For Richard - Why I am not a Mormon cont...

[_GoodK]

I'd probably have an easier time finding inspired writings in the New Testament than in the Old. I don't like everything Jesus is quoted as saying, nor do I believe that he is fully and accurately represented in the gospels. They are imperfect documents. But still, there is some really good stuff there.

Mary

I would be very surprised if you were able to produce any sort passage that even sounded inspired.

[_Mary]

I would be very surprised if you were able to produce any sort passage that even sounded inspired.

What would you expect an 'inspired' passage to sound like Goodk?

For me, inspiration might come from a passage that helps me to see what I believe to be an ethical truth, or one that helps me to be what I would consider a 'better self'.

I find the scripture that says 'God is love' to be inspiring. It is very personal and subjective though. I find that scripture 'inspiring' because of personal experiences that I have had in my life, that indicate that if there is a God, then that's the way he/she/it operates.

Mary

[_GoodK]

I would be very surprised if you were able to produce any sort passage that even sounded inspired.

What would you expect an 'inspired' passage to sound like Goodk?

I gave a short answer to Richard, regarding what I would consider a divine passage. Same thing.

For me, inspiration might come from a passage that helps me to see what I believe to be an ethical truth, or one that helps me to be what I would consider a 'better self'.

I don't mean inspiring as in the urge to do something, I mean the text was inspired by an "intelligent designer" whom created the Earth and all it's contents.
I'm not saying there isn't some good writing, some good stories, I'm saying there is not one single reason to believe that "God" had anything to do with the production of the Bible.

There are plenty of other texts with better, more "inspiring" messages, that came before and after the Bible.

I find the scripture that says 'God is love' to be inspiring. It is very personal and subjective though. I find that scripture 'inspiring' because of personal experiences that I have had in my life, that indicate that if there is a God, then that's the way he/she/it operates.

I won't stomp all over your personal experiences, but I find that scripture to be very unimpressive and nonsensical.

[_Mary]

I would be very surprised if you were able to produce any sort passage that even sounded inspired.

What would you expect an 'inspired' passage to sound like Goodk?

I gave a short answer to Richard, regarding what I would consider a divine passage. Same thing.

For me, inspiration might come from a passage that helps me to see what I believe to be an ethical truth, or one that helps me to be what I would consider a 'better self'.

I don't mean inspiring as in the urge to do something, I mean the text was inspired by an "intelligent designer" whom created the Earth and all it's contents.
I'm not saying there isn't some good writing, some good stories, I'm saying there is not one single reason to believe that "God" had anything to do with the production of the Bible.

There are plenty of other texts with better, more "inspiring" messages, that came before and after the Bible.

I find the scripture that says 'God is love' to be inspiring. It is very personal and subjective though. I find that scripture 'inspiring' because of personal experiences that I have had in my life, that indicate that if there is a God, then that's the way he/she/it operates.

I won't stomp all over your personal experiences, but I find that scripture to be very unimpressive and nonsensical.

Fair enough...

Since religion has pretty much always been a part of human life, why do you think many humans seem pre-wired to believe in something better or outside of themselves? (not asking because I think I have the answer, but am interested in your opinion).

If we invented God, and we invented religion, did it just come from a desire to see loved ones again, or is there more to it than that?

Mary

[_GoodK]

[


Fair enough...

Since religion has pretty much always been a part of human life, why do you think many humans seem pre-wired to believe in something better or outside of themselves? (not asking because I think I have the answer, but am interested in your opinion).

If we invented God, and we invented religion, did it just come from a desire to see loved ones again, or is there more to it than that?

Mary

I think that religion was "invented" out of ignorance. I think humans are naturally inclined to question their existence, and came to certain conclusions based on their experiences. I think power and control had a lot to do with it, not only by those in charge, but I think that religion gives a sense of control over what happens to you, and I think we are all naturally inclined to want to have control over our existence.

[_Calculus Crusader]

According to Hosea 12:4-5, Jacob wrestled with an angel (who spoke with God's authority):

4He strove with the angel and prevailed;
he wept and sought his favor.
He met God at Bethel,
and there God spoke with us—
5the LORD, the God of hosts,
the LORD is his memorial name:

[_Calculus Crusader]

People don't live to be 180 years old.

With our current technology they do not, but I've seen and read sanguine scientists who think we could attain that age via science (certain reptiles live that long.) If we can accomplish something via science/technology, then God certainly can. The same applies to the Virgin Birth, which we have accomplished via science/technology. (Of course, Jesus had to get a Y chromosome from somewhere, but I have no problem with the idea that God created the zygote ex novo in Mary's womb.)

[_GoodK]

If we can accomplish something via science/technology, then God certainly can.

That is ridiculous. We know how long people lived back then, and it was a lot shorter than today. Nothing close to 180 years.

Besides, what we accomplish via science/technology today lends no credence to the old, recycled mythologies of first century Palestine.

[_Calculus Crusader]

If we can accomplish something via science/technology, then God certainly can.

That is ridiculous. We know how long people lived back then, and it was a lot shorter than today. Nothing close to 180 years.

Besides, what we accomplish via science/technology today lends no credence to the old, recycled mythologies of first century Palestine.

There is nothing ridiculous about God extending the lifespans of certain people to a degree that is consonant with currently hypothesized values for lifespan extension.

[_GoodK]

There is nothing ridiculous about God extending the lifespans of certain people to a degree that is consonant with currently hypothesized values for lifespan extension.

So let me get this straight; because some scientists optimistically hypothesized - more like mused - about extending the current life span well beyond a hundred years in the future, you take that to mean that Moses (who probably didn't even exist, by the way) could have lived to be 120? Like I said, ridiculous.

What about fashioning a human woman from a man's rib? How do we twist scientific achievement to make that sound less absurd?