Childish God

Author: Sidewalker

Posts

Total: 94
Sidewalker
Sidewalker's avatar
Debates: 8
Posts: 2,622
3
2
5
Sidewalker's avatar
Sidewalker
3
2
5
-->
@Polytheist-Witch
Don't hold back, tell us how you really feel.


Stephen
Stephen's avatar
Debates: 0
Posts: 8,592
3
2
2
Stephen's avatar
Stephen
3
2
2
-->
@Shila
Jesus spoke about god at a very young age. His views did not evolve over time. Jesus even believed This childish god was his father.

The Boy Jesus at the Temple
Luke 2:41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”
49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”[a] 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.


This story has always amused me.

Here we have a woman chosen by God himself above all other women on the planet to be birth mother of his son and not even noticing that their "treasured" holy charge was absent until after a whole day's travelling!?  And they only recovered him after three whole days!!?
 Some "blessed among all women" she was, wasn't she? I am sure social services would have something to say about that if it were to happen today. 😂

And why on earth were they "astonished"!? Had this "blessed among all women" forgotten that the child that she had given birth to was gods son? 

Why didn't "they understand what he was saying to them"!? He was the son of God!
Stephen
Stephen's avatar
Debates: 0
Posts: 8,592
3
2
2
Stephen's avatar
Stephen
3
2
2
-->
@TWS1405

Polytheist-Witch,
Atheists are hate-filled and angry with theists because they think they're better than them. Most resent their parents for being religious and making them learn any type of religion. They constantly argue the Bible is fact and then get upset when someone says they think the Bible is fact. They constantly talk about how we abuse our children and we're mentally ill and that's why they're better than us and our children should be taken from us. They're here to vent that hate because if they did it on the people they know that were theists they wouldn't have any friends or family. It's more than sad it's actually kind of scary. The atheist here is evangelical in their atheism.

Wow, you’re just full of yourself. Delusions of grandeur for sure. 

Atheists are NOT hate-filled angry with anyone. Anyone!!! 

The problem with theists is their fanaticism with their religious faith to the point where they have such vitriol for those who don’t agree with them. Your comment above is a shining example of that fact. History is also repeat with example after example of the violence done in His name in order to “spread the word.” So no, it is to you theists who are the “hate-filled angry” ones with anyone and everyone who just wants to be left alone to live their own lives, culture and faith as they have done their entire lives, generation after generation. 

 I don't think I could have put that better myself, TWS1405.
A+1
Deb-8-a-bull
Deb-8-a-bull's avatar
Debates: 0
Posts: 3,189
3
2
3
Deb-8-a-bull's avatar
Deb-8-a-bull
3
2
3
Any day they could call us out. 
YET THEY DON'T.  . 
I sense it . Some day real real soon the theists will announce it.   

▪°○•▪¤°○•▪¤°○•▪¤°○•▪°○¤▪°○¤▪     GROUP.      SINGING     COMPITITION.      ▪○°•¤▪°○•¤▪°○•▪°○¤▪°○¤▪°○•○°▪¤○°▪○•¤○▪°▪•○

The atheists are a smart bunch you can give them that. 
But when it comes to singing , 
Singing like in a group.   Well its a non contest.

YOU THEISTS  ARE FAR FAR SUPERIOR AT GROUP SINGING then th atheists. 
Thats just not  nothing.     You guys should be proud. 

To the theists.  
The far superior group singers. .
Here Here


Other then that  you guys suck. 
On average.

Just on average. 


Good game 
Good game.  
 
  
Stephen
Stephen's avatar
Debates: 0
Posts: 8,592
3
2
2
Stephen's avatar
Stephen
3
2
2
-->
@Sidewalker
Are they really completely uninformed about the subject they are discussing?
And are you informed about the subject you are discussing?

Yes, I even know how to use a dictionary.

But the subject here is not the dictionary, or the use of, is it?  
 
But hey, you’re the expert, if I’m doing it wrong, please do teach me how to be a theist.

What is it that you believe you are doing wrong? I think you made a half decent (childish in part) OP and I commented on it.

You don't have to listen to me or agree with me. I couldn't prove many of my personal beliefs about God or scripture either. If I cannot prove my beliefs, ideas and reasons for my opinions on these matters, I simply have to admit as such. Which I have done on numerous occasions. I have said that I have no problem with those that have a faith, hence the distinction between faith and belief. But that's just me. You shouldn't get so upset and be so concerned about such trivial opinions such as mine.

For instance. I believe Jesus and John the Baptist were in conflict if not full-blown enemies and more likely half-brothers rather than cousins. But I cannot prove it. I believe Jesus and or his followers had a part in John the Baptists death, but I cannot prove that either. 

I believe all the so-called miracles said to have been performed by Jesus can all be explained with common sense. After all, he wasn't the only one going around preforming such things, was he?

Still. I enjoyed your OP.






Stephen
Stephen's avatar
Debates: 0
Posts: 8,592
3
2
2
Stephen's avatar
Stephen
3
2
2
-->
@TWS1405
When those of us with intelligence read and reason with the Bible, we see a fable, a mere historical record to be read and treated as just that. A fable intertwined with human history and some actual events and places, but still a fable. A very long one at that. 

Yep. That's me. I take the bible OT to be a book of historical, never-ending wars and conquest.

The bible NT a book of power struggles among the many Jewish factions. 

Shila
Shila's avatar
Debates: 0
Posts: 3,006
3
3
5
Shila's avatar
Shila
3
3
5
-->
@TWS1405
dded 09.11.22 01:31PM
--> @Shila
Where does it say witches were landowners?

Witch definition: a woman thought to have magic powers, especially evil ones, popularly depicted as wearing a black cloak and pointed hat and flying on a broomstick.

You clearly know nothing about the Salem Witch Trials. 



You just proved my point witches were not landowners.

The Salem Witch Trials clearly say the landowners were framed as witches to deprive them of their land but in actual fact they were not witches.

Deb-8-a-bull
Deb-8-a-bull's avatar
Debates: 0
Posts: 3,189
3
2
3
Deb-8-a-bull's avatar
Deb-8-a-bull
3
2
3
-->
@Sidewalker
What he is trying to say is .
His like a different type of atheist.  
Bat shit crazy in like a serious sence.. 
His our key player over here at the atheist  alliance  institution place. Of doom 
He never gets rested.  NEVER.   
You may have a chance at confusing for like a second when it comes to scripture  translations because he gives people to much credit   
But we here are yet to see someone get around him,.
I doubt anyone could.  Real fukin logical , call it like it is and not much more.
I got him to laugh one day.      Real close we are.

So thats the Stepping Hen .

Now If you play him up foward along side that Zed bloke like we do,  in ANY  team 
Its game over. 
There is no possible way of sneaking anything past em . NO WAY.. 

Ya best bet seriously  is to just  abuse em . 
Call them names and dont answer there questions.  
Truly great guys here at the insta tute joint. 
TEAM Atheist. And the rebel alliance.  ' gives hand signals ' 


Aight




 
 
Stephen
Stephen's avatar
Debates: 0
Posts: 8,592
3
2
2
Stephen's avatar
Stephen
3
2
2
-->
@Deb-8-a-bull
What he is trying to say is .
His like a different type of atheist.  
Bat shit crazy in like a serious sence.. 
His our key player over here at the atheist  alliance  institution place. Of doom 
He never gets rested.  NEVER.   
You may have a chance at confusing for like a second when it comes to scripture  translations because he gives people to much credit   
But we here are yet to see someone get around him,.
I doubt anyone could.  Real fukin logical , call it like it is and not much more.
I got him to laugh one day.      Real close we are.

Who are ya on bout, Deb?

Deb-8-a-bull
Deb-8-a-bull's avatar
Debates: 0
Posts: 3,189
3
2
3
Deb-8-a-bull's avatar
Deb-8-a-bull
3
2
3
-->
@Stephen
You.You crazy cat.  
You are Man of the match every game.  ( if there was a TEAM Atheists ) .
You never get acknowledged for the thoughts you provoke and the interlect that you bring to the forum.  
'Tips hat '


Shila
Shila's avatar
Debates: 0
Posts: 3,006
3
3
5
Shila's avatar
Shila
3
3
5
-->
@Deb-8-a-bull
--> @Stephen
You.You crazy cat.  
You are Man of the match every game.  ( if there was a TEAM Atheists ) .
You never get acknowledged for the thoughts you provoke and the interlect that you bring to the forum.  
'Tips hat '
Here is a sample of Stephen’s thoughts. See post #35

“ I couldn't prove many of my personal beliefs about God or scripture either. If I cannot prove my beliefs, ideas and reasons for my opinions on these matters, I simply have to admit as such. Which I have done on numerous occasions. I have said that I have no problem with those that have a faith, hence the distinction between faith and belief. But that's just me. You shouldn't get so upset and be so concerned about such trivial opinions such as mine.

For instance. I believe Jesus and John the Baptist were in conflict if not full-blown enemies and more likely half-brothers rather than cousins. But I cannot prove it. I believe Jesus and or his followers had a part in John the Baptists death, but I cannot prove that either. 

I believe all the so-called miracles said to have been performed by Jesus can all be explained with common sense. After all, he wasn't the only one going around preforming such things, was he?

Still. I enjoyed your OP.

Polytheist-Witch
Polytheist-Witch's avatar
Debates: 1
Posts: 4,188
3
3
6
Polytheist-Witch's avatar
Polytheist-Witch
3
3
6
-->
@TWS1405
I find no difference between atheist and Evangelical Christians.
Polytheist-Witch
Polytheist-Witch's avatar
Debates: 1
Posts: 4,188
3
3
6
Polytheist-Witch's avatar
Polytheist-Witch
3
3
6
-->
@Shila
Follow through on your death threat or don't say anything, pussy.
Stephen
Stephen's avatar
Debates: 0
Posts: 8,592
3
2
2
Stephen's avatar
Stephen
3
2
2
-->
@Deb-8-a-bull

What he is trying to say is .
His like a different type of atheist.  
Bat shit crazy in like a serious sence.. 
His our key player over here at the atheist  alliance  institution place. Of doom 
He never gets rested.  NEVER.   
You may have a chance at confusing for like a second when it comes to scripture  translations because he gives people to much credit   
But we here are yet to see someone get around him,.
I doubt anyone could.  Real fukin logical , call it like it is and not much more.
I got him to laugh one day.      Real close we are.

Who are ya on bout, Deb?


You.You crazy cat.  

You are Man of the match every game.  ( if there was a TEAM Atheists ) .
You never get acknowledged for the thoughts you provoke and the interlect that you bring to the forum.  
'Tips hat '
Well, you have got me to laugh again Deb. And I will doff my cap in return.


Stepping Hen .

🤣
Stephen
Stephen's avatar
Debates: 0
Posts: 8,592
3
2
2
Stephen's avatar
Stephen
3
2
2
-->
@Shila
Deb-8-a-bull--> @Stephen
You.You crazy cat.  
You are Man of the match every game.  ( if there was a TEAM Atheists ) .
You never get acknowledged for the thoughts you provoke and the interlect that you bring to the forum.  
'Tips hat '
Shila wrote: Here is a sample of Stephen’s thoughts. See post #35

Stephen wrote in reply to@Sidewalker “ I couldn't prove many of my personal beliefs about God or scripture either. If I cannot prove my beliefs, ideas and reasons for my opinions on these matters, I simply have to admit as such. Which I have done on numerous occasions. I have said that I have no problem with those that have a faith, hence the distinction between faith and belief. But that's just me. You shouldn't get so upset and be so concerned about such trivial opinions such as mine.

For instance. I believe Jesus and John the Baptist were in conflict if not full-blown enemies and more likely half-brothers rather than cousins. But I cannot prove it. I believe Jesus and or his followers had a part in John the Baptists death, but I cannot prove that either. 

I believe all the so-called miracles said to have been performed by Jesus can all be explained with common sense. After all, he wasn't the only one going around preforming such things, was he?

Still. I enjoyed your OP.#35

Thanks for the repost. 


Shila
Shila's avatar
Debates: 0
Posts: 3,006
3
3
5
Shila's avatar
Shila
3
3
5
--> @Shila

Polytheist-Witch: Follow through on your death threat or don't say anything, pussy.
There is only so much one can tell a witch about broom handles.

If it hurts go to a smaller size.

If it leaks go to a larger size.
Polytheist-Witch
Polytheist-Witch's avatar
Debates: 1
Posts: 4,188
3
3
6
Polytheist-Witch's avatar
Polytheist-Witch
3
3
6
-->
@Shila
Chicken shit.
SkepticalOne
SkepticalOne's avatar
Debates: 9
Posts: 1,720
3
3
7
SkepticalOne's avatar
SkepticalOne
3
3
7
-->
@Sidewalker
I think it’s common for young children to see the Bible as a story book and to have a childish understanding of God as an invisible man in the sky that grants wishes to those who pray. Of course, as children age and mature their conception of God and their understanding of faith develops and matures beyond such childish ways of understanding things.

But apparently, that isn’t always the case. There seems to be a group of very vocal Atheists whose conception of God and faith did not mature as they got older
Perhaps children and atheists take the Bible at face value, whereas, some believers discount verses that are demonstrably false:

John 14: 12-14
"Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I am going to the Father. And whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it."

If this verse is true, either no believer has ever asked for regrown limbs, an end to starvation, an end to child cancer....or Jesus lied or doesn't exist.


SkepticalOne
SkepticalOne's avatar
Debates: 9
Posts: 1,720
3
3
7
SkepticalOne's avatar
SkepticalOne
3
3
7
-->
@Ehyeh
As long as something is metaphysically possible you cant rule it out. Its just as dead as a nail that atheists constantly go on about how God is not proven therefore why believe?
possible=/=probable ...what kind of broken epistemology accepts possibility as fact?
Shila
Shila's avatar
Debates: 0
Posts: 3,006
3
3
5
Shila's avatar
Shila
3
3
5
--> @Shila
Polytheist-Witch: Chicken shit.
Is that a solution for every witch problem? How does that apply to witch burning.
TWS1405
TWS1405's avatar
Debates: 0
Posts: 1,048
3
4
7
TWS1405's avatar
TWS1405
3
4
7
-->
@Shila
dded 09.11.22 01:31PM
--> @Shila
Where does it say witches were landowners?

Witch definition: a woman thought to have magic powers, especially evil ones, popularly depicted as wearing a black cloak and pointed hat and flying on a broomstick.

You clearly know nothing about the Salem Witch Trials. 



You just proved my point witches were not landowners.
I never said they were. 

ME: " Religion was used as the easy excuse to kill the landowners or their spouses to run them off."

Reading comprehension matters. 


The Salem Witch Trials clearly say the landowners were framed as witches to deprive them of their land but in actual fact they were not witches.
No shit sherlock. 
Shila
Shila's avatar
Debates: 0
Posts: 3,006
3
3
5
Shila's avatar
Shila
3
3
5
-->
@TWS1405
-> @Shila
dded 09.11.22 01:31PM
--> @Shila
Where does it say witches were landowners?

Witch definition: a woman thought to have magic powers, especially evil ones, popularly depicted as wearing a black cloak and pointed hat and flying on a broomstick.

You clearly know nothing about the Salem Witch Trials. 



You just proved my point witches were not landowners.
I never said they were. 

ME: " Religion was used as the easy excuse to kill the landowners or their spouses to run them off."

Reading comprehension matters. 


The Salem Witch Trials clearly say the landowners were framed as witches to deprive them of their land but in actual fact they were not witches.
No shit sherlock. 
You provide links to prove witches were landlords. Eg The Salem Witch Trials
But the links you provided. The Salem Witch Trials clearly say the landowners were framed as witches to deprive them of their land but in actual fact they were not witches.

You were never trained to think. You were trained to take orders. 
TWS1405
TWS1405's avatar
Debates: 0
Posts: 1,048
3
4
7
TWS1405's avatar
TWS1405
3
4
7
-->
@Shila
@TWS1405
-> @Shila
dded 09.11.22 01:31PM
--> @Shila
Where does it say witches were landowners?

Witch definition: a woman thought to have magic powers, especially evil ones, popularly depicted as wearing a black cloak and pointed hat and flying on a broomstick.

You clearly know nothing about the Salem Witch Trials. 



You just proved my point witches were not landowners.
I never said they were. 

ME: " Religion was used as the easy excuse to kill the landowners or their spouses to run them off."

Reading comprehension matters. 


The Salem Witch Trials clearly say the landowners were framed as witches to deprive them of their land but in actual fact they were not witches.
No shit sherlock. 
You provide links to prove witches were landlords. Eg The Salem Witch Trials
No. That is not what I did at all. I provided links backing up my original response to what I said to you, not what you said in response to me. 

But the links you provided. The Salem Witch Trials clearly say the landowners were framed as witches to deprive them of their land but in actual fact they were not witches.
Again, no shit sherlock.

You were never trained to think. You were trained to take orders. 
Says the one deficient in reading comprehension and interpersonal communication skills. 

TWS1405
TWS1405's avatar
Debates: 0
Posts: 1,048
3
4
7
TWS1405's avatar
TWS1405
3
4
7
Polytheist-Witch,
I find no difference between atheist and Evangelical Christians.
Translation: I'm an intellectual coward. 
Shila
Shila's avatar
Debates: 0
Posts: 3,006
3
3
5
Shila's avatar
Shila
3
3
5
-->
@TWS1405
--> @Shila
Where does it say witches were landowners?
Witch definition: a woman thought to have magic powers, especially evil ones, popularly depicted as wearing a black cloak and pointed hat and flying on a broomstick.

You responded to my post witches were never landowners by providing links that tried witches as landlords.
I never said they were
Then why did you provide links that tried witches as landlords?
No. That is not what I did at all. I provided links backing up my original response to what I said to you, not what you said in response to me.
You responded to my post witches were never landowners by providing links that tried witches as landlords.

But the links you provided. The Salem Witch Trials clearly say the landowners were framed as witches to deprive them of their land but in actual fact they were not witches.

You were never trained to think. You were trained to take orders.
Says the one deficient in reading comprehension and interpersonal communication skills.
Those were your links trying to prove witches were landowners.
But the links you provided. The Salem Witch Trials clearly say the landowners were framed as witches to deprive them of their land but in actual fact they were not witches.
TWS1405
TWS1405's avatar
Debates: 0
Posts: 1,048
3
4
7
TWS1405's avatar
TWS1405
3
4
7
-->
@Shila
You're such an intellectual coward lacking in effective reading comprehension skills. Pathetic. Just pathetic. 
Sidewalker
Sidewalker's avatar
Debates: 8
Posts: 2,622
3
2
5
Sidewalker's avatar
Sidewalker
3
2
5
-->
@Stephen
Jesus spoke about god at a very young age. His views did not evolve over time. Jesus even believed This childish god was his father.

The Boy Jesus at the Temple
Luke 2:41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”
49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”[a] 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
This story has always amused me.

Here we have a woman chosen by God himself above all other women on the planet to be birth mother of his son and not even noticing that their "treasured" holy charge was absent until after a whole day's travelling!?  And they only recovered him after three whole days!!?
 Some "blessed among all women" she was, wasn't she? I am sure social services would have something to say about that if it were to happen today. 😂

And why on earth were they "astonished"!? Had this "blessed among all women" forgotten that the child that she had given birth to was gods son? 

Why didn't "they understand what he was saying to them"!? He was the son of God!

What is really hard to believe is how our spiritual detractors can make claims to being more "intelligent" and "logical" while demanding literal translations of religious narratives, anyone with even a basic understanding of religious narratives, would not call this "intelligent" or "logical".

Religious narratives achieve greatness because of their power to generate meanings, not in their value as an historical record. 
Originative religious texts are not historical records. The unexamined assumption that both sides of these debates adopt is that of historicism, the presumption that religious texts are historical records. Historicism attempts a reinterpretation of the transcendent dimension in the story that defines it as religious in the first place, it assumes that narrative, implies record, it doesn’t.

I believe that this innane literalism is contrived by people with ideological agendas that want science and faith to be at odds. These dogmatic fundamentalists, both Theists and Atheists alike, presume a referential interpretation of the religious narrative, and when they do they are overlaying an alien intentionality onto the story. Historicism negates the religious text by forcing a referential interpretation onto it, a purpose it was never designed to serve. Even among believers this mistaken analytic treatment of religious texts only sharpens doctrinal debate and results in divisiveness, it does not foster religious awareness, and again, the text is negated. 
Shila
Shila's avatar
Debates: 0
Posts: 3,006
3
3
5
Shila's avatar
Shila
3
3
5
-->
@Sidewalker
--> @Stephen
Jesus spoke about god at a very young age. His views did not evolve over time. Jesus even believed This childish god was his father.

The Boy Jesus at the Temple
Luke 2:41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”
49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”[a] 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
This story has always amused me.

Here we have a woman chosen by God himself above all other women on the planet to be birth mother of his son and not even noticing that their "treasured" holy charge was absent until after a whole day's travelling!?  And they only recovered him after three whole days!!?
 Some "blessed among all women" she was, wasn't she? I am sure social services would have something to say about that if it were to happen today. 😂

And why on earth were they "astonished"!? Had this "blessed among all women" forgotten that the child that she had given birth to was gods son? 

Why didn't "they understand what he was saying to them"!? He was the son of God!

What is really hard to believe is how our spiritual detractors can make claims to being more "intelligent" and "logical" while demanding literal translations of religious narratives, anyone with even a basic understanding of religious narratives, would not call this "intelligent" or "logical".

Religious narratives achieve greatness because of their power to generate meanings, not in their value as an historical record. 
Originative religious texts are not historical records. The unexamined assumption that both sides of these debates adopt is that of historicism, the presumption that religious texts are historical records. Historicism attempts a reinterpretation of the transcendent dimension in the story that defines it as religious in the first place, it assumes that narrative, implies record, it doesn’t.

I believe that this innane literalism is contrived by people with ideological agendas that want science and faith to be at odds. These dogmatic fundamentalists, both Theists and Atheists alike, presume a referential interpretation of the religious narrative, and when they do they are overlaying an alien intentionality onto the story. Historicism negates the religious text by forcing a referential interpretation onto it, a purpose it was never designed to serve. Even among believers this mistaken analytic treatment of religious texts only sharpens doctrinal debate and results in divisiveness, it does not foster religious awareness, and again, the text is negated. 
The gospels are eyewitness accounts about Jesus and what he taught. Jesus had 12 disciples and some wrote accounts of his life and words. Others like Paul experienced Jesus personally.

Sidewalker
Sidewalker's avatar
Debates: 8
Posts: 2,622
3
2
5
Sidewalker's avatar
Sidewalker
3
2
5
-->
@Stephen
When those of us with intelligence read and reason with the Bible, we see a fable, a mere historical record to be read and treated as just that. A fable intertwined with human history and some actual events and places, but still a fable. A very long one at that. 

Yep. That's me. I take the bible OT to be a book of historical, never-ending wars and conquest.

The bible NT a book of power struggles among the many Jewish factions. 
Given the metaphorical nature of language and the history of the Bible, I have to wonder where the idea that there could be any such thing as a “literal translation” start anyway? 

The Bible is a book that includes history and prophecy, poetry and love songs, allegories and parables, none of which is conducive to any kind of literal translation. The information in the Old Testament was passed down verbally through many generations before it was finally written down in Hebrew and Aramaic, not exactly the most precise way to transmit information. Then, four hundred years after the Old Testament the New Testament began and it was written is Koine Greek. Until the invention of the printing press, each written copy had to be transcribed by hand, which we all know is a very inaccurate process.  For the oldest books of the Bible this went on for over 3,000 years, every single copy was transcribed by hand for generations and generations, and it started with information that had been handed down through the generations verbally. The language journey was roughly, verbal transmission in ancient Hebrew and Aramaic, initially written down in Koine Greek and Aramaic, then translated into Latin, then German, and finally English. 

As an originative religious text, the narrative is codified memory as opposed to historical record, its intent was to “image” reality, and “relate” the individual to the whole, to help the individual understand where they fit it. It was never intended to be read literally as a historical record.
Sidewalker
Sidewalker's avatar
Debates: 8
Posts: 2,622
3
2
5
Sidewalker's avatar
Sidewalker
3
2
5
-->
@Shila
The gospels are eyewitness accounts about Jesus and what he taught. Jesus had 12 disciples and some wrote accounts of his life and words. Others like Paul experienced Jesus personally

"Experienced Jesus personally", that’s the key to understanding, they were writing about how Jesus had been “experienced”, it was written decades after His death, and they were writing "Sacred History" from the passionate perspective of their own religious experience. Clearly, the things He did and said caused His contemporaries to think of Him in completely new dimensions, there was something to this man's life that caused those who knew it best to reach the conclusion that it was divine in nature.

Recognize that every word of the Bible was written by a Jew, either by birth or conversion and there was only one convert (Luke). It was written by people who thought as Jews, embraced the world as Jews, and understood reality as Jews.  The Jewish people did not relate to sacred history as if it were an objective description of literal events, to the Jews the sacred texts of scripture were timeless, possessing no before or after qualities.

The Gospels are Jewish attempts to interpret in a Jewish way the life of a Jewish man in whom the transcendence of God was believed to have been experienced. The Jewish originators of the Gospel tradition wrapped around their descriptions of Jesus’ words and deeds, the narratives of their own religious past, which is the only way they could understand and process the God presence they experienced in Jesus. Their written forms reflect the liturgical tradition of the synagogues in which the Jesus story was being presented. The Gospels were not chronological biographies describing literal events of history, they were collections of expository teachings.

Initially, Christianity was not a western religion, if you try to apply a western literalness to the gospel texts you are misinterpreting in a way that the Jewish authors would never have understood or appreciated.