The Bible versus the KoranFollow

um...

Nearly every theologian I know understands at least the languages of their specialty. Most religious studies people do too, unless they deal with mainly NRMs.

He'll have to float around in the air with a halo, and cause people to start sprouting wings and vanishing. Otherwise he's most likely prison-bound, or a dead man, or both.

Right, but we're not discussing whether or not Christianity is valid, I was just pointing out that you know nothing about theology. If you're discussing theology or hermeneutics, it behooves you to actually know something about the subject. Of course I'm well aware this is too much to ask from you in this particular area.

Again, this is the part where you are wrong about theology. Either re-read my post or read Jophiels to see why.

The conspiracy part was in referal to your absurd claim that somehow people figured out the translation of that one word in the 60's. Your reading comprehension is at an all time low here.

Edited, May 19th 2009 2:49pm by Xsarus

[quote]So, unless I am a practicing student of theology, I'm not allowed to have an opinion on religion? Ok. Gotcha. Religion of tolerance my *************

Of course you can...

It's nice if your opinion isn't a lot of unoriginal **** that a 12 year old could devise though.

You've exhibited blind hate and an almost willful ignorance of the subject. You don't seem to want to learn, or even listen, to anything good anyone has to say about religious beliefs, and when you go into a discussion with that attitude, you really can't expect that anyone is going to take you seriously when you start being all derisive and dismissive.

First. I dont hate anyone or anything. I'm a little surprised, Pensive, that you would apply that word to me.

Wilfull ignorance?? Hmmm.... I spent 17 years travelling the world pretty non-stop for one reason or another (Independantly, not i the military or an NGO) and was keen to experience as much as I possibly could.

That included spending time with followers of Islam and Judaism and of course Christianity in the Middle East. Hard core Catholicism and the various Mayan beliefs in Central America, Hinduism, Bhudism, Jainism, Sikhism and animists in various parts of Asia, two 5 day Kala Chakra meditations in the company of the Dalai Lama in the high Himalaya, as well as some interesting times spent in the company of Evangelicals in the USA and East Africa, as well of the usual run of the mill Christians and wotnots of various parts of Europe and its various outposts around the world. Some of the Temples, shrines, churches synagogues and mosques I've been to have stunned me to tears with their beauty and sheer presence. But then again so have some of the natural sights of the world as well.

So while I may not have studied Christianity or any other religion in any sort of formal way, I have spent enough time in the company of followers of various religions to know that, on the whole, they are as fine a group of people you could ever hope to meet.

But if there is one thing that pisses me off, its the literal "Holier than Thou" attitude that makes people spew rubbish such as "its in the bible/koran, and thats a historicaly factual book,'cos my preacher/iman/rabbi told me so yup, nyuk nyuk".

I've listened. Plenty. And with the occasional notable exception, conversations about religion, especially in the 'West', often devolve into an aggressive/ paranoid defence that ends up with someone saying something along the line of 'you dont want to understand, because you hate us'.

If that is the best someone can come up with in defence of their belief system, then why should I be impressed with it? Why shouldn't I take the **** and laugh? Its all it deserves.

If on the other hand an individual wants to show me why they believe, why they need to believe, in their own words, from the heart, as it were, then I will respect their beliefs.

I may not agree with them, but I will respect them.

EXCEPT THE JEWS!!!!

I get that, but you don't need to be an Islamic scholar to convert to Islam

No, but you'd hear the Koran in Arabic, pretty much all over the world, and there would be some expectation that you'd learn some Arabic as part of your practice of the faith. It *really is* more significant than in most religions.

So while I may not have studied Christianity or any other religion in any sort of formal way, I have spent enough time in the company of followers of various religions to know that, on the whole, they are as fine a group of people you could ever hope to meet.

Really? I've never noticed any lesser level of douchebagery in any religious group. Or secular group, really. The douchebag distribution really seems pretty level to me.

So you're just ranting at people about a problem that everyone recognizes in the world, but no one has identified with in the thread?




The difference between blind hate and comic derision is that one of them actually addresses the things that present company says.

Speaking of neurotic Jews and Woody Allen movies, is there anything more perfect than Larry David starring in one?

Speaking of neurotic Jews and Woody Allen movies, is there anything more perfect than Larry David starring in one?

If David Schwimmer were the love interest?

So what? There are 1.3 million people living in San Diego, compared to 637 people living in Plains Georgia. My experiences with regard to the rate at which religious folks spout such things compared to how often other people rail against religious folks spouting such things would seem to be vastly more representative.

Don't you agree?