Group Coerced Censorship

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

I am aware that a similar discussion is/was being carried out in another thread containing similar "I don't believe the Bible" statements and I am not trying to hijack this one but I do have question based on your statement. Mostly out of curiousity.

My question is this - When you say "I don't believe in the Bible" are you saying that you don't believe it as a historical document - i.e. that the information contained it is historically inaccurate? Are you saying that you don't believe in its use as a teaching guide (regardless of the particular christian sect)? Are you saying their are certain principles you believe are contained in the Bible that you disagree with (i.e. - the existence of God)?

I don't "believe in" the Bible. Rather, the Bible provides guidance and insight to me in following my beliefs. I have certain beliefs about how the Bible was written and created, but, again, I do not consider this "believing in" the Bible. Instead, it is beliefs about the Bible.

Many people say they do or don't "believe in the Bible". I am just curious as to what it is you don't "believe" about it.

Yeah you're right, it's a pretty broad statement. A summary of my beliefs:

- I don't believe there is a God, a heaven, or a hell.

- I believe that a guy named Jesus existed claiming to be the son of God, because that's been established as historical fact.

- I think a lot of the stories written in the Bible about the amazing things Jesus did, like walking on water, curing the sick, etc. are made up.

- But I do think that the teachings of Jesus, and the way he taught people to live their lives, are great ways to live your life. I'm skeptical of the existence of a higher power, and basically skeptical of believing in anything that has no scientific evidence to indicate it exists. But regardless, I'd like to live my life like Jesus because it just feels like the morally right way to live.

[JoeRedskin]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

Yeah you're right, it's a pretty broad statement. A summary of my beliefs:

- I don't believe there is a God, a heaven, or a hell.

- I believe that a guy named Jesus existed claiming to be the son of God, because that's been established as historical fact.

- I think a lot of the stories written in the Bible about the amazing things Jesus did, like walking on water, curing the sick, etc. are made up.

- But I do think that the teachings of Jesus, and the way he taught people to live their lives, are great ways to live your life. I'm skeptical of the existence of a higher power, and basically skeptical of believing in anything that has no scientific evidence to indicate it exists. But regardless, I'd like to live my life like Jesus because it just feels like the morally right way to live.

Fair enough. Actually, this is a pretty accurate description of my beliefs approximately 15 or so years ago.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

Fair enough. Actually, this is a pretty accurate description of my beliefs approximately 15 or so years ago.

Interesting to see that things changed for you. I plan to always keep an open mind about it. Maybe something will compell me to make the leap of faith in the future, and forget the fact that there's just no scientific evidence. Who knows.

As of now though, I'm too hung up on the no evidence thing.

[djnemo65]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

Yeah you're right, it's a pretty broad statement. A summary of my beliefs:

- I don't believe there is a God, a heaven, or a hell.

- I believe that a guy named Jesus existed claiming to be the son of God, because that's been established as historical fact.

- I think a lot of the stories written in the Bible about the amazing things Jesus did, like walking on water, curing the sick, etc. are made up.

- But I do think that the teachings of Jesus, and the way he taught people to live their lives, are great ways to live your life. I'm skeptical of the existence of a higher power, and basically skeptical of believing in anything that has no scientific evidence to indicate it exists. But regardless, I'd like to live my life like Jesus because it just feels like the morally right way to live.

Well said and I agree 100 percent.

As for the media conviction of Falwell I think it's quite the opposite. He was allowed to maintain a media presence - appearing as an "expert" on panel discussions until his death - in spite of saying bitter hateful things that would have had anyone else tarred and feathered. Compare some of the disgusting things Falwell said over his career with what got Imus canned, and you will see that Reverend Falwell was much much worse.

Falwell will go down historically as the person most responsible for fusing politics and religion, and for that I would hope he is reserved a special spot in hell if I believed in hell, which I don't.