The Bible's Time...

[kittiepoetrygod]

If the time in the begining of the Bible may be a "little" off, isn't it possible that other parts are, too?

I just have this strong feeling about that, i don't know why. I would guess I'm thinking that the dates given for his birth, or when the prophesies (sp?) where written, or how long the people lived might all have been exaggerated or shortened.

Thoughts?

[Danustouch]

Well...the biblical dates were off...yes. But...the Christian religion is one based on "Faith." not on only "FACTS". Faith is something that never has to be rationalized or proven accurate, it is a quality that one holds in their heart. Conciousness creates reality, so if Christians believe in their religion, to them, it is real, and should be respected.

If you don't choose to follow the christian religion, because it doesn't seem "proof" enough for you, that's fine. It's obviosly not a path meant for you to walk. But to them, it is very real.

I choose not to dissect other belief systems, and try to find flaws in them. I've seen flaws in them, from MY Perspective, which is why I'm not a Christian. But having made the conversian from Christian, to Pagan, I no longer have to look for flaws in their belief system. I'd rather concentrate on my own path :)

[Myst]

I agree wholeheartedly, Danustouch.

I find a lot of people who dissect the Bible or Christian beliefs don't really understand the Bible or Christian beliefs. Imagine a Christian dissecting your beliefs as a Pagan and consider if you'd really want to even hear it.

[Danustouch]

Hear-Hear Myst!

I've actually had people come to me refuting my beliefs, and their arguments and questions were very valid. Usually, they are atheists, asking me why I believe in an organized universe, a God and Goddess, etc. And their points were very difficult to debate. At that point, I generally just shrug, and say..."ya know what, I don't have all the answers. I don't think any of us ever will have all the answers. And that is the beautiful thing about Faith. You don't need to prove it, to live it".

[kittiepoetrygod]

I wasn't trying to disect the Christian Relgion ... this thread wasn't even for me. I know that the dates where off ... it was for my mom, who allows me to be Pagan but constantly trys to refute it. Her favorite argument has to do with the "fact" that all the times are completely acurate, and i planned to show her this thread. Not to refute her religion, but to try and get her to stop using the tired and probably misfactual argument.

[Danustouch]

Unfortunately, Kittie, you cannot refute your mothers faith. No matter what "points" she brings to the front, to defend her faith. All you can do is say..."I am glad that your beliefs work for you. And I won't refute them. My beliefs are just differen't.". There is no need to argue her points, dates, facts, etc...with her :)

[kittiepoetrygod]

Originally posted by kittiepoetrygod
Not to refute her religion,

Read that please. Thank you.

She and I aren't like that ... gentle disagreement is alien to the both of us. Especially when she says that once she "prove[s] that Christianity and the Bible are both completly right, You [i] will have to stop being a Witch"

[Danustouch]

Sounds like an excersise in futility, to me. You cannot convince another individual that he or she is wrong, when they are following something with "Faith". And you shouldn't want to. As I said...don't argue with her. Simply say..."I'm glad you think you've proven it. But...even if I'm suffering from delusions, I'm still not going to convert.".

[Danustouch]

And despite your saying you do not wish to "repute" her faith, by trying to get her to see the flaws in her argument..you ARE refuting. As long as you are trying to get her to change her views on something, no matter how "misfactual" you might think they are, you are refuting her beliefs. I'm not saying refuting someones argument is always a bad thing. But..it can sometimes be a pointless endeavor.

From experience, I am telling you that this is a pointless endeavor.

[kittiepoetrygod]

Thank you for your advice.:D :D :rolleyes:

[Myst]

Originally posted by Danustouch
And despite your saying you do not wish to "repute" her faith, by trying to get her to see the flaws in her argument..you ARE refuting. As long as you are trying to get her to change her views on something, no matter how "misfactual" you might think they are, you are refuting her beliefs.

I agree wholeheartedly with that and everything else you said.

What's that line about not spending time with a fool lest you be counted as his friend? If someone doesn't agree with you I say be the mature one and move on.

[Danustouch]

Thanks Myst.

Kittie, do you care to elaborate on what that "rolling eyes" smiley meant? I'm a bit confused...were you rolling your eyes at the situation with your mother, or at me?

[EasternPriest]

I guess before I can even answer - I need to ask which "times" in the beginning of the Bible are supposedly incorrect?

[Illuminatus]

Try all of them :)

[EasternPriest]

Originally posted by Illuminatus
Try all of them :)

Try the fact that several dates in the Bible have been proven by archeologists.

[Myst]

Well, kittiepoetrygod, would you like to provide an example of how dates are wrong?