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Cherry Picking The Bible: A Perplexing Phenomenon - Religion - Nairaland

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Cherry Picking The Bible: A Perplexing Phenomenon by EyeHateGod: 3:25pm On Oct 18, 2016
God, as the character described in his bestselling book, didn't just have different opinions than others. He was cruel. He was depicted as worse than any serial killer the world has ever known. The atheist community has done a great job illustrating the examples of genocide, slavery, and other acts of terror that this being is responsible for in his story. I'll spare repeating all of this and just recommend that any curious readers that have somehow missed this criticism read a Bible or check out www.evilbible.com for an abbreviated illustration. As Richard Dawkins wrote in The God Delusion,

“The God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction: jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving control-freak; a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser; a misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully.”

In light of the cruelty we see in this character, the cherry picking just seems odd. It isn't a matter of having differing opinions on controversial subjects. It's the equivalent of, and slightly worse than, quoting pleasant things said by people like serial killers. One doesn't typically hear people quoting potentially decent things said by serial killers or evil dictators.

“Sporting chivalrous contest helps knit the bonds of peace between nations. Therefore may the Olympic flame never expire.” Adolf Hitler at the first Olympic torchlighting ceremony in Berlin 1936 ( http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Adolf_hitler ).

“If you are going to do something, do it well.” Charles Manson in an interview with Diane Sawyer in 1994 ( http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Charles_Manson ).

“Nothing is impossible for a man with a strong will.” Kim Jong-il in “Unification of the fatherland is an act of supreme patriotism” written in the 1970s (http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Kim_Jong-il ).

“When you work hard to do something right, you don’t want to forget it.” Ted Bundy, serial killer. Michaud, Stephen; Aynesworth, Hugh (August 1999). The Only Living Witness: The True Story of Serial Sex Killer Ted Bundy (Paperback; revised ed.). Irving, Texas: Authorlink Press.

These quotes sound like something you may see floating around social media pages in the form of nice little memes until you recognize the source. This is the same way some atheists see quoting nicer, inspirational things from the Bible. It appears that the horrible things in the Bible are ignored as people cling to some of the nicer things that are taught. When confronted with this, people just make comments about literature and how it was a different time. Meanwhile, believers continue to pick and choose what is literally believed and what is just metaphorical literature. The formula appears to take this form:

[size=20pt] Formula 1: Written Words + Agreement With Written Words = Literal Truth

Formula 2: Written Words + Disagreement With Written Words = Metaphor [/size]

Let's apply the formula:

[size=20pt]
Formula 1: The scriptures condemning homosexuality in the Bible (Written Words) plus a personal feeling that homosexuality is icky (Personal Agreement) will yield the claim that this is literally true. Examples of those following this formula would be James Dobson, Duck Dynasty Phil, and our friends at Chick-fil-A.

Formula 2: The scriptures condemning homosexuality in the Bible (Written Words) plus a personal feeling that homosexuality is okay (Personal Disagreement) will yield the claim that this is just a metaphor. Examples of those following this formula would be the more liberal forms of faith embracing homosexuality.[/size]

Don't misunderstand me here. I'm happy that people have the ability to cherry pick the bible. Otherwise, I would have been stoned to death by now for my apostasy. I only wish to illustrate why this seems so strange to me and express my wonder at how this is all so easily ignored for the religious once they are confronted with these questions from skeptics. Historically the world has given religions a shelter from criticism by condemning blasphemy. Even in the modern world in less violent regions criticizing religion is still often seen in an unfavorable light. I suppose that this is part of the reason this is so easily glossed over since it has always been considered bad taste to point out these nefarious teachings. Even with this considered, I'm still confounded by how easily the atrocities are looked over and that the main character of the book is still worshiped by so many people.

source:AtheistRepublic

2 Likes

Re: Cherry Picking The Bible: A Perplexing Phenomenon by EyeHateGod: 3:37pm On Oct 18, 2016
Lennycool:

Guy leave them. Jesus's teachings is now 'bendan select' if its too hard forget it, if its easy then do it to the best of your ability.
Re: Cherry Picking The Bible: A Perplexing Phenomenon by Sirma1: 3:39pm On Oct 18, 2016
the writer is mentally derail. and you Op, better repent or u perish in hell.
Re: Cherry Picking The Bible: A Perplexing Phenomenon by EyeHateGod: 3:44pm On Oct 18, 2016
Sirma1:
the writer is mentally derail. and you Op, better repent or u perish in hell.
Is it hell that's keeping you In Delusion?

1 Like

Re: Cherry Picking The Bible: A Perplexing Phenomenon by EyeHateGod: 3:46pm On Oct 18, 2016
Oh i forgot to Add The other One they Use:


"You See that Verse You Need The "Holy Spirit" To understand It"


Even though the holy spirit is hardly mentioned in the OT
Re: Cherry Picking The Bible: A Perplexing Phenomenon by hopefulLandlord: 3:59pm On Oct 18, 2016
Sirma1:
the writer is mentally derail. and you Op, better repent or u perish in hell.

Re: Cherry Picking The Bible: A Perplexing Phenomenon by Sirma1: 4:06pm On Oct 18, 2016
EyeHateGod:

Is it hell that's keeping you In Delusion?
I
If you dare the one who fashioned your existence, you are heading towards destruction. Your case is like someone going to hell who is looking for someone to accompany him.

1 Like

Re: Cherry Picking The Bible: A Perplexing Phenomenon by EyeHateGod: 5:49pm On Oct 18, 2016
Sirma1:
I
If you dare the one who fashioned your existence, you are heading towards destruction. Your case is like someone going to hell who is looking for someone to accompany him.
I asked you a Question is it Hell that's keeping you In Delusion?
Re: Cherry Picking The Bible: A Perplexing Phenomenon by oaroloye(m): 6:54am On Oct 19, 2016
SHALOM!

I spend hours on some of my posts, only to find that I am banned for DAYS, even!

Nor is my content much appreciated.

How can fifty people view your post, and have absolutely nothing to say? Such persons have failed as Human beings, in my opinion.

Anyone taking sides with Richard Dawkins must be a fool in my opinion- but when that person is also BLACK, even AFRICAN- they must be MENTAL.

Even because Richard Dawkins does or supports the same Principles that he accused GOD of doing wrongfully.

Why has no one ever remarked on that, folded this Hypocrite neatly, and put him away, until Oxygen Level in that his so-called Brain has risen above Necrotic Levels?

Anybody interested in my analisis of his wickedness can go to my Blog Page:

[See: GOD IS NOT CAPRICIOUS.]
Re: Cherry Picking The Bible: A Perplexing Phenomenon by Nobody: 11:34am On Oct 19, 2016
oaroloye:
SHALOM!

I spend hours on some of my posts, only to find that I am banned for DAYS, even!

Nor is my content much appreciated.

How can fifty people view your post, and have absolutely nothing to say? Such persons have failed as Human beings, in my opinion.

Anyone taking sides with Richard Dawkins must be a fool in my opinion- but when that person is also BLACK, even AFRICAN- they must be MENTAL.

Even because Richard Dawkins does or supports the same Principles that he accused GOD of doing wrongfully.

Why has no one ever remarked on that, folded this Hypocrite neatly, and put him away, until Oxygen Level in that his so-called Brain has risen above Necrotic Levels?

Anybody interested in my analisis of his wickedness can go to my Blog Page:

[See: GOD IS NOT CAPRICIOUS.]
Guy please go and sleep. How many people has Dawkins killed? Compare to the abrahamic God.
Re: Cherry Picking The Bible: A Perplexing Phenomenon by Nobody: 11:34am On Oct 19, 2016
oaroloye:
SHALOM!

I spend hours on some of my posts, only to find that I am banned for DAYS, even!

Nor is my content much appreciated.

How can fifty people view your post, and have absolutely nothing to say? Such persons have failed as Human beings, in my opinion.

Anyone taking sides with Richard Dawkins must be a fool in my opinion- but when that person is also BLACK, even AFRICAN- they must be MENTAL.

Even because Richard Dawkins does or supports the same Principles that he accused GOD of doing wrongfully.

Why has no one ever remarked on that, folded this Hypocrite neatly, and put him away, until Oxygen Level in that his so-called Brain has risen above Necrotic Levels?

Anybody interested in my analisis of his wickedness can go to my Blog Page:

[See: GOD IS NOT CAPRICIOUS.]
Guy please go and sleep. How many people has Dawkins killed? Compared to the abrahamic God.
Re: Cherry Picking The Bible: A Perplexing Phenomenon by Ranchhoddas: 12:47pm On Oct 19, 2016
Shalom
oaroloye:
SHALOM!

I spend hours on some of my posts, only to find that I am banned for DAYS, even!

Nor is my content much appreciated.

How can fifty people view your post, and have absolutely nothing to say? Such persons have failed as Human beings, in my opinion.

Anyone taking sides with Richard Dawkins must be a fool in my opinion- but when that person is also BLACK, even AFRICAN- they must be MENTAL.

Even because Richard Dawkins does or supports the same Principles that he accused GOD of doing wrongfully.

Why has no one ever remarked on that, folded this Hypocrite neatly, and put him away, until Oxygen Level in that his so-called Brain has risen above Necrotic Levels?

Anybody interested in my analisis of his wickedness can go to my Blog Page:

[See: GOD IS NOT CAPRICIOUS.]
You make very interesting and informative posts. But they seem not to be ''appreciated'' because of the manner in which you present them. I think they are unnecessarily lenghty and colourful. People usually do not like to read such posts especially when they are not even sure of what they are reading. You shoud make them short and numerous instead of one long post. Feedback is easier that way. Perhaps you should also tone down your use of colour and upper-case letters. The frequent bans you receive are also as a result of the anti-spam software interpreting your manner of posting as spamming the forum.
Re: Cherry Picking The Bible: A Perplexing Phenomenon by EyeHateGod: 2:05pm On Oct 19, 2016
Ranchhoddas:
[b]Shalom[/b]You make very interesting and informative posts. But they seem not to be ''appreciated'' because of the manner in which you present them. I think they are unnecessarily lenghty and colourful. People usually do not like to read such posts especially when they are not even sure of what they are reading. You shoud make them short and numerous instead of one long post. Feedback is easier that way. Perhaps you should also tone down your use of colour and upper-case letters. The frequent bans you receive are also as a result of the anti-spam software interpreting your manner of posting as spamming the forum.
There is noting interesting in Conspiracy Theory
Re: Cherry Picking The Bible: A Perplexing Phenomenon by Ranchhoddas: 2:11pm On Oct 19, 2016
EyeHateGod:

There is noting interesting in Conspiracy Theory
Different strokes for different folks.
Re: Cherry Picking The Bible: A Perplexing Phenomenon by analice107: 2:50pm On Oct 19, 2016
oaroloye:
SHALOM!

I spend hours on some of my posts, only to find that I am banned for DAYS, even!

Nor is my content much appreciated.

How can fifty people view your post, and have absolutely nothing to say? Such persons have failed as Human beings, in my opinion.

Anyone taking sides with Richard Dawkins must be a fool in my opinion- but when that person is also BLACK, even AFRICAN- they must be MENTAL.

Even because Richard Dawkins does or supports the same Principles that he accused GOD of doing wrongfully.

Why has no one ever remarked on that, folded this Hypocrite neatly, and put him away, until Oxygen Level in that his so-called Brain has risen above Necrotic Levels?

Anybody interested in my analisis of his wickedness can go to my Blog Page:

[See: GOD IS NOT CAPRICIOUS.]
I sent you a mail sir, pls reply. Shalom
Re: Cherry Picking The Bible: A Perplexing Phenomenon by hopefulLandlord: 9:51am On Dec 15, 2016
EyeHateGod:
There is noting interesting in Conspiracy Theory
really?
Re: Cherry Picking The Bible: A Perplexing Phenomenon by hopefulLandlord: 3:06am On Jan 17, 2017
hmmmm

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