Lets Play Normal People Vs. Bible Thumper
Posted: Saturday, February 21, 2009
by Gregory Akerman
Silver Discount Properties, LLC
This article is a self-debate between the viewpoints of an Agnostic Theist and Literal Interpreter of the Bible. Definitions first. The way I define Agnostic Theism is that, first, Agnostic means, literally, "without knowledge." A normal Agnostic would say that they make no claim as to what is out there and simply belief that it could be anything; It's possible there is a God and possible there is no higher being. An Agnostic Theist, such as myself, believes in a higher power, but I make no claim as to know what it is, how it works, or what it is, except to say that the odds of it being one type of deity, lets say God for example, is the same odds of reincarnation being the deity or us being an Alien experiment. Now, a Literal Interpreter of the Bible, while being many strange things, tend to also be Young Earth Creationist: The belief that the Universe was created the night preceding October 23, 4004 BC, according to Archbishop Ussher and his "Ussher chronology." Biblical literalism is the belief that everything in the Bible is not a metaphor or a story for good moral; but rather everything in the Bible happened, literally.
Who the hell (excuse the pun) wrote the Bible? Biblical literalists would lead you to believe it is the actual word of God written down on paper by approximately 40 authors whose hands were magically guided by God. So the Bible is inherently flawed. In Agnostic Theism, first, I make no claim as to what the higher power is. It could literally be anything. The fact that it could be anything literally makes my viewpoint correct because I inherently have all bases covered.
Argument Two
Organized religion is nothing more than a scam that was made up to control the masses, and was (and still is) the leading factor in the majority of all Wars and Conflicts on this planet. Listen, if you believe the Heaven and the Earth was created in 7 days but you are a nice guy, you don't preach about it and tell people who have different opinions that they will go to hell, than your 100% ok by me. If the stories in the Bible teach you things and you gained good morals from it, that's awesome and it's great we can live in a country were we can be so open about religion. Now, when a Bible Thumper is trying to preach to a group of people, or seeks out "one person at a time because God sent them on a mission, " they are not keeping their views to themselves, and worse, they usually tell people who have different opinions that they will go to hell. So Organized Religion, especially Creationism, is a scam; Agnostic Theism by definition could mean that there is any deity out there.
Argument three
Who believes in Santa Claus? Tooth Fairy? Peter Pan? Well, the way Biblical literalism puts it, God is next in this list of imaginary people.
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More commentsGreg,I'm not much for theological debate. I'm more into a person's words, but mostly actions and deeds. Regardless of belief, books one reads, classes one takes, upbringing, etc. I look to how a person acts. I've known the religious who have done terrible deeds and the non-religious to do the wonderful and unexpected. I will always look to the aura of the spirit that preceeds the person before looking to their religious credentials and words.One of the most spiritual people I ever met was a Muslim woman who interviewed me for a potential post at a Muslim run elementary school. Upon entering the room I felt such a spiritual calm that I rarely experience. I have also met people of great spirit who do not even claim to be religious.Therefore, I have long since ignored labels, beliefs, words, dress, and other outwardly forms of individuals and look to their actions and deeds, their personal non-denominational aura. This has brought me great friends and lessons and experience that I will never forget.I concur, well said Jeff.
Actions speak louder than words.
Hello, Gregory. I am inclined to agree with Robert M. I had much rather live my life believing that there is a God and a Son, then find out there isn't; than to live my life as if there were no God and Son and find out there is. I'm not a 'Bible Thumper', I'm just a true believer and I believe there is inherent good in most people (barring serial killers, child molesters, and terrorists).Well written article--even when we don't agree.And I will always pray for you.Sandra
Your article reminded me of the old saying, Me thinks he doth protest too much. I will pray that you don't wake up some day like me, much older and whishing that I had done more to lead my children to the Lord Jesus Christ. I wish you the best on your journey in this world.Thank you,Linda D
This was a duplicate sent by mistake. Please ignore.Thank youLinda D
taht was really cool well if you want to know who wrote the bible you should really take silent reading in your study room with the bible.
Gregory, you a such a delight! I love your articles even though I don't agree with some of your philosophies; you were definitely graced with the gift of 'gab'. I'm just sorry that your faith isn't as strong--you would make such a wonderful believer. But either way, be yourself and someday my prayers will be answered--better that you are confident in your own beliefs than 'wishy-washy' in someone else's.Thanks for a great contribution to the debate team.SandraThank to for the comments, Sandra.This is a writing website, so people express themselves through writing.But something like religion in reality cannot be expressed in writing.The number one thing that me and you I am sure, believe in, is that being a good person, contributing positivly to society, helping your fellow man/woman, doing good deeds, these are actions and regardless of religion everybody should do good, no bad, and obviously no ones perfect, so if one makes a mistake, either fix it or pay the consequences or atleast make it "equal." But in general, you understand what I'm saying.In all about actions, and doing good is what really matters.As the "token atheist" in these parts I can heartily agree with theist and agnostic theist alike on this - living a good life, helping others and generally doing good deeds is something we should all strive to achieve :)and lets not forget................
God created atheists too
;)
This comment annoys theists and atheists alike ....some common ground for y'all.
Nice contrasts, but several logical fallacies here, including the "Straw Man" argument for God's existence. Really, you are arguing views from separate universes, comparing belief systems that are apples and oranges.
Gregory my man, what can of worms have you opened up here...this is what I like, I love to read the debates about religion, it is almost as interesting as politics, but I do have my own beliefs, and you know what they are, and I actually have no contest here because this is really open to ones interpretation of what they get out of your article. I think bottom line that you are saying that those "Bible Thumpers" really don't have the right to say that one is going to hell because they are not in agreement with all that the bible has to say in itself. I believe that you have the right to believe in whatever you believe in, I learned along time ago, you don't argue about politics, and /or religion! As usual,I love your thought provoking articles, and look at the response, I think this issue speaks for itself just in the response!!! Great thought provoking article...Well done....Your fan and friend in pen......GaryThank you so much Gary, I appreciaite your comments and completely agree with you.I have been stunned by the amount of comments this article has received, and I'm almost afraid of writing a new article because I doubt I'll be able to write an article that will live up to this article in the sense of comments.Thank you to everybody that commented; I never expected such a response and whehter you agree with me, whether your a "Bible Thumper," or whom ever you are, we all share space on this Earth of ours and we are all brothers and neighbors and regardless of religious debate as long as we do good to each other good things will follow; There will be a light at the end of the tunnel :-)
Wow, so I realized i didn't read my article for a long time and I just read it; And I'm kinda surprised as to what I read. I stand by everything I said but I sure did open a can of worms with this article.Its all good :-)
I have evidence the passover is as real today as it was in the beginning. 7 blessings take form as listed in Exodus 23. Miracles -great ones- have presented themselves after studying and outlining the first 5 books-for myself and no one else. The injury of a 3 part fracture on an L1was healed and an 18,000 dollar dept was paid for me- family and friends did not factor in. God made provisions when there were none. I was quite literally homeless, but was given a job and no one touched me but God provided a place to sleep while my possessions laid in climate control storage. The presence of God will present Himself when you observe the historical entity Moses who looked God in the face.Let me tell you what its like(presence)- It is like feeling the Presence of an all knowing Giant and at the same time the equally Enormous Mercy and love of This Great Presence. The reaction of anyone who feels it is the acknowledgement that He Is And that everything belongs to Him, You want to raise your hands and reach up to finally know The Heavenly Father, then 2 seconds later before you can raise your hands you want to fall to your knees in reverence. He is the I AM that I Am. Religion has hatred, and dirty politics, and greed. But to have the experience, you must search for the knowledge to know. You can't get to California by staying in Mississippi. Truly agnostics are like girls who sit on the couch and eat icecream- never desiring a happier fuller life that comes from a sheer interest in it (life).
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