by sayitsnotso 93 Replies latest watchtower bible
I DO SEE the effect the JW;s view have had on my parents and older sister though and everyday, my heart breaks a little bit more...
Now, we're reaching some common ground. Had my parents and your parents read Bart's book BEFORE running into the JWs, we could have all spared ourselves tremendous heartache.
Well, maybe you are right.
sayitsnotso, you are not a troll. i beleive you have genuine concerns and questions.
I think they are great questions too!
We all have went through this phase where we ask these questions and try to sort out what is true from that that is not. You will need too do this in order to sort out all of the mumbo jumbo you were/are exposed to while in the organization.
Donny
Good point Donny!
Bible History.....
Granted I would also advocate 'WT History' also for a good measure and comparison.
You know Sayitsnotso...... maybe it is about submission in faith more than answers.
Terry and Tim and a Richard Dawkins letter have all used reasoning that I have found invaluable in my consideration of the Bible. In summary:
Original autograph texts upon which the Bible we have today is based do not exist. There is absolutely NO WAY to know whether our oldest manuscripts are accurate copies of original documents, when any original documents were written, or who actually wrote them. It is all based on FAITH IN TRADITIONAL ASSUMPTIONS handed down by AUTHORITY figures who got their information via REVELATION.
Tradition, authority, and revelation are the "big three" ABSOLUTELY UNFOUNDED reasons for believing anything, especially when you are believing in a version of a book that could be wrong, based on translations that could be wrong, of copies that could be wrong, of other copies that could be wrong, of original documents that could be wrong written records of oral traditions that could have been passed down with mistakes and inaccuracies.
Ridiculous that so many people believe such a book is the perfect written will of God when you consider the amazing LACK of supporting evidence and HUGE margin of error.
Is there evidence that some parts of the Bible contain accurate history, politics, etc.? Sure. That doesn't make ALL of it true and it doesn't make ANY of it from God. There needs to be MORE than that.
I don't blame you for WANTING the Bible to be the reliable, God-inspired book which is the only source of true knowledge.
I want that too!
For one thing, since I've spent so many years reading it--I'm familiar with it already.
It would be a bummer if it turned out that the KORAN was the only true religious communication from God! I'd have to learn Arabic and
start off like a first grader trying to figure the whole thing out.
So, I'm with you in your goal and your desire. No doubt about it.
You went on to give....umm..."reasons" why you are convinced the Bible is the book God gave us.
On first glance, I am a little skeptical these are THE REASONS you feel the Bible is the right book.
I suspect you ALREADY feel that way and have simply used this rather vacuous list as a prop to that opinion.
But, I'll just accept your list as YOUR reasons.
Now, rather than me launching into a list of my own which nullifies your list---I'll just cut to the chase and ask you an honest question.
WHAT would it take for you to NOT believe the Bible is the word of God?
Can you answer that?
Thanks,
Terry
Original autograph texts upon which the Bible we have today is based do not exist. There is absolutely NO WAY to know whether our oldest manuscripts are accurate copies of original documents, when any original documents were written, or who actually wrote them.
I take it you apply this to ALL forms of Historical writing?
WHAT would it take for you to NOT believe the Bible is the word of God?
Undeniable proof that it did not accurately predict the future.
