I think that those who have read the Bible (many self proclaimed Christians have not) understand the principle that the Bible is a collection of stories that are used for interpretation of day to day life to give them a more structured moral integrity rather than cut and dry “this is what the Bible says so there is no flexibility”. Life isn’t a set of hard rules to follow, the Bible gives you guidance, not rules.
That said, I’m a devout atheist. Just an observation about others from someone who was forced into Christianity, questioned it, and left.
I do feel that anyone can believe what they want to, if they feel it makes them a better person or gives them a sense of community.
I haven’t had any religious inclinations since I was a small child, but I don’t think we would be humans without narratives written to guide us. If it wasn’t bibles, it would have been other stories and fables people would have used to both guide people’s morality as well as justify every bad thing people are gonna do anyway.
Nothing is black and white, and I still think faith is worth respecting in others, I sometimes wish my mind was that “clean” that I could get anything from reading mythology.
Of course. Our entire society is built upon generations of knowledge instilled on us by our lineage and what they were exposed to.
Some stuff is black and white. Like hurting other people or causing pain. Things that make sense to not do because they dont feel good. But many of the other moral sensibilities, absolutely! It comes from people before us.
That’s not what I said. I said it makes them “feel” they are a better person. And I said that the Bible has teachings that can form someone into a more moral person and that the Bible is utilized by true Christians as a sort of guide to approaching life rather than taking its word as absolute fact. Much of the Bible is false, but its stories make up a moral compass and a way to live life through its meanings. There are plenty of examples of this.
Shitting on someone’s beliefs doesnt make one a “better person” but acknowledging that you will never understand it yet supporting their beliefs by not forcing them into your mindset is. People are people and part of humanity is believing whatever you want to believe in. You’re allowed to have differences of opinions and still care.
I think that those who have read the Bible (many self proclaimed Christians have not) understand the principle that the Bible is a collection of stories that are used for interpretation of day to day life to give them a more structured moral integrity rather than cut and dry “this is what the Bible says so there is no flexibility”. Life isn’t a set of hard rules to follow, the Bible gives you guidance, not rules.
That said, I’m a devout atheist. Just an observation about others from someone who was forced into Christianity, questioned it, and left.
I do feel that anyone can believe what they want to, if they feel it makes them a better person or gives them a sense of community.
I haven’t had any religious inclinations since I was a small child, but I don’t think we would be humans without narratives written to guide us. If it wasn’t bibles, it would have been other stories and fables people would have used to both guide people’s morality as well as justify every bad thing people are gonna do anyway.
Nothing is black and white, and I still think faith is worth respecting in others, I sometimes wish my mind was that “clean” that I could get anything from reading mythology.
Of course. Our entire society is built upon generations of knowledge instilled on us by our lineage and what they were exposed to.
Some stuff is black and white. Like hurting other people or causing pain. Things that make sense to not do because they dont feel good. But many of the other moral sensibilities, absolutely! It comes from people before us.
Believing in things that are so blatantly false does not make anyone a “better person”.
That’s not what I said. I said it makes them “feel” they are a better person. And I said that the Bible has teachings that can form someone into a more moral person and that the Bible is utilized by true Christians as a sort of guide to approaching life rather than taking its word as absolute fact. Much of the Bible is false, but its stories make up a moral compass and a way to live life through its meanings. There are plenty of examples of this.
Shitting on someone’s beliefs doesnt make one a “better person” but acknowledging that you will never understand it yet supporting their beliefs by not forcing them into your mindset is. People are people and part of humanity is believing whatever you want to believe in. You’re allowed to have differences of opinions and still care.
Religion is the biggest scam in human history. False hopes and literally stealing $$, eg: tithe.
People should be warned about it just as vigorously as the scam emails about the Nigerian lottery.