I was talking to my friend Alena on facebook, because she said she was sad and wished she had a cheatsheet to her "guide" the bible.

I posted the following, as my opinion to a friend.
" My opinion is that the answers are within yourself... ill probably get a load of poop for this, but the bible is what you interpret it to be. Don't take others opinions on your life. Live each day with the best intentions and you may be happier."

I thought it sounded good
Then comes David Kerr, a man who was a dance instructor, and a mentor in my younger years.

He said
"and Shannon love you but NO Bible says do not interpet.... the word is the WORD we interpet when we want to live like we want and not have to answer to anyone "

I replied
"David- I respect you and you are an awesome guy... anyway... there was research conducted by the university of berkeley, an ethics professor, and some students. They interviewed churches about a certain topic, and what the bible said about it. 20 miles apart, the churches of the same denomination said completely opposing things, and both quoted the bible.
Check this out, I think it a respectful commentary.
http://www.philosophytalk.org/pastShows/Jesus.html
It's an hour long JSYK "

Then He Said
" You know the truth... that is God Jesus a life for ours... if you do not believe that.... then evolution is your greatest goal in life and that is sad"


Why are people, who are supposed to love each person as themselves, so HATEFUL? I guess it depends on who is saying it, but this is the first time I have really been hurt by someone critizing my beliefs.

dear smiley, i am sorry this has been your experience. as a non-christian individual, i frequently receive hateful (both verbally and in body language) responses when i have an opposing or more open-minded approach to the bible. i believe every individual is supposed to read and feel the bible differently. (supposedly it is the word of god meant for mankind, but only if you believe the same as everyone else!?)

Smiley.
I'm sorry you were hurt. Unfortunately, people who believe the Bible isn't subject to interpretation are unable to use reason or logic in any meaningful way. It's not likely that they ever will regardless of how much you argue with them. I call them Christian mules because they seem so stubbornly stuck in their faith. It can be a blow to realize that someone you respected isn't the person you perceived them to be.

Maybe you could post this quote from another thread.


"In the modern world the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt."
- Bertrand Russell

If there was a child playing in the street, you saw a car coming and you ran out to grab the child by the arm and pull him to safety - and in the process, you broke the child's arm - your intent was to save the child, not to hurt him.

So the Christian may want to see you saved, by cramming salvation down your throat. Sometimes our tactics are not so great.

Bible interpretation - hummmmm, sometimes man can mess that up too! If you really want to know the truth, ask God to interpret. God's word is true, He means what He says, and it's not open to manipulate according to what we want it to say.

Having been raised Lutheran all my early years, in college I decided to explore some other beliefs to see what they were like. One thing I discovered is, when it comes to getting personal answers to ones problems, they all require you to take yourself to them.
The easiest example is Zen questions, problems, stories, sayings or what ever you want to call them. Some time ago someone tried to publish a list of answers to these question, like 'what is the sound of one hand clapping?'. All the Zen leaders at the time pointed out he was not enlightened and had no idea what he was talking about. Their point was, there is no set answer, you must bring yourself to the question and seek the answer through you needs at the time. To one person it may be the quit they need to center themselves, a pointer that they should simplify their lives, another may find it speaks of the lack of sound or purpose in their live because they avoid conflict, they need to balance their lives yin against yang.
The Bible works the same way. One can read or hear passages and get nothing out of them. It is only when you bring yourself, your problems to the writings that they have a chance to become meaningful an guiding.
My personal belief is, Life is hard, we can all use all the help we can get from what ever source it comes from. For some the Bible is The source, others a life dedicated to finding Zen balance works best. I say look for help where ever you can, if it comes from the Bible today, great, a Zen story tomorrow, fantastic, a saying by Buddha another day, then use the guidance. I feel you can be a Christian, live a Christian life and still find answers to their problems in the teachings of Buddhism and Zen, just consider it the sound of God's voice speaking to you today, tomorrow it may have a different sound.

Sorry I forgot to add that this can apply even when your normal guidance come from Zen, Buddhism or Pagan beliefs, the Bible can be a great source of comfort and guidance. After all when Buddha was read quotes from Jesus, he responded that this is a truly enlightened man of great spirit.

The birth date of Siddhartha Guatama, widely regarded as the Supreme Buddha and the founder of Buddhism, is estimated at 500 B.C.E. in the region of Nepal.

For him to have heard and remarked upon quotes from Christ would have required an extraordinary longevity, Steve. Christ is more likely to have been influenced by the Buddha's teachings during his lifetime.

... oh crap

Well, I thank you all for your replies.
I saw a post on here about the movie "Lord, save us from your followers." I am watching it again today, and I think this should be a requirement for everyone! Such a great message this movie is giving.

Absolutely right Joe. Christianity is a young religion. The majority of the existing major world religions were established well prior to Christianity, including Judaism, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, Jainism, Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism.

I have had more than one conversation centered around the mistaken belief that nothing existed before Christianity. Some at least acknowledge that Judaism must have come before Christianity, but I have had others insist that no one existed before Christians. (I am left to conclude that they must have fallen asleep during Sunday School and any discussions involving the Old Testament)

Yes I know it was not the original Buddha, but those that have attained the highest earthly state are referred to a an Arahants or Buddha. Some times a prefix is added to reflect their path to enlightenment or their earthly powers, such as Sammasambuddha, one who teaches or Paccakabuddha, enlightened but can not teach others. I am not sure which Buddha was responsible responsible for the quote, It was been 30 + years sense I took the classes and the textbooks are buried in a box in the garage and I do not want to get into that mess. The point that even religious leaders recognize wisdom in other religions is still valid.