Groups > Tough Questions & Answers

Thanks JaW, I was wondering where everyone was! I don't really consider this to be a "debate", I'm really just trying to make a point. It seems to me that if something is the "inerrant word of God", then you should be able to read it and believe what it says. Apparently, whoever wrote 1 Samuel believed that it was possible to conjure up spirits or ghosts and communicate with them. Judi says no, that's not the case, but wants to bring in outside interpretations to explain why this isn't the case.

So are things like this in the Bible the inerrant word of God and therefore absolutely true, or are they sometimes metaphor which we are supposed to interpret?

Some of us believe that everything in the Bible (both Bibles; all Bibles) was written by men--perhaps with good intentions, perhaps not--attempting to codify their religious beliefs, and justify or apologize for the cruel actions perpetrated by their forebears, etc.

All this talk of whether or not witches or demons (etc.) exist, or whether the various Bible(s) say they exist reminds me of a bunch of fanboys debating whether or not Captain Kirk could kick Jar Jar Binks' ass in a mud-fight; or whether a Romulan Bird of Prey could beat an X-Wing fighter...

[Edited to change "Biles" into "Bibles." Don't read anything into that, it was a simple typo!]

Boothby, I think most TBDers know by now that I think the Bible was written by men, I'm not a Christian. I'm sure it may have some historical value as the authors' perspectives of various events, but in my opinion that's about it.

On this topic, I initially felt compelled to pipe up because it seemed that they were going kind of apple/orange with the phrase "believe in". Then I just wanted to put in my hat on the way the passages would be perceived to anybody reading it without external commentary.

I'm opinionated, and can't keep my JaW shut! LOL It's a gift...... and a curse. (I stole that from Monk. hehehe)

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

*Oh, and Kirk was a puss. And I have no clue who Jar Jar Binks is so you're a bigger sci-fi junkie than me!! lol

boothby:

You may or may not be surprised to know that I agree with your first paragraph in its entirety. The second paragraph is a bit of a low blow, but I can deal with it! As I said, I was trying to make a point in a polite and respectful manner. I may or may not have succeeded.

kathie,

You are being very polite and respectful.

But, then again...that's coming from me. I think it would be fair to say that a number of people here would not hesitate to say that I wouldn't know polite and respectful if it bit me on the ass.

Boothby171, It's possible that my ass is your ass's twin.

JAW, I have to agree with you. But that's just MHO.

About Kirk?? ;-)