From the very beginning of human history religion, in one form or another, has played a vital role in human societies. Even the most primitive peoples had, and still have some form of worship. Religion ruled human lives and there have always been powerful individuals that claimed to be the only ones with true knowledge about the deity being worshipped and that acted as the earthly representative of that deity. They use the scriptures to wield their power, but these are just a few of the reasons why I am not a Bible student.
Theologians will have people believe that the scriptures are divinely inspired and that they are to be seen as the Word of God. Rubbish, says the critics. The scriptures are nothing but an arbitrary collection of writings by sometimes dubious individuals and that they are hardly holy. At best, these writings should be viewed as pedantic ramblings of fanatics that firmly believed that they, and they alone, know the truth.
The way in which the content of the scriptures were decided is also still a major issue. It was a group of eminent church officials that decided what would be included in the official version of the Word of God. This was done arbitrarily, say critics and thousands of other religious Christian writings were excluded because they did not fit into doctrines that the then church leaders wanted to promote.
Then there is the fact that so many people simply do not know what to make of the official view of the scriptures. There are those, highly qualified and experience religious leaders, that maintain that the scriptures are holy, inspired by God and totally without error. But then there are also those, equally well qualified and experienced theologians that hold forth that the scriptures are to be seen as cryptic writings that needs expert interpretation.
The bulk of the scriptures were originally written in Hebrew or Greek. Sceptics say that much of thee original meaning has been lost in the numerous translations that have been made over time. In addition, when translated into a specific language, the entire content of the original material is phrased to fit in with the cultural make up of those that speak that language.
The very idea that man has free choice is firmly negated by the scriptures, sceptics quickly point out. Man is presented with a single option and this is to either do exactly as they are told or be condemned to eternal punishment in hell. This hardly freedom of choice, says the critics. Christians are sternly reminded that all other deities are false gods and that all other religions are heresies.
Perhaps the majority of critics will have nothing to do with the scriptures because they say that the message of love, repeated over and over again, is completely out of touch with reality. The scriptures promises those who believe that they will be treasured by the deity and that they will not want. The reality is that the vast majority of Christians all over the world are repressed and forced to live in abject poverty.
Man does have free choice. It is the right of every person to believe or not to believe the teachings and messages contained in the scriptures. One would hope, however, that those that believe do not show prejudice against those that believe differently.
Theologians will have people believe that the scriptures are divinely inspired and that they are to be seen as the Word of God. Rubbish, says the critics. The scriptures are nothing but an arbitrary collection of writings by sometimes dubious individuals and that they are hardly holy. At best, these writings should be viewed as pedantic ramblings of fanatics that firmly believed that they, and they alone, know the truth.
The way in which the content of the scriptures were decided is also still a major issue. It was a group of eminent church officials that decided what would be included in the official version of the Word of God. This was done arbitrarily, say critics and thousands of other religious Christian writings were excluded because they did not fit into doctrines that the then church leaders wanted to promote.
Then there is the fact that so many people simply do not know what to make of the official view of the scriptures. There are those, highly qualified and experience religious leaders, that maintain that the scriptures are holy, inspired by God and totally without error. But then there are also those, equally well qualified and experienced theologians that hold forth that the scriptures are to be seen as cryptic writings that needs expert interpretation.
The bulk of the scriptures were originally written in Hebrew or Greek. Sceptics say that much of thee original meaning has been lost in the numerous translations that have been made over time. In addition, when translated into a specific language, the entire content of the original material is phrased to fit in with the cultural make up of those that speak that language.
The very idea that man has free choice is firmly negated by the scriptures, sceptics quickly point out. Man is presented with a single option and this is to either do exactly as they are told or be condemned to eternal punishment in hell. This hardly freedom of choice, says the critics. Christians are sternly reminded that all other deities are false gods and that all other religions are heresies.
Perhaps the majority of critics will have nothing to do with the scriptures because they say that the message of love, repeated over and over again, is completely out of touch with reality. The scriptures promises those who believe that they will be treasured by the deity and that they will not want. The reality is that the vast majority of Christians all over the world are repressed and forced to live in abject poverty.
Man does have free choice. It is the right of every person to believe or not to believe the teachings and messages contained in the scriptures. One would hope, however, that those that believe do not show prejudice against those that believe differently.
About the Author:
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