Is Bible literalism, absurd belligerism?

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Thomas123
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Is Bible literalism, absurd belligerism?

Post #1

Post by Thomas123 »

I think about Baalam's ass.
I have developed a fondness for the creature over time.

He sticks in his hooves and simply won't go.
His non compliance probably saves Baalam from his own folly.
Is this what Bible literalism is about, ie 'saving us from our own folly'?

What if the donkey is not correct this time?

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SacredBishop
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Re: Is Bible literalism, absurd belligerism?

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Post by SacredBishop »

Balaam hit that donkey on three occasions, Numbers 22:32. Are you saying he didn't hit it three times? Literalism means Balaam hit that donkey three times.

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Re: Is Bible literalism, absurd belligerism?

Post #3

Post by Thomas123 »

SacredBishop,
'Literalism means Balaam hit that donkey three times.'

.......
You are not wrong, SB.
On the third occasion, with all exits barred , the donkey refused to move forward.

Have you got a point here, and if so , what is it.
I applaud plain speaking which is the essence of literalism. Say what you have to say, if in fact you have something to add.
Thanks!

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SacredBishop
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Re: Is Bible literalism, absurd belligerism?

Post #4

Post by SacredBishop »

Thomas123 wrote: Mon Jan 30, 2023 4:31 pm SacredBishop,
'Literalism means Balaam hit that donkey three times.'

.......
You are not wrong, SB.
On the third occasion, with all exits barred , the donkey refused to move forward.

Have you got a point here, and if so , what is it.
I applaud plain speaking which is the essence of literalism. Say what you have to say, if in fact you have something to add.
Thanks!
I'm implying the problems with allegory. What did the road represent, Balaam, the donkey, the angel, balak, the midianites, etc. If the donkey part is not to be taking literally, then what about the other details?

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Re: Is Bible literalism, absurd belligerism?

Post #5

Post by Thomas123 »

The donkey is impeding progress in this lovely little story, just as entrenched literalism is impeding any evolvement within religious understanding of the Bible's message and function.

Much of what is contained in the earlier parts are assumed to be allegorical. Common sense tells you that,
7 days to make a world
a talking snake
A magic tree etc etc.

As you move through the Books the allegory is not as explicit
A boat and a flood sound like a possibility
I like the donkey spooked by the angel

Fast forward to revelation and you have sects of Christianity falling back on allegorical crutches
Dragons of the apocalypse and all that.

The engine is seized, it has run low on oil its carburettor is clogged and my allegorical buggy has stalled, just like Baalam's donkey.
Belligerent Literalism and a lack of courage and purpose. Add vested interest and greed to this as well.

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Re: Is Bible literalism, absurd belligerism?

Post #6

Post by Thomas123 »

I hired a 'horse's on a tourist trail once. It proceeded down the trail until it reached a patch of swampy ground. It planted itself, up to its belly , in the soft ground and waited for me to panic and get off like most of the tourists he had encountered previously.
I had a pet donkey as a child and now I kicked and slapped this 'horse of a thing' as hard as I could.
He relented and became compliant for the rest of the journey.

This happened, maybe not 'up to his belly', maybe not with such brute force on my part but....

The story has been formed and without Baalam's donkey resisting there would not have been the same conclusion to the sequence of events.

There are moments that deflect the plot irreversibly.
These things are not lies but neither are they truth.Their truth lies in their explored conclusions.Loosen up a bit ,Please!

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Re: Is Bible literalism, absurd belligerism?

Post #7

Post by SacredBishop »

Thomas123 wrote: Mon Jan 30, 2023 4:31 pm SacredBishop,
'Literalism means Balaam hit that donkey three times.'

.......
You are not wrong, SB.
On the third occasion, with all exits barred , the donkey refused to move forward.

Have you got a point here, and if so , what is it.
I applaud plain speaking which is the essence of literalism. Say what you have to say, if in fact you have something to add.
Thanks!
Thomas, I was attempting to be belligerent, I understand belligerism to mean such :D. Balaam's jackass does seem to have a rebuke of sorts for literalism.

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