Community votes are collected from you and other visitors to Ask500People. Independent votes are collected from visitors to hundreds of other websites around the world.
Sign Up or Login
Sorry, this data is only available to users with an account.
If God is real then religion and the bible (as 21st people know it) are God's blunders for not making it possible for people to know his word(s) is/are real.
If you have ever played the party game where 30 people are in a room and a short tale is told to one person and he/she is supposed to whisper it in the next person's ear, and the tale is relayed around the room, person by person until the tale finally gets around to the 30th person in the circle, it is rare that the 30th person ever gets the exact same tale that was told to the first person. It is lengthened, shortened, made more colorful, or changed in big or small ways... but it is always changed some.
Well, given that the bible was passed down from person to person (orally) year after year, decade after decade, maybe century after century (in the case of the Old Testament) and given that eventually scholars like Bart Ehrman would try to figure out exactly how much of the bible we have today is really true, doesn't it seem like a huge blunder to put your message for eternity into forms so difficult for people to relay to others in forms even close to accurate.
Far too many people are going to spend their lives in hell (according to people who believe everything they hear ...or read) because God never tried to make it clear beyond a shadow of a doubt (even the standard in human's courts of law), that the Message being conveyed was really God's, and not a message proferred by people who stood to have something to gain just for being God's *authorized messenger." So, if I end up going to hell I think it is partly God's fault because he gave me a brain capable of thinking and deciding right from wrong... and I do not for a second believe the writer in the bible that says God was so angry at 46,000 people because they could not pronounce Shibboleth that he smote (killed) them, when in other parts of the Word he is said to love us more than our own parents. I do not know any parents who ever killed their children just because they couldn't pronounce a word, but if they did, would you want to tell everyone for millennia how much they loved their kids? I wouldn't. I don't think an omnipotent God who knows all things would either. Accordingly, isn't it a blunder with a capital "B" to allow people to believe and quote such things which an all loving God would tell you are not true? Not only would I think parents who showed that kind of "love" to their kids should be locked up and the key thrown away, I think any jury in the free world would agree with me. Don't you agree?
[1 point]2 years ago by ChipmonkReplyEdited 2 years ago by Chipmonk
If the ancient Hebrew thought processes are so thoroughly misunderstood, then I would have to say that God, as Friedrich Nietzsche understands him, is one of man's blunders.
If ancient Hebrew thought processes are so thoroughly misunderstood isn't it the ancient Hebrews fault for not explaining what they meant (rather than blaming Nietzsche for the problem)? After-all the ancient Hebrews are the ones who chose to pass their legends down orally rather than write them down.
Why no Red Sea parting and manna falling in modern times? Many modern people are very skeptic, so why no new spectacular acts which can be documented today so much better now than 3 to 4,000 years ago? Or is instilling doubt part of the divine plan? Only sheep in the flock who believe two to four thousand year old often misquoted tales have truly proved themselves worthy. Right?
[1 point]2 years ago by ChipmonkReplyEdited 2 years ago by Chipmonk
First, Ancient Hebrews kept careful written records. The Ark of the Covenant was probably the most sacred.
Second, Why would you have any respect for a failed philosopher? His ideas have never worked in the long run.
Third- Doubt is a by-product of Faith. You can't have Faith without doubt. If Faith is required, then so is doubt.
Fourth- All ancient people knew that God (or Gods) controlled everything. If something happened to the Hebrews, God made it happen. It never occurred to them that they would have to explain this to anyone over the age of two.
Fifth- Though I don't know why God didn't make the whole thing easier to understand, I do know that the reality of God is more complicated than science. I can't do the math behind E=MC squared and I can't tell you why God does everything I believe he does, but neither statement affects my beliefs about Einstein or Christ.
In catechism classes the nuns taught the purpose of man was to know, love, and serve God. Do Baptists explain man's purpose in other terms? How about Lutherans? Methodists? Calvinists? Unitarians?
Believers are supposed to dwell with God for eternity? Where? In an as yet undiscovered dimension? Doing what? Smiling for eternity? Pulsating as the energy of contentment? Sitting on clouds and playing harps? I am reminded of the Matt Groenig cartoon where it shows a new arrival in heaven wondering if his missing leg is waiting for him when he gets there, wondering how he will recognize all his childhood friends who were old men when they died?
I'm also reminded of the Woody Allen movie "Annie Hall," where Woody explains his fear of lightening is most frightening when he pictures the lightening stopping his heart just long enough to cut off his oxygen just long enough to leave him in a semi-vegetative state and grinning like a babbling idiot for the rest of his life. In reality would that not be a blessing because they say God watches over idiots and fools, so if a man arrived at a frame of mind where he no longer questioned anything people told him, wouldn't getting hit by lightening be a blessing everyone should strive for because then everything would likely be accepted and if you tell him Jesus is Lord and Savior he would have no reason to doubt you and would likely be entirely willing to believe you, so isn't that the state of mind doubters and/or skeptics should pray to attain?
[1 point]2 years ago by ChipmonkReplyEdited 2 years ago by Chipmonk
United States
This comment has been moderated down. (Show Comment)
Marked as inappropriate. Assumes facts not in evidence. It's a statement, not a question.
That would make god inappropriate... :P
No, if anybody, it would make Medinaooo inappropriate.
I couldn't help myself... Nietzsche may have a point.
Hey... I was raised Catholic... so no wonder my views on religion are so F'K'D up. See detailed comment below.
B^)
Come on now, there is no scientific evidence for god, we have been over that. (I just couldn't resist shooting an open goal)
It does not make Medinaooo inappropriate, I suggest you ow him an apology.
The question assumes God is nonsense and gives make believe answers. That is not a question. It is an opinion masquerading as question.
From an explanation of terms of service-
2. Try to keep statements out of your questions. (But feel free to express your opinion in the comments.)
Bad: Does it bother you that actors are overpaid? Assumption: Actors are overpaid.
Yes
No
Good: Do you think actors are overpaid?
Yes, but it doesn't bother me.
Yes, and it bothers me.
No.
3. Include an option that everyone can choose, including those that disagree with your views.
Bad: Are taxes too high in your country?
Yes, the government is taking advantage of us.
No, I'm actually happy paying for services I don't want.
Good: Are taxes too high in your country?
Yes, the government is taking advantage of us.
No, I don't think taxes are too high.
These are clearly explained as reasons for removal.
http://www.ask500people.com/questions/as-of-september-2009-the-forbes-400-net-worth-has-declined-falling-300-billion-in-the-past-12-months-glad-to-hear-it
The answers were almost evenly divided. The fact was correct and unbiased. What was the problem?
If God is real then religion and the bible (as 21st people know it) are God's blunders for not making it possible for people to know his word(s) is/are real.
If you have ever played the party game where 30 people are in a room and a short tale is told to one person and he/she is supposed to whisper it in the next person's ear, and the tale is relayed around the room, person by person until the tale finally gets around to the 30th person in the circle, it is rare that the 30th person ever gets the exact same tale that was told to the first person. It is lengthened, shortened, made more colorful, or changed in big or small ways... but it is always changed some.
Well, given that the bible was passed down from person to person (orally) year after year, decade after decade, maybe century after century (in the case of the Old Testament) and given that eventually scholars like Bart Ehrman would try to figure out exactly how much of the bible we have today is really true, doesn't it seem like a huge blunder to put your message for eternity into forms so difficult for people to relay to others in forms even close to accurate.
Far too many people are going to spend their lives in hell (according to people who believe everything they hear ...or read) because God never tried to make it clear beyond a shadow of a doubt (even the standard in human's courts of law), that the Message being conveyed was really God's, and not a message proferred by people who stood to have something to gain just for being God's *authorized messenger." So, if I end up going to hell I think it is partly God's fault because he gave me a brain capable of thinking and deciding right from wrong... and I do not for a second believe the writer in the bible that says God was so angry at 46,000 people because they could not pronounce Shibboleth that he smote (killed) them, when in other parts of the Word he is said to love us more than our own parents. I do not know any parents who ever killed their children just because they couldn't pronounce a word, but if they did, would you want to tell everyone for millennia how much they loved their kids? I wouldn't. I don't think an omnipotent God who knows all things would either. Accordingly, isn't it a blunder with a capital "B" to allow people to believe and quote such things which an all loving God would tell you are not true? Not only would I think parents who showed that kind of "love" to their kids should be locked up and the key thrown away, I think any jury in the free world would agree with me. Don't you agree?
If the ancient Hebrew thought processes are so thoroughly misunderstood, then I would have to say that God, as Friedrich Nietzsche understands him, is one of man's blunders.
If ancient Hebrew thought processes are so thoroughly misunderstood isn't it the ancient Hebrews fault for not explaining what they meant (rather than blaming Nietzsche for the problem)? After-all the ancient Hebrews are the ones who chose to pass their legends down orally rather than write them down.
Why no Red Sea parting and manna falling in modern times? Many modern people are very skeptic, so why no new spectacular acts which can be documented today so much better now than 3 to 4,000 years ago? Or is instilling doubt part of the divine plan? Only sheep in the flock who believe two to four thousand year old often misquoted tales have truly proved themselves worthy. Right?
First, Ancient Hebrews kept careful written records. The Ark of the Covenant was probably the most sacred.
Second, Why would you have any respect for a failed philosopher? His ideas have never worked in the long run.
Third- Doubt is a by-product of Faith. You can't have Faith without doubt. If Faith is required, then so is doubt.
Fourth- All ancient people knew that God (or Gods) controlled everything. If something happened to the Hebrews, God made it happen. It never occurred to them that they would have to explain this to anyone over the age of two.
Fifth- Though I don't know why God didn't make the whole thing easier to understand, I do know that the reality of God is more complicated than science. I can't do the math behind E=MC squared and I can't tell you why God does everything I believe he does, but neither statement affects my beliefs about Einstein or Christ.
In catechism classes the nuns taught the purpose of man was to know, love, and serve God. Do Baptists explain man's purpose in other terms? How about Lutherans? Methodists? Calvinists? Unitarians?
Believers are supposed to dwell with God for eternity? Where? In an as yet undiscovered dimension? Doing what? Smiling for eternity? Pulsating as the energy of contentment? Sitting on clouds and playing harps? I am reminded of the Matt Groenig cartoon where it shows a new arrival in heaven wondering if his missing leg is waiting for him when he gets there, wondering how he will recognize all his childhood friends who were old men when they died?
I'm also reminded of the Woody Allen movie "Annie Hall," where Woody explains his fear of lightening is most frightening when he pictures the lightening stopping his heart just long enough to cut off his oxygen just long enough to leave him in a semi-vegetative state and grinning like a babbling idiot for the rest of his life. In reality would that not be a blessing because they say God watches over idiots and fools, so if a man arrived at a frame of mind where he no longer questioned anything people told him, wouldn't getting hit by lightening be a blessing everyone should strive for because then everything would likely be accepted and if you tell him Jesus is Lord and Savior he would have no reason to doubt you and would likely be entirely willing to believe you, so isn't that the state of mind doubters and/or skeptics should pray to attain?