Stationary Earth as the Center of the Universe. God, by contrast, professes his undying love, kindness and mercy, but then commands his minions to commit brutal atrocities when he isn't up for it himself. 114-115. Bible stories led the Christian world to believe – for centuries – that God sends humankind signs in the heavens. I would never expected quotes from God or Jesus claiming only some ethnic groups were saved or that some were superior to others. . (Altadena, California: Millennium Press, 1997), pp. Some critics even accuse them of being evil. 8 Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own … .” But 11 chapters later, the Lord’s own act proved his prediction to be wrong. . Cosmas’ basis for this belief was the statement, at Genesis 7:11-12, that at the time of the Noachian flood the “windows of heaven were opened” and the rain fell.[41]. In view of the Bible’s numerous mistaken beliefs about the physical world, there’s no reason to think its writers were any more correct about unseen and abstract matters. When the subjects involve governmental issues, all of society can be affected when Bible-believers express their views in the political arena. This article originally appeared on AlterNet. John 3:16 ESV / 10 helpful votes. There are even contradictions in the accounts of the resurrection – the supposed event that is the very foundation of the Christian religion. Modern Christians largely escape their denigration of physical handicaps. 37 Ecker, Ronald L., Dictionary of Science and Creationism (Buffalo: Prometheus Books, 1990), p. 56. [36], The Bible promotes the idea that the sky is a solid dome covering the earth. Humanity’s condition could be greatly improved if those resources were used for solving the world’s problems instead of worshiping a nonexistent God. But Genesis 8:14 informs us the earth was not dry until the twenty-seventh day of the second month. The fifth chapter states that Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian king, was succeeded on the throne by his son Belshazzar. 50 Callahan, Tim, Bible Prophecy: Failure or Fulfillment? God reserves sex for marriage between a man and woman, because sex is a unique foundation of intimacy. 3. Kobe Bryant. Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them. All that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you. In regard to the hygienic improvements instituted during the second half of the nineteenth century, White explains: “[T]he sanitary authorities have in half a century done far more to reduce the rate of disease and death than has been done in fifteen hundred years by all the fetiches which theological reasoning could devise or ecclesiastical power enforce.”[26]. As is the case with other incorrect statements in the Bible, false prophecies cast doubt on all biblical claims. Passages that are a waste of brain space and paper. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys. Years ago, I wrote an article titled, "If the Bible Were … [4], Gallup says many other people, while having doubts about whether the entire Bible is the word of God, still consider the book to be a source of moral truths and regard its teachings as deserving great respect. The Old Testament contains an interesting contradiction in the story of the census taken by King David and the resulting punishment of the Israelites. It contains numerous instances of God punishing people by means of pestilence (e.g., Exodus 32:35; Numbers 16:44-49; Jeremiah 21:6). “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that … allowing them to return from Babylon to Judah. Romans 12:21 - Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. There is no denying that music can influence you in a negative or positive way. As is, Christians simply ignore the eating advisories in the Old Testament, even though they claim that edicts like the Ten Commandments and the anti-queer clobber verses still apply. They say the universe is between 10 and 20 billion years old,[62] the earth’s age is approximately 4.6 billion years,[63] and humans evolved from ape-like ancestors during the last few million years.[64]. The massive and incessant promotion of the Bible significantly influences the beliefs of millions. The Bible writers had the same instincts, but unlike modern health professionals, who have the benefit of germ theory, they had no idea what was contagious and what wasn't, and they blurred the ideas of physical purity with spiritual purity. This concept of the sky was common in the ancient Near East and taken for granted by the Bible writers. 12 McCabe, Joseph, The History of Torture (Austin: American Atheist Press, Reprinted 1982), pp. However, there are a lot of Bible verses that talk about positive thinking or can serve to lift us up. Even the New Testament Jesus never says owning people is wrong. Thomas Paine was entirely justified in saying about the Bible: “It is a history of wickedness that has served to corrupt and brutalize mankind; and, for my part, I sincerely detest it as I detest everything that is cruel.”[14], Teachings Inconsistent with the Laws of Nature. “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Colossians 3:2). Silly food rules. 60, 61. When examined in the light of experience and reason, the Bible’s claims about supernatural occurrences do not warrant belief. And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: Slay utterly old and young, both maids and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark. If you looked at the world today, you’d probably say that there is a lot of skepticism, cynicism, and yes, negativism. Bizzare death penalties. Some years ago I worked on a website called Wisdom Commons, a library of timeless quotes and stories from many traditions. . . The Bible itself contains a test for determining whether a prophecy was inspired by God. Awkward. Television and radio carry religious programs praising the Bible as the holy and infallible word of God. By treating this mistake-ridden book as the word of God, humanity has been led down many paths of error and misery throughout history. . Although the Bible includes great wisdom and has been a positive source of guidance throughout the centuries, it also has passages that have been responsible for the subjugation and degradation of women.. Over the centuries these Biblical views have been absorbed into the fabric of our culture as nothing less than "The word of God." Whosoever ... hath any blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God. Many of the Bible’s claims are inconsistent with the laws of nature. Guided by reason, inspired by compassion, and informed by experience. As for the crucifixion, Matthew 27:44 tells us Jesus was taunted by both criminals who were being crucified with him. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Some people use Bible verses to justify beating children, withholding medical treatment, handling snakes, drinking poison, chopping off body parts, plucking out eyes, driving out demons, withdrawing from the affairs of this world, renouncing the pleasures of life, and expecting the world to end. Another significant false prophecy is at John 14:13-14. Matthew 2:13-15 depicts Joseph and Mary as fleeing to Egypt with the baby Jesus immediately after the wise men from the east had brought gifts. There are other reasons why the Bible should not be considered the word of God. Incorrect Ideas About the Structure of the Physical World. Instead, the Bible strictly forbids eating rabbit, shellfish, pork, weasels, scavengers, reptiles, and owls. But Mark 15:21-23 disagrees by saying a man called Simon carried the cross. Historians have long known that the biblical story of a worldwide flood is a myth. If the Humanist view of the Bible is correct, millions of Bible-believers and churchgoers are wasting much time, money, and energy. Acts 9:7 states that when Jesus called Paul to preach the gospel, the men who were with Paul heard a voice but saw no man. But Luke 23:39-43 relates that only one of the criminals taunted Jesus, the other criminal rebuked the one who was doing the taunting, and Jesus told the criminal who was defending him, “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.”, Regarding the last words of Jesus while on the cross, Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34 quote Jesus as crying with a loud voice, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Luke 23:46 gives his final words as, “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.” John 19:30 alleges the last words were, “It is finished.”. they said. The Bible writers were poor historians, let alone conveyers of messages from an infallible God. 325, 326. The yuck factor is probably wired into humanity at the level of instinct, a way to avoid contamination and pathogens. [55] Also contrary to the book of Esther, historians assure us Xerxes did not order Jews in his territories to attack his Persian subjects. And there has never been a king like him since. Further, the Old Testament is contradictory as to whether the Lord commanded the Israelites to sacrifice animals to him. Some Bible-believing Christians play fast and loose with their sacred text. Matthew lists 26 generations between Jesus and King David, whereas Luke records 41. Joshua 6:20 | View whole chapter | See verse in context So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city. 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