 'self' is acquired through socialization in particular groups. So it is totally false to argue that 'freedom' is involved in following the so-called 'laws of God', when in fact those laws are differentially made and followed by different human groups to regulate thought and behavior. To ignore such rules is to risk group ostracism which is part of the 'freedom price of individuality', especially for impressionable and dependent children.
As poorly as cam states his point at times, I think he is pretty spot on here.
Quote:When the government (Kingdom of Israel) also followed the biblical laws, then the penalty of death to the adulterous woman was enforced.
Today, for example, the US government is not following and enforcing the laws of God. Then, there is not such a death penalty imposed in adulterous women.
The bible is a story telling us about a process that is taking millions and maybe even billions of years to unfold. The process goes like this.
1. God existed alone with his thoughts (Jesus the Living Word) and His feelings (the Holy Spirit) as a perfect being.
2. He decided he wanted to share these thoughts and feelings with someone so he created the universe so that someone would have a place to live.
3. Then he created somebody in his image with thoughts and feelings (man).
4. He gave the universe to them with only one rule, do whatever you want just don't ruin the perfection. The way you keep from ruining my perfection and learn my purpose is to bring everything you do and make to me for my approval.
5. Abel brought his handy work for approval. Cain listened to Satan and said, "You get what I bring you take it or leave it".
6. God like Abel better because he was humble and willing to learn so, Cain got jealous and killed Abel.
7. The whole universe has been paying for that one murder ever since, but God entered the universe when the Word became flesh and was born of a young Jewish woman and was given the name Jesus Christ.
Now all those rules the Jewish people had to follow were given to them so that they would survive as a society long enough for that woman to be born so she could give birth to the Christ. That day is over and the need for those laws has been fulfilled. Now we just have laws to promote good and punish evil. (That is if you believe in good and evil.) So, I think cameronleon is correct.