Think about it this way. Its a way to check that the translation from its original Classical Greek text is accurate.

Besides, the term "man" is often used to refer to "mankind" which means "human kind".

God has a good sense humor look at the people he/she lets post here, myself included.

If you read the Bible, God Created Man in His own Image. Then as Adam Slept he took a rib out and made a mate for Adam named Eve. Then Eve tricked Adam. So thats why Man is above woman. But Adam fell for the trick, so thats why I have to work everyday.

Last night I dreamed I'd died and gone to heaven and met God. Boy, was she pissed off at us honkeys! That being said, Tradition says man, leave it alone. Everyone knows that "mankind" refers to all people. Only bigots and fools think God would care to discriminate against women. Since He is not a bigot or fool, She does not care how we refer to It. Get the picture? Leave it alone. To be honest, IF there is a God, I truly doubt that the Being in question cares whether we even worship It. It would be much happier if we would just stop killing the unborn and the innocent. If we only kill animals for food or mercy, and only killed humans in self defense, the whole world would be better off.

somebody holds a copyright on the bible?!?

You'd think that by now it would be in the public domain.

Revelation 22

¹⁸For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

¹⁹And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Ho

Amen!!

Modernize it and change some gender terms?

I'd like to see your contract, to do that. Fortunately I still have the Bible, my other gave me in 1980. I'll talk with God tonight to see if He says it's okay for you to change.

Have to tell you friends, you have a lot more courage, than me.

How can the word of God be Revised?

Simple. It"s not the word of God, but of MAN.

That would be blaspheme. To change thee and thou to you and me is not changing the meaning of the scripture. Changing gender so that it will fit your lifestyle is something totally different. The words ofthe bible are God breathed, I think if he wrote homosexuality is an abomination, then that's what it is. If He signified Paul as male and John as male, Mary as female, that's probably how it was. Stop trying to make the bible fit the world. The world is wicked and immoral because it has forgotten God's love and warnings.

Guess we should all read it in the original Aramaic, Hebrew and Greek, then.

Why do you think there are so may different translations? It's because translating, as it turns out, can be a bit of an imperfect science. Especially when it comes to tense, gender and pronouns.

Acknowledging past missteps, the NIV's overseers are promising that this time, the revision process will be more transparent and that they will actively promote what they describe as a long-held practice of inviting input from scholars and readers.

So let me get this straight. Everyone gets to have a say in how something in this book get re-intrepreted? How nice. And they wonder why some of us think the book is full of bunk

If "man" means human kind, then what about that Leviticus verse talking about how man shouldn't sleep with man?

Shall we assume that no one should ever sleep with anyone? I suppose that was just fine back when the aliens were building the pyramids and cloning reptile/human manimals (just like the 70s TV show), but once they all took off at about 3,000 BC for other adventures in space, then what?

what god are you refering too?

in genisis it reads "And god said let US make man in OUR image.

how many gods are there? i was always taught that there was only one,,but as i got older and started to think for my self and question things i reread the bible and found several instances where god is refered to as plural.

the bible is nothing but a bunch of stories written to control man by the powers of the church,,,,none of it was written by god,,,,if there really is a god im certian he had nothing at all to do with the writing of this book,,so let man rewrite and reword the book its not like it really matters anyway,,its been done so many times already that it reads nothing anywhere close to the orignal text

I have a hard time with sacrificing two doves (or two young pigeons) for cleansing the body after semen discharges. (Leviticus 15:14,15)

Doves don't come cheap these days, that's for sure! Besides, my neighbors are complaining about all the bird droppings. They, apparently, aren't very good Christians, but I'm not one to judge.

I have a hard time with sacrificing two doves (or two young pigeons) for cleansing the body after semen discharges. (Leviticus 15:14,15)

Doves don't come cheap these days, that's for sure! Besides, my neighbors are complaining about all the bird droppings. They, apparently, aren't very good Christians, but I'm not one to judge.

ROFL!!

Halp... Typing... from... floor...

Just leave the Bible alone. If you start changing things in it and watering it down all the time, pretty soon, all your going to have is another koran. We don't need that.

Revelation 22

¹⁸For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

¹⁹And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

In the above quote, John is speaking only about the book of Revelation. Not the entire Bible.
MaryAnn, maybe the author of the article is trying to make the article more user friendly. Inviting input is the same as asking counsel. Proverbs tells us that "There is safety in a multitude of counselors". Just because they get the input, doesn't mean they'll follow it.
However, one thing that concerns me, and perhaps their openness will lay my fears to rest, is how the deception that has gone out into this world began with declaring the Bible to be of man's invention, and full of error. The gay community has taken it one step further and proclaim that the Bible was rewritten time and time again to accomodate society, and that because of this fact, there was no reference to homosexuality in the Bible until around the 17th century. I can easily refute this deception, having been a student of the "original manuscripts" for all of my adult life, however in that the god of this world has blinded them, they cannot understand that they believe a lie, even should someone prove the lie for what it is.

Has anyone ever played the telephone game? Who knows what is correct at this point? Timmay!

I agree. The King James version is as good as it gets. Remember that these weren't Christians who wrote the Old Testatment. They were Israelites. Christ was a Jew, and many of his teaching were aimed toward converting the Jews to the Gospel. Every time the Bible is "revised" the revisionists use today's language, today's "political correctness", and the Gospel of Jesus Christ as it has been judged by Theologians and scholars. Christians cannot communicate if part of them use one version of the Bible, another uses another version of the Bible, etc.

Levi777,

Well, some of us believe that "your kind" (Christians/catholics) are blinded and believing a lie.

Don't get me wrong, its fine to believe in a diety. But to think that *he* sent you a book that has stayed in-tack through countless re-copies and revisions? Excuse us if we will continue to believe you are being deceived by a book written by men in power in order to subdue the weak and illiterate.

And to believe that the suffering that goes on (wars, rapes, genocides, etc.) is God's will and one deserve it because of "original sin"? How dumb is that!? Oh, but don't worry, you'll have treasures in heaven. (that last part is sarcastic)

Safety in a multitude of Counselors"? Fine. But who, in the past, has had the final word? The Pope? A Cardinal? Or the King or Emperor of the time? The King/Emp I would say, since history is FULL of accounts of Kings "appointing" the hierarchy of the church with people who will do as he says.

And lets keep the gay community out of this. You are just showing your homophobia. There are quite alot of people, from ALL walks of life, from ALL countries, who see the deception of this book.

" In Genesis I, God created "human beings" in his own image instead of "man."

So, in Genesis I was there more than one Adam created initially? And when Eve was created, is she called a "human being" instead of a woman?

Why not translate by using the clearly defined terme used in the original writings? Next, they'll start referring to GOD in the feminine gender.

This sounds like a great way to stir up controversy, but a poor way to treat GOD'S word. I guess it's more important to please fickle men (and women) than to render an accurate translation.

irideon2wheels "what god are you refering too? in genisis it reads "And god said let US make man in OUR image."

If you refer to Colossians 1: 15-16, you will see that Jesus was the first thing created, and then all other things were created "through" him, so there is only one GOD., and Genesis I makes perfect sense.

I didn't realize God had authorized updates.

If he hadn't authorized updates, you'd be reading that Bible in Hebrew ONLY.

Anyone reading the Bible in any language other than that is playing with fire. Literally. Think about it.

God didn't write ANY versions of the bible. Men did.

It's obvious the bible was written in a way that empowered men over women.

OK! people here it is we are entitle to judgment, every time we make a choice we judged the content and value of it, we have the right to make judgment, we cannot take it upon oneself to punish, that is up to God's law or the government laws to do so ... so go on and make sound judgement, about the life your want to live and the action you want to leave imprinted in to your history you will be judged here on earth and will be prosecuted by the law here on earth and by God up in heaven...

God is forgiven of true repentence though ponishment is not whitheld, consecuence follow even after repentence is part of repentence to indure consecuence for or erroneus actions or mistake.

I am sorry that you are sorry. I see that you are sorry. You are sorry and I see that. You are just plain sorry. I see just how sorry you are. I can see that.

Man once separated, by choice, from God found a huge void. To fill the void, man has continually tried to defined God in his own understanding of what God should be. The problem is, once man redefines God in his own limit terms, God ceases to be god.

The gender language was passed down for years because it was understood to be interpreted that way. Modern second guessing is unacceptable.

Well, now we will have a politically correct Bible. By the way, I have always wondered: is the Bible copywrited? If so by whom?

Let's see... I don't like that verse so I'll modify it to say what I want it to say and then claim that it's the perfect word of God. Maybe I can get a bunch of people to vote on my changes to add some 'weight' to my changes. BTW, I believe that God doesn't change, but what He had his prophets write must change so I can still believe the way I want and claim to 'follow Chirst'... even though I don't accept a lot of what He taught! Appearances are more important than living an old religion anyhow.

let's put Mary in there, Mary the Disciple Where is the Gospel of Mary that was purged and people were burned for reading?

not Mary the lowly hooker or Mary the virgin-Mary the invisible and disregarded

Let us be thankful we live in a time when the Catholic church won't burn us alive for not believing how they want us to

HOOEY revised!

"Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish [ought] from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you."

-Deuteronomy 4:2

If you havent read the Bible, how can you comment on this issue?

When I took courses in college, in order to say that I READ the text I needed to be able to explain what it was trying to communicate, to expound upon its characters and themes, and summarize its pages, chapters, and verses briefly, accurately, and truthfully. Whether or not I chose to believe something other than what the text communicated was questionable, but I couldnt contribute to the debate if I did not fully understand the differences between what I believed and what the text said. In order to do this, I had to study the text without twisting, distorting, or otherwise altering its premises, themes, and so on.

In short, it is less than wise of many of you to distort a conversation on the book with  ill-informed comments. If you really want to have a voice in this debate, study the content and know what you are talking about, dont come with opinion. I am simply asking that the Bible be given the honor that is due to it. You may not believe it, but if you havent read it, keep your opinions to yourself and leave the debate to those have read it and can make decisions based on understanding, not feelings. Lets respect the literature that is in question here.

So do you believe in keeping all 10 of the commandments as originally written? Remember that includes the 4th. And it says the seventh day, not the first. And no servile work means, don't go to your job, don't go shopping, don't mow the lawn, etc, but to keep it Holy. (Set apart for God).

How about this: 'In the beginning God put everything in the same place at the same time and it exploded. The particles of the Universe spread throughout space. Some particles became bright gaseous lights, stars, while others hardened and became planets, others were great gas giants. On one of the hardened planets, revolving around a mid-sized sun, God created the conditions so that life could evolve. About four billion years ago the tiniest of organisms emerged in the planet that is now called Earth. In time, and over billions of years, life evolved, some forms of life flourished then died. After larg lizard type creatures flourished over many millions of years, a giant meteor struck the Earth and killed those large creatures. This allowed mammals to grow and evolve and, about one hundred thousand years ago, a creature known as human beings, evolved and ruled the earth.'

As long as they're updating the Bible, how about a warning label on the outside cover:

"WARNING! Creationism is only one theory of the origin of life. Contains graphic violence, sexual, and racist content. Use with care!"

Yeah, this is them admitting the whole thing is man made...

Pure Capitalism says "Pretty soon, the Bible will just be a story book for those people in the future who have advanced beyond religion. They will laugh and say things like "I cant believe people actually believed these things.""

For those of us with a brain and some intelligence - It already is and we already do.

We are just waiting for the rest of humanity to catch up.

No modern christian I know really follows this book verbatim anyway, they all pick and choose what fits their particular needs today and ignore anything that they find interferes with their pursuit of money or personal pleasure.

I really miss the public stonings for adultury it sure would make republican and democratic town hall meetings more entertaining and bipartisan and the citizens could actually feel like they finally got a politicians attention.

"No modern christian I know really follows this book verbatim anyway, they all pick and choose what fits their particular needs today and ignore anything that they find interferes with their pursuit of money or personal pleasure."

Too True. A recent conversation with a very religious associate revealed that they believed it didn't matter what they did...that God would never banish His children to he!! no matter what they did. This person also happens to be one of the greediest and most hypocritical people I know.

"I really miss the public stonings for adultury it sure would make republican and democratic town hall meetings more entertaining and bipartisan and the citizens could actually feel like they finally got a politicians attention."

I would be satisfied if religious people were just a little less hypocritical. Jesus said little about homosexuality...but a lot about helping out the poor. But we all know which one gets most of the air time every day. I believe that most religious followers have good intentions. The problem is that, by their nature, they are easily led into supporting the wrong causes.

I believe that most religious followers have good intentions.

They say the road to Hell is paved with good intentions....

they believed it didn't matter what they did...that God would never banish His children to he!! no matter what they did.

I was recently having a religious debate with a "thumper" (who by the way, began his christian monologue with the very Jesus-like statement ..... "Atheists are the sh*ts I take everyday"... lovely no?) and everytime he felt cornered, are threatened by logic and facts, he would lash out with nasty insults... and then when called out on his hypocritical, ungodly behavior, he would say... "I will ask God for forgiveness later, and be forgiven... God knows I have a temper..."

So basically, by his logic, he can do, or say whatever he wants... offend or even hurt others, knowing full well that he will be forgiven, because he will ask it of his imaginary friend later. There are no consequences!!! The victim of his actions is irrelevant. God has forgiven him.... end of story.

That is some friggin moral loophole...

V- as an agnostic, I must call your friend what he is- A complete and total hypocrite, deserving nothing but contempt. I have met many Christians who Jesus would be proud of. I have met many atheists of whom he would have felt the same about. Same for ones he would have been embarrassed to feel obligated to forgive. But forgiveness of sincere repentance has nothing to do with consistant and constant "sinning" If there is a HeII, your friend will probably be forced into a visit before God asks him what he thinks now about his stupid behaviour. NO LOOPHOLES. If you believe it, live it. PERIOD.

Rational, I agree. Did you like my comment about the 300 million years?

YUP. Simple intelligence would also suggest that until "GOD" declared it so, he could take as long a "DAY" as he wanted.

Not everyone moves on to the newest waterdown version everytime someone one feels like printing one. It's just people creating new churches that teach watered down values.

"On the first day God created the Heavens and the Earth".... How long was one of God's days prior to creating the Heavens and Earth..... and where does it say that God's day is our day?

It isn't already just a storybook?

Anyone here ever read the original ancient hebrew books or the ancient greek? No!? Well, obviously there are no Christians or Jews left in the world, only wannabees and people that think they know what they might have meant 1000 translations ago because God told them in a dream that they were right and everyone else was wrong. See how easy it is to commit genocide on a whole belief system? Just let them exist and poof they'll destroy themselves and not even know it.

Oh and if there is anyone left in the world with the knowledge of ancient dead languages, what makes you think that these authors, the same people that thought the earth was flat and stars were spirits, were any more knowledgable about God, than our current two year olds.

Exactly. What would you do if someone came up to you today and said GOD talks to them. Would you believe them unconditionally and follow them as you do the bible?

Pretty soon, the Bible will just be a story book for those people in the future who have advanced beyond religion. They will laugh and say things like "I cant believe people actually believed these things."

Well yeah, I hope so!

It's called choice. We all make our choice. Good or evil. Right or wrong. Believe or don't belive. It's all up to YOU. So, it's not complicated at all.

Anyone here ever read the original ancient hebrew books or the ancient greek?

Only an unschooled, low IQ laborer would dare think that one had to have the absolute original texts, or else be without the truth of the original. Ever read Moby Dick? How do you know? How do you know that the quote you read today is what someone actually said yesterday? All we have are copies of copies of copies. Someone who doesn't want to believe will find any excuse, no matter how ridiculous, to reject the truths of the Bible.

Understanding that it is without question that the 66 books of the Bible were written over a course of thousands of years, and the characters mostly were not contemporaries, simple scholarly research will reveal much that gives validity to the copies of copies of copies we have today.

For example, Jesus fulfilled almost 400 prophecies about Himself. The odds of that happening are so far out as to be almost impossible.

The Dead Sea Scrolls. Some 1500 fragments of the Old Testament scriptures. When translated, lo and behold, no difference of any signifigance from today's translations.

Archeology goes quite far in verifying historical accounts in the Bible.

It's not hard to believe, unless you don't want to believe. And then the anger just gits ya, doesn't it? How can we simpletons believe this book of fairy tales! Do you have that same anger at the kid with purple hair? How about fireworks on fourth of July? How about anything that's different than you...do you have the same kind of anger? Probably not. Faith isn't so hard. All ya gotta do is believe. But then Jesus did say faith in Him would be a "stumbling block"....oh wait, modern language..."somethin' that will trip yo fool self up"

Jesus didn't write down all his prohecies BEFORE they happened.

The only proof you have that all the events in the bible really happened, are the words of the MEN that wrote about it.

Everything was written AFTER the fact.

I don't dispute that today's version of the bible is very close to the original versions in Aramaic/Hebrew.

I just recognize that the original was written by men who wrote what they pesonally believed. They could have been ingesting hallucinogenic compunds for all any of us know.

I can write about a person who lived long ago and embellish/make up all kinds of things about them, but use just enough "facts" to claim it as the "truth". Others could say my story was historically accurate if I got the names, DOB, and places correct. Doesn't mean the story is truthful.

As a child, I was taught that God was a he

I envisioned God sittin up on a cloud with a p****.

Was also told I was going to burn in hell a few hundred times as a child, and beaten a lot. LOL I lived in the Bible Belt LOL, - the area of the USA with the highest rates of incest, child abuse, domestic violence, children living in poverty, racism, etc.

I guess I got real twisted on religion when granny would get out of her Church Of Christ all dressed up to impress everyone there and come home and beat the hell out of us (spare the rod, etc), threaten us with 2X4s. Never hugged us though lol

Granny was a true Christian LMAO!!!!

Pure Capitalism

The Bible does not say "On the first day God created the Heavens and the Earth". It says "In the beginning God created the Heavens and the Earth. A proper translation of verse two is "And the Earth became chaotic and confused". Most people read right past this an don't realize that an incalculable amount of time could take place between verses 1 and 2. You say 100 million years? Why not 100 billion years.

rrobeson, exactly where in the Bible does it make mention of the earth being flat?

Okay, I have to ask, because it's been thrown out there before...if God loves everybody, how come he hates gays? Aren't gays part of everybody? And how do we know God hates gays? Did He actually tell someone, or are they merely making assumptions based on their interpretation of the current translation? And if God made man (humankind, etc.) in Their image, wouldn't that include homosexuality? Could not this be interpreted as God created homosexuality in an effort to control population while still allowing everyone the chance to find and experience Love? It does, after all, occur in nature (other than humans).

I have no problems with God, but I do have some issues with organized religion.

American Lobo, that's okay if you don't want to believe. Heaven WILL be populated because that is the will of the Father. Everything in heaven has a place, and for those such as you that are blinded by the god of this world, and have elevated your own reasoning to the status of a god in your life, there is no place for you. Do you think that makes anyone happy? It does not. Except maybe the devil.

What you and so many others fail to understand is Divine Inspiration. Tell me, how can Isaiah, who lived some 700 years before Jesus, describe a crucifixion, even before it was invented? Further, how could he describe in exacting detail, the crucifixion of Jesus Christ? You could reject any archeological, scholastic, extra-Biblical evidences, and continue to claim that someone after Jesus's time wrote the book of Isaiah, and any apologist or scholar of any merit would smile at you, and say, "Next!" How about the city of Jericho? The curse pronounced upon Jericho by Joshua in Joshua 6:26, and then the terrible fate that befell the children of Hiel of Bethel. (1 Kings 16:34) Still, no matter the proof, I know that you will think these cleverly devised fables. May the God of heaven grant you repentance and understanding.

And IndyPendant, why do you think God hates gays? And you err in using the plural word "Their", when talking about God making man in His image. It's a Hebrew idiom to use the plural, but it doesn't translate into English that way. I know that some Christians have gone to great lengths to pronounce judgement on homosexuals, even to the point of screaming that God hates them. You can relax, and believe that they do not speak for God. God hates sin. Period. He hates sin because it wounds, it hurts, it causes misery, it violates. Further, He is holy, which means set apart from all else, pure. Sin cannot come into His presence, no more than darkness can remain when a light is turned on. That's why Jesus died on the cross. He paid the penalty for the sin (death) and since it was among other things a legal victory, it can be applied across the board for all who believe, if they will come to Him. All He asks is our lives. Imagine if you will, eternity. What do you think makes time? Is it not the Sun, Moon and stars going around in circles, in their orbit? Does that mean that time is different when we are away out of the range of influence of the sun, moon and stars? How about if the sun, moon and stars cease to exist? Would there still be time? I admit it's a bit inconcievable, but these are valid points. So, in that the book of Revelation...the last book of the Bible...tells us that these will indeed cease to exist, and if indeed this ushers in eternity (which God is already in eternity, and time has no effect on Him, even though He understands it, and created it for our benefit), what are we to think about our 70 years, give and take a few, on this earth? Isn't it rather something like a spit in the river? And if sin cannot be in God's presence, it must be thrust away from Him. That's the kind view. And indeed there is a kindness to God, that beckons all to come and rest from their struggles. "Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me for I am gentle, and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls; for My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

Does that sound like God hates gays?

The whole world is under the grip of sin. I mean, who can deny it? Wars, sickness, hatred, jealousies, murders, on and on and on. Yet in the midst of it all, there is also the bright and shining; People who spend their lives to better the lives of others, or to save a life. And what is a holy, pure, loving, righteous God to do? He sees the possibilites of mankind. He sees what we are capable of, both the evil and the good. And so He say's "Come to Me..."

It pleases no one, these baseless and disproven arguments against God and His word. He sent Jesus to this earth, and we would spit in His face, and deny what is plainly evident. It is true that God is pure love. He defines love. He also is pure justice, and He defines justice, even as He is pure wrath and defines wrath. He also is perfectly in control, and is not subject to emotions as we are. While His love gives Him happy feelings, especially when we shower our love on Him, His justice and wrath are equally complete, involving all that He is, and yet still without loss of control. And I must say, I do not pretend to know God perfectly, but I only know a small part. Some I have learned from the Bible (yes, I read Greek and I forgot most of the Hebrew I knew), and lots I have learned from Him. He loves spending time with us. But like Adam and Eve in the garden, we run and hide from Him, in every way, even denying what we know in our hearts to be true until we believe the lie. To the gay, He say's "Come to Me..." To the Christian who rages judgements against gays, He say's "Come to Me..." Be assured, God will not tolerate wickedness, and sin. And He is very clear about what the standards are. But would not He who can create a world like this be able to help conform us to what He wants us to be? Couldn't He change us? Heal us? YOU BET!!! But first, we have to believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him.

So, all who read this, even if you scoff and call me names, I give you this challenge. Each night, for a week, get alone by yourself...in a bedroom, a back yard, wherever...somewhere you won't be disturbed...humble your heart, get down on your knees, and get real with God. Your mind may tell you you're talking to the ceiling, and pretty soon the men in white coats will show up to take you away. Just be real with God. He knows it all anyway. Only I can't imagine how terrible it would be to live my life with this belief that God hates me. I wouldn't wish that on anyone. So try it. What have you got to lose? He Loves You. And His Son died to prove it. As someone wiser than I once said, "Jesus didn't come to make bad people good. He came to make dead people live."

Levi:

You believe in "divine inspiration" based on the word of a man.

You never heard it directly from God. You fell for one of the biggest scams in human history.

You believe you know what God is and what God wants, based only on the words of men.

You can quote bible passages all day. It still doesn't bring you any closer to God, or give you the knowledge of what God really is.

DrBacon (Love the name by the way) I think you know what I meant by on the first day instead of 'in the beginning". "And on the third day Godcreated..." et al. The reason I used the time frame of 300 million and not 100 billion is that there is a general theory that the earth is only about 4.3 billion years old and the universe we know is calculated at about 13 billion years old. Hence 100 billion years didnt work for me. I wholeheartedly agree with you that a 'Day' for God may have been longer than what we traditionally think of as a day. The problem lies with fundamentalists that adhere to strict interpretations that a 'day' is a 'day'. I mean if they are going to rewrite this thing for ease of understanding, they should rewrite the first lines to say 300 million years instead of a day. 3000 years ago I dont think the peoples of the world would have understood the concept of such long passages of time.

American Lobo, I do believe in Divine Inspiration. I'm used to insults so go ahead and blast away. The reasons I have for believing in Divine Inspiration is both objective, and subjective. It is reasonable, given the nature, timing and scriptural qualifications. You think men wrote the Bible out of their own intelligence? Then answer this? How did Isaiah, who lived some 700 years before Christ, vividly describe a crucifixion, when it would be some 600 years before it is invented by the Romans? The Babylonians impaled people, which is not the same.

Oh, but you probably think the whole Bible was written as a class project by college students sitting in Denny's drinking coffee until dawn cramming to finish their term project before it's due.

It's okay, American Lobo. Nobody's forcing you to believe. I mean, if that's all the Bible is, is a bunch of fairy tales, why all the angst? What's bugging you?

Pure Capitalism. Yes, there are scriptures that tell us that a day is as a thousand years to God. Man (mankind) has an expected life span of around 70 years. (three score and ten). To us the concept of 100 years seems like a long time however to god 1000 years is only like a day to us. The problem is that God specifically tells us that we are to reckon our days from sunset to sunset. (24 hrs.) Notice carefully that on the first "day" God did not create the sun, moon, and stars, but made them to appear. Suggesting that they were already there but were hidden by the darkness that covered the Earth. (possibly a thick cloud of smoke caused by volcanic eruptions all over the earth for several millennia). God separated this darkness from the light thus giving us morning and evening. The first "day" After that, each day of creation (or re-creation or renewing of the earth) is referred to as "The morning and the evening", a 24 hr. day. You said that they should re-write that part to say 300 million years instead of a day. That's not what the Bible says.

Levi:

Please point out where I insulted you. Or is disagreeing with you and pointing out that you have no proof or facts, insulting to you?

There are at least 3 other religions which predate Christianity(Jesus's birth and death) by at least 500 to 1000 years. Those religions all include a child born of a virgin, a prophet/son of God who is crucified, and a resurrection. The tale of Jesus is just an old story that was borrowed and rehashed.

American Lobo you said "Everything was written AFTER the fact."

In Rev. 13 the Bible talks about not buying and selling unless we have a mark in our right hands or foreheads,"¹⁷And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name." That has not happened yet but when watching the credit card companies, appears to be coming soon.

I seriously doubt that any government or establshment is going to make everyone put 666 on their forehead or right hand

American Lobo, labelling is not disagreeing, it is judging. You claim I am deceived. I've seen too much and experienced too much to buy the line that I'm deceived. However, I do admit that the very nature of deception is such that the one who is deceived does not know he is deceived.

You know, the religious ones claimed that Jesus was possessed by a demon, and did miracles by the power of satan. Jesus's response was, "Any word spoken against the Son of Man (that's Jesus) may be forgiven, but any word spoken against the Holy Spirit shall not be forgiven, for you are guilty of an eternal sin."

Okay, you mention "at least three religions that predate Christianity".... I know about Judaism, and it's the Jewish prophets that prophesied about the Jewish Messiah, Jesus Christ...so what other religions are you thinking of? And incidentally, it has also been found that in every culture there is a story of a great flood. There are variations to the cause and nature of it, but all agree that it was cataclysmic, and inundated the world. And just because other cultures carry the story in their history doesn't mean it's untrue.

Could it be that you really do not understand the connection between Judaism and Christianity? Next!

There were several other religions that even predated Judaism. collectively they are referred to as "Pagan" religions but there were several forms of pagan worship. The Egyptians had their own gods as did the ancient Greeks and Romans.

I never mentioned Judaism. I never said anybody was deceived(but that is a good description if one doesn't know they are being fleeced). I said people are taking the words of other MEN as the holy truth and word of God.

Egyptians had a story about Osiris, a "son of a mighty God", who was born of a virgin, performed miracles,, was crucified and then resurrected. There are at least 2 other ancient religions that predate any Christian/Jewish story or prophecy of Jesus. They aslo include the story of a virgin birthing a prophet/son of a God, who was crucified and resurrected.

If you choose not to look it up for yourself, that's fine by me. Most people don't want to take in ALL the information to understand the puzzle that is religion and "God". It's too easy to just believe because you were brought up(indoctrinated) that way or you just plain want to believe in a good story.

I think "Don't Think" might be better. Thinking gets 98% of people in trouble...

If we go with "Women have equal rights with men," then we have to assume that mankind is only referring to men. Which really throws a damper on the editing process...

As for Gov't being secular, how 'bout we just modify that to "secluded." Out of sight, out of mind...

It shouldn't be a blank page, just one commandment: Thou Shalt Figure It Out for Yourself.

Jesus himself reduced all law to two issues. Matthew 22:37-40

³⁷Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'^{£ 38}This is the first and great commandment. ³⁹And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'^{£ 40}On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."

You cannot do either without God's help. The whole point of Christ coming to earth was to reclaim his creation which strayed at the Garden of Eden to "be like gods". When man disobeyed, a divide between God and man occured. Man, by listening to Satan handed all the Earth, which man was to rule over, over to Satan.

If you have children, you can understand this. If you do not have children, think back to the position you thrust upon your parents.

The 10 Commandments are, in itself, an outline of Gods law. All of these laws were in effect from the beginning. Israel had been in captivity for many generations and for the most part had forgotten Gods laws. God summarized these laws for Moses and burned them into tablets of stone.

In the account that you refer to in Mathew, Jesus refined these laws even further by showing that the keeping of the commandments should be done out of love for God and Your fellow human being. If you notice, the first 4 commandments show love for God and the other 6 love for mankind.

So will they now revise it to, "Love thy neighbor...but don't get caught?" I'm sorry. I'm just having a difficult time with this revision business. Why would they want to reinterpret it, again, and take "The Word" even farther away from the original context? Who appointed them God's editors, anyway?

How about "Love thy neighbor....but leave his wife alone"?

I guess if you don't speak English, you're goin' south...

Thank you! An excellent example!

fletc3her~~~ Very good point. At the Borders where I live, I looked and there must be over a thousand, different bibles to choose from. So which one is THE BIBLE?

I heard one religious dingbat once say when talking about different translation, "If the King James Bible was good enough for Jesus and the Apostles, it's good enough for me".

True story.

lol heaven forbid

Shane,

As a man you are supposed to love you fellow man, not be in love with him.

"What's love got to do with it?" - Tina Turner

cuz' I was lookin' for love in the wrong places...

So King James was homophobic and translated accordingly.

Who knows?

He also hated tobacco, but alas had a considerable investment in a colony called Virginia.

Love has everything to do with it!

How about a compromise:

Love has nothing to do with it, until money exchanges hands, then suddenly love has everything to do with it, oddly enough.

And of course these are revisions of the revisions, not revisions of the originals.

Has nobody here learned what happens when you start a rumour by spreading one truth verbally. It becomes a million different lies at the end.

yes, men WROTE the bible, but it was GOD that inspired them.. those who do not believe in GOD are fools that will one day stand before him and you will be judged by the GOD you do not believe in... Ok, liberals and atheists, go ahead and respond, I do not care what you fools think.

And V, you are a fool.

why do you believe in your god? what makes you more correct than the (and i'm assuming you are christian- correct me if i am wrong) 1.5 billion Islamic worshippers? or the 1.1 billion Secular/Agnost/Atheist/Nonreligious? or the billions of other people who worship other gods or beliefs? a favorite quote of mine goes.. "History is a pack of lies about events that never happened told by people who weren't there." ~George Santayana ----- have you ever READ the bible for god's sake? a more morbid and terrible book i have never seen-- propoganda and lies

You mean you HOPE or blindly believe that every word in the bible was actually inspired by god.

I believe in a singular spiritual force that we cannot see or understand while our life force/soul is trapped in our physical bodies. It's quite possible that we might never understand it, even though most of us want to and many believe they already do.

I don't believe God is some angry or jealous "please me/love me/obey me or I will punish you" type of being. those are imperfect human traits. If you believe God is like that, you are admitting that god is as imperfect as humans are and you are creating your version of God in mankinds image.

I believe that we are all part of the spiritual/universal energy. "God" is part of us always, from our creation to after our spirit departs our bodies. And we are always a part of God.

Your choice of how you live your life doesn't bring you any closer to or farther away from "God".

Let's face it. If their really is divine reward or punishment, why do we feel the need to execute/punish people for commiting wrongs? If you truly believe in what the bible says, why don't you let God handle it?

I'm for the death penalty as a deterrent to people who would prey on others. I feel that if you purposely take an innocent life, you should expect and have your life taken from you.

I believe in treating others how you would like yourself and loved ones to be treated.

One does well to reject religion. Religion is about man reaching up to god. Only two faiths (simplified) teach about God reach down to man. Man has taken both of those faiths and interjects his ideals making them religions also.

As one song I know says "I'm headed back to the heart of worship" and another line says "I'm sorry for what I have made it." God will only go where someone opens their hearts and lives totally for his use, and operates only by the power of God's spirit. which is what he intended from the creation of man.

There are many in the world who live this way, many who struggle with this, and many, many frauds.

American Lobo,

If you are created in God's image, then one of his attributes would have to be jealousy. Commandments 1 - 4 would be totally worthless.

If you created something, wouldn't you be jealous to guard against an imitation?

Anne -908347

yes, men WROTE the bible, but it was GOD that inspired them..

God may have inspired the original writers but He certainly did not inspire any of the English translations. When they are compared to the original Hebrew or Greek there are many gross errors. The early edition of the NIV did correct some of the errors of the King James version but then introduced several others of it own. I don't hold too much faith in the TNIV being any more accurate than the others.

Anne, why are you lumping liberals and atheists together? Are you assuming that liberals are unGodly and without faith? Surely atheists have stated as much, but liberals? I have never heard of a requirement that all liberals must be atheists, nor all atheists liberals, so why the connection?

Anne

"Liberal" is a political term, like Republican or Democrat. Not a religious group term, like Christian or Buddist.

So is God a republican or democrat? Or perhaps an independent?

DB:

So by saying that humans are jealous, you believe it supports the theory that "God" is jealous? Isn't God supposed to be about love over all else.

You are creating God in man's image. No one has a true image of God to back up their claims. Just words written by men.

Humans are jealous when people copy their work, because humans are petty. If you believe God suffers from human weaknesses, than your version of God is petty and imperfect.

DB Akron. God is quite aware of the imitations. That is what the first two commandments are all about. He knows who they are and what they are doing and warns us against these "false gods" or "other gods". And yes he is a jealous God as He says in the second commandment. So what's your point?

American Lobo. What Bible do you read that says God is not jealous?. Here's what mine says:

Exodus 20:5
Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

Deuteronomy 4:24
For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God

Deuteronomy 5:9
for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God,

Joshua 24:19
for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God;

There are many more if you would like me to quote them.

I'm not questioning that the bible says those things. I'm questioning the accuracy of them. The MEN who wrote the bible superimposed what they believed when they wrote the bible. There is no proof of what they say, only speculation

Quote all you want to, but you are quoting the written ideas and beliefs of MEN who lived thousands of years ago. That others read it and believe it, doesn't change the fact.

I was brought up Catholic, attended Christian church, and have read the bible at least twice. I don't have it memorized but I know the general story fairly well.

You are absolutely correct. There is no way that anyone can prove to someone else that the Bible is the inspired word of god. In fact, Moses is the first one credited with writing anything down. The entire history from the creation until then is believed to be handed down by word of mouth in stories by the elders making it appear even less credible. So I can totally see your doubts. My comments and scripture references above were in response to your assertion that if God were jealous, that would make him petty and imperfect. Jealousy is not necessarily a bad thing. When someone you loves starts drifting away and seeing others it is only natural to become jealous. It's the same with God. When he sees those that he has loved drift away and begin to worship other gods He becomes jealous as well.

I question anybody who believes they know God and his "personality" based on the writings of a few MEN thousands of years ago. No one living met those men to see if they were actually truthful and upstanding citizens. It's only on their word that God spoke to them.

They could have been hearing voices or just plain bullsh*ttin, to aquire power over others.

Jealousy is always a bad thing. It only begets more negativity.

No one living today has ever met George Washington or Alexander Hamilton or Benjamin Franklin for that matter. I guess those could be just made up stories by men bullsh**ing too. All we know about them is what is written in history books written by MEN.

Of course NO ONE in history has ever changed a document.............

I'm preeeeeeety sure abroad was being sarcastic...

Yep-

The diligence and dedication of the scribes are well documented. Each scribe also had overseers to check the accuracy of the copying as it was being done. One mistake and the entire page was destroyed and the process had to be started over. This was a very slow and painstaking effort. There is no reason to doubt the accuracy of these copy's.

You're talking about the old testament, not the new testament... The Jewish bible wasn't slapped together by emperor Constantine at the council of Nicea, like the new testament was...It has always undergone much more scrutiny by it's own followers.

Having said that, it doesn't make it any more "real" or factual... only less corrupted.

They have to be scrubed clean and made politicly correct to fit with the new prez, who can hold a dinner to celebrate Muslim Holiday but can not find a new church to go to in Washington, and has tohide crosses in a church where he makes a speech. Ill keep my same old testament thank you. Dont tell me which or what one I should believe.

Oh, Susan,

Don't be an Idiot. The president has nothing to do with this, so stop trying to foment hate with your Muslim propaganda. Did Bill O'Reilly or Jeff Beck tell you say this? You go ahead and keep your Old Testament and go back to your padded room, silly child.

Mary Ann what channel is Jeff Beck on?

The Bible is comprised of the Old Testament and the New Testament.  The passages in Leviticus you refer to are part of the Old Testament, which were rules set forth by God to preserve his people until the Messiah came.  The New Testament is the coming of the Messiah.  Please read the New Testament before making misinformed statements about the Old Testament.

Lisa, Matt 5:17-18: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them"

Yes, I understand that as a Christian, but as a Gay man I am attacked with the one line in Leviticus, by people that really have no idea what or where it comes from.

lisa I have read both, the biggy about not judging others comes to mind. I do not think what I said was judging, but maybe I was. I also believe everybody takes from the Bible whatever they need when they need it.

By last count there were what 100 plus forms of Baptists around now. That would lead me to believe there is a lot of room for interpretation.

steven,
I am an imperfect Christian, like all Christians. I am not gay. I will not judge you. But one thing is for sure and that is, the good Lord loves you. That is what's important.

steven, God doesn't make mistakes, he made man and woman. He destroyed Sodom and Gomorra because men were doing unseemly things with each other. I'm not judging you, its above my pay grade, but maybe someone needs to go back to the original texts and rewrite them as they were and forget about updates. Even King James had things changed if he didn't like what it said.

You can say your not but, you did with your personal belief of what the Bible says. I am and always will be fine with you believing what ever, but I expect the same in return. Neither of us of us have made the trip to answer all our questions. A friend of mine once said the older she got the more people she was willing to let in heaven. She has since passed I look forward to seeing her someday soon.

Dave,

God doesn't make mistakes, he made man and woman. He destroyed Sodom and Gomorra because men were doing unseemly things with each other. I'm not judging you

When you say something this way, you ARE judging.

You can't give examples of your ingrained belief of how wrong you feel something is, then couch it in *Oh, but I'm not judging you, dude*. It doesn't work that way.

And Made Their Bed, Monterey Pk CA,

Your comment is not much better. You just couch it with "the good Lord loves you". Am I the only one who sees sarcasm in that?

Dave:

The bible doesn't say Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed because they were having gay relationships.

It was supposedly destroyed because they worshipped false idols/themselves, and weren't paying homage to God.

I don't believe the version of God as an angry/jealous being with human weaknesses and traits. What we call "God" is the energy/spiritual force that drives and powers the universe, not some vain emperor type of being that punishes those who won't do his/her bidding.

mary ann,
No sarcasm intended in my post. I meant it at face value. Though, you can say things in your own cynical way. OK? I'm just glad you're not revising the Bible.

Thanks to everybody that tagged my post, we had a mostly civil debate and no dead bodies laying around. Maybe we will all at least think.

One of the first to rewrite it was King James.

Naw, King James was very late in the game. Since the fourteenth century we had partial or total translations done by: John Wyclife (ca.1380), Jan Hus (1408-12), Thomas Linacre (ca. 1490), Erasmus (1516), Martin Luther (1522), William Tyndale (1526), Miles Coverdale (1535), Thomas Matthew (1537), Thomas Cramner (1539), John Calvin and Co. (1560), the Bishop's Bible (1568), the Douay-Rheims edition (ca. 1572)--just to give you a very partial list. Many of these were works of devout scholars who loved the languages and were moved to bring the Bible into the vernacular. Some of these works were politically motivated. Note the dates--they coincided with the Hussite Revolution, the Reformation, the founding of the Anglican Church, and the Catholic Reformation after Trent.Lots of different reasons to create new translations.

Because I'm sure YOU know the true meaning of the Bible. Yeah. Okay.

how about who can own slaves and who can't?

Or how about the the part in Leviticus, where it states that anyone who handles the skin of a dead pig will be put to death? Sayanora, NFL! As well as anyone who ever made or ate chicharrones. I think that if god has an issue with revising the bible, then he surely will be able to do something about it himself. No need for everyone to get all worked up. If this revision goes through without a hitch, then obviously god doesn't mind.

Perhaps their printing press will blow up at the most opportune moment?

I want Madonna to play the Madonna.

Monty Python. Life of Brian. Already done and can't be improved.

LMAO <snicker,snicker> hehehehe.....

Good for you Patricia! You GO girl!

<sarcasmintended>

I didn't realize the NIV omitted verse after verse! I have a fantastic NIV Randow Study Bible, and I really like it.

I also have a The Way, which was geared toward teens in the 70s, and I like that version also.

I do like the King James version also, but it is hard to read.

I have no idea which is the right version. They are all versions, admittedly, and in my opinion Proverbs has some wonderful teachings, but I disagree with some parts of the Old Testament. I am against slavery, and I'm fine with eating shellfish, but I guess I'm not a REALLY GREAT Christian, just a mediocre one.

I've read alot of these comments and many are joking in a sacreligious way. Not really funny at all. But for a book that so many people make fun of .It still is the most read book in the world.

It is the GOOD book and will always be that. It is amazing the knowledge that one gains in the reading and understanding of it! I pray that many more people will understand it .

The first 2 chapters of Genesis is the beginning of DNA of God's science . It takes at least 6 months of study to get just 2 chapters. To understand how God created the earth and the animals and it's "kinds" and humans.

The Old Testament is the word Concealed and the New Testament is the word Revealed. If one would truly study it ,one will find it is a perfect circle that never breaks . The beginning to the end and end to the beginning. After all Eternity is just that ,Never Ending.

I know one thing .They , who ever they are ,can change it in words but I know where I'm going when I die and I'd like to take as many people with me as I can.

Now laugh people ,ALL you want but I have nothing to loss by knowing my Lord and those who laugh in deretion have everything to loss .

Do any of you want to take that chance!!!!!!!

God Bless You ALL

Not only will I take the chance but since you refer to Him as 'Your" Lord as opposed to 'Our' Lord I would assume you have a private audience and place waiting to be with 'Your' Lord. Perhaps while you are there you can ask him if he finds the killing of innocents in the name of religion an instruction supposedly found in the 'Good Book' or is that an extra slice of information only you and 'your' Lord are privy to? One would also say that if we are created in his image as is in the 'Good Book' one would assume he has a sense of humor.

no matter where I go after I die I hope I get to hang out with all those who doubted, were homosexual, non-white, laughed, swore and enjoyed the gifts He gives us rather than with a closed minded sheep like yourself!

I'll hang out with you and yours, Abroad!

I like your kind of folk :)

Abroad-You may be hanging with your non-white, homosexual, open-minded doubters, but I guarantee you you won't be laughing. The gifts you speak of are from Satan himself. The "gift" God gives you is eternal life. You obviously won't be indulging in this one. I feel sorry for your kind. Stop exhalting yourself and seek the truth.

There is an old joke about how God must have a good sense of humor, otherwise why did He make the platypus.

troy1, but on a serious note, who exactly are you to judge who gets eternal life and who doesn't? I'd really like to know, in all seriousness.

Now, if you're God, then I have a few questions. Just let me know! Thanks!

I just do not understand the hate & judging by the non-believers. You don't want us Christians to judge you, but you have no problem judging us & telling us we are fools. If you do not belive then way be so angry? It should not bother you if people belive in God. Could it be that you deep down in your heart do know there is a God, but choose not to belive? No one is perfect but God & his son & the Holy Ghost. That means that ever Christian & person on earth, sin & every day they sin. No matter how hard we try not to. The point of being a Christian is knowing That Jesus dies for our sins & all that we have to do is ask to be forgiven. But we have to ask from the heart. We all sin & there is no way around that. Once we sinned in the garden of Eden, we let Satan rule our lives. Remember Satan will make us believe the lie is the truth. Not everything that feels good is good for you. I try hard to be good, but Satan is there all the time to help us all mess up. I love everyone & I do not judge, that is not my job. But if you asked what I believe I would tell you. There are always going to be zealot & thumpers that give every religion a bad name. It does not mean we are all bad. I wish nothing but God's Love & Peace for everyone. & I do mean everyone!!!!

troy1- A few months ago I was at a funeral for a 8 year old child who died suddenly of viral complications. At the church which was packed full of adults and children the pastor announced to the assembled crowd " if you do not accept Jesus Christ into your lives none of you will see her again". Last night another local church gave notice to our boy scout troop to leave due to only 3 of the parents attending that particular church while other parents attended other churches and expressed their belief in other forms of worship. Do you really expect me to believe that a God would want his believers to act in such a fashion? I don't hate christianity I dont hate any religion nor do I believe that a Merciful God ( no matter which one you worship) sole purpose is to have everyone die because that is the 'reward' . So according to your statement as long as you believe in Him you get to go to Heaven? So as long as you believe you can murder, kill and commit genocide, lie, cheat, commit adultery - because you will be rewarded when you die? I am sorry I cannot believe any God would want or allow that to happen. There are many great churches out there, there are some not so good and same goes with preachers, pastors, priests etc. What it does mean, in my view, is that believing in something is not the same as living the principles of that belief.

There are many wonderful people who are Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Mormon and any one of the thousands of sects in the world. There are wonderful athiests and agnostics in the world. All of these doing good work, helping people and living good lives.

Then there are those of the above who 'believe' they are the chosen ones and that the ends justifies the means. I am not exalting myself I am using my God given talents to express myself. If anyone is exalting it is yourself and your total belief that you have the right to judge and condemn. Maybe I am wrong, maybe I am not, I know that ladyfressia sounds like a person who seems to get it and tries to live the word she believes in- I know many postings come from people willing to accept other views but still holding their own beliefs firmly in place in a non-judgmental manner.

I am saddened by your judgments and stand by my own- right or wrong -

God judges us by what is in our hearts and minds. Not by what church we attend.

"Judge not lest ye be judged"

That's how God will judge those who judge others.

"Judge not lest ye be judged"

That is the part that confuses me the most.....those that trumpet about the bible and try to CONVERT everyone around them to their beliefs, are the MOST JUDGEMENTAL!! That is why I don't believe in organized religion, it's too biased! I have my own beliefs and I don't have to pay an organization 10% of my income, to have my own beliefs and do good in this world.

The Ten Commandments were written by the finger of God. Obviously YOU havn't read the Bible.

I think the MEN who actually wrote the bible, gave everyone the finger.

Men who were inspired by God

Really? You can read Aramaic?

.....and Hebrew and Koine Greek? Splendid. Then you translate it into English for us.

I think God did just fine the first time

Then why does He have to keep erasing everything and starting over?

I do know some hypocritical Christians including my parents, however; many I know are the most loving and caring people. They go to foreign countries to help teach, feed, and serve people, while they also bring God's message of hope and eternal life. I for one completely agree that we are to love all mankind and not to judge lest I be judged myself. A sin is a sin to God so my little white lie I told my parents as a little kid separates me from God the same as say a man having sexual intercourse with another man. So therefore I am not better than anyone else on this planet in God's eyes. I prefer to read the KJV because I feel it is truly God's word and not watered down to fit peoples desires. Some things especially in James is hard to take but believing in the Bible and following its word has made my life the best it could have been.

Ever notice how the basis for most religions is to basically be nice to each other and love one another? No matter what name you give your God, the basics seem to be the same. So it would seem there really is One religion in the world, and many interpretations of that religion.

Wow, I don't know what churches you have been going to but that is certainly NOT representative of mine. And yes, you don't have to be in church to talk with God.

Thats exactly why he was killed on the cross, because he was telling the people that theydid not have to go through the priests of the Jewish people , that you bow on your knees anywhere and pray to the Lord for your self. That cut into the temples wealth and donations , so they had to get rid of him. Sounds a little like the Catholics too, I dont have to go to a church or ask anyone to pray for me, I can do it for myself.

Tjam,

I believe that you are supposed to capitalize the "g" in God to show him as a supreme being. You are going to he!! for that one.

to show him as a supreme being.

Is that like a supreme pizza?

I would like a large please. Does that come with breadsticks?

maybe Diana Ross...?

*giggle*

All of you who are making fun of GOD I would like to see you when you are in a very dire moment I can just see you now,,,, OH GOD OH GOD.

Susan-

When I am screaming OH GOD OH GOD!, it is most assuredly NOT a dire moment. Try getting laid, you'll see what I mean...

Thanks, Pax for the info. Sound like God and the native Indians use the same method for naming their children. But don't mention that to Sitting Bull, he might think his people, not the Hebrews, are the real chosen people.

There has been alot lost over the years,like the 12 tribes of Israle, if you check history, you can find that part of the Muslim people are actually Jewish although they won't admit it. I'm not a thumper but people have to have to believe in something so why not the bible, if its followed it can give someone a guideline to live their life, can't hurt. I was raised as a Catholic, but as I got older, I have learned that churches have moved to the left and away from the bible, or they wouldn't be the biggest money making businesses there are. Most churches teach today that Jesus is God, where does it say that in the bible? Why did did Jesus say when he was praying in the garden on Mt. Olive say "Father let this cup pass from me, if it be thy will", or or the cross, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do". When I got married, my wife had to go through Catachism, I askede the priest, he couldn't answer. Most churches brain wash people just for the money anymore, so people just need to live their lives the best that they can, treat others as they want to be treated, and believe,in something that no one can prove or disprove. And hope that we're not some experiment by some alien race gone wrong.

Dave,

but people have to have to believe in something so why not the bible

Most churches brain wash people just for the money anymore, so people just need to live their lives the best that they can, treat others as they want to be treated

I like what you have to say in last part of your writing. So, I must ask: If one can act these ways normally, why should one need the bible? The bible is a confusing BOOK. Way can't one just BE (exist) [whether they believe in a diety of NOT] without the need for that particular book?

I HAVE read it. All of it. cover to cover. Prayed to understand it..etc. And the most I got out of it was that Jesus said some great things, the text was contradictory, an OT God that wanted you to love him but was vindictive and mean, and that I could do without that bookin my life. Ya, these are highlights. There are numerous other reasons I left that book and religion.

Funny how they want it to reach a larger audience through an English translation. After all, the English language (or perhaps I should say the American language) is a conglomerate of many different languages. Just as these languages have blended together, so has their beliefs that we need another version of the Bible.

You must be too young to remember the song.

The actual lyrics (by The Trashmen) are: "The Bird is the Word".

http://www.rockabilly.nl/lyrics4/s0130.htm

Keep politics out of it??

Keep 'it' out of politics.

Didn't the Association say "Cherish is the word"?

Wasn't that a Partridge Family song?

Cameo said "word up," Vanilla Ice said "word to your mother," Run-DMC said "word is born," House of Pain said "word is bond." So if "bird is the word," then we may conclude: a word in the hand is worth two in the bush, bird up, bird to your mother, bird is born, bird is bond, cherish the bird, words of a feather flock together, the early word catches the worm, you can kill two words with one stone, you can do more with a kind bird and a gun than you can with a kind bird alone... this is exhausting!

Oh, oh, oh!!! "Sing 'Free Word!'"

GR, you have absolutely NO idea how many times all the currently sold versions of the bible have been changed, re-written, edited, etc., do you?

Thank you, upazzu! You made my day! ROFLMAO

you don't have to be religous or part of any church that is religous to be able to read and understand what the bible has to say to your heart.

I think very few pastors are rich and the ones that are that are legal and honest are from huge congregations, or they have written books. They have to earn a living, and spend all their time in the service of their church.

My problem with pastors of huge congregations is twofold. First, how can you truly know your congregation if there are thousands of people in it? There are not enough hours in the day to allow someone to minister appropriately to that many people. Second, if they are ministers like Rick Warren, who as you say have written books, they are NOT spending all their time in the service of their church - they're spending time doing personal appearances, hawking their wares and making money.

I am sorry you are wrong. Look Rick Warren up. he still lives in his old house & drives the same old car. His wife & him go over seas to help people from third word countries. They give their money away. They do not spend it on them self's. Our church goes to retreats with him & his church every year. You need to read up on some one that you are going to comment on.