Parent Calls Bible ‘PORN’ and Demands Utah School District Remove It From Libraries

Answer 1 - I dunno but I know it when I see it!

Answer 2 - I dunno, but I know it when I read it.

 

Your question comes across as cynical, and likely intended to force biblical literalists into a defensive corner. I've read the Book - parts of it many times - and know the ancient compilation regulates or condones cultural practices acceptable in the era it was written. But situations and styles change, practices go out of favor. In cultures and nations where women have been ascribed equal worth to a man, a female can wear modern clothing, freely go about with uncovered hair, and hold a job of her own choice without general disapproval. The equality of women is culturally acceptable in the West and most areas of the world, with notable exceptions primarily in nations ruled or constrained by Islamic fundamentalism.

The point being, the regulations on slavery you reference address a practice considered acceptable in cultures 3,000 years ago, but unnacceptable, illegal, immoral in the world of today. Other, later writings in this vast biblical compilation speak to the need for compassion, fairness, and love, instructing those paying attention the value of the Law of Reciprocity.

Using older portions of the ancient text to justify or condone their immoral practice our ancestors who acquired and abused slaves ignored the exhortations found in Christian scripture to treat other people as they wish to be treated. Their acquisition of slaves was ignited by greed, their overarching desire for prosperity, wealth, ease and comfort.

I view dichotomies between the texts as another nail in the coffin of biblical inerrancy and infallibility. To live one's life guided by principles based on unsefishly treating other people as we ourselves desire to be treated, is true "religion."

 

pretty sure slaves BC felt just as bad about it as slaves in the 1700’s.

 

Here’s the problem I have. I don’t see how you can use some Bible verses to make your point, and dismiss other Bible verses from the same book that don’t. Either the Bible is the literally inspired word of GOD or it’s just the opinion of the writer Moses.

 

You're assuming I am taking it literally, when I reference some Bible story or another. I think I posted earlier in the thread most everything in the Bible can be interpretted or understood on multiple levels. Some say four. The literal level with its myriad miracles is the most perplexing. Digging deeper other alternative reasons or spiritual dimensions are there to be discovered. The story of Ham uncovering Noah's nakedness in his tent is one such event. It used euphemistic language to describe an event that set the course for the future. Do I believe it literally happened the way it was written? No, but it was written to flesh out the reasons for forbidding incestuous unions as later described in Leviticus.

And though Moses is traditionally cited as the author of the first five books, it's not at all likely that is fact. Evidence points to the earliest books being written by multiple authors in Babylon during the 50 year exile.

 

That’s interesting. According to Jewish belief the Torah (first five books in the Old Testament) was written by Moses. I wasn’t aware there may have been other authors.