The Bible (a discussion)

Understanding many if not most Bible stories involves understanding that the authors describe things in their own language and idioms, and not ours. Thus for instance, 2 Samuel 6:6 notes that God slew Uzzah for the transgression of attempting to prevent the ark falling off a wagon, rather than noting, as we would, that he touched something which amounted to a crude capacitor and electrocuted himself. . .

Well, I certainly agree that a self serving priesthood has, for thousands of years, picked and sorted through scripture in order to control the masses.

Where we disagree, I suppose, is that I aver the sins of the priesthood are the fault, not of God, not of scripture, but of the priesthood.

I was going to post a comment. But, after reading all the other responses, have decided it's a far, far better thing to avoid joining this group of posters who're merrily babbling on, posting their own personal "insights" (aka prejudices), rather than considering the question as stated in the OP.

I was going to post a comment. But, after reading all the other responses, have decided it's a far, far better thing to avoid joining this group of posters who're merrily babbling on, posting their own personal "insights" (aka prejudices), rather than considering the question as stated in the OP.

I invite you to discuss your take on scripture. What merit does the book hold to you in your faith?

Well, I certainly agree that a self serving priesthood has, for thousands of years, picked and sorted through scripture in order to control the masses.

Where we disagree, I suppose, is that I aver the sins of the priesthood are the fault, not of God, not of scripture, but of the priesthood.

The god of the Bible says there is nothing wrong with slavery...that it is morally permissable to own slaves and to buy and sell them.

Is that a sin of the priesthood also?

Frank Apisa wrote:

The god of the Bible says there is nothing wrong with slavery...that it is morally permissable to own slaves and to buy and sell them.

Is that a sin of the priesthood also?

Do you really know the God of the bible condones slavery? I think not. I don't read it that way.

If Adam and Eve had not sinned, we would never have had slavery. We would never have had any of the ills humanity has endured these thousands of years. God permitted slavery. He permitted divorce. He permitted humans to form governments after telling them to disburse throughout the earth. (You can read God's opinion of kings in 1 Samuel 8: 5-19)

He has suffered wars and every crime that could be conceived of human against human. He has watched humans experience disease and death. All the while, believers have taken solace in His promise to eventually set matters straight, to grant those who have died the opportunity to live again and to rid the world of His adversary, the one who sought to divert His purpose.

Of course, you can't be expected to know that either, And I can't submit incontrovertible argument in its behalf. But I do know it in the way that has worked for me.

Yeah, that's the way it was, Frank.

As an agnostic, Frank, you presumably leave open the option of "the reality of God". Neologist may conceive of such a reality in terms of a " God who moves in mysterious ways".... a God who endeavours to teach "universal love" by allowing people to realise the inhumanity of slavery by the first hand experience of being involved in it . Who knows what rationalisation believers need to construct ?