Is The Bible A Work of Fiction?

KentuckyHillBilly5321 · 01-09-2006, 06:04 PM

Don't get offended . . . . . it is a legitimate question.

Did all of these things in the bible really happen? When you compare the 10 commandments to some of the things that happened in the bible--it leads me to believe it is either a work of fiction or there are a great deal of hypocritical statements in it (the Bible).

I definitely believe in God (or a higher being), but I don't see the connection most of the time.

What is your opinion?

**thetribe** · 01-09-2006, 07:20 PM

Some of the stuff may have happened but I don't think that all of it did. The times were different then so that is why the years don't match up I think, like how people like to be almost 1,000 years old....

I don't know if God exists or not but every other member will get on here and post that the Bible is real and that they believe in God, so guys, don't get ****ed at me but I truely don't pray or worship a God. I have before, it's just not for me.

**crazytaxidriver** · 01-09-2006, 07:42 PM

The Old Testament and the New Testament were written many years apart.. The old testament was a more strict time, meaning, if you committed a sin, the penalty was death pretty much, and basically only the jews could enter into the kingdom of heaven. So mainly the Old Testament was written for the Jews.

The New Testament however is where Jesus came into play. He was the sacrifice that would allow whomever believed to enter into heaven. See in old testament times you had to make sacrifices to God, and when Jesus came all that was done with, all you had to do was believe in Jesus.

As far as the stories, well you have to remember there were a lot of parables told (stories that are told to make a point).. But then you have the miraculous stories, and personally I believe them. Then you have the prophecies.. and so far the Bible has hit the nail on the head when predicting the future..

**Tomcat68** · 01-09-2006, 07:42 PM

I agree. Some of the events are quite a stretch and may have been totally blown out of proportion and been exaggerated by the time it was written. Of course, some of them are probably pretty close to accurate. It's just hard to believe in ways. I mean it's not like it was the beginning of human time. People wanted to believe in so much things that way and were rather uneducated in general about just about everything. They were very impressionable and easily fooled or amazed. It's just to believe all of these amazing events happening then and never having anything similar to some of the amazing events in today's time where they could be and would be accurately do***ented.

I don't go to church, but I do consider myself a Christian (although it may be out of partial ignorance on my behalf for not having absolute details and knowledge of all beliefs and religions). I believe in being in a good person in life. I believe in morals. I believe in what goes around comes around and treat others as you want to be treated. I think everything in turn will balance itself out.

I have a problem with how I've seen and heard some churches (and preachers/pastors) interpret The Bible. Some have a set definition for everything and believe if you don't believe the exact same way they do, that you are wrong and sin. That's just not right. They're supposed to be there to help guide you in the right direction (that's how I've always thought in my eyes atleast). It should be there to be read and interpretted in your own way and understanding. There's not always one solution or understanding for everything. In 99% of your life, you wouldn't let someone tell you what to do. But in church, most people believe exactly what is said and never give it a 2nd thought, or more importantly, their own thought.

That may be totally incorrect for how some places to do this and different from how some people do this. But I have seen numerous cases of what I've described and I just don't agree with it. I want to read something and develop my own thought, beliefs, and understandings from it. Not have someone tell me what they think and take their word as truth without thinking myself.

KentuckyHillBilly5321 · 01-09-2006, 07:56 PM

Tomcat68 Wrote:I agree. Some of the events are quite a stretch and may have been totally blown out of proportion and been exaggerated by the time it was written. Of course, some of them are probably pretty close to accurate. It's just hard to believe in ways. I mean it's not like it was the beginning of human time. People wanted to believe in so much things that way and were rather uneducated in general about just about everything. They were very impressionable and easily fooled or amazed. It's just to believe all of these amazing events happening then and never having anything similar to some of the amazing events in today's time where they could be and would be accurately do***ented.

I don't go to church, but I do consider myself a Christian (although it may be out of partial ignorance on my behalf for not having absolute details and knowledge of all beliefs and religions). I believe in being in a good person in life. I believe in morals. I believe in what goes around comes around and treat others as you want to be treated. I think everything in turn will balance itself out.

I have a problem with how I've seen and heard some churches (and preachers/pastors) interpret The Bible. Some have a set definition for everything and believe if you don't believe the exact same way they do, that you are wrong and sin. That's just not right. They're supposed to be there to help guide you in the right direction (that's how I've always thought in my eyes atleast). It should be there to be read and interpretted in your own way and understanding. There's not always one solution or understanding for everything. In 99% of your life, you wouldn't let someone tell you what to do. But in church, most people believe exactly what is said and never give it a 2nd thought, or more importantly, their own thought.

That may be totally incorrect for how some places to do this and different from how some people do this. But I have seen numerous cases of what I've described and I just don't agree with it. I want to read something and develop my own thought, beliefs, and understandings from it. Not have someone tell me what they think and take their word as truth without thinking myself.

Great post, 68. We have a "similar" thought process.

**crazytaxidriver** · 01-09-2006, 08:17 PM

Tomcat68 Wrote:I agree. Some of the events are quite a stretch and may have been totally blown out of proportion and been exaggerated by the time it was written. Of course, some of them are probably pretty close to accurate. It's just hard to believe in ways. I mean it's not like it was the beginning of human time. People wanted to believe in so much things that way and were rather uneducated in general about just about everything. They were very impressionable and easily fooled or amazed. It's just to believe all of these amazing events happening then and never having anything similar to some of the amazing events in today's time where they could be and would be accurately do***ented.

I don't go to church, but I do consider myself a Christian (although it may be out of partial ignorance on my behalf for not having absolute details and knowledge of all beliefs and religions). I believe in being in a good person in life. I believe in morals. I believe in what goes around comes around and treat others as you want to be treated. I think everything in turn will balance itself out.

I have a problem with how I've seen and heard some churches (and preachers/pastors) interpret The Bible. Some have a set definition for everything and believe if you don't believe the exact same way they do, that you are wrong and sin. That's just not right. They're supposed to be there to help guide you in the right direction (that's how I've always thought in my eyes atleast). It should be there to be read and interpretted in your own way and understanding. There's not always one solution or understanding for everything. In 99% of your life, you wouldn't let someone tell you what to do. But in church, most people believe exactly what is said and never give it a 2nd thought, or more importantly, their own thought.

That may be totally incorrect for how some places to do this and different from how some people do this. But I have seen numerous cases of what I've described and I just don't agree with it. I want to read something and develop my own thought, beliefs, and understandings from it. Not have someone tell me what they think and take their word as truth without thinking myself.

For the most part I agree with ya..

One thing you said about the interpretation is something that kills me though.. You are totally right everyone interprets it differently. Well most pastors and preachers, and then the congregation goes with what that one says.

I believe the bible has one purpose, and that is to tell you how to get into heaven.. It's simply stating that if you believe and admit to believing then you are good to go. it does have a few rules to go by though.. and that's where everyone gets all mixed up.. Most churches have all kinds of by-laws that they go by, that really have nothing to do with the bible.. And as far as the commandments go well i don't know if you know it or not but there were like 120 different commandments, and they were written mostly for the Jews.. In the old testament telling them hwo they were to enter into heaven.

I don't believe however that these guys who wrote the bible didn't know what they were talking about, or were dumb.. I believe that the Bible was written through the authors not by them.

And someone said earlier that the things that happened then don't happen now. Well how do you know? Do you think that miracles don't happen? What about when someone has an accident and isn't supposed to walk again, but they push and push and now they can run a mile no problem?

Or how about the people who get cancer, and then one day go back to the doctor to find out there isn't a trace or cancer in their body?

Just because some miracles don't happen close to us, doesn't mean they don't happen. Granted none of us are probably ever goin to get to talk to a burning bush, but let's say a bush did start talking to us? would you listen to what it had to say?

**FOX SPORTS** · 01-09-2006, 08:40 PM

This ought to be a very interesting thread to follow.
I'll chime in with my beliefs when I have time.

KentuckyHillBilly5321 · 01-09-2006, 10:39 PM

I would have never guessed that this thread would start out with more people believeing that the Bible is fiction.

Around this neck of the woods, all of the other parts of the state get labeled as extremely conservative--and along the lines of being "bible-beaters" (which is a definite silly stereo type).

I do agree that miracles happen everyday. I just think that some people have lost faith in the fact that God feels the need to do things a different way. Miracles happen in a different way now because more people believe to begin with (where as--in the past--a lot of people didn't believe--so there had to be a little more shock value).

Now, miracles serve to remind us that good things can/do happen. As opposed to getting us to "believe" in the first place.

**crazytaxidriver** · 01-09-2006, 10:41 PM

Exactly...

KentuckyHillBilly5321 · 01-09-2006, 10:44 PM

crazytaxidriver Wrote:Exactly...

crazy--are you agreeing with me?

Also--do you think that it is possible that God's view of humanity has changed with the times/needs of today's society?

Eagle Football · 01-09-2006, 11:00 PM

If you research it, there actually has never been any information scientists have found to prove the bible wrong. Although some of the things in it may sound a little farfetched to us, you have to remember that the bible was writted many many years ago and measurement standards could have been very different than they are today especially the alloted time for a year which explains why people lived for so long. The bible holds many truths in it that can only be discovered if they are read.

**crazytaxidriver** · 01-09-2006, 11:04 PM

KentuckyHillBilly5321 Wrote:crazy--are you agreeing with me?

Also--do you think that it is possible that God's view of humanity has changed with the times/needs of today's society?

lol.. i should have specified..

Quote:I do agree that miracles happen everyday. I just think that some people have lost faith in the fact that God feels the need to do things a different way. Miracles happen in a different way now because more people believe to begin with (where as--in the past--a lot of people didn't believe--so there had to be a little more shock value).

I agree miracles happen everyday, and people have lost faith that God does things his own way. and the miracles happen then more extravagant then they do now due to the fact that no one believed, and there needed to be proof.. and now people have to go on faith, and not just seeing..

evillive · 01-11-2006, 07:06 PM

i have had this discussion several times ... the bible is probably one of the greatest books ever written ... but before being politically correct came along and forced book stores to have religious sections the bible was always found in the fiction section ...

PvilleCheerAlum · 01-11-2006, 10:35 PM

i have no problem with the bible. i think it supports the christian faith very well and allows people to have a source for their beliefs. The only problem i have with the bible is that it was actually written 100 years after jesus existance according to do***ented history. other than that i think it is well written and a great piece of literature

**crazytaxidriver** · 01-11-2006, 10:43 PM

PvilleCheerAlum Wrote:i have no problem with the bible. i think it supports the christian faith very well and allows people to have a source for their beliefs. The only problem i have with the bible is that it was actually written 100 years after jesus existance according to do***ented history. other than that i think it is well written and a great piece of literature

Some of it was written after Jesus. Some of it was written before. The translation was written way after Jesus.. I'm not sure when I'll have to look it up..

I think we tend to forget that the bible is made of of Books.. That were put together to make the Bible..

evillive · 01-13-2006, 01:14 AM

with the da vinci code and dogma raising more suspicions on the bible ... why do you guys think that Jesus goes for 13 to 33 in the bible without any mention of that time period

**FOX SPORTS** · 01-13-2006, 06:27 PM

evillive Wrote:with the da vinci code and dogma raising more suspicions on the bible ... why do you guys think that Jesus goes for 13 to 33 in the bible without any mention of that time period

maybe it's because of a lot of us, we'd be better off losing our teen and 20's years.
Smile

evillive · 01-13-2006, 06:55 PM

good point... are you saying that Jesus my have done some things that may not have been "Jesus Like"

fox sports Wrote:maybe it's because of a lot of us, we'd be better off losing our teen and 20's years.

**crazytaxidriver** · 01-13-2006, 09:29 PM

evillive Wrote:good point... are you saying that Jesus my have done some things that may not have been "Jesus Like"

I doubt that.. I think that was the time period when he was in the church teaching, and no one would belive him..

**thetribe** · 01-14-2006, 12:57 AM

The Da Vinci Code is in the mail on its way to my house. Smile

William Shakespeare translated the Bible and I mean, he was known to just make up words in the English language. Who knows what half of the Bible really means? The Old Testament was for back in that time and all the sacrifices and rules set are kind of crazy and there are people that still go by that. When churchs preach that women shouldn't cut their hair and all of that, it is based on the Old Testament.

**crazytaxidriver** · 01-19-2006, 10:20 PM

It don't say anywhere in the Bible that women shouldn't cut their hair.. That's a bylaw of the old regulars.. The only person that was punished in the bible for cutting their hair was samson..

sf_football · 01-19-2006, 10:25 PM

i think the bible is right

evillive · 01-20-2006, 11:30 PM

crazytaxidriver Wrote:I doubt that.. I think that was the time period when he was in the church teaching, and no one would belive him..

if that is the truth why wouldn't the church want that in the bible ... it shows his conviction and faith in god ?

**crazytaxidriver** · 01-20-2006, 11:59 PM

evillive Wrote:if that is the truth why wouldn't the church want that in the bible ... it shows his conviction and faith in god ?

I don't know.. i dont' have all the answers. just what i've been taught and what i've studied myself.. i do know that the books weren't written by Jesus, they were first hand accounts of what happened, by the people who were closest to him.. and the church denied him, they crucified him for crying out loud lol.. The "church" didn't want nothing to do with him.. So that could be a reason that nothing was written about that time..

evillive · 01-21-2006, 12:28 AM

crazytaxidriver Wrote:I don't know.. i dont' have all the answers. just what i've been taught and what i've studied myself.. i do know that the books weren't written by Jesus, they were first hand accounts of what happened, by the people who were closest to him.. and the church denied him, they crucified him for crying out loud lol.. The "church" didn't want nothing to do with him.. So that could be a reason that nothing was written about that time..

maybe... i just think faith is a huge issue with any religion ... if jesus continued to preach for years without anyone really beleiving that just makes a stronger case for his cause ...

i myself think that, at that time period he was full of alot of self doubt, self discovery and just a lot of not knowing what he was going to do.... imagine being told you were the son of god ... would you be grateful or would you be scared to death... imagine being told you were going to dye for the sins of all man kind ... that would be a pretty tough pill to take

**crazytaxidriver** · 01-21-2006, 12:37 AM

evillive Wrote:maybe... i just think faith is a huge issue with any religion ... if jesus continued to preach for years without anyone really beleiving that just makes a stronger case for his cause ...

i myself think that, at that time period he was full of alot of self doubt, self discovery and just a lot of not knowing what he was going to do.... imagine being told you were the son of god ... would you be grateful or would you be scared to death... imagine being told you were going to dye for the sins of all man kind ... that would be a pretty tough pill to take

I agree that faith is an issue.. That's what most religions are based on. You have to believe in something before it becomes a religion or whatever..

If a person who really believes the Bible, and believes it to be completely true, they know that Jesus knew before he came to earth what was goin to happen. He did it because he loved us so much.. The people didn't want to believe in him because look what a curveball he threw to the world.. He showed the high priests that they were wrong in most of their ways.. and like anyone else in a position of power, You don't want to be told what you are doing wrong..

i'll be back later

***BlueGrassGirl*** · 02-10-2006, 07:43 PM

In all honesty I'm not sure what I believe. I wasn't raised with religion but I have read the bible. I do believe in a higher power possibly being "God"...but the Bible was an account of history as it happened to them. Everyone views things differently so what one person sees and witnesses then writes can be totally different in the eyes of another person. We all interpret events differently so this raises concerns and questions for me personally. When history is written, it is written to be in favor of what they want others to believe so I am sure lots of things that happened could have possibly been left out and left out for good reason. People NEED something to believe in. We need something to get us through life.
I think the Da Vinci code is a good book to read to help answer this question even though it is a work of fiction. However, it is based on facts or what is believed to be facts/evidence...

Doc Holliday · 02-11-2006, 01:53 AM

crazytaxidriver Wrote:It don't say anywhere in the Bible that women shouldn't cut their hair.. That's a bylaw of the old regulars.. The only person that was punished in the bible for cutting their hair was samson..

CTD
it states that a womans glory is her Hair.
Now looking at it from a pure history view point I am sure that you knew that prostitutes during that period shaved their heads so that they could appear to be young boys because that was the fad of the time.
thus you were shamed if you were a bald or short haired woman. Much of the Bible is based on the event and attitudes of the day.

**thetribe** · 02-11-2006, 06:24 PM

Doc Holliday Wrote:CTD
it states that a womans glory is her Hair.
Now looking at it from a pure history view point I am sure that you knew that prostitutes during that period shaved their heads so that they could appear to be young boys because that was the fad of the time.
thus you were shamed if you were a bald or short haired woman. Much of the Bible is based on the event and attitudes of the day.

Thanks Doc. I didn't see that CTD had responded to that until now.
A woman's glory is her hair and our body's are temples..
Going by the Bible people aren't supposed to get tattoos and all of that but it doesn't make them any less of a person.

**crazytaxidriver** · 02-12-2006, 03:42 PM

Doc Holliday Wrote:CTD
it states that a womans glory is her Hair.
Now looking at it from a pure history view point I am sure that you knew that prostitutes during that period shaved their heads so that they could appear to be young boys because that was the fad of the time.
thus you were shamed if you were a bald or short haired woman. Much of the Bible is based on the event and attitudes of the day.

I don't remember seeing that anywhere in there.. Not to say it's not, i just haven't read it yet.. However, what were you ahamed of, God?? Because. I might be wrong but i could have swore that Samson was the only that was actually punished with a threat of damnation for cutting his hair.