Taking the Bible Literally -- Or Not [W:775]

[HowardBThiname]

If you consider the Bible to be the literal word of God -- you're in declining company.

For the past 50 years, Americans have been slowly but decidedly choosing to view the Bible as not the literal word of God. I knew about the correlation between education and religious belief, but I wasn't aware of the racial correlation. Where are you in this picture?

The secularizing trend-line is clear: back in 1976, 38% of Americans believed that the Bible was the actual word of God to be taken literally—but as noted above, that has dwindled down to 24% today. And on the flip-side, back in 1976, only 13% of Americans saw the Bible as a book of fables and legends recorded by men—but that has risen to 26%. In the middle of these two orientations, are the 47% of Americans who currently view the Bible as the “inspired word of God, not to be taken literally.”

The demographics are interesting. Women are slightly more likely to view the Bible as the literal word of God, while men are slightly more likely to see it as a book of fables written by people. White people are less likely than people of color to view the Bible as the literal word of God, and are more likely to see it as a book of fables written by people. Not surprisingly, education is a decisive factor: only 13% of college graduates view the Bible as the literal word of God (compared to 31% of people who never attended college) and 36% of college graduates view the Bible as a book of fables written by people—compared to only 19% of people who never attended college. And finally, younger Americans are much more likely to view the Bible as man-made than older Americans.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-secular-life/201705/bible-belief-in-decline

 

[Sweden]

Re: Taking the Bible Literally -- Or Not

If you consider the Bible to be the literal word of God -- you're in declining company.

For the past 50 years, Americans have been slowly but decidedly choosing to view the Bible as not the literal word of God. I knew about the correlation between education and religious belief, but I wasn't aware of the racial correlation. Where are you in this pictur


https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-secular-life/201705/bible-belief-in-decline

At this rate only a generation or two and the US will have joined the civilised world!

 

[HowardBThiname]

Re: Taking the Bible Literally -- Or Not

At this rate only a generation or two and the US will have joined the civilised world!

We're getting there!

 

[zyzygy]

Re: Taking the Bible Literally -- Or Not

We're getting there!

I have high hopes.

 

[devildavid]

Re: Taking the Bible Literally -- Or Not

Now if everyone could just figure out that concepts like god, spirituality, and truth are make believe we could move on. But irrationality has strong grip on humanity.

 

[Tim the plumber]

Re: Taking the Bible Literally -- Or Not

Now if everyone could just figure out that concepts like god, spirituality, and truth are make believe we could move on. But irrationality has strong grip on humanity.

truth, without a capital T, is not make believe.

There is a real world. Just one set of things have happened.

 

[Logicman]

Re: Taking the Bible Literally -- Or Not

If you consider the Bible to be the literal word of God -- you're in declining company.

If true that only means more and more Biblically-challenged nitwits will most likely be winding up in Hell.

For the past 50 years, Americans have been slowly but decidedly choosing to view the Bible as not the literal word of God. I knew about the correlation between education and religious belief, but I wasn't aware of the racial correlation. Where are you in this picture?

Don't confuse education with Godly wisdom.

Reminding people that today the Bible is the biggest best-seller in history obscures one other incredible fact: The Bible is also the best selling book each and every year. It is estimated that some 72,000 Bibles are sold every day, with an estimated 26 million sold annually.

And what replaces the Bible? The lies and folly of liberalism and the continued lack of any credible, peer-reviewed scientific studies that prove God and the supernatural do not and cannot exist.

And to this day, after all the sophomoric attacks and attempts to diminish or negate it, the resurrection accounts of Jesus Christ in the New Testament have still not been discredited or falsified.

Jesus is Lord!

 

[Logicman]

Re: Taking the Bible Literally -- Or Not

If you consider the Bible to be the literal word of God -- you're in declining company.

Nineteenth century writer H.L. Hastings once forcibly illustrated the unique way in which the Bible has withstood the attacks of skepticism:

“Infidels of eighteen hundred years have been refuting and overthrowing this book, and yet it stands today as solid as a rock. Infidels, with all their assaults, make about as much impression on this book as a man with a tack hammer would on the Pyramids of Egypt.

“When the French monarch proposed the persecution of Christians in his dominion, an old statesman and warrior said to him, ‘Sire, the church of God is an anvil that has worn out many hammers.’ So the hammers of infidels have been pecking away at this book for ages, but the hammers are worn out, and the anvil still endures. If this book had not been the book of God, men would have destroyed it long ago. Emperors and popes, kings and priests, princes and rulers have all tried their hand at it; they die and the book still lives.”

“No other book has been so chopped, knived, sifted, scrutinized, and vilified. What book on philosophy or religion or psychology or belles lettres of classical or modern times has been subject to such a mass attack as the Bible? With such venom and skepticism? With such thoroughness and erudition? Upon every chapter, line and tenet? The Bible is still loved by millions, and studied by millions."

 

[HowardBThiname]

Re: Taking the Bible Literally -- Or Not

Nineteenth century writer H.L. Hastings once forcibly illustrated the unique way in which the Bible has withstood the attacks of skepticism:

“Infidels of eighteen hundred years have been refuting and overthrowing this book, and yet it stands today as solid as a rock. Infidels, with all their assaults, make about as much impression on this book as a man with a tack hammer would on the Pyramids of Egypt.

“When the French monarch proposed the persecution of Christians in his dominion, an old statesman and warrior said to him, ‘Sire, the church of God is an anvil that has worn out many hammers.’ So the hammers of infidels have been pecking away at this book for ages, but the hammers are worn out, and the anvil still endures. If this book had not been the book of God, men would have destroyed it long ago. Emperors and popes, kings and priests, princes and rulers have all tried their hand at it; they die and the book still lives.”

“No other book has been so chopped, knived, sifted, scrutinized, and vilified. What book on philosophy or religion or psychology or belles lettres of classical or modern times has been subject to such a mass attack as the Bible? With such venom and skepticism? With such thoroughness and erudition? Upon every chapter, line and tenet? The Bible is still loved by millions, and studied by millions."

H.L. Hastings, bless his heart, said that 150 years ago, back when people still thought blacks were inferior to whites and nobody had even heard of an automobile, much less a microwave or a space shuttle.

As people become more educated, they naturally turn away from religion, which was conceived with the intent of controlling the unruly masses. Once you understand even a little bit about science, the idea that sticks turn into snakes, and snakes start talking starts to be seen as the fairy-tale that it is. And, once the goofy things are rejected, it's easy to let the rest of the text go.

Some folks believe Santa is real, too.

 

[nota bene]

Re: Taking the Bible Literally -- Or Not

At this rate only a generation or two and the US will have joined the civilised world!

Last time I checked, "civilized" wasn't a synonym for "non-theist" or "without faith."

 

[Logicman]

Re: Taking the Bible Literally -- Or Not

H.L. Hastings, bless his heart, said that 150 years ago, back when people still thought blacks were inferior to whites and nobody had even heard of an automobile, much less a microwave or a space shuttle.

LOL. What did you liberals dredge up but the illicit scourge from Sodom and Gomorrah some 3,000 + years ago.

Some folks believe Santa is real, too.

I think those are pretty much the same people who think liberalism and socialism work.

 

[RAMOSS]

Re: Taking the Bible Literally -- Or Not

If true that only means more and more Biblically-challenged nitwits will most likely be winding up in Hell.



Don't confuse education with Godly wisdom.

Reminding people that today the Bible is the biggest best-seller in history obscures one other incredible fact: The Bible is also the best selling book each and every year. It is estimated that some 72,000 Bibles are sold every day, with an estimated 26 million sold annually.

And what replaces the Bible? The lies and folly of liberalism and the continued lack of any credible, peer-reviewed scientific studies that prove God and the supernatural do not and cannot exist.

And to this day, after all the sophomoric attacks and attempts to diminish or negate it, the resurrection accounts of Jesus Christ in the New Testament have still not been discredited or falsified.

Jesus is Lord!

What is much more important , it has not been shown to be the truth either. The gospels are not independant, and you can not show that they are more than just stories.

 

[Quag]

Re: Taking the Bible Literally -- Or Not

If true that only means more and more Biblically-challenged nitwits will most likely be winding up in Hell.



Don't confuse education with Godly wisdom.

Reminding people that today the Bible is the biggest best-seller in history obscures one other incredible fact: The Bible is also the best selling book each and every year. It is estimated that some 72,000 Bibles are sold every day, with an estimated 26 million sold annually.

And what replaces the Bible? The lies and folly of liberalism and the continued lack of any credible, peer-reviewed scientific studies that prove God and the supernatural do not and cannot exist.

And to this day, after all the sophomoric attacks and attempts to diminish or negate it, the resurrection accounts of Jesus Christ in the New Testament have still not been discredited or falsified.

Jesus is Lord!

I have already provided you with a non supernatural explanation for the resurrection
You have failed to provide any evidence to support a supernatural explanation
Your failed attempt at reversing the burden of proof is a complete failure.
The only explanation for your continued promoting of the massive failure is that your are in fact a POE and hate Christianity because no one tries harder at making Christians look foolish than you. But even at that you fail as no one judges Christians based on your nonsense.

 

[Tanngrisnir]

Re: Taking the Bible Literally -- Or Not

If true that only means more and more Biblically-challenged nitwits will most likely be winding up in Hell.

So you're headed to Hell? Well THAT would certainly suck.

Don't confuse education with Godly wisdom.

Reminding people that today the Bible is the biggest best-seller in history obscures one other incredible fact: The Bible is also the best selling book each and every year. It is estimated that some 72,000 Bibles are sold every day, with an estimated 26 million sold annually.

And what replaces the Bible? The lies and folly of liberalism and the continued lack of any credible, peer-reviewed scientific studies that prove God and the supernatural do not and cannot exist.

And to this day, after all the sophomoric attacks and attempts to diminish or negate it, the resurrection accounts of Jesus Christ in the New Testament have still not been discredited or falsified.

Jesus is Lord!

Yawn. The resurrection accounts have also never been demonstrated to be anything other than supernatural claims with zero credible evidence for their veracity.

But you already know that.

 

[Tanngrisnir]

Re: Taking the Bible Literally -- Or Not

What is much more important , it has not been shown to be the truth either. The gospels are not independant, and you can not show that they are more than just stories.

But, but, but, but, but, but, but.....

INCREDIBLY GINORMOUS AMOUNTS SOLD!!!!!!!! ALL TIME BEST SELLAH!!!

 

[Logicman]

Re: Taking the Bible Literally -- Or Not

So you're headed to Hell? Well THAT would certainly suck.

Yawn. The resurrection accounts have also never been demonstrated to be anything other than supernatural claims with zero credible evidence for their veracity.

But you already know that.

Your theology is STILL only fit for the bottom of a bird cage.

 

[Logicman]

Re: Taking the Bible Literally -- Or Not

What is much more important , it has not been shown to be the truth either. The gospels are not independant, and you can not show that they are more than just stories.

Who wants to show you anything? All you do is kick everything to the curb, AUTOMATICALLY, without any credible analysis.

 

[Tanngrisnir]

Re: Taking the Bible Literally -- Or Not

Your theology is STILL only fit for the bottom of a bird cage.

This isn't about 'my' theology. It's about basic realities; ones that you seeminly cannot bring yourself to face.

Like, bummer, man.

Why pretend to be a Christian? What's the point?

 

[<alt>doxygen]

Re: Taking the Bible Literally -- Or Not

We're getting there!

Here's the rub : The people that DO believe the Bible is the literal word of God, and that it's completely historically accurate have attained a lot of political power and money. Mike Pence is one of them. Trump has been stacking the courts with believers. Look up the views of Gorsuch. That's a lot of power to bend laws right there.

 

[<alt>doxygen]

Re: Taking the Bible Literally -- Or Not

But, but, but, but, but, but, but.....

INCREDIBLY GINORMOUS AMOUNTS SOLD!!!!!!!! ALL TIME BEST SELLAH!!!

Mein Kampf was in every German household for a generation. Likewise, L. Ron Hubbard's nonsense was on the best seller lists for decades.

I have 3 Bibles. They were all given to me by groups that bought them to hand out. I doubt even 1% of the Bibles out there have been read cover to cover.

 

[btthegreat]

Re: Taking the Bible Literally -- Or Not

When anti-theists wash off their overpowering stench of intellectual snobbery, and those proselytizing theists wash off their overpowering stench of moral sanctimony, that is the day when society gets more civilized. Both represent a form of stereotyping and obnoxious arrogance that we can best do without.


Yes atheists manage to find their moral center and formulate a set of values and ethical stances without a God's help.
Yes theists manage to think logically, weigh evidence and respond with reason every day, without throwing their faith based beliefs under the bus.

 

[holbritter]

Re: Taking the Bible Literally -- Or Not

Now if everyone could just figure out that concepts like god, spirituality, and truth are make believe we could move on. But irrationality has strong grip on humanity.

What does it matter to you if someone has faith or are spiritual or not. Why can't people just leave one another alone and let them believe what they want? Who says it's irrational, you? Who are you, to decide that for someone else?

I don't believe as you do, therefore you are irrational. Sounds reasonable. :roll:

 

[Casper]

Re: Taking the Bible Literally -- Or Not

If you consider the Bible to be the literal word of God -- you're in declining company.

For the past 50 years, Americans have been slowly but decidedly choosing to view the Bible as not the literal word of God. I knew about the correlation between education and religious belief, but I wasn't aware of the racial correlation. Where are you in this picture?


https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-secular-life/201705/bible-belief-in-decline

Science has proven that the Bible should not always be taken literally, many stories in the OT are meant as teaching tools for people if the time to understand the lesson. Does not mean the message is wrong.

 

[Sweden]

Re: Taking the Bible Literally -- Or Not

Last time I checked, "civilized" wasn't a synonym for "non-theist" or "without faith."

Religion is a hangover from a primative pre-scientific age. As knowledge waxes religion wanes. Do you deny that as civilisation has progressed and spread so has religious belief been gradually consigned to history?

I treasure our old Swedish churches, often with their 14th cent painted interiors, as monuments to a bygone age. But an ignorant and superstitious age which I am glad I have not lived in.

 

[devildavid]

Re: Taking the Bible Literally -- Or Not

truth, without a capital T, is not make believe.

There is a real world. Just one set of things have happened.

That's what I meant. Truth.