It's funny you mentioned the Catholics omitting certain scriptures.
The Catholic version of the ten commandments, for example, has no mention of not making graven images, bowing down to them or serving them!! How convenient!
How Do You Read The Bible?
by Anitar 22 Replies latest watchtower bible
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Terry
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Narkissos
I think you're confusing the traditional Catholic (actually Augustinian, and also received by the Lutheran church) grouping/numbering of the 10 commandments (making Exodus 20:3-6 a single # 1 and splitting v. 17 into # 9 and 10) which does not make the prohibition of images a separateitem, and the popular summaries or even the "commandments of the church" which are another text altogether. In any Catholic bible the prohibition of images is still there, and modern Catholic versions such as the Jerusalem Bible do not even follow the Augustinian reckoning.
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Terry
. In any Catholic bible the prohibition of images is still there, and modern Catholic versions such as the Jerusalem Bible do not even follow the Augustinian reckoning
Who do like of the two "great" Catholic minds: Augustine or Aquinas?
Seems to me they are to Catholic doctrine what Paul was to eventual Christianity; they practically invented it out of thin air.
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Anitar
Terry: Fascinating link... I'm familiar with the Ten Commandments, but I'm not sure I agree with the ten punishments. Also the title Positive Atheism I think is a bit strange because I've never thought of atheism as a negative thing. But what ever works for an individual is up to them.
In regards to the Catholic statues, I certainly agree that worshiping a statue is blasphemous. However, as is often the case with God, things are not always what they seem. When the Ten Commandments were first written, many people were building idols and altars and making sacrifices to many different gods. It would appear that God hated those practices and therefore some came to the conclusion that as long as you don't do that, you're not doing anything wrong.
If memory serves, Jezebel worshiped the god Baal, and forced her subjects to do the same. There was a similar case when Moses came down from the mountain and low and behold, they had built a golden calf. These people were called Pagans. I have never like the term Pagan verses Christian, because it sort of implies that one is superior to another, especially the context in which the WTS uses it. God was warning us against all forms of idolatry, not just statue worship. He knew that eventually people would abandon the ridiculous golden calves and wise up about the statue idea. But the statue itself was not the point; it's how the people view it.
The JW's like to condemn us because we have statues. Now even though I think too many ornate windows and statues are inappropriate, the simple fact of having them does not make us idolaters. Idolatry is a state of mind. One can come to worship anything or anyone.
Having a statue in your church doesn't necessarily make you an idolater. And just because you don't have a statue, doesn't mean you're worshiping the true God. In my church, we have one statue of Mary and one cross, and in the 21 years I have been a member, I have yet to see anyone bow down to them. I fact, one time we were repainting and had to put Mary in storage for about six months, and half the people didn't even notice it was gone! It's because we see them as an illustration; and we by no means worship them. And we certainly won't be excommunicated if we don't do so.
Now consider the JW's. They have no statues, but are they idolaters? Do they no forsake the scriptures for the watchtower magazines? My mom is so paranoid they will get mangled she puts them in zip lock bags and locks them in the car and checks on them at least twice a day in case the rain leaked in through the windows and damaged them. Talk about fanatic! Meanwhile her bible sits at the bottom of her bag as an afterthought collecting dust.
As a JW, and some of you no doubt remember, you must accept the watchtower organization and all its rules all the time, or you will be disfellowshipped. God is your father, the WTS is your mother, and you have no personal relationship with Jesus. Things like education, self esteem, cognitive dissonance, and family relationships are replaced with obedience to the organization, working endlessly for your salvation, and complete isolation from the outside world. Does that not sound like idolatry?
Anitar
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Terry
I find it fascinating that Jehovah admits there are other gods.
If there weren't he couldn't feel cheated on.
If your marriage mate tried to have an affair with a drawing or an inflatable doll you'd think him pathetic, neurotic and in need of counseling. You would never feal jealousy.
I can't really comprehend how a Supreme Being that lives forever and has all power and all knowledge can sink to the neurosis of craving, demanding and coercing the admiration of inferior creatures to the point of apoplexy!
No, it pushes me to the realization that it is men's imagination at work and not an accurate description of the personality of the most transcendant being in all the universe!
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Abandoned
Anitar,
I really want to answer your questions because I definitely have opinions that I've thought about and prayed over for many years. But, right now, I'm feeling too feisty to respond in the way I would like. So, I'll try again tomorrow.
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Mysterious
1) Do you read the bible? Why or why not?
No I don't read the bible anymore. I feel like I've been there and done that in my JW life. I know what is in the bible, I know how to discuss it, and I no longer believe it is god's word and so do not feel any urges to rehash the past.2) If you do, do you accept everything word for word as the inspired word of God, or use a historical and grammatical interpretation, taking into account the time in which it was written?
I think it needs to be taken in the context it was written in by imperfect men as well as translation errors. Plus the books of the bible were voted on by humans.3) Do you believe that parts of the bible have been lost since it was written? I don't mean any bias by the question; I just feel that some parts are incomplete, particularly in the book of Genesis.
I think parts are incomplete. I also think that the books chosen to be in it were geared to present a specified picture and not necessarily a complete one, however, one that would cause less contradictions.4) Do you believe that all the scriptures are equally important? If not, which ones are more important?
Since god did not inspire it yes I think some things give us more insight than others into the past but I don't think any of them are important to be "saved" as it were.5) Do you believe that all the scriptures are in total agreement with each other? Why or why not, and which ones?
No there are numerous accounts of discrepencies.
http://www.coppit.org/god/contradictions.html
http://www.bidstrup.com/bible2.htm
http://hometown.aol.com/abdulreis/myhomepage/index.html6) Any other thoughts?
Too much bloodshed in the name of religion and too many literal interpretations causing heartache for me to have a whole lot of reverence for the bible. -
Mr. Kim
How Do You Read The Bible?
..ONE word at a time...........
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Kudra
I don't read it. But I think the Sermon on the Mount is lovely.