I studied it for years, and I fully consider it to be worth my time. You ovbiously don’t. Some people do, some don’t. Is there anymore to say?
Sure, but I’m a Christian, so what works for me probably wouldn’t be of much value to a Hindu. (But then again, you never know! ) In the same way, I think that doctors should read medical texts as well as practise medicine.
I ask the question simply because Maoman did not give me any reasons --beyond an appreciation for literature or cutlural insight-- why reading the Bible might not be a complete waste of time. That makes me wonder whether he believes any non-secular reasons even exist. If you believe the Bible is the word of God, for example, then of course you’re going to think it’s not a waste of time.
Do you have any non-secular reason why reading the Bible was worth your time?
Sure, but I’m a Christian, so what works for me probably wouldn’t be of much value to a Hindu. (But then again, you never know! ) In the same way, I think that doctors should read medical texts as well as practise medicine.[/quote]
Why didn’t you give me any of these reasons?
I think reading Psalms is a waste of time. I’ve never believed in fortune telling.
[quote]mental note: chum hits the water.
Now, we wait.[/quote]
[quote]
I guess you’re suggesting that I’m trying to bait people?[/quote]
Yup. Ran only posted something that made him feel better. He wanted to share something pleasant. Loretta’s first post was a knee-jerk response.
I don’t care if Loretta doesn’t care for the Bible. Doesn’t bug me in the least. His mocking rant on religion was uncalled for IMVHO.
And for the suggestion:
[quote]
Except the view that they
Rantheman -
I would also like to suggest you listen to Marvin Gaye music.
And yes, I am being completely serious. The man was a Genius. I listen to him when I am bummed. But I also listen to his stuff when I’m happy and feel even better.
And if that pisses anyone off…tuff shitsky.
How about we read the bumps on the top of yr knobby head?
Phrenology.
What I did feel wrong about Rans post is that he insinuated that I should read the Psalms. If you want to read the Psalms yourself, go ahead. I’d rather stay away from all religion and do something more worthwhile like reading the dictionary.
While perhaps Lorettas post was a bit dramatic, I can see her point, but it is also nice that Rantheman is trying to share something (he perceives as) good in a world full of bad.
[quote=“jdsmith”]
[quote]
Except the view that they
[quote=“Dangermouse”]I’d rather stay away from all religion and do something more worthwhile like reading the dictionary.
[/quote] Or chewing on tinfoil.
Sure, but I’m a Christian, so what works for me probably wouldn’t be of much value to a Hindu. (But then again, you never know! ) In the same way, I think that doctors should read medical texts as well as practise medicine.[/quote]
Why didn’t you give me any of these reasons?[/quote]
No one asked.
[quote]
For clarity, I didn’t say that agnostic or anti-Christian views were unacceptable. I said that people weren’t allowed to be offended by Christianity. This was in response to Maoman telling Loretta that he needs to pick better things to be offeneded by.
FYI… truant wrote the second sentence that you quoted above, not me. Do you still think it counts as baiting? Careful. He might get offended.[/quote]
lol.
Ok, I see your point. Sure, go ahead. Be offended by whatever you like. MY point was the way in which poster X manifested his offendedness was uncool.
secular peace
I’m offended by people who are offended by anything that’s not meant to offend. I find such people offensive.
Free your mind, and the rest will follow. No one is asking you to read the bible. It was merely a suggestion.
You should read the Bible.
You ought to read the Bible.
NOT THE SAME AS: You must read the Bible.
Not only should religion be discussable, it would be good if there were a specific forum for it. Religion is an integral part of most people’s lives and cannot be ignored. The main thing to remember when discussing religion is the way you convey your ideas. There is no need to be offensive when sharing your thoughts and beliefs. Neither do you have to accept the beliefs of all other religions. If forumosa should decide to incorporate such a forum, stricter moderation will probably be necessary.
well first of all i shouldn’t have revealed the person who suggested this to me. that wasn’t thinking. sorry BH.
to those who were offended, i’m sorry too. but i get a lot out of reading this. i actually read more than one a day. i jump into proverbs and read a chapter there too. i meant this for those who might find it meaningful in their hectic, trying lives here.
i try to read the bible from an “Oriental” perspective (by orient i mean “the East” in the broader sense, from Turkey onward). it is NOT occidental literature.i think understanding the Oriental side of the Bible (culture of the times,etc) is vital.I seek to see all this from it’s original perspective. the over- americanized, easy answer,candy coated,fast food christianity is lacking in nutrition and severed from it’s roots. it is a dying branch without historic Jesus. they’ve taken all the mystery and the need for searching out with standardized pat answers to everything.
I agree with you on that point. There is a new movement called Messianic Judaism that also promotes a return to the Hebraic roots of the faith. Jesus’ Hebrew name is said to be Yeshua.
Luke Rhinehart is the acclaimed author of at least the following[ul]
[li]THE DICE MAN - This was one of the most incredible and eye-opening books that I’ve ever read[/li]
[li]THE BOOK OF THE DIE - ditto[/li]
[li]LONG VOYAGE BACK - I’d be surprised if you’ve not read this one Loretta, if you haven’t then do. Its one of the only books that I read more than twice…[/li]
[li]SEARCH FOR THE DICE MAN - I gotta find this one![/li][/ul]
Roachtoopissedtotalkaboutthedicemanthing…
I never started my day reading, I used to read it before bedtime. I found it ended my day on a positive note and it helped me relax. A bit of reading before bed won’t kill you either ran.
I was almost going to apologise yesterday for my earlier postings, but I didn’t have time and then I was driving around thinking about this thread instead of watching the road and I hit these mormon missionaries, which serves them right for proselytising and only goes to show that the universe is able to arrange itself satisfactorily without help from anyone upstairs. Or did I dream it all?
Anyway, I think I made my point which is no different from the point I try to make when Ran posts silly things about how to buy women, or when people advocate drinking beer, or that someone else (several someone elses) made recently after a post about ‘americans’ and ‘chinese’. ‘We’ are not all americans, and some americans are also chinese. Stop only seeing the wrld in your terms.
It’s the same point that someone else makes when they get told to read ‘Rich Dad Poor Dad’. They feel that the book is rubbish and gives bad advice and is not worth reading, and can express that opinion freely here. But if a non-christian criticises the bible in the same way then they’re open to accusations of religious intolerance, and getting into a shitfight they may not really want.
Better just not to make the erroneous assumption that ‘we’ are all christians in the first place. I remember a while back someone (Maoman?) posted a suggestion to someone who seemed to be having emotional problems that they might consider re-affirming whatever faith they had, if they were a religious person. This wasn’t out of place, condescending, or making any unreasonable assumptions. It just reminded someone of a possibility they may have forgotten about, and I guess that’s what BH did for Ran too.
But Ran in his infinite wisdom never stoped to think that some people don’t want to be told to read the bible, and don’t feel comfortable getting into a huge argument about why not. It’s OK to point out to people that ‘we’ are not all americans, and that some americans are chinese, and that not all of us drink beer, and that not all foreigners are here to shag loose women, and that not every forumosan is an English-teacher, but it’s not OK to point out that we’re not all christians and don’t want to be told to read christian religious books?
That’s all, no specific rant against christianity. Aubrey, Ran, and any others, I’m interested in following your discussions about your religion although I don’t really have anything to contribute. Please excuse me if I don’t say anything more in this thread. I might start another more subversive one though.