What percentage of the Bible do you/should you follow?

[atheist buddy]

There are hundreds upon hundreds of edicts in the Bible.

Stuff ranging from "Don't murder" to "Kill any two men caught having gay sex". From "Don't allow women to speak in church", to "Rape any virgin who's family you killed". From "Don't steal" to "Don't wear a t-shirt made of two different fabrics". From "Love thy neighbor" to "The just decree of God is that people who gossip deserve death". From "don't work on the Sabbath" to "Kill anybody who works on the Sabbath".

Questions for debate:

What percentage of the Bible's edicts and decrees do you follow?

On what basis do you determine which decrees should be followed and which ones shouldn't?

Are there any decrees in the Bible that if you knew your neighbor followed them, you'd be tempted to call the police, or move to a different neighborhood, or forbid your children from visiting your neighbor's home?

If you look back to 500 or 1000 years ago, would you guess that on average people followed a higher or lower percentage of Bible decrees than you do now?

If you had to guess, would you think that 500 or 1000 years from now, if things continue to follow recent trends, people on average will follow a higher or lower percentage of Bible decrees?

[Zzyzx]

.

What's the problem?

It's called priorities. Theists don't sit around with nothing better to do than watch this site for the latest new thread to respond to, especially when it appears to be another list of questions from the bibliophobe template. So, again, let's go over this well worn path.

Perhaps Non-Theists have an advantage with more time to think and to write here because they spend no time contemplating supernatural entities and events, reading ancient tales as though they contained special knowledge or accurate information, praying for favors, waiting for inspiration from invisible spirits.

What percentage of the Bible's edicts and decrees do you follow?

As many as it is possible for me to follow.

Are plenty of stones available for disobedient children and adulteresses?

On what basis do you determine which decrees should be followed and which ones shouldn't?

Does my present circumstance make it possible?

Do present circumstances make it possible to avoid wearing mixed content fabrics?

Are there any decrees in the Bible that if you knew your neighbor followed them, you'd be tempted to call the police, or move to a different neighborhood, or forbid your children from visiting your neighbor's home?

You mean, when did you stop beating your wife? If you have a complaint, spit it out. There is no reason to bias the discussion by asking leading questions.

The question is legitimate. Bible proclamations followed to the letter by neighbors WOULD justify calling police. Beating but not killing slaves, for instance, is frowned upon in most modern societies.

If you look back to 500 or 1000 years ago, would you guess that on average people followed a higher or lower percentage of Bible decrees than you do now?

No, on average, people have not known as much as I do about Adonai's way, let alone lived by them. I hope you realize that movable type was invented less than 1000 years ago and the printing press less than 600 years ago. So, the average human being knew little of HaTorah. Even so, interest in knowing Adonai's ways has never been a popular endeavor.

Is "special knowledge" of "Adonai's way" available to anyone interested " or just a few particularly qualified people?

If you had to guess, would you think that 500 or 1000 years from now, if things continue to follow recent trends, people on average will follow a higher or lower percentage of Bible decrees?

It is not relevant to me. This is not a popularity contest.

Religion IS a popularity contest " competition between promoted belief systems. The popularity of given groups waxes and wanes over time and varies greatly by location. Thousands of different "gods" are and have been worshiped, loved, feared, venerated by humans. They seem to become popular for a time and then fade into insignificance from whence they came.

How long has "Adonai" been popular (or worshiped or whatever)? A few thousand years? That is miniscule compared to the length of time H. sapiens have existed (150,000 to 200,000 years according to anthropologists " people who study such things). AND, that is just one of thousands of proposed "gods" in the popularity contest.

[atheist buddy]

Post 4: Wed Jun 10, 2015 12:28 pm

I'm wondering why no theist is replying to this.

The answer is a number. Like 50%. Or 20%. Or 70%.

What's the problem?

It's called priorities. Theists don't sit around with nothing better to do than watch this site for the latest new thread to respond to, especially when it appears to be another list of questions from the bibliophobe template. So, again, let's go over this well worn path.

What percentage of the Bible's edicts and decrees do you follow?

As many as it is possible for me to follow.

On what basis do you determine which decrees should be followed and which ones shouldn't?

Does my present circumstance make it possible?

What do you mean by "circumstances make it possible"?

For example, the Lord Adonai commands that you kill gay men whom you catch in the act.

If you do that today, you will go to jail.

Is that what you mean by "circumstances make it possible"? Do you mean that you only follow God's law if it doesn't conflict with man's law, which is much more important than God's law?

The only thing preventing you from throwing stones at gay people, as commanded by the great Adonai, is that if you do that, you'll go to jail, where gay people will do all sorts of things to you.

So is it fear of harm in this life that prevents you from fullfilling God's law? Is that what you mean by "follow what is possible for you to follow"?

Are you admitting that God's law is inferior to man's law?

Are there any decrees in the Bible that if you knew your neighbor followed them, you'd be tempted to call the police, or move to a different neighborhood, or forbid your children from visiting your neighbor's home?

You mean, when did you stop beating your wife? If you have a complaint, spit it out. There is no reason to bias the discussion by asking leading questions.

I don't understand the reference in this context, but I'll gladly give you a specific example. If you found out that your neighbors are very very devout literalist biblicists who have the courage of their convictions and follow the Torah to the letter, and have a habit of killing unruly children in deference to Exodus 21, would you allow your children to play with the neighbor's children in their house? If you found out that your neighbor killed your child because your child was misbehaving, would you thank your neighbor for doing the lord's work, or would you call the police?

[Psalm139]

Post 4: Wed Jun 10, 2015 12:28 pm

I'm wondering why no theist is replying to this.

The answer is a number. Like 50%. Or 20%. Or 70%.

What's the problem?

It's called priorities. Theists don't sit around with nothing better to do than watch this site for the latest new thread to respond to, especially when it appears to be another list of questions from the bibliophobe template. So, again, let's go over this well worn path.

What percentage of the Bible's edicts and decrees do you follow?

As many as it is possible for me to follow.

On what basis do you determine which decrees should be followed and which ones shouldn't?

Does my present circumstance make it possible?

What do you mean by "circumstances make it possible"?

For example, the Lord Adonai commands that you kill gay men whom you catch in the act.

If you do that today, you will go to jail.

Is that what you mean by "circumstances make it possible"? Do you mean that you only follow God's law if it doesn't conflict with man's law, which is much more important than God's law?

The only thing preventing you from throwing stones at gay people, as commanded by the great Adonai, is that if you do that, you'll go to jail, where gay people will do all sorts of things to you.

So is it fear of harm in this life that prevents you from fullfilling God's law? Is that what you mean by "follow what is possible for you to follow"?

Are you admitting that God's law is inferior to man's law?

Are there any decrees in the Bible that if you knew your neighbor followed them, you'd be tempted to call the police, or move to a different neighborhood, or forbid your children from visiting your neighbor's home?

You mean, when did you stop beating your wife? If you have a complaint, spit it out. There is no reason to bias the discussion by asking leading questions.

I don't understand the reference in this context, but I'll gladly give you a specific example. If you found out that your neighbors are very very devout literalist biblicists who have the courage of their convictions and follow the Torah to the letter, and have a habit of killing unruly children in deference to Exodus 21, would you allow your children to play with the neighbor's children in their house? If you found out that your neighbor killed your child because your child was misbehaving, would you thank your neighbor for doing the lord's work, or would you call the police?

LOL !!!!! Most people who read the Bible are totally deceived by their own interpretations. Your wisdom is beyond most devout Bible readers.

[bluethread]

.

What's the problem?

It's called priorities. Theists don't sit around with nothing better to do than watch this site for the latest new thread to respond to, especially when it appears to be another list of questions from the bibliophobe template. So, again, let's go over this well worn path.

Perhaps Non-Theists have an advantage with more time to think and to write here because they spend no time contemplating supernatural entities and events, reading ancient tales as though they contained special knowledge or accurate information, praying for favors, waiting for inspiration from invisible spirits.

My two point are 1) that people theist and non-theist have lives and do not always have time to respond to a thread on a particular website within 24 hrs. and 2) it isn't just theists that post questions that appear to come from a template and that can make theists reluctant to respond quickly, just as it does for non-theists.

What percentage of the Bible's edicts and decrees do you follow?

As many as it is possible for me to follow.

Are plenty of stones available for disobedient children and adulteresses?

Are sufficient drugs and electricity available for the individual citizens of these United States to use in killing mass murderers? If so, why are we wasting so much time and money on trials? You know better than to use this kind of presumptuous argument.

On what basis do you determine which decrees should be followed and which ones shouldn't?

Does my present circumstance make it possible?

Do present circumstances make it possible to avoid wearing mixed content fabrics?

Wool and linen, yes.

Are there any decrees in the Bible that if you knew your neighbor followed them, you'd be tempted to call the police, or move to a different neighborhood, or forbid your children from visiting your neighbor's home?

You mean, when did you stop beating your wife? If you have a complaint, spit it out. There is no reason to bias the discussion by asking leading questions.

The question is legitimate. Bible proclamations followed to the letter by neighbors WOULD justify calling police. Beating but not killing slaves, for instance, is frowned upon in most modern societies.

It is a leading question in the same way as asking, is there anything about your babies face that makes you want to call a plastic surgeon. He did not provide an example as you did, therefore, it was not a legitimate question. To your example, if o ne were following HaTorah to the letter, one is not required to have slaves and slavery is illegal in these United States. Therefore, your point is moot.

If you look back to 500 or 1000 years ago, would you guess that on average people followed a higher or lower percentage of Bible decrees than you do now?

No, on average, people have not known as much as I do about Adonai's way, let alone lived by them. I hope you realize that movable type was invented less than 1000 years ago and the printing press less than 600 years ago. So, the average human being knew little of HaTorah. Even so, interest in knowing Adonai's ways has never been a popular endeavor.

Is "special knowledge" of "Adonai's way" available to anyone interested " or just a few particularly qualified people?

I am not sure who you are quoting when you say "special knowledge", so I am sure what you are referring to. However, the question is whether or not the average person keeps "a higher or lower percentage of Bible decrees than you do now". The more one knows the more one can do. That said, even those with as much knowledge as I have, on average, do not keep as many of the commandments as I do. By the way, I am not boasting, just answering the question.

If you had to guess, would you think that 500 or 1000 years from now, if things continue to follow recent trends, people on average will follow a higher or lower percentage of Bible decrees?

It is not relevant to me. This is not a popularity contest.

Religion IS a popularity contest " competition between promoted belief systems. The popularity of given groups waxes and wanes over time and varies greatly by location. Thousands of different "gods" are and have been worshiped, loved, feared, venerated by humans. They seem to become popular for a time and then fade into insignificance from whence they came.

For some people it is and if that is how you wish to see it, then fine. I just do not wish to take part in the popularity contest.

How long has "Adonai" been popular (or worshiped or whatever)? A few thousand years? That is miniscule compared to the length of time H. sapiens have existed (150,000 to 200,000 years according to anthropologists " people who study such things). AND, that is just one of thousands of proposed "gods" in the popularity contest.

Even though you took the opportunity to introduce unnecessary self-serving information, thank you for helping me make my point. Throughout history it has been a minority that have kept Adonai's ways. Therefore, the average would be less observant than I am.

[bluethread]

On what basis do you determine which decrees should be followed and which ones shouldn't?

Does my present circumstance make it possible?

What do you mean by "circumstances make it possible"?

For example, the Lord Adonai commands that you kill gay men whom you catch in the act.

If you do that today, you will go to jail.

Is that what you mean by "circumstances make it possible"? Do you mean that you only follow God's law if it doesn't conflict with man's law, which is much more important than God's law?

The only thing preventing you from throwing stones at gay people, as commanded by the great Adonai, is that if you do that, you'll go to jail, where gay people will do all sorts of things to you.

So is it fear of harm in this life that prevents you from fullfilling God's law? Is that what you mean by "follow what is possible for you to follow"?

Are you admitting that God's law is inferior to man's law?

Where do the Scriptures require me to take the law into my own hands and act as judge, jury and executioner?

If you found out that your neighbors are very very devout literalist biblicists who have the courage of their convictions and follow the Torah to the letter, and have a habit of killing unruly children in deference to Exodus 21, would you allow your children to play with the neighbor's children in their house? If you found out that your neighbor killed your child because your child was misbehaving, would you thank your neighbor for doing the lord's work, or would you call the police?

If my neighbor followed Torah, the police would have been called long before the children were killed. In fact, the children could not have been executed until there was a trial with diligent enquiry. Does any of this sound familiar, or are you just improvising off of a script?

[sf]

There was a time when the Bible was taken seriously. We call those the Dark Ages.

Not even Wikipedia defines the Dark Ages like that:

The Dark Ages is a historical periodization used originally for the Middle Ages, which emphasizes the cultural and economic deterioration that supposedly occurred in Western Europe following the decline of the Roman Empire.[1][2] The label employs traditional light-versus-darkness imagery to contrast the "darkness" of the period with earlier and later periods of "light".[3] The period is characterized by a relative scarcity of historical and other written records at least for some areas of Europe, rendering it obscure to historians. The term "Dark Age" derives from the Latin saeculum obscurum, originally applied by Caesar Baronius in 1602 to a tumultuous period in the 10th and 11th centuries.[4]

1. Oxford English Dictionary (2 ed.). Oxford, England: Oxford University Press. 1989. "a term sometimes applied to the period of the Middle Ages to mark the intellectual darkness characteristic of the time; often restricted to the early period of the Middle Ages, between the time of the fall of Rome and the appearance of vernacular written documents."
2. Jump up to: a b "Dark age" in Merriam-Webster
3. Jump up to: a b c d e f g Mommsen, Theodore (1942). "Petrarch's Conception of the 'Dark Ages'". Speculum (Cambridge MA: Medieval Academy of America) 17 (2): 226"242. doi:10.2307/2856364. JSTOR 2856364.
4. Dwyer, John C., Church history: twenty centuries of Catholic Christianity, (1998) p. 155. Baronius, Caesar. Annales Ecclesiastici, Vol. X. Roma, 1602, p. 647

From: Wikipedia article on Dark Ages (historiography)

[sf]

If you look back to 500 or 1000 years ago, would you guess that on average people followed a higher or lower percentage of Bible decrees than you do now?

Absolutely. There was a time when the Bible was taken seriously. We call those the Dark Ages.

Exactly.

Theocracy (religious government) is a terrible form of government, as illustrated by the Dark Ages of the past and the Middle East currently.

Which countries had Christian theocracies during the Middle Ages?

[sf]

I'm wondering why no theist is replying to this.

<snip>

What's the problem?

That you only waited 13 hours to ask why no theist has responded, most of that time being overnight when many of us sleep. :sleep:

[1213]

Are you saying that the commandment to stone gay men to death is fulfilled by the commandment to "love your neighbor as yourself"?

Stoning is judgment for doing against the Law. Living according to Law means you dont do things that would deserve judgment. Judging is not the Law. We are not commanded to judge. That is the duty of judge that is set by God. We are not judges set by God.

Love would in this case mean that we tell that man having sex with man is against Gods will and person should not do so, if he loves God.

Is the commandment to kill anybody who worships a different God fulfilled by the commandment to "love your neighbor as yourself"? Would you want your neighbor to kill you for your religion? If not, then by killing him for his religion you're not loving him as you love yourself.

The Law is that we dont do anything evil for others. The Law is not that we must go and stone people, or else

Of course Bible gives also the information what would be proper judgment for certain acts against the Law, but it was judges job to judge. Not all people are set by God to be judges.

How is murder a form of neighborly love?

Murder is always against the Law. Death penalty is not murder, because it is lawful killing. But becaue we are not judges set by God, we cant kill anyone lawfully.

I'm also really glad that you are in favor of gay marriage. You wouldn't want your neighbor to prevent you from getting married to whoever you love, right? Therefore, since you follow the commandment to love thy neighbor as yourself, you wouldn't prevent gay marriage either, right?

I am not in favor of gay marriage, in my opinion it is stupid thing. But I am not going to prevent if people do that.

And another thing. The concept of treating others as you'd like to be treated was first presented in the Annals of Confucius

Why should I believe that?

[sf]

How long has "Adonai" been popular (or worshiped or whatever)? A few thousand years? That is miniscule compared to the length of time H. sapiens have existed (150,000 to 200,000 years according to anthropologists " people who study such things).

How would we know, since writing is only believed to have existed since 3,200 BC? (That happens to be less than 600 years after the start of the Hebrew calendar, which is said to mark the date of creation )