About Noah And That Wooden Boat

I can't believe how many people take the story of Noah literally.

IT IS A SYMBOLIC STORY THAT SIGNIFIES GOD'S COVENANT WITH HIS PEOPLE; IT IS NOT TO BE TAKEN LITERALLY.

Although it COULD have happened, it doesn't mean it actually did. Many stories in the Old Testament are used to convey religious truths, including the creation narratives. Sure, if you want to take it literally, God created everything in 6 days in HIS time, not OURS. God's time and our time are different. The bottom line is that God created everything. That's just one example.

You people really make me laugh, sometimes.

 

Yeah thats a fair point. The reality is nothing changes if the story is true or not. The point of the story is to introduce the new covenant made between man and God. The concept is not even unique in the Bible.

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Teach me to read the end of a thread before replying lol

 

I find it incredible that anyone takes anything in the Bible literally.

 

LOL, it's no big deal. I do it all the time.

 

Perhaps... Then there are some for whom all media is indiscernible.

 

Listen, I'm not going to argue with you about what you believe; that's your business.

What I am asking you is to at least read the New Testament, specifically the four Gospels. It is widely accepted by historians that the Gospels are historically accurate (despite a few minor arguments here and there), and accurately depict what life was like in those times.

 

I'm quite familiar with the Bible.


[EDIT]

You, on the other hand, are obviously not so familiar.

 

Please, enlighten me; substantiate your claim, citing specific evidence of my "unfamiliarity" with the basis of my religion.

 

Thanks for the invitation, but it's supper time.

 

You are going to respond to his challenge after supper aren't you?

 

They are more or less historically accurate.

Of course virgin birth, walking on water, turning water into wine, healing the sick, resurrection etc. are not historically accurate by any measure.

 

Why would those listed items in the second sentence be classified as "not historically accurate"?? they are both based on the same testimony... the "'Bible".

 

Is there any evidence to support your claim? If so, please consider presenting specific evidence to me.

I would love to see it. Even though the evidence I presented is, in a legal sense, anecdotal, it is evidence nonetheless.

Hopefully, you steer away from science and logic; after all, the topic is religion, and the supernatural defies science and logic. I would suggest you tackle the specific issue of whether Jesus is the promised Messiah or not.

 

I've. been on this earth for more than half a century and never had some bible thumper acost me with their views. Yet atheists seem to continually have children accosted by religious folk.
Makes me wonder are you atheists living in an alley behind a church or something? Are you and your family sleeping on wooden benches in a largish building with lots of candles in it? How is it all these strange people have such easy access to your children?

 

I read them. And you're quite correct, there are some interesting insights into the culture of the time and place. Some of which is of value to anthropologists and the like. Even for the lay person, such as myself, it can make a fascinating read.

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related by marriage :/

 

Could you explain what 'supernatural' means, specifically, please? I'd like to hear your definition - but if you wouldn't mind putting it in practical, workable, man-on-the-street terms which any heathen might understand, that would be very helpful. ie, where is it? what does it look like? what's it made of? how does one find it? how does it work? how can you tell the good supernatural from the bad supernatural? does it smell? etc etc etc. many thanks!

 

I see. Just remember, push those children in any direction they do not want to go and they may give that same answer in reference to you someday.

 

Here we go again with that many questions fallacy. Habits are hard to break aren't they?

 

Let us begin with this: "What I am asking you is to at least read the New Testament, specifically the four Gospels. It is widely accepted by historians that the Gospels are historically accurate..."

Not only is it untrue that most historians consider the Gospels historically accurate, the four Gospels don't even agree with one another on many important issues surrounding the Jesus story. As for providing insight into life in first century Israel, I agree that the Gospels are an important collection of literature.

I don't particularly care what you choose to believe, nor am I interested in encouraging you to change your beliefs. I was a Christian myself in my younger days, so I certainly understand your religious faith. That said, I am quite familiar with the Bible and my familiarity with scripture does nothing whatsoever to convince me that I should believe in magic.

 

do you think ALL parents push kids in the parental-favoured direction? if so, you need to get out and mix with the godless heathens more. you'll find most don't resort to the brainwashing tactics preferred by theists. most leave it up to their kids to make these decisions - at the right age. I'm sorry you're not lucky enough to know such people.

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the habit of theists to waffle out weasel words without ever deigning to supply definitions of same? apparently so.

in the meantime, I'll keep asking until one of you stumps up with a useful definition.

 

Show an obligation to supply such definitions. If you really want definitions, try a dictionary. If that don't work for you then continue on with your logical fallacies.

 

I would like USER definitions. Anecdotal, if you will. None of you seem to want to provide them, so we're left wondering if in fact you even KNOW what half of these words mean. or that you know, deep down, that they mean nothing, and they're just fancified ways of saying 'my feelings'. To prevent such a misapprehension from continuing unabated, I recommend any and all theists here present stump up with some useful definitions!

 

Strange for you to wonder something so trivial when it is obvious that all users of this technology (computerized internet) have access to online dictionaries. So keep on wondering.

Another one of those amazing things ... things that will keep you wondering and leave you with nothing more than an ability to express an unsubstantiated opinion.

I recommend that you and others who might be following in your footsteps take a peek in the dictionaries to find the definitions. Now here is a fanciful question for you. Why would you want an 'anecdotal' definition of a word when the socially accepted definitions are applicable? Are you attempting to go on a fishing trip?

 

It's a conundrum for Christians. If one denies belief in the supernatural (magic, miracles... whatever you choose to call it), then one is tacitly admitting that they aren't really Christian. If, on the other hand, one professes belief in the supernatural, then one is admitting to being insane.

Hard call...

 

Look, you don't have to respond if you're worried that your gossamer light definition will reveal what a thin soup you eat. There may be others out there with more confidence in the substance of their faith, and who are happy to provide an insight into how theists think about things like the supernatural.