2008-07-11 - Rider Down, NW11

I take it you have not read the bible ? I am being serous here, apologies if I appear sarcastic I don't mean to be !! :) (it is hard on a forum to ask direct questions like this without sounding sarcastic!)

"(i.e. don't kill people, don't steal their shit, don't rape people etc etc etc)"

Are you honestly telling me that the bible does not sanction killing / murder (I am sticking with the Hebrew 'ratsach' for this little controversy!), rape, genocide, torture, human sacrifice, infanticide, patricide, the killing of homosexuals, slavery, sexual slavery etc etc ?!?!

Seriously ?

Anyhow, when he (Pajamamamamas) said Jesus' teachings were/are good rules, my question would be from where is he reading this ?

Is he saying that in the Bible Jesus lays down good rules for us to follow - or are these rules exobiblical ?

Simply, is he getting these rules/guides from the Bible ?

oh i get it.. no, I am distinguishing Jesus's teachings from the Bible as a whole, which anyone should do. The Bible is divided into Old Testament which is largely of Jewish origin and is included as a foundation for the culture and teachings Jesus was working from within. The New Testament is his teachings and the early attempts to develop them by others. Even some of those developments I have a problem with and are the start of the problems in my opinion - but it's very difficult to fuck with the Jesus...

and yeah, I would say there are subtleties in his teachings which go way beyond being merely exobiblical or common sense / decency.

oh dear I'm sounding like a proper "Jesus is Magic".. I think I just know a bit about it to for once disagree with someone and say, "hmmm, no I don't think he is a cock." The fact that the knowledge I have comes from a Catholic background I have major problems with I would hope is proof I ain't a religious nut - however, I think I'm with Smiling Buddha on the pisstaking/contempt thing. The idiots in most situations in life make the reast of us look bad - lots of people find a religious structure in their lives help them to be better people, not more closed. The simple work a lot of people do through their religious bases (soup runs, care for the elderly etc.) cannot be fucked with and taken the piss out of. Yep it's possible to do that off your own back as an aetheist - it doesn't change the fact Hare Krishna, Muslims, Jews, Christians etc. all work co-operatively side by side in the real world to help those in need - all in the name of their religious convictions.

Unusually heavy postings from the pajamas.