Former pastor: I don't think God exists
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ThereAre4Lights
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<aimless cathartic rant>
I'm "atheist" in the sense that I no longer adhere to the notion of a personal, discrete entity called God, and I certainly don't think He whispered the text of the Bible. I believe in "God" to an extent that I believe that there is some purpose, maybe even a will to the Cosmos. Maybe the parts of the Old and New Testament that aren't incredibly screwed up were inspired by that.
But I can't help but feel that the majority of that is either the work of scared, frightened humans trying to reason with the big wide world while finding social laws that would help in the governing of a new nation-- OR --the work of a complete sociopath.
I think the people who opt NOT to believe that God is what the Bible says He is are far more faithful to Him than the ones who don't even try to interpret or examine. At least the Apologists try to find ways and reasons.
That said, the great majority of Christians, Jews and Muslims are great people. Kinder, more temperate and more consistent than the God they worship. They found inspiration in the good parts of the Bible, and quietly accept the parts that may not make sense to them.
I don't begrudge them their right to see only those parts of the God they worship, because if it gets them through this crazy elevator ride we call life, then good on them. But they should also not begrudge those who read the Bible and refuse to make excuses for what they very reasonably see as an abusive parent.
The sort of God I can believe in, would be something like what Baruch Spinoza posited in his work. A God who truly *is* magnificent, truly is timeless, and unlike the God of the Bible, manages to be constant and yet ever-changing.
It's just too bad that the People of the Book seem to feel that there's just one right conception of God, and that every word of the book is not only 100% correct, but must be interpreted a certain way in order to be so (the fallacy of a "spiritually instructed" reading of the Bible.)
I don't know, I just think Christianity, Judaism and Islam would all benefit from disabusing themselves of the notions of Orthodoxy and Canon and turning churches, synagogues and mosques into places of inquiry and introspection, rather than mere instruction.
</rant>
I'm "atheist" in the sense that I no longer adhere to the notion of a personal, discrete entity called God, and I certainly don't think He whispered the text of the Bible. I believe in "God" to an extent that I believe that there is some purpose, maybe even a will to the Cosmos. Maybe the parts of the Old and New Testament that aren't incredibly screwed up were inspired by that.
But I can't help but feel that the majority of that is either the work of scared, frightened humans trying to reason with the big wide world while finding social laws that would help in the governing of a new nation-- OR --the work of a complete sociopath.
I think the people who opt NOT to believe that God is what the Bible says He is are far more faithful to Him than the ones who don't even try to interpret or examine. At least the Apologists try to find ways and reasons.
That said, the great majority of Christians, Jews and Muslims are great people. Kinder, more temperate and more consistent than the God they worship. They found inspiration in the good parts of the Bible, and quietly accept the parts that may not make sense to them.
I don't begrudge them their right to see only those parts of the God they worship, because if it gets them through this crazy elevator ride we call life, then good on them. But they should also not begrudge those who read the Bible and refuse to make excuses for what they very reasonably see as an abusive parent.
The sort of God I can believe in, would be something like what Baruch Spinoza posited in his work. A God who truly *is* magnificent, truly is timeless, and unlike the God of the Bible, manages to be constant and yet ever-changing.
It's just too bad that the People of the Book seem to feel that there's just one right conception of God, and that every word of the book is not only 100% correct, but must be interpreted a certain way in order to be so (the fallacy of a "spiritually instructed" reading of the Bible.)
I don't know, I just think Christianity, Judaism and Islam would all benefit from disabusing themselves of the notions of Orthodoxy and Canon and turning churches, synagogues and mosques into places of inquiry and introspection, rather than mere instruction.
</rant>
phrodeau
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More likely the guy who was writing it all down thought it was a good idea, and just didn't realize he contradicted himself.
If something similar happened in a post on this board, you'd be one of the first to point out the apparent lie, and the above weak excuse would never pass your muster.
BotanyBoy
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LOL you look around at the world and seriously buy that?
You lying to us or yourself?
B'cuz looks to me he doesn't give a rats ass what we do down here.
If we picked out all the lies and pure bullshit from the Bible there would be pages upon page of quotes.
I notice none of the supposed Christians here ever bring up their love for the just and wonderful practice of slavery that not only is morally good to go OT and by the word of Jesus Christ himself.
NOOOOPE they just like to quietly ignore the parts of Christianity they choose not to like or care for.
You slap the old lady around when she gets lippy FGB? GAWD COMMANDS IT!!!
Of course this will go largely ignored....just like all the nasty stuff god commands of us in the Bible that we just want to pretend doesn't exist.
it's the "Pick and Choose!!" religion....just pick what parts you like and totally ignore the rest until convenient for you. But this is GAWWWWD ALLMIGTAHHH so totally excused...any excuse works, cuz GAWDDDDAHHH!!!
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about_average
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Most people being executed for treason don't really have a choice in the matter.
J
JAMESBJOHNSON
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LOL you look around at the world and seriously buy that?
You lying to us or yourself?
B'cuz looks to me he doesn't give a rats ass what we do down here.
If we picked out all the lies and pure bullshit from the Bible there would be pages upon page of quotes.
I notice none of the supposed Christians here ever bring up their love for the just and wonderful practice of slavery that not only is morally good to go OT and by the word of Jesus Christ himself.
NOOOOPE they just like to quietly ignore the parts of Christianity they choose not to like or care for.
You slap the old lady around when she gets lippy FGB? GAWD COMMANDS IT!!!
Of course this will go largely ignored....just like all the nasty stuff god commands of us in the Bible that we just want to pretend doesn't exist.
But this is GAWWWWD ALLMIGTAHHH so totally excused...any excuse works, cuz GAWDDDDAHHH!!!
Until recent times sodomy and oral sex were illegal and mental disorders. A century ago it was legal to have sex with a child. In fact many orphans were placed in brothels or married off to old men.
Tryharder62
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BotanyBoy
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Ahhh the good old days conservatives want to get back to. Prob explains the whole anti abortion bit too.
about_average
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Except Jesus wasn't falsely accused of treason. His actions and words were definitely treasonous. The same for all the other Jewish prophets executed for treason in the years before and after.Falsely accused and executed. No they don't if they aren't God.
phrodeau
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Herod wanted Jesus dead, just for being born.
about_average
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That's the story at least.
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