Took me a little while to wrap,my head around this scripture. Yes, it does contradict itself. It looks like a typical error in copying, which should not occur in a book divinely put together. Thanks for posting.
No problem. Once my Dad (who like me is agnostic) said that one thing the Bible has to be given credit for is that there are zero contradictions. When I read what may at first seem like contradictions, I do my best to put things into proper context. As you can see, I even tried it with this one. But this is the most obvious contradiction I found.
Allegory is a legit form of communication. Weuse it less today than at some periods of human history, i think. But, everyone knows what is meant by the story of the tortoise and the hare, the ant and the grasshopper, etc. And, it makes sense that the human endeavor to discover and communicate why we are here, the spiritual dimension, etc. has included allegory. The story of Adam in Eden, along with the tree of life and the tree of knowledge of good and evil is actually a powerful illumination of human nature - unless one treats it as if it is history.
I tend to believe that religion is something that developed over a very long period of time of humans dealing with their ability of being self aware and asking questions about "why", and that the authors of certain works we read today had exceptional ability and had exposure to the religions of their time and place. We say they were inspired by god. But, even today we claim various accomplishments by humans were inspired or otherwise supported by god - even when they are as silly as catching a football. No sane person can read the Koran and not wonder how a person of that time could have written such a piece of poetry of that depth, complexity and comprehensiveness, of the nature of being human, of god and mankind's relationship to god, of politics, single handedly starting one of the world's major reljgions. If you say the Koran or Bible were not inspired by god, aren't you just claiming that the particular religion is false?
Buddhism/Shinto are not based on a god. They tend to spiritualize ones self and nature. The abrahamic religions appeal is based in an afterlife that is provided by this powerful god. Being that these books are the connection to this god, it would be expected that they measure up to a god. IMO, they don't. They are manmade religions, which does make them false, but for those who ignore the facts, they will still retain the mental benefits in this life.
Interesting that the theist gets to pick and choose which parts are allegory and which are facts. Just to suit his own agenda. But then claims that the atheist is wrong on every count.
There is lots of sublime writing and poetry... and music. Is Shakespear inspired by god, or Bach, or Beethoven? There are lots of people who say they are inspired by god.... from popes to televangelists. There are people living today that millions of people swear have performed miracles. If judaism existed absent Christianity and Islam... I doubt that people would swoon over it as some major religion that must be deferred to any more than some other cult with a few million adherents. As far as Christianity and Islam are concerned.... humans become convinced of all sorts of delusions. Popularity or endurance of a delusion is interesting, and historically significant... but not a particular validation ... any more than is the case for African whitch doctors, or voodoo... or the cults of the aztecs. The Old Testament, the New Testament, the Koran.... they all conflict.... especially as interpretered and practiced by their adherents. Should we be doing burnt offerings as the temple Jews of jesus time did? Is is really a sin to eat shellfish? Or to wear clothes with polyester and cotton mixed? Does god command plural marriage, or forbid it? Does god really say that people used to live for a thousand years, or that the earth is 6000 years old, or that some guy was swallowed by a giant fish, then picked up alive days later. Did god really inspire the New Testament... then not take the trouble to preserve the fact Reginald text. And if the words of jesus were so important, why were they not transcribed till 50 or 80 years later... by people who never even met jesus. Am I just claiming these religions are false? Well, yes and no I think all religions are objectively false since in my opinion there is no god But then again, countries are real, but also based on no objective reality The Mormon religion is "real".. and has resulted in a strong vibrant culture. And yet many of its original foundational beliefs are simply laughable (IMO) So Mormonism is real, but is not based upon objective facts IMO I do not wish to discard all religion. It serves some purposes for its adherents And it is not my place to interfere with their lives and faith But, from an objective point of view... I think all religion is as true as voodoo
And the theist justification begins. Trying to explain every contradiction and lie as being true and the same. Handy way to try to support these beliefs.
Just a random thought: if this god is all powerful why does he need mans help in gathering all of these creatures? Why not just re-create them in a flash and start over? No need for a flood or the help man. Just do it.
You spend an awful lot of effort and time, even your avatar is an example, in attacking the Christian Faith. Do you not have a life of your own???I seriously doubt it. You won't be getting any swings from me. You need a new hobby.
Expecting them to be perfect is part of your personal assumption of how a god would reveal himself to mankind. I do not believe you can reject the god of the bible simply on the grounds of the bible not being perfect.
Those who believe in the god of the bible do not all agree on what is allegory, obviously. In fact, there are many far more serious disagreements. Thus we have Christians, Jews and Muslims, with significant subdivision within each. Trying to disprove a biblical story is just a ridiculous approach if the intent is to disparage a religion based on the bible.
And yet this bible you claim to revere is full of inconsistences that at the very least border on lies. Theists take major amounts of time alleging that there are no inconsistencies in it while admitting that they do not know the mind of this god of yours. Totally illogical.
That's just a weakness of allegory. Over the centuries we've lost the meaning held in that story - as we have lost the meaning of the various elements of the creation stories. The bible is not part of my belief system, but attacking it over minutia rather than the important issues is a mistake - at the very least a waste of time.
I think you aren't listening. Several times I have stated I do not subscribe to the god of the bible. But, it does deserve a more serious approach than berating believers for recognizing the problems inherent in "knowing" the mind of such a god.
I might enjoy being re-created myself.. It's so much easier just having things done for me than doing them myself. True! Help ME, LORD!!! Please re-create me in Thy Son's Image.. In The Name of Thy Son, Jesus Christ, I ask. Amen
Enlightening knuckle dragging Christians is a full time job. My hobby is my YouTube channel. My WTP avatar is anti-Christian, that's a new one. You aren't swinging because you don't have a bat to swing. Sorry, but you need a new afterlife crutch.
Assuming that the bible is channeled through men, yes, I expect it to be perfect/accurate/demonstrably verifiable to all generations.
I'm not trying to berate believers. I'm trying to educate them about the bases of their belief. Why should they live in guilt, fear and pay 10% of their earnings to just another cult?
