Every once in a while, I find myself in a debate online where I end up advocating a particular Biblical explanation. I just find it to be a fascination mental exercise at times. Every find this true of yourself?
Atheists-Ever Find Yourselves Debating the Finer Points of Christianity?
by B_Deserter 11 Replies latest jw friends
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AlmostAtheist
When I do, I get burned, because the Bible really does advocate various positions. There IS a hell/there isn't a hell. God IS a trinity/god isn't a trinity. Etc. Since I don't believe it at all, I can't really debate it since both positions are right!
Dave
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nvrgnbk
Most definitely.
For example, though I'm no longer a believer, I'm fascinated by the New Testament teachings of grace/salvation and the blurred distinctions made between the Christ and the Father.
Reading the New Testament without any WT "spin" was very enlightening to me.
It didn't strengthen my rapidly evaporating faith, but it did make it very clear to me that the Watchtower had badly mucked it up.
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B_Deserter
My position on the trinity and hellfire is that the Bible is so screwed up there are strong arguments for both positions. The John 1:1 thing especially. The WT has some valid points, but so do the other churches. It all comes down to theological bias. The scriptures aren't clear enough on their own, so that makes them very susceptible to colorful interpretations by all faiths. Look up the various Bible translations on Wikipedia and you'll see there is controversy regarding the translation quality with all of them.
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nvrgnbk
Good points, AA and B_D.
The contradictions are glaring.
I've recently found that here discussing salvation/righteousness with Christians.
Is salvation a gift or not?
Yes, but you have to earn it.
LOL!
Not faulting the believers, it would seem that that's what the Bible teaches.
Depends if you're Paul, or Jesus, or James, right?
It's like trying to get a clear understanding of what the Bible's viewpoint of homosexuality really is.
When you don't like what Jehovah/Yahweh has to say, just point to Jesus and it's all good.
Quick to dismiss the Old Testament when it's convenient, but need it to establish the Messiahship of Jesus.
Like I said, I find it fascinating.
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Satanus
Yah. It's cool that us heathen can see both sides, when believers can't. It's easy for me to see that churches in general got it closer to the nt than does the wt corp. I try not to get into arguing the christian thing too much, though. Why should i care.
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nvrgnbk
Yah. It's cool that us heathen can see both sides, when believers can't. It's easy for me to see that churches in general got it closer to the nt than does the wt corp. I try not to get into arguing the christian thing too much, though. Why should i care.
SExcellent way to break it down, Satan.
I guess because we can emotionally detach from it, we can see things more clearly.
It's the same reason I can't prepare my own taxes.
LOL!
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jaguarbass
When I do, I get burned, because the Bible really does advocate various positions. There IS a hell/there isn't a hell. God IS a trinity/god isn't a trinity. Etc. Since I don't believe it at all, I can't really debate it since both positions are right!
Dave
I agree with you Dave, The bible supports everything. The Trinity there not being a trinity. Slavery, Freedom. The bible says it all. After reading the bible 5 times, taking notes and referencing, I conclude if there is a god and he wrote the bible, he is the god of confusion
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5go
I get tired of having to prove christian beliefs wrong when they can't even get each other to believe the same BS.
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Carmel
Jag, I wasn't aware anyone believed that God wrote the bible! As to it being difficult for a "believer" able to see both sides of the various doctrinal connudrums, I have no problem with what many see as contradictions. If you take them literally then you are stuck in a tail chasing exercise. Most of the bible (IMHO) is constructed to demonstrate a concept or principal, not to relate an historically accurate rendering. but then, I'm not mainstream, am I? carmel