Updating the Genesis Creation Story

[Subduction Zone]

Sealchan said:
" Yahweh had a wife at one point..." ? I didn't know that !
Who created `Her` ?

Satan of course

 

[`mud]

Well....I asked for silly, didn't I !!
Oh...that's another thread !!

 

[InChrist]

No, I was a Christian for many years. But I don't think that I ever took the myths of Genesis literally. Most Christians do not seem to do so either. One does not have to believe the Genesis myths to be a Christian. Many stories in the Bible are allegory, fable, parables, etc..

Oh, like were you raised in a Baptist, Catholic, or other denominational atmosphere? What does being a Christian for many years mean from your perspective?

 

[Subduction Zone]

Oh, like were you raised in a Baptist, Catholic, or other denominational atmosphere? What does being a Christian for many years mean from your perspective?

I believe the Jesus story about salvation etc.. But one does not have to believe the myths of Genesis to be a Christian. I could see early on that people were in effect calling God a liar when they believed those myths and I did not believe in a lying God so I accepted what the evidence tells us. The Bible is far from perfect. It has countless errors in it. Most are rather minor, but they are still errors. If one takes an "All or nothing" stance as so many creationists do then the only logical and honest position to take would be that of "nothing". That sort of position is why creationists lose both scientific and theistic debates. They end up refuting their own beliefs with inconsistencies.

 

[InChrist]

It needs updating for the following reasons...

Scientific advances
Cultural advances (abolishment of slavery, etc)
Advances in attitudes towards sexual orientation
Increased knowledge regarding historical facts

And I'm sure there are other reasons. I might make this it's own thread.

The Bible contains spiritual knowledge that should not be lost in this but it could be augmented. I also think that character representation for the Goddess should be restored. Yahweh had a wife at one point and it very much shows in the Biblical text how the woman's perspective was severely diminished.

I suppose then you don't believe the Bible is God's Spirit-led and inspired Word and is as God wants it to be. How do you feel qualified to update it?

 

[InChrist]

I believe the Jesus story about salvation etc.. But one does not have to believe the myths of Genesis to be a Christian. I could see early on that people were in effect calling God a liar when they believed those myths and I did not believe in a lying God so I accepted what the evidence tells us. The Bible is far from perfect. It has countless errors in it. Most are rather minor, but they are still errors. If one takes an "All or nothing" stance as so many creationists do then the only logical and honest position to take would be that of "nothing". That sort of position is why creationists lose both scientific and theistic debates. They end up refuting their own beliefs with inconsistencies.

How do you believe the accounts concerning Jesus and/or salvation? Has there ever been scientific evidence of anyone being raised from the dead as Jesus and the scriptures claim took place for victory over sin and death?

When you say you were a Christian for many years, what do you mean? I'm just interested because I was raised Catholic. I thought I was a Christian for many years, until I actually met Jesus and was born again.

 

[Subduction Zone]

I suppose then you don't believe the Bible is God's Spirit-led and inspired Word and is as God wants it to be. How do you feel qualified to update it?

"Inspired" does not mean free from error. And not even the Bible makes that error about it that you just made.

 

[Subduction Zone]

How do you believe the accounts concerning Jesus and/or salvation? Has there ever been scientific evidence of anyone being raised from the dead as Jesus and the scriptures claim took place for victory over sin and death?

When you say you were a Christian for many years, what do you mean? I'm just interested because I was raised Catholic. I thought I was a Christian for many years, until I actually met Jesus and was born again.

I no longer do believe the salvation story. The Bible has some good morals in it, but it fails in many ways too. And please, don't play the no true Scotsman game. I am going to repeat that one does not have to believe the myths of Genesis to be a Christian. When I was a Christian I could not believe in a lying God so I treated Genesis as a morality tale.

 

[InChrist]

"Inspired" does not mean free from error. And not even the Bible makes that error about it that you just made.

Are you saying that God could or would inspire error?

 

[InChrist]

I no longer do believe the salvation story. The Bible has some good morals in it, but it fails in many ways too. And please, don't play the no true Scotsman game. I am going to repeat that one does not have to believe the myths of Genesis to be a Christian. When I was a Christian I could not believe in a lying God so I treated Genesis as a morality tale.

What does one have to believe to be a Christian, from your perspective?

 

[Subduction Zone]

Are you saying that God could or would inspire error?

The God of the Bible is far from perfect. He may not have meant to, but he displayed human levels of incompetence more than once.

 

[Subduction Zone]

What does one have to believe to be a Christian, from your perspective?

the basic Jesus story is all that is required. That true belief leads to redemption.

 

[`mud]

Reading this thread tells me that Sub might be an atheist,
but he's still pretty much a Christian, sans `god` or not.

 

[InChrist]

the basic Jesus story is all that is required. That true belief leads to redemption.

What is the basic Jesus story?

 

[`mud]

Treat others as you should treat yourself with your love and forgiving.

 

[Subduction Zone]

Reading this thread tells me that Sub might be an atheist,
but he's still pretty much a Christian, sans `god` or not.

Thank you, I will take that as the compliment that it seems to be.

 

[Subduction Zone]

What is the basic Jesus story?

That Jesus atoned for our sins. That if one believes and repents that one will be saved. The rest is pretty much window dressing. I have seen far too many Christians that seem to think that belief alone is enough, but belief is demonstrated by atonement. In other words one must do more than "talk the talk".

 

[InChrist]

That Jesus atoned for our sins. That if one believes and repents that one will be saved. The rest is pretty much window dressing. I have seen far too many Christians that seem to think that belief alone is enough, but belief is demonstrated by atonement. In other words one must do more than "talk the talk".

Do you mean Jesus atoned for our sins when He died on the cross? Is His resurrection and victory over death also part of the Jesus story? Anyway, as an atheist am I to assume you don't believe any of this now, but at one time you did?
I'm not sure why exactly you've referred to far too many Christians who merely talk the talk, but don't live the talk. It may be true there are too many claiming to be Christians who don't live it, but they are not...Jesus and I don't think discount who Jesus is or what His message is.

 

[Subduction Zone]

Do you mean Jesus atoned for our sins when He died on the cross? Is His resurrection and victory over death also part of the Jesus story? Anyway, as an atheist am I to assume you don't believe any of this now, but at one time you did?
I'm not sure why exactly you've referred to far too many Christians who merely talk the talk, but don't live the talk. It may be true there are too many claiming to be Christians who don't live it, but they are not...Jesus and I don't think discount who Jesus is or what His message is.

Yes, that is story. Didn't they teach you that? And please, don't try to claim that others are not "true Christians" because by those standards you probably are not one either. The resurrection is mere window dressing. There was no need for that. It makes a good tale and helps to sell the belief.

 

[InChrist]

"Inspired" does not mean free from error. And not even the Bible makes that error about it that you just made.

Another way of expressing inspired is God-breathed. From my perspective, if God inspired or breathed out the scriptures and the message/information included then there is no possibility of error.