Religion: pros & cons pt1 (Religion)

by Balance_Maintained , U.S.A., Sunday, October 26, 2014, 20:53 (3679 days ago) @ David Turell

David: I was taught the Bible (OT) gave advice for the times it was written. These were rules to protect, not laws. I guess our difference is that you seem to take every word literally. But in your reply I see you agree that the Bible is open to interpretation, so perhaps we are not that different.-No, I do not take every word literally, not by a long shot. The bible is full of analogies, metaphors, parables, and other devices used to make people think. That being said, I DO believe that there are principles which our outlined in the bible. Yes, being holy is one of those. Staying free from blood is another. -And here is the key, the bible ALSO does not say "If a man shoots a man, blah blah blah.." IT only says, if a man hits another man with a stick. So does that mean that we can shoot each other freely as long as we don't kill each other, simply because the bible does not mention a specific technology? Or is it the principle that matters. -Further, you are right! The laws there were to keep the people safe! They didn't have the technology to understand that blood is dangerous, we do. Modern medicine recommends many of the same practices. Imagine that, the bible being right thousands of years in advance. So, you two seem to be arguing (particularly DHW) that now that we KNOW it's dangerous, we should be free to use it however we like. That is what lead the bible writer to state "It does not belong to man even to direct his steps."

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What is the purpose of living? How about, 'to reduce needless suffering. It seems to me to be a worthy purpose.