*OFFICIAL Bamabake - blackumbrella SMACKDOWN THREAD*

[wisten]

I'll keep this simple, and probably irritate everyone, but here is my take:

1) We simply cannot fathom the mind of God, so we are taught and led in the ways he thinks best. His words can seem ambiguous at times, because it is not a blue print of do's and don'ts but the Bible is more of a light for us to follow and study.

2) I think the creation is a metaphor as outlined in Genesis, can we really concieve the concept of NO TIME? God had it explained to us in a way we can understand.

3) God wants us to THINK. If not, why would we be created to BE creators? We build and destroy, study and learn, master our environment, and succomb to our environment.

4) Free will. 'Nuff Said.

5) Intelligent Design - Many of the miracled outlines in the Bible involved nature to some extent. Why wouldn't God use evolution as a means to an end? Here's something to chew on... God struck down the tower of Babble and created languages, yet the Internet and Media connects the world, as over time, we will merge into a one language planet. Why doesn't God stop this? Because of our intent. We want to explore space, ourselves, our faith, and our environment; as He intended.

6) If we are not to learn for ourselves, why have Doctors at all. Having your appendix removed is a simple procedure, yet failing to have it done will most likely be lethal. You can pray all you want, but I get the idea that God figures we know how to save that life, so we should get busy cutting.

 

[SexyBamaDr]

nice

 

[blackumbrella]

You say you disagree with the analysis because it ignores many things, notably the social cohesion of religion. However, do you think that it is the "coping device of fearful, nerveless weaklings"? Many a stronger and better man walks away from the fight. It is usually an insecure rebuttal of a man to stay and try to fight. What good does it serve, what purpose does it gain....merely only a reflection for your ego to feel better. Isn't everything done in order to satisfy the ego? Either produce pleasure or suspend pain? So I do NOT think it is the weak who use spirituality as a guiding source, but rather the stronger, better of the two. If one is driven by ego, then insecurities are packaged throughout. You can be sure of that.

Second....What direct contradictions are you speaking of? Can you please give me examples?

yes i think it's an over-simplification to say people believe in god and afterlives bc they simply can't handle the inevitable reality of their own deaths or bc supernatural beings are facile stock explanations you can plug into any uncertainty, eg--lightning=zeus' spears. about the contradictions, i'm sure there are many, some small things like: jeus riding a horse or an ***; jesus appearing to the disciples at dinner or on a mountain; the soldiers giving jesus wine or vinegar; and also bigger things whose disagreemen causes denominational splits like: as mentioned earlier, the catholic/protestant issue of works/faith alone; and the trinitarian/unitarian distinction.

 

[wisten]

You struggle with the words, and never delved into the meaning.

Can a man or woman have morales without God? Most certainly. Can a man or woman be righteous without God? Nope.

Am *I* one to judge? Nope.

 

[bamapeppy]

I understand what you write and I agree with you. However my response was on what Umbrella thought.
I do not think religion is a cover up for weak, nerveless people and I don't think you do either. It is through christ that all things are possible and the weak are made strong. I think you misunderstood my response.

I didn't misunderstand you at all. My response was to umbrella not you.

 

[blackumbrella]

sooner or later, all things must answer to the umbrella

 

[SexyBamaDr]

I didn't misunderstand you at all. My response was to umbrella not you.

my bad...

 

[SexyBamaDr]

sooner or later, all things must answer to the umbrella

you are so full of it!

 

[bayoutider]

I didn't misunderstand you at all. My response was to umbrella not you.

Hey Peppy, empty your mail. I have been trying to send you something you wanted.

 

[stammerman80]

Did I say that?

Can You Not Answer The Quetsion? Is Genesis A Metaphor?

 

[stammerman80]

Do you know, for a fact, that it does not contain metaphorical references?

I Know Fot A Fact That It Contains The Word Of God And That God Would Not Decieve UsWith Stories That Can Have More Then One Meanings. If The WordOf God Is Ambivalent Than What Actually Is The Word Of God?? Who Knows Then. But God Is Not In The Eye Of The Beholder And Neither Is Genesis. Six Days Is Six Days Or Else WhyWould It Not Say That?

 

[bamapeppy]

I Know Fot A Fact That It Contains The Word Of God And That God Would Not Decieve UsWith Stories That Can Have More Then One Meanings. If The WordOf God Is Ambivalent Than What Actually Is The Word Of God?? Who Knows Then. But God Is Not In The Eye Of The Beholder And Neither Is Genesis. Six Days Is Six Days Or Else WhyWould It Not Say That?

Six of whos days Stammerman? Is a day the same on Pluto as it is on Venus? Is a day the same to God as it is to us mortal men? The answer to both is a resounding NO. If your reasoning is synonymous with your typing skills, I can see where the problem lies. Understand, the Bible as we know it is translated from Greek and Hebrew. Another example of time in the Bible has to do with the term "Forty Days" or the number "Forty". "Forty" is a significant number to the Hebrew. It rained for "Forty days", Jesus wandered in the wilderness for "Forty Days" Moses wandered for "Forty years". Is this coincidence or is there another answer? Forty days means "A long time". It's similar to one of us saying "It's been a while". In numerology 40 is the number for "Probation or Trial".

Each day of creation has a significance and each number is significant. Faith is sometimes not enough. One must also understand.

1 - The number of unity. We are one with the lord, one baptism, one faith.

2 - The number of division. There are two testaments the old and the new. Two natures, human and divine. Two ages, this age and the age to come.

3 - The number of Perfection. We live in a trinity. Father, Son, Holy Spirit. Gas, liquid, solid. Height, width, depth. Past, present, future. And so on.

4 - Number of creation. North South East and West. There were four coverings in the tabernacle. The tabernacle was built from four materials.

5 - The number of Grace. David picked up 5 stones to fight Goliath. Israel came out of Egypt 5 in rank.

6 - The number of Man. Man was created on the 6th day. Man labors 6 days only. The Serpent was created on the 6th day. The 6th commandment is "Thou shalt not murder." Six words are used for man: Adam, ish, Enosh, gehver, anthropos, anar. Also, 6 x 6 = 36. 36 + 35 + 34 + 33 + 32 . . . 5 + 4 + 3 + 2 + 1 = 666. 666 is the number of the antichrist. This means that the name of the antichrist in Greek adds up to 666. This is a mockery of the Trinity.

7 - THE NUMBER OF SPIRITUAL PERFECTION. Seven days in a week. Seven colors in the spectrum. Seven of the 10 commandments begin with the word "not." There are 7 seals, 7 trumpets, 7 parables in Matthew, and 7 promises to the churches. There are 7 "eternals" in Hebrews.

8 - The number of New Beginnings. 8 people on Noah's Ark (2 Pet. 2:5); circumcision on 8th day (Gen. 17:12); God made 8 covenants with Abraham.

9 - The number of Judgement. There are 9 greek words derived from the root word meaning judgment. The gifts of the spirit are 9 in number (1 Cor. 12:8-10)

10 - The number of Divine Perfection. There are 10 Commandments. 1/10 is a tythe. There were 10 plagues.

12 - The number of Government Perfection. There were 12 Apostles of Christ. 12 Tribes of Israel.

I am not a Numerologist. The Book of Kings warns of using numbers in the bible to forsee things to happen. But the numbers are no coincidence in my opinion. Understand I am no Priest, Preacher or Rabbi but a mere layman in the church.

 

[jthomas666]

Can You Not Answer The Quetsion? Is Genesis A Metaphor?

Actually, the question should be, Is Genesis an Allegory (that is, a series of sustained metaphors)?

This has been a public service message from the Anal-retentive Writing Guy.

 

[Bodhisattva]

I thought Genesis was great when Peter Gabriel fronted the band. Once Phil Collins took over they became just another pop music, radio-friendly mill.

 

[jthomas666]

I thought Genesis was great when Peter Gabriel fronted the band. Once Phil Collins took over they became just another pop music, radio-friendly mill.

Bodhi got it! Genesis has to be a metaphor, because it's not literally true that "It's no fun being an illegal alien."

 

[ValuJet]

...

 

[jthomas666]

jt - you just dated yourself with reference to that line.

heh

What about Bodhi--he remembers when Gabriel was still in the group. :wink:

A few years ago, it was around bowl season, and some buddies and I were talking about the lineups. We were talking about the pathetic Cotton Bowl matchup, and one guy groused, "I remember when the Cotton Bowl meant something."

I replied, "Careful--you're dating yourself."

 

[Bodhisattva]

I became musically-cognizant in the 1980s and was forced to listen to all the Hair Bands in high school. I looked to previous generations for my musical sanctuary. Thank God for WZEW out of Fairhope, which at the time played classic rock, jazz and blues -- a refreshing alternative to the pop music of the day.

 

[bayoutider]

I'm old. I remember Phil Collins with a full head of hair.

 

[IH8Orange]

Can You Not Answer The Quetsion? Is Genesis A Metaphor?

I answered your question. You asked if I was "Saying That Genesis Is A Metaphor". I didn't say that Genesis was a metaphor, so the answer to your original question is NO. You should have been able to parse my posting and figured that out for yourself.

I don't know if none, some, or all of Genesis is a metaphor. No-one really does, including you. You may believe that it is completely literal or you may believe that it is completely metaphorical or anything in-between. It doesn't affect your ability to obey the teachings of Christ, so it really doesn't matter what you believe.