Readers Digest Explanation of the DaVinci Code?

[Moses]

Originally posted by Superman
I continue to respect Jeff's ideas and his writing skill. And I will repeat his challenge. Those of you making judgements on Christians, Catholics, Catholicism or any other related subject but who have not read the Bible.......shut up. You are parroting some other person's thinking which you have accepted at face value. If you want to discuss the Bible or Christianity with any degree of credibility, then the LEAST you must do is read the Bible.

Absolutely. Reading the bible is not like climbing Mt. Everest. It's a collection of 66 short books that average 20 pages each! (And that's in a 10 point font.)

I've read the bible and I'm not even a church goer. I think it's sort of important to have some understanding of this phenomenon that has shaped so much of the world. I've read some of the Koran, but not all. It's on my list.

After reading the bible, I recommend Paul Johnson's A History of Christianity . Great book.

[techweenie]

Originally posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts
Anyone else here draw a parallel to Scientology? Oops, just got on their hit list now...

-Wayne

Watch your mailbox for rattlesnakes!

Oh, nevermind. That was Synanon!

http://www.xenu.net/archive/go/media/al1290.htm

[Jeff Higgins]

Thanks Supe, and Moses. You two understand where I'm coming from. And by all means include the Quaran in your reading list, and The Book of Mormon, and many others. These books have shaped the world. That makes them worth reading. You will sound better when you argue about them, too.

Steve, I can not understand where you came up with your take on what I said. It's almost as if you are looking for a fight. I'm not. I'm merely suggesting that those who have not read the Bible, and other written works, should do so prior to discussing them. I have never suggested bringing religion into the workplace or government; I stand firmly against both. I merely suggested that to proclaim the Bible in the circles mentioned would likely get you drummed out of the corps by the "true believers" that populate those circles. They tend to somewhat over-react to its mere mention. Your reply, coincedently, illustrates that point very nicely. Thank you.

[stevepaa]

Jeff. Yes, people should read the Bible if they want to discuss it. I suspect most gay rights or pro abortion people would kindly say that they have their own views on Biblical teachings, and say thank you very much and good day.

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally posted by stevepaa
Jeff. Yes, people should read the Bible if they want to discuss it. I suspect most gay rights or pro abortion people would kindly say that they have their own views on Biblical teachings, and say thank you very much and good day.

Yes they do, Steve. And it is their right to have their point of view; I will never argue that. There are gay rights advocates that claim the scriptures support their views (I'm not so sure about abortion rights advocates). Many do so without having read them, and compound the problem by cherry-picking verses out of context. It is kind of a lazy approach, really. My suggestion is to read the whole thing; to get the context.

The abortion rights crowd is a different breed of cat. They denounce scripture (from what I gather) without having read much of it. I get the impression that the Bible is even more "off limits" in that crowd than the gay rights folks.

I don't want to focus on these two groups. They are certainly not alone in both their opposition to, and their lack of understanding of, the Bible. I can respect those who have read it and understand what it says, and still choose to disregard its teachings. That is their right. When folks whose only knowledge of scriptures, whose only understanding of them comes through the "generally accepted" wisdom of their inner circle; when they start to spout off authoratively about them, that I have a hard time. To paraphrase Supe, they need to shut up until they have read The Book.

[techweenie]

Originally posted by Jeff Higgins
When folks whose only knowledge of scriptures, whose only understanding of them comes through the "generally accepted" wisdom of their inner circle; when they start to spout off authoratively about them, that I have a hard time. To paraphrase Supe, they need to shut up until they have read The Book.

Does that apply to people who have not read the Koran?

I see a lot of criticism of Islam here among people I'm sure haven't read the Koran.

[nostatic]

Originally posted by Jeff Higgins
There are (insert group here) that claim the scriptures support their views. Many do so without having read them, and compound the problem by cherry-picking verses out of context.

Sadly, I've seen myriad groups do this...including many fundamentalists.

[lm6y]

Very good points Jeff.

I have read the bible, and will give you a different take. I live in the "Bible Belt". It is more important to be a "Good Christian" than to be a good person, and those things can be mutually exclusive. I believe in the Golden Rule because it's just the right thing to do, more than any religious teachings. Most people think I'm a "Good Christian" and will talk my head off, UNTIL I tell them I'm not a Christian at all, then they treat me as if I have the black plague, or am Satan himself. Actually, when someone is labeled as a "Good Christian" I keep my eye on them. They tend to be the ones that screw people the most!

I'm not picking a fight here, just merely pointing out that even those who claim to study the Bible every Sunday, are some of the most closed minded people I have ever met. THere are two sides to that coin.

Pesonally, I could not care less what deity anyone follows as long as they leave me out of it.

If you are going to be a (insert relion here), by all means do it to the best of your ability, and I sincerely hope you find the comfort you seek. I have chosen a different path, and please respect the idea that I can worship my way also without being "wrong".

After reading my reply, it reads as if it is directed towards Jeff, and it isn't. So Jeff, PLEASE don't read it that way