PDM has recently posted some pieces from some organisation called Present Truth who say In every age there has been a message of PRESENT TRUTH from Heaven that needed to be understood

They seem to be some extreme christian group that thinks rock music, santa claus and everything else they don't like is a manifestation of the devil.

What I don't understand about these and other religious fundamentalists is that, if they say that the bible is the word of god, why it is necessary for them to explain it. Isn't it enough or people to read the bible themselves?

Isn't it heresy to do what they are doing, which is to say "It might say this, but what god really meant to say is....."

Meanwhile, I'm checking the online bible to see where it says rock music is evil - and if it differentiates between the Beatles and Rolling Stones. And what it has to say about rap ......


edited to correct misstyped sentence :- Isn't it heresy to do what they are doing, which is togod really meant to say is....."
to
Isn't it heresy to do what they are doing, which is to say "It might say this, but what god really meant to say is....."

Peter...I agree with your points completely. But do you think I am wrong to say that God must think it's alright for women to teach? In several places in the Old Testament and New it states that women should not hold teaching positions in the church. Do you think that makes me a heretic? I am asking this as a sincere question...

I think, maybe, because there are so many contradictions in the Bible, so many doubtful translations, and also a number of cases where God is not seen to be the loving, merciful 'father' who is preached about in church (see thread: 1 Samuel 15:2-3 http://www.wineintro.com/forum/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=13;t=000215)

I think it is because they assume that anyone who doesn't believe as they do is an idiot who doesn't understand what they read in the Bible and needs to be lead by the hand to the "correct" way of believing.

Squeek--I do not think you are a "heretic" because you think women have a place in the church--including ministering. But then what do I know--I am just another woman.

PDM--there a alot of contradition in the Bible--but given its oral traditions--honestly there could be alot more. I think the thing to remember with the Bible--is that each Book is based on the preceptions of God at the time.

Yes, I think you are right, but this is quite worrying when you consider that the Bible is not always regarded that way, but is said to be the very word of God and that it is even regarded, by many, as a guide for us to live our daily lives by.

It is a worry--I know people who take it all very literally and will not even entertain the thought that it is not word for word true. Unfortunately there are a variety of sources of information available to people, (including the internet) and all you can do is hope they have the good sense to sort the wheat from the chaff.

i think you are misunderstanding Peter :

so it is a matter of what they say or think about bible - and if they think Bible is word of god - then exactly, what is the need for the interpretations ?
contradictions or not - if they say Bible is word of God - then everything is truth - THE TRUTH.

Either you believe what the bible says is an instruction book which must be followed to the letter -- which is difficult as it is contradictory -- but if you do then you can't pick and choose which bits you want to follow and which you want to ignore.

Or you see it as an interesting hotchpotch of stories and allegories and tribal instructions written by patriarchal desert dwellers 2000 years ago, but no basis for making decisions today in the modern world.

I see the bible as a work inspired by God but written by man. With some opinions of men thrown in for flavor.

I see the topic of not allowing women to teach in the church as an influence of the times. By allowing women to teach in the church today does not change the doctrine of the bible. I'm not changing who God is.

So I see my viewpoints as a midway point between the two you describe above.

i think this version is closer to fact.

the same goes for most of our hindu sacred texts too.