The most damaging verse in the bible?

[AquinasForGod]

Question for debate: What do you think is the most damaging verse in the bible?

I mean, what verse or verses together (like maybe a contradiction) do you feel is the most damaging to the Christian faith, that might make a Christian go, hmm, maybe I have the wrong religion.

I have been searching the threads here and so far, I have found no points made against the bible that I find troubling or difficult to give an answer for.

I suppose some would be troubled if they think God wrote the bible himself or something, but why would anyone believe that?

[Miles]

[Replying to Miles in post #118]

I answered that in the post you replied to. Here it is.

I do not take this approach. Either it is an allegory that the youth were cut off from the land. They were exiled or it is to teach us a moral lesson that if we are truly in danger and ask God, God could answer.

In as much as there's absolutely no mention that the "young men" in Rabbi belief were "criminals, a water cartel," and that they were "pissed off and told Elisha to go back up, meaning leave this world," I didn't think you took this as a sound interpretation. Yet now in answer to my question "What you think the lesson is in 2 Kings 2:23-25?" you say this, the Rabbinical belief, is your answer. However, you also now say. "I do not take this approach," which leaves me up in the air as to what you actually think.

You say: It may be "an allegory that the youth were cut off from the land. They were exiled." Yet why would a childish act of mockery deserve such harsh punishment? This isn't even close to being an eye for an eye. So as an allegory I see it as failing miserably. It paints god as a vicious bully---which may actually be the case. No?

OR, you suggest, the story is included "to teach us a moral lesson that if we are truly in danger and ask God, God could answer." Thing is, no one, especially Elisha, was ever in any danger. If anything, he was simply pissed off at the kids. If any moral can be drawn from the story is that god is willing to answer ridiculous requests no matter how petty, and in a vile, appalling manner no less.

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[JehovahsWitness]

Curious as to what you think the lesson is in 2 Kings 2:23-25 ....Be careful of whom you make fun of?

Yes.

And when travelling through bear country... watch your back.

To learn more please go to other posts related to...

BIBLICAL KILLING , ANIMALS and ...ELISHA'S BEARS

[AquinasForGod]

[Replying to Miles in post #118]

I answered that in the post you replied to. Here it is.

I do not take this approach. Either it is an allegory that the youth were cut off from the land. They were exiled or it is to teach us a moral lesson that if we are truly in danger and ask God, God could answer.

In as much as there's absolutely no mention that the "young men" in Rabbi belief were "criminals, a water cartel," and that they were "pissed off and told Elisha to go back up, meaning leave this world," I didn't think you took this as a sound interpretation. Yet now in answer to my question "What you think the lesson is in 2 Kings 2:23-25?" you say this, the Rabbinical belief, is your answer. However, you also now say. "I do not take this approach," which leaves me up in the air as to what you actually think.

You say: It may be "an allegory that the youth were cut off from the land. They were exiled." Yet why would a childish act of mockery deserve such harsh punishment? This isn't even close to being an eye for an eye. So as an allegory I see it as failing miserably. It paints god as a vicious bully---which may actually be the case. No?

OR, you suggest, the story is included "to teach us a moral lesson that if we are truly in danger and ask God, God could answer." Thing is, no one, especially Elisha, was ever in any danger. If anything, he was simply pissed off at the kids. If any moral can be drawn from the story is that god is willing to answer ridiculous requests no matter how petty, and in a vile, appalling manner no less.

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But I agree with the Rabbinical interpretation that Elisha was in danger. The youth were not allowing everyone to have access to good water. Elisha ruined that for them by blessing the water so now everyone has clean water. This angered the youth.

This is how I understand the story, but the story is not necessarily literal. I do not believe it ever happened. It is a story to teach some lessons, such as the lessons I mentioned already. You reject the interpretation of the story, which is fine, but you disagreeing with the interpretation doesn't convince me that you are correct.

You asked me how I see it, so I answered. If people wish to believe that some kids made fun of a prophet and God smote them with a bear, they can. I don't know how they continue to believe, though. They will probably end up like you, an unbeliever.

I also do not believe Job was even a real person. His whole story is to teach lessons. Telling the story of Job was similar to use telling the story of The Boy Who Cried Wolf.

[Miles]

[Replying to Miles in post #118]

I answered that in the post you replied to. Here it is.

I do not take this approach. Either it is an allegory that the youth were cut off from the land. They were exiled or it is to teach us a moral lesson that if we are truly in danger and ask God, God could answer.

In as much as there's absolutely no mention that the "young men" in Rabbi belief were "criminals, a water cartel," and that they were "pissed off and told Elisha to go back up, meaning leave this world," I didn't think you took this as a sound interpretation. Yet now in answer to my question "What you think the lesson is in 2 Kings 2:23-25?" you say this, the Rabbinical belief, is your answer. However, you also now say. "I do not take this approach," which leaves me up in the air as to what you actually think.

You say: It may be "an allegory that the youth were cut off from the land. They were exiled." Yet why would a childish act of mockery deserve such harsh punishment? This isn't even close to being an eye for an eye. So as an allegory I see it as failing miserably. It paints god as a vicious bully---which may actually be the case. No?

OR, you suggest, the story is included "to teach us a moral lesson that if we are truly in danger and ask God, God could answer." Thing is, no one, especially Elisha, was ever in any danger. If anything, he was simply pissed off at the kids. If any moral can be drawn from the story is that god is willing to answer ridiculous requests no matter how petty, and in a vile, appalling manner no less.

.

But I agree with the Rabbinical interpretation that Elisha was in danger.

Why? Is there a reference to this that I missed? If so, a chapter and verse would be nice.

The youth were not allowing everyone to have access to good water. Elisha ruined that for them by blessing the water so now everyone has clean water. This angered the youth.

Again, this isn't in any of the Bibles I looked at. Whatcha got?

This is how I understand the story, but the story is not necessarily literal. I do not believe it ever happened. It is a story to teach some lessons, such as the lessons I mentioned already. You reject the interpretation of the story, which is fine,

Only because your understanding isn't in the Bible. But prove me wrong. Show me your understanding is more than just your wild imagination at work.


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