An Un-Edited Email From Kevin
Well, you see, the Bible was written long, long ago and was meant to lay down rules back when thinking was uniform of that time period so that all understood the meaning that was put behind the writing. However, because of the corruption of greed and the like, many now translate it into what they want it to mean, molding it to fit their wants and desires. Not only this, but many have conducted their own evils from this using the word of God as their excuse. Not only is it shameful to those that believe in God, but it is also morally wrong to use religion as a means to safeguard oneself from harm.
In a day where offending someone is a crime, we have no way to stop anyone by any means other than waiting for a court to get them, though loop holes are made. Thus, religion, poses a problem to many a public eye. The battles fought over religions many, many years ago, all the blood shed said to be in the name of God, really was not God's desire. If God wants all to be happy and well, then why is it he would start a war? No, the one's that started the "Holy Wars" were the men who desired power. A great movie on this would have to be Kingdom of Heaven.
To me, the Bible is no longer a source for which people to follow. Besides, no one really follows the Bible to the letter. If you only follow the parts you like, what does that say? It says you do not agree to all of the teachings so you have no right to say you live by the Bible. On top of that, why should you need to do so? If we all have the ability to be a good person or a bad person, why must we follow rules? Should we not be able to know what is right and what is wrong?
Also, another thing I found was odd... How can people say that the only way to get to Heaven is to follow the Bible to the letter when they themselves do not? Mind you, some do, but most do not and yet lie and say they do in order to appear better. Who cares what others think? Should you not be able to live your life, using your heart and mind and soul to become and good person or a bad one? Should you not be able to do what you think is good and just and be able to stand before God and say:
"I know that I may not have followed the scriptures, but I do believe I made good in the world and I never faltered in my moral standings, nor did I force upon others my will as that is corruption's purest of forms. For this and this alone, I do believe, I have completed the true goal put upon me by you; being a good person. May I now enter the gates of Heaven? "
I will tell you this, I am an agnostic. No, not atheist. Agnostic people are, literally, those who do not confirm nor deny the existence of any immortal or divine being. I, being heavily Irish, am very in tune to the supernatural and the ethereal realms. I believe there are many things that happen in life and in death. I do not fear death for one simple reason; I know I made bad choices, but I know I made more good choices to outweigh the bad and I have made people's lives better in my time being alive. No human lives forever, except in story and legend. Anyway, I do not want to say there is God or any other Divine Immortal. However, I do believe that something created that which created this existence and be it God or any other I do not know and will not determine until it is my time. If I can stand at the gates of Heaven and see that it is indeed God awaiting, then I will see it as fact and believe in that alone. I do not want to say something does not exist when it does nor do I want to say something does exist when it does not. I know there is something up there, but I do not believe it was they that created us. I believe we evolved, but I also believe something or someone created that which we evolved from somehow. The raw materials that created the Big Bang were used to make us. We may be an accident, we may have been created by mistake, but the point is that something created the universe from the nothingness that was once the universe. Whatever it was that made those raw elements is still there as it could not have just died. I do not believe it is a solid form and has to be some sort of spiritual being or force. I know my views may seem different and odd, but it is what I believe. After all, in a time where science and religion clash together, I have found a balance between them.
I, myself, wish to become a microbiologist (scientist that studies microbes and viruses). I have formed my own view on things, though. Science is not perfect and can not prove everything, but it is helping us understand our physical world.
If anyone would like to discuss it with me, I will be trying to get on the show sometime soon in order to better explain this all as I can only type up so much before my hands begin to hurt.
--
Jason
posted by Jason W. Allen @ 12:29 PM
1 Comments
1 Comments:
Kevin,
It is true that the Bible was written very long ago but just because something is old does not make it false or unreliable. Just because something is old does not mean that we can not identify with its teachings or apply those teachings to our lives.
Although life is different from centuries ago (clothing styles, technology, speech, etc.) people have not really changed at all. We still have the same lusts for power, money, material possessions, sex, and on and on. That is why the teachings of the Bible are still very applicable today. Sometimes it takes a little work such as understanding the culture of the time and how the original Greek, Hebrew, or Aramaic word was used but in the end we always find that what was said in the Bible is useful to us even now. That’s because the Bible speaks of matters relating to the heart (how we act as individuals and how we interact with others) and not of matters of culture. Normally, when cultural events are mentioned it is to give a historical reference or to ensure proper context.
You are correct in saying that many people have translated the Bible to fit their own desires. If you take things out of context and speak out of ignorance, you can make the Bible say anything you want. If fact, you could do this with many other books as well. It is a shame that this has happened throughout history but remember that just because something was used for evil doesn’t mean that that something is itself evil.
I cannot say whether or not specific events in history were God’s desire. I believe that God’s thoughts are above mine that His understanding infinitely exceeds mine. He can see the big picture where I can only see what is within my understanding. I also believe that even if things did not happen in the most ideal way that God uses everything that happens to produce an ultimate good for those who serve Him.
If someone is telling you that the only way to Heaven is by following the Bible to the letter than that someone is wrong. I must walk very carefully through this next section in order to get my point across correctly… As Christians we believe that there is only way to Heaven which is stated in the Bible when Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me,” in John 14:6. We believe that only through Jesus can we enter into Heaven and although we make the choice to repent and follow Him, we enter Heaven because of what Jesus did and not by anything we have done.
We believe that there is no one who is good enough to enter Heaven on his own. We have an understanding of right and wrong or good and evil because of God but none of us are ultimately good. We believe that even on our best days with our best deeds it is all seen as filthy rags to God. That’s because even on our best days with our best deeds there is always selfish intent, ulterior motives, self glorification, or other things littered with them. We believe that it is only because of God’s infinite mercy and only through His grace that we are saved from His holy wrath. And if God asks us why He should let us enter into Heaven we will not say, “Because I did this or I did that or I deserve…” but instead say, “Because Jesus, the ruler of my life, died my death and paid for my sins on the cross at Calvary, without Him I cannot enter.”
I find it curious that you do not want to say that there is a God but at the same time say that something created everything. That is a statement that I do not understand.
As for wanting to be a microbiologist I applaud your goals. For someone who seeks answers, this is a great place to go. Remember though, that seeking answers and seeking truth are somewhat different although they both are complimentary. I believe that both science and archeology routinely confirms the Bible, but this is something you will have to decide for yourself.
There is a great book titled “Darwin’s Black Box” by Michael J. Behe that explores evolution’s claims at a biochemical level that you may be interested in. You may also consider researching topics like the Mitochondrial Eve as well and making your own decisions about them.
Well, Kevin, like you I don’t have all the answers but I am grateful for those like you who are willing to listen and explore without an argument. It is very refreshing and whatever you decide in the end thanks for sharing your insights with us.
Chris
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