Respecting the Bible / Ignoring the Bible

[msj]

My intention with this thread is to take a look at the Bible and find in what ways people who take the Bible seriously then go on to ignore other parts and are, therefore, hypocrites.

I have read most of the Bible through the years and thanks to a comparative religious studies course I took way back in university.

The experience of reading such a terrible book (and it is an awful book) is that it is probably the most important reason why I'm an atheist.

So, with that bias duly noted, lets get on with my first look at people who supposedly take the Bible "seriously" but somehow manage to ignore or conveniently interpret their way around the parts they don't like.

This first example is too easy but it's worth a laugh: Man tatoos Leviticus 18:22 on his arm

Leviticus 18:22 reads:

You shall not lie with a man as one does with a woman. It is an abomination.

Sadly for our tattoo loving homophobe, Leviticus 19:28 clearly states:

28 Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the Lord.

I suppose they didn't have the word "tattoo" in the King James version days.

Anyway, too funny.

-----------

I'm hoping to add to this thread other instances, as I come across them and hope others will do the same.

Edited August 20, 2012 by msj

[Moonlight Graham]

Political leaders who go to church on Sunday, torture and drop bombs on people on Monday.

[Shady]

Why don't you guys focus on things that are actually relevant?

VERY GRAPHIC VIDEO: Tunisian Islamists behead convert to Christianity for apostasy

Liberal talk show host Tawfiq Okasha recently appeared on “Egypt Today” airing a video of Muslims in Tunisia slicing a young man’s head off for the crime of apostasy, in this case, the crime of converting to Christianity and refusing to renounce it. …

A young man appears held down by masked men. His head is pulled back, with a knife to his throat. He does not struggle and appears resigned to his fate. Speaking in Arabic, the background speaker, or “narrator,” chants a number of Muslim prayers and supplications, mostly condemning Christianity, which, because of the Trinity, is referred to as a polytheistic faith: “Let Allah be avenged on the polytheist apostate”; “Allah empower your religion, make it victorious against the polytheists”; “Allah, defeat the infidels at the hands of the Muslims”; “There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger.”

...

Then, to cries of “Allahu Akbar!”—or, “God is great!”—the man holding the knife to the apostate’s throat begins to slice away, even as the victim appears calmly mouthing a prayer. It takes nearly two minutes of graphic knife-carving to sever the Christian’s head, which is then held aloft to more Islamic cries and slogans of victory.

Link

[msj]

Why don't you guys focus on things that are actually relevant?

The extent to which people base their political beliefs upon the authority of a book they believe is inspired/written/spoken by their imaginary sky fairy and then don't bother to follow said book is "actually relevant."

The extent that these freaks then exert political influence in Canada (or the western world) is "actually relevant" to me.

The extent to which extremists of one sect kill believers/converts of another sect in a country outside of Canada (or the western world) is not "actually relevant" to me at all.

[Guest American Woman]

Oh Good! Another thread in which to criticize Christians. Started by someone who thinks the Bible is a "terrible book," "an awful book," no less. Perhaps we could get a similar thread started about Muslims, referring to the Koran as "a terrible book," "an awful book" ... pointing out all of the Muslim "hypocrites." What fun, eh?

[Shady]

Oh Good! Another thread in which to criticize Christians. Started by someone who thinks the Bible is a "terrible book," "an awful book," no less.

That's exactly what I thought AW. Maybe this thread can be combined with the half dozen other threads that basically consist of the same theme.

Perhaps we could get a similar thread started about Muslims, referring to the Koran as "a terrible book," "an awful book" ... pointing out all of the Muslim "hypocrites." What fun, eh?

Good idea, but that would never happen. Doing something like that would require some critical thought applied equally to all. Doing something like that is considered islamophobic and possibly racist to the particular members of the forum that are responsible for the Christian related threads.

Plus, this way they can keep themselves occupied with irrelevant subject matter, and not have to worry about sinking their teeth into real issues that they may not feel comfortable confronting. So it's a win-win for them.

[msj]

Oh Good! Another thread in which to criticize Christians.

Interesting that you take it as a criticism of Christians.

Leviticus is from the OT so that picture could be some really buff Jew, couldn't it?

The way I see it is that anyone who uses a holy book (this case being the Bible) as being an "Authority" and then does not follow said book in a consistent manner then they set themselves up for any and all criticism.

Oh, and criticism based on pointing out hypocrisy is not "persecution" so don't go down that road.

Started by someone who thinks the Bible is a "terrible book," "an awful book," no less.

Yes, it is terrible. We could start a thread to discuss this too if you like.

I have actually read the Bible so I have a right to such an opinion.

Perhaps we could get a similar thread started about Muslims, referring to the Koran as "a terrible book," "an awful book" ... pointing out all of the Muslim "hypocrites." What fun, eh?

Nice straw man.

I have no problem pointing out where Muslims are hypocrites and invite others to do so in this thread.

The point of this thread is to point to the book of "AUTHORITY" (Bible/Koran/whatever) and look at how certain people conveniently ignore that "AUTHORITY" when it suits them.

The Koran is also a terrible book but I'm not as familiar with it because it is so awful I am unable to give it the same attention as I have with the OT and NT.

I'm also more familiar with living in a Judeo-Christian society.

As such, I prefer to discuss what I know rather than what I don't know.

[Guest American Woman]

That's exactly what I thought AW. Maybe this thread can be combined with the half dozen other threads that basically consist of the same theme.

Oh, but it's so much more fun this way! Another thread criticizing Christians! Yippee Skippy. What fun. We must expect every Christian to be perfect, or point it out the hypocrisy. Because of course every Christian proclaims to be perfect, thus the hypocrisy when they aren't, don't 'cha know.

...that would never happen. ... Doing something like that is considered islamophobic ....

I'm guessing it would get the criticism it deserved, but different standards and all ..... (Insert claim that I'm crying about Christians being "persecuted" here __________________________________.)

[Shady]

Interesting that you take it as a criticism of Christians.

You wouldn't consider calling the Bible a terrible and awful book, criticism?

I have no problem pointing out where Muslims are hypocrites

Right. You just never do it.

and invite others to do so in this thread.

Right. That's why you called it Respecting/Ignoring the Bible, and asserted that your "intention with this thread is to take a look at the Bible and find in what ways people who take the Bible seriously then go on to ignore other parts and are, therefore, hypocrites."

The Koran is also a terrible book but I'm not as familiar with it

Well, perhaps you should make yourself more familiar with it. Some consider it even worse than the Bible. By quite a bit.

[msj]

You wouldn't consider calling the Bible a terrible and awful book, criticism?

Um, criticism:

1. the act of passing judgment as to the merits of anything.

2.

the act of passing severe judgment; censure; faultfinding.

Sorry to have to defer to a book of "Authority" such as a dictionary but I hope that we can come to an agreement as to the meaning of something as simple as this.

Oh, and what's wrong with being critical of the Bible?

It is a terrible book - poorly written, contradictory, hateful etc.

The Koran also is the same type of contradictory, hateful, poorly written piece of crap.

But that's not what this thread is about.

Right. You just never do it.

Perhaps I may.

Of course, I'm more than happy for you to point out sections of the Koran and then point out actions by a Muslim that go against that section.

Just because I choose to not focus on Muslims' hypocrisy does not mean that I am giving any kind of approval for it.

I'm an atheist - anyone who is going to justify their political beliefs/ personal actions to a book inspired by some sky fairy and/or some dude who spent too much time in a cave all earn my scorn whether they call themselves Christians, Jews, Muslims, Zoroastrians, Pastafarians, or whatever.

Right. That's why you called it Respecting/Ignoring the Bible, and asserted that your "intention with this thread is to take a look at the Bible and find in what ways people who take the Bible seriously then go on to ignore other parts and are, therefore, hypocrites."

Um, you do realize the importance of the Bible to the Koran? You do realize the importance of Jesus, for that matter, to the Koran?

Um, forget I asked - I know you don't have a clue....

Well, perhaps you should make yourself more familiar with it. Some consider it even worse than the Bible. By quite a bit.

Yes, I recall thinking it to be so when I read it back in my University days.

As I say, by all means lets point to specific examples of Muslim hypocrisy - the point of this thread is to expose these hypocritical freaks regardless of what brand of religion they call themselves.

Edited August 20, 2012 by msj

[msj]

Oh, but it's so much more fun this way! Another thread criticizing Christians! Yippee Skippy. What fun. We must expect every Christian to be perfect, or point it out the hypocrisy. Because of course every Christian proclaims to be perfect, thus the hypocrisy when they aren't, don't 'cha know.

Why is this such a problem for you?

Why can't people discuss specific, and hopefully, humorous instances of religious hypocrisy?

Are you telling me that you don't find it funny that a person, presumably quite religious (most likely Christian but perhaps Jewish), would quote a section of the Bible by tattooing it on his shoulder while being ignorant (presumably) of the section a few paragraphs later that explicitly states that getting a tattoo is wrong?

I mean, really? That's not funny? A religious person can't find that funny too? It's only atheists laughing at this guy?

I'm guessing it would get the criticism it deserved, but different standards and all ..... (Insert claim that I'm crying about Christians being "persecuted" here __________________________________.)

Once again, those with more knowledge than me can and should post instances where a Muslim is being hypocritical.

I have no problem with that as it will fit into the "spirit" of this thread.

Edited August 20, 2012 by msj

[msj]

Ok, so, lets take a look at Chik-fil-A president S. Truett Cathy who states:

We don't claim to be a Christian business, but as an organization we operate on biblical principles.

I don't have a problem with this as long as those principles follow secular law (and there is no evidence that Chik-fil-A has violated, in any significant way, any law).

But I wonder how Mr. Cathy can state this while also serving pork sausage and bacon.

Per Leviticus 11:8 "The swine is unclean to you. Their flesh you shall not eat, and their carcasses you shall not touch. They are unclean to you."

Admittedly, Chick-fil-A's breakfast's look pretty good: Image.

So, I wonder, why Mr. Cathy will respect the Bible enough to close on Sunday but not enough to stop serving pork?

Edited August 20, 2012 by msj

[Guest American Woman]

Are you telling me that you don't find it funny that a person, presumably quite religious (most likely Christian but perhaps Jewish), would quote a section of the Bible by tattooing it on his shoulder while being ignorant (presumably) of the section a few paragraphs down that explicitly states that getting a tattoo is wrong?

I mean, really? That's not funny? A religious person can't find that funny too? It's only atheists laughing at this guy?

I find lots of things funny, but I don't start threads about all of them - and since this is the only thread you've started about "the funny, hypocritical things people Christians do" - neither, evidently, do you.

I find lots of things atheists do funny and hypocritical too, but I don't feel the need to start a thread about that, either, because fact of the matter is, all people do funny and hypocritical things - that you only single out the religious says a lot about you. And come to think of it, I find that rather funny and hypocritical.

Edited August 20, 2012 by American Woman

[msj]

I find lots of things funny, but I don't start threads about all of them - and since this is the only thread you've started about "the funny, hypocritical things people Christians do" - neither, evidently, do you.

Obviously I don't.

And I don't see what's wrong with starting one.

What is wrong with taking a look at people's hypocrisy?

What's wrong with setting the scope to something quite specific?

And if you don't like it then what's wrong with you ignoring the thread?

I find lots of things atheists do funny and hypocritical too, but I don't feel the need to start a thread about that, either,

Yes, all people have contradictory views at some point or another.

And is someone wants to start that thread I hope I don't go into it to whine like you and Shady have done here.

because fact of the matter is, all people do funny and hypocritical things - that you only single out the religious says a lot about you. And come to think of it, I find that rather funny and hypocritical.

By all means point out to me specifically when I'm being hypocritical.

But at the very least back it up with evidence.

I'm a human and no doubt as imperfect as any Christian or Jew or Muslim or Buddhist so, yes, I'm sure I have contradictory points of view that I justify poorly (or not at all).

But you make a poor argument to claim that I'm being hypocritical for starting a thread that is looking at specific, and hopefully humorous, instances of hypocrisy.

Yes, I have limited the scope in the OP but that does not mean that I am unable to find other instances of non-religious hypocrisy amusing or unworthy to be included in any discussion in any thread (whether started by me or anyone else for that matter).

In fact, it is you who seems to think that discussion of specific instances of hypocrisy are unworthy of being discussed because, heaven forbid, they may be critical of religious people (Christians/Jews in particular although the more the merrier for Muslims seems to be A-OK for whatever reason).

Of course, it is easier to pick on religious people since they rely on the "Authority" of a book which is very contradictory so it does make them an easy target.

Too bad.

I'm willing to defend a person's right to hold hypocritical views as well as to defend anyone's right to be critical of that person's views.

Are you?

Edited August 20, 2012 by msj

[kimmy]

Oklahoma student Kaitlin Nootbaar-- 4.0 GPA, 4 straight years of straight A's-- is being refused her high-school diploma because she uttered the word "hell" in her valedictorian speech. It was offensive, and she can't have her diploma until she writes a letter of apology. The hypocrisy might not hit you until you see the school's mascot.

-k

[msj]

Wow.

Just wow.

[Shakeyhands]

That's exactly what I thought AW. Maybe this thread can be combined with the half dozen other threads that basically consist of the same theme.

You are totally correct here Shady, I usually don't agree with you but some posters just don't get it.

=1&view_by_title=1"]Relevant Link

They go on and on and on, with "stuff" that is not only repetitive but is also mostly made up. It is sickening.

Good idea, but that would never happen. Doing something like that would require some critical thought applied equally to all. Doing something like that is considered islamophobic and possibly racist to the particular members of the forum that are responsible for the Christian related threads.

Plus, this way they can keep themselves occupied with irrelevant subject matter, and not have to worry about sinking their teeth into real issues that they may not feel comfortable confronting. So it's a win-win for them.

Critical thought indeed. Why the focus, bordering on obsession - mind, on something that has very little effect on them? Why not sink their teeth in to something where they have a stake in?

You're bang on with this one.

[Smallc]

the focus, bordering on obsession - mind, on something that has very little effect on them?

You're kidding, right?

[BubberMiley]

I find lots of things funny, but I don't start threads about all of them - and since this is the only thread you've started about "the funny, hypocritical things people Christians do" - neither, evidently, do you.

This reminds me of the Comments section in my local newspaper every time they run a story involving Hollywood gossip. Someone always has a long-winded reply about how the article isn't news and doesn't belong in a newspaper and nobody cares. It makes me wonder why they clicked on it in the first place.

[Shakeyhands]

You're kidding, right?

maybe? which part? Shady' s ODS?

[TheNewTeddy]

If there is any book of God's wishes; any book that God himself or those acting on his behalf wrote; IE any book where God is the author, then it MUST be accurate if it is to be followed. Such a book with errors can not be considered the word of God because God does not make mistakes. Hence, any book that you consider the "Word of God" must be without error, or, you are insulting God by claiming he makes errors. Any claim that "Humans wrote the book and they made the errors" is easily wiped away by "Then how do you know what is an error?" Therefore, again, any book with an error, can NOT be the word of God.

Now that this is clear, it is very simple really. Any book that IS the word of God must be 100% correct. Every paragraph, every sentence, every word, every letter. If even a single letter is wrong it means that your book is NOT the word of God, but rather, just what YOU think God wants; but not what God actually wants.

Considering that every holy book has "unpopular" parts that are not followed, it really just backs up my view on this topic and all related topics: God is not an Author.

[msj]

You are totally correct here Shady, I usually don't agree with you but some posters just don't get it.

=1&view_by_title=1"]Relevant Link

They go on and on and on, with "stuff" that is not only repetitive but is also mostly made up. It is sickening.

Critical thought indeed. Why the focus, bordering on obsession - mind, on something that has very little effect on them? Why not sink their teeth in to something where they have a stake in?

You're bang on with this one.

Wow, that is awesome!

Even if I had the foresight I don't think we could have had a better set up for Shady.

[The_Squid]

=1&view_by_title=1"]Relevant Link

They go on and on and on, with "stuff" that is not only repetitive but is also mostly made up. It is sickening.

haha! Brilliant post...

[Guest American Woman]

Considering that every holy book has "unpopular" parts that are not followed, it really just backs up my view on this topic and all related topics: God is not an Author.

Of course God is not an author; people are. People also interpreted the Bible into English, and some words in the Bible had no English equivalent, so those doing the translating translated them to fit their beliefs. "Homosexuality" is one such word.

That's one of the reasons this thread is so ridiculous. All Christians don't proclaim to follow every word of the Bible, and not all Christians adhere to the same version; yet atheists are proclaiming Christians "hypocrites" for not following it verbatim.

[msj]

That's one of the reasons this thread is so ridiculous. All Christians don't proclaim to follow every word of the Bible, and not all Christians adhere to the same version; yet atheists are proclaiming Christians "hypocrites" for not following it verbatim.

Ah, AW, still don't know what this thread is about do you?

It is not about "All Christians."

It is about those that publicly, and hopefully hilariously, expose themselves to be hypocrites.

I have provided two fine examples:

1) A person (who could be Jewish) who has tattooed Leviticus 18:22 onto his shoulder while ignoring/being ignorant of Leviticus 17:28 (which states that tattoos are a no-no).

2) A restaurant chain where the president states that it operates according to Biblical principles but then chooses to serve pork in violation of Leviticus 11:8.

So, two clear examples of what I am looking for and you take it as an attack on each and every Christian as if you can speak for each and every Christian.

Even the ones who would find these stories amusing.

So, do you care to argue the two examples provided? Have any objections to them?

Or are you going to continue to take this thread down the road of whatever straw man argument is whizzing around in your head?