Any student of human history will have to agree that religion has, from the very beginning, played a vital role in the lives of mankind. For some reason humans had to believe in some powerful deity that controls their lives, provide protection and favours and that can punish poor behaviour. To this day religious orders and churches wield great power all over the world, using their Holy books as their justification. This is why I am not a Bible student.
Many people hold the opinion that the scriptures have not been written by God, as theologians would like everyone to believe. Instead, it consists of a collection of letters, stories and books written by humans. Some of these books and writings are even inspirational or entertaining, but they are nevertheless the subjective products of fallible humans that cannot be taken as holy.
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.
Some people ignore the scriptures because they simply do not know who to believe. There are those that say that the scriptures is an accurate historical record that contains not one single factual error. Then there are others that hold the opinion that the scriptures are allegorical and that it must not be interpreted literally at all. Both views have highly qualified and experienced advocates.
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.
A great many sceptics point out that the scriptures are exclusive in nature. It has no tolerance for any other view or religion. It soundly condemns those that do not firmly believe in the scriptures to hell and damnation. It clearly states that man always has a free choice, but, says the critics, how can this be if the scriptures will not allow any view other than the one it portrays.
Many people refuse to believe in or read the scriptures because they feel betrayed. They say that the scriptures make false promises, such as the loving care and nurturing of the God Almighty. Yet millions upon millions of Christians are suffering from severe poverty, hunger and persecution. The message of love, as proclaimed in the scriptures, is a cruel joke, critics maintain.
Of course there are many devout students of the holy scriptures. However, the iron grip that organized religion had on the everyday lives of all humans is increasingly being rejected. At the same time, the Bible, as the official handbook of the Christian religion is also being rejected.
Many people hold the opinion that the scriptures have not been written by God, as theologians would like everyone to believe. Instead, it consists of a collection of letters, stories and books written by humans. Some of these books and writings are even inspirational or entertaining, but they are nevertheless the subjective products of fallible humans that cannot be taken as holy.
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.
Some people ignore the scriptures because they simply do not know who to believe. There are those that say that the scriptures is an accurate historical record that contains not one single factual error. Then there are others that hold the opinion that the scriptures are allegorical and that it must not be interpreted literally at all. Both views have highly qualified and experienced advocates.
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.
A great many sceptics point out that the scriptures are exclusive in nature. It has no tolerance for any other view or religion. It soundly condemns those that do not firmly believe in the scriptures to hell and damnation. It clearly states that man always has a free choice, but, says the critics, how can this be if the scriptures will not allow any view other than the one it portrays.
Many people refuse to believe in or read the scriptures because they feel betrayed. They say that the scriptures make false promises, such as the loving care and nurturing of the God Almighty. Yet millions upon millions of Christians are suffering from severe poverty, hunger and persecution. The message of love, as proclaimed in the scriptures, is a cruel joke, critics maintain.
Of course there are many devout students of the holy scriptures. However, the iron grip that organized religion had on the everyday lives of all humans is increasingly being rejected. At the same time, the Bible, as the official handbook of the Christian religion is also being rejected.
About the Author:
Find out more about why I am not a Bible student by visiting nowthink.com today. To learn all about our current projects and get detailed information on alternative religions, click the links at http://www.nowthink.com/bible-student .
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