The Blue Board

This is interesting discussion, thanks. You're exactly right that the NT is the clearest revelation from God and the fulfillment of the OT. And, Christians still look to the OT for moral guidance. I think you may be confusing "strict Jewish rules" with what the OT actually teaches. One of Jesus' biggest problems with the religious establishment of His day was with its (Pharisees and Sadducees) traditions that were quite different from the Scriptures. The Mishna and Talmud are good examples of this. In actuality, it's the main reason He lost His life. He dared to disagree with the establishment and even embarassed them on a few occasions. In actuality He was the correct interpreter of the OT and rejected the traditions of the rabbi's and scribes (what you called the strict Jewish laws) which had no benefit for God's people and were often used for the selfish purposes of said leaders. Jesus and His disciples did observe what the OT actually teaches. In Matthew 12, for instance, Jesus correctly interpreted the 4th commandment in light of what David and his companions did. Jesus also, on more than one occasion, exposed a stupid tradition, not contained in scripture, regarding doing good on the sabbath by helping someone who was sick or in need. Even today, orthodox Jews believe it to be sinful to take a picture on the sabbath, for example. That is taking the commandment way too far.

How can you say that without one iota's of an understanding of the universe and all of history? If we know anything it's that we don't know much. Yet, in your arrogance you call God a dick. Personally, i'm surprised God allows things to be as good as they are.

Epicurus has been debunked many times. Firstly, if God prevented evil, you wouldn't be here. What's your definition of "evil" anyway? What evil is God supposed to be preventing? The Bible often teaches of God's patience in not doing away with us. This is true even when we make dumb statements, that fool many others into think it's wisdom. God is also loving enough to create us with free will. We are free to choose, and God respects that freedom. Without free will there is no possibility of our doing what's right or good. Machines can't do good or enjoy beauty, etc. Only a loving God would create us with a volition. Finally, God did utterly defeat evil on the Cross. Only an extremely loving God would expose Himself to such horrors for the benefit of those who reject Him. God is so good that He uses evil to bring about an even greater good. Actually, atheists have been losing for quite some time.

One thing I will give Chrisitans credit for is taking religion and putting the perfect touches to it, the touches that instill fear, the primal emotion that combats logic and reason quite well. The fear of eternal damnation for not being a slave of thought, for not questioning anything but for just taking it for what it is. The early age indoctrination and groupthink, the proselytization command. It is quite clever. The evolution from early gods of nature and surreal anthropomorphism to the monotheistic father figure.

Interesting. What God isn't a dick, and why? And, the Biblical God isn't bound by such constraints. You couldn't invent the Biblical God who provides amazing insights and constantly surprises.

Sounds a lot like something a former professor would say. What's amazing is that the brainwashing comes from your side and you guys just can't see it. The early gods were a de-evolution from the original God. I stopped questioning after years of struggle culminating in finding the truth. Now, I have the great joy of searching out the unlimited parameters of that truth. I sincerely hope you'll allow yourself the same joy one day.

If we don't know everything how can we know anything?

That's interesting because I go to a private Baptist school, but you keep trying that university brainwash card. I'm sure it will word one day.

He is actually not always a dick,just sometimes. When he is Jesus he's a pretty cool guy. The biblical god is bound by human constraints becuase he,like every other god so far, is human created. He is a contradiction and is not omnipotent.omniscient,or omnipresent like claimed.

By the way, I'd like to place this in this post because it didn't hit me until now,but to your sentence where you said that god is good for not killing me already for my insults. Wow? What a nice father figure? Goodnews. If the possibility of your children becoming rebellious I guess you would just kill them or even better put them away from you forever?

This issue of justifying/not justifying disapproval of homosexuality based on religious principles isn't an academic issue. It's a mistake to value an idea at the cost of people and your relationships with those people. Actual people are more valuable than an idea, belief, etc.

Absolutely not. There will never be a stage of past religion. We will all be gone thankfully, before that happens.

I have a feeling Zoroastrianism is going to have a huge comeback and be proven right.

Good article on Grantland about Brown.

bump