apexcone

Certainly one of the major issues I have struggled with regarding my time in Fundamentalist Christian circles is the word "truth" Yes, I am very aware that there are many absolute truths particularly when it come to natural events, day, night, hot, cold. But my decision to step away was my deep concern regarding the judgement and condemnation of others who believed differently.

I met a guy who was a Bahai, this man had a significant impact on my life and in many way was a major catalyst in my eyes being opened to spiritually instead of fundamentalist religion, as you all know there's a HUGE difference.

Morecombe & Wise, now that dates you

I think your point Joe is crucial. When a letter is written it is usually written to a person or group of people at a certain time and in a certain culture, therefore to assume that this letter has significance to people 100s of years later without making cultural adjustments is very unwise.

Its also crucial to remember that 2 Peter was almost certainly NOT written by Peter. Even more reason why the Bible should be taken literally.

Ultimately does not matter who wrote what when.

 

What might be more important is what we do with "Paul's" words today ...

and why fixate on the truthiness of religious texts?

What we do with Paul's words is take what is relevant to the world we live in and toss the rest, this something the fundamentalist cant do.

I agree, even the most dysfunctional person can say some wise and inspiring things from time to time. I feel that Paul has almost be deified by most fundamentalist Christians.

Still hear, and looking forward to the positive exchange of ideas

I guess to start with I'd be struggling with "every" Surely the issue is, just because God inspired someone to write it, doesn't mean its written by God, it isn't, it's written by man and therefore subject to mans cultural dynamics, interpretation and world view.

https://danielmiessler.com/writing/bible_fiction/

http://www.bandoli.no/nooriginaljesus.htm

I would have to agree with your position. In my experience most fundamentalists Christians appear to indicate that one either believes the lot or nothing, this clearly requires NO intellectual engagement by the participant. See my other post: http://tcpc.ipbhost.com/index.php?/topic/3567-the-inspired-word/

Yes, I would agree about Paul's comments on Women. His destructive rhetoric clearly displays that he has some very disturbing views on women, almost certainly empowered by his own distorted picture of God and authority. What is clear is that we all interpret information based on our experience and world view. In my opinion Paul was one of the most destructive individuals in the New Testament, It appears to me that his influence over Christianity overshadows Christ. I may stand alone in this but it is my conviction that Paul has derailed what Jesus was attempting to do. In my opinion Christianity is nothing more than a man made religion that has little to do with the teachings of Jesus and more to do with the Pharisaical agendas of Paul.

Terry

Had a very interesting conversation with a good friend of my this afternoon regarding the Bible being the inspired word. Firstly let me say that I don't agree with his synopses. When I asked him to to clarify which part of the Bible did he consider inspired, his answer was "all of it"

I guess we first have to define what Inspired means. Without question the Bible is full of contradiction, yet if its read with an open mind and not interpreted literally many of its wise comments can be life changing and inspirational

Thanks guys I appreciate the welcome.

I am am very fortunate as a Life Coach to sit down every day with people who are trying to move their lives forward, its very interesting that MOST are very interested in spirituality, but like myself have zero interest in organized religion.

Hi Everybody

My name is Terry Johns an ex pat from Poole in the UK, now living in Alberta, Canada.

I'm excited to be joining this community and learning and sharing from others who are on a similar journey. In thinking what to share about who I am, I thought I'd share a letter I sent to a friend yesterday. Some of the personal comments have been removed.

Hi Robin

You asked an interesting question about what I believe, so I thought I’d spend some time letting you know, thanks for your concern and friendship, we both value you very much.

One of the things I have learned in my Life Coaching business is that most people’s beliefs are directly related to their culture, socialization group, parents, peers, time & space and personality.

Most people go through life investing very little time into evaluating what they believe, therefore the masses including religious people rarely question anything because their beliefs are supported by their World View, which is assumed to be a given. To believe something different creates conflict with our World View and opens the door to Cognitive Dissidence, which creates insecurity, fear and inner turmoil, therefore the masses rarely ever question anything and those that do are seen as either rebellious or odd.

So firstly let me clarify what I don’t believe.

1. I don’t believe in or support organised /institutional religion

2. I don’t believe that Christians have a franchise on the answers to life’s most difficult questions

3. I don’t believe that the Bible should be interpreted literally

What I believe

1. I believe that all people should be treated with respect dignity and honor

2. I believe in the legislation of same sex marriage because to believe otherwise assumes peoples life style choices are wrong not different, I may not believe in gay people’s life style choices but I would defend their right to be treated equally. (If someone is a having an affair with his neighbors wife should he be denied unemployment benefit?) the logic is the same.

3. I believe that the Bible is a dynamic spiritual book that needs to be interpreted based on time & culture

4. I believe that through ages many people have spoken some very power words that have brought transformation to the human race including, Moses, Jesus, Buddha, Muhammad and Baha'ullah

5. I believe in the supernatural

6. I believe that the Bible is a spiritual book and needs to be interpreted spiritually NOT literally

7. I believe that there are many ways to experience spiritually enlightenment

8. I believe that there are lots of things that I don’t understand and to assume I have the answers to life’s most difficult questions including our destiny is arrogance beyond description

9. I believe that truth whatever that is relative to time and culture

10. I believe that institutional religion has had a profoundly damaging effect on people’s ability to connect at a spiritual level

11. I believe that most people are lost, NOT because they haven’t found God, but because of destructive personal belief’s they have about themselves, reinforce by a society values based on appearance and success

I could go on, but I think you probably get where I coming from.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/marcusborg/2013/10/christianity-and-the-modern-world-view/