BIBLE UNDERSTANDING

[windowgirl]

im curious of the impressions of christians and pagans on bible text.

[wanderingmuse]

I'm not exactly sure what you are getting at.  Would you be able to be a little more specific?

[windowgirl]

i have pretty diverse spiritual beliefs myself and have never read the bible. im curious as to what christans and pagans both have to say about the bible.  what pagans view are of the bible and what christians say about there own text.

[windowgirl]

i know many people of differing faiths from vast to none at all are reading along. keep in mind this is not a normal bible conversation,  i need all views.  i personally range from spiritually minded to, we may be a scientific bloop. im reading chapter to chapter and stating my impressions.

its truly evident the bible is made up of all kinds of stories from superstitious people who were either power hungry or pagan. im interested in some of the underlying stories that maybe speak of challenges we face every day on a mundane level. if any exist at all.

[windowgirl]

we all have kids dont we. what are your wishes or fear for your kids regarding organised religion or spirituality.

[windowgirl]

what religion have you left? i am from many backgrounds. baptist, catholic, ive been to a mormon church, and am being grilled to become a jehovas witness. i was raised by my grammy who was christian, who told me all the wonderful stories of how i was going to hell if i had sex before marriage, made me go to church in her clothes because jeans were not allowed, and every time i paid a visit would talk about jesus. the witnesses dont celebrate any holidays including brithdays or mothers day, beleive only so many people are going to heaven, and that we have no souls. so these experiences have inspired me to analyze the TRUTH. does the bible really say all this crap and more. i dont think jesus wished to have been so misunderstood if there was any value to his words at all.

[BBGun]

In respect to yours or anyone else's strong beliefs and spirituality.  Without offending you, I have to say that in my opinion, the bible holds no weight with me as "God's Word"  although I think it is a brilliantly written book of lessons (many things (Old and New Testiment) that were written in it were plagiarized because they were written and recorded way before the time of Moses,)....but at times ridicules, insults and condemns many....  that because of being written in such a old naive time and by men whom are only human is understandable....so in the end it needs to be revised AGAIN.

I strongly believe that the "Bible" is the basis of major "Religions" including "Christianity" .  It has been revised in order to do the Roman Empire well in the aide of controlling the people......and I believe is still used by leaders for the same reasons today.  Many scriptures have also been omitted for political reasons. 

[MamaKalila]

Quoting windowgirl:

i know many people of differing faiths from vast to none at all are reading along. keep in mind this is not a normal bible conversation, i need all views. i personally range from spiritually minded to, we may be a scientific bloop. im reading chapter to chapter and stating my impressions.

its truly evident the bible is made up of all kinds of stories from superstitious people who were either power hungry or pagan. im interested in some of the underlying stories that maybe speak of challenges we face every day on a mundane level. if any exist at all.

I'm very confused by this...

but I'm also confused by teh question so... lol

[SabrinaMBowen]

Okay, here's just my opinion...

I am a rather proud pagan however I have read and studied the bible for a number of years.  I find it to be a mix of history, morality tails, fairy tales and myth...  Not to say that some of what is talked about is not fact...  I personally believe that most of the old testament is at least based on fact...  I am someone that believe is many gods.  (Similar to the beliefs of the ancient Romans or Greeks)  And to me it makes sense that one of those rather egosistical gods DID inspire at least part of the bible.  Even the Ten Commandments mentions other gods...  I also believe that Jesus was a real MAN.  A prophet like so many others, but not necessarily the son of God.  I do not think that the Bible was ever meant to be used the way it is today.  It was written by man and there are inconsistencies.  It was never meant to be held on high the way it is...  I think it's something that every one should read once just for a basis of knowledge, not to base there life on. 

I have also done some research on the gospel of St. Thomas, which is awesome!  If you are a spiritual person you just have to read it!