On Wed, 17 Aug 2005, John Klein wrote: > On Wed, 17 Aug 2005, Carla Hunt wrote: > > @> >> Warning: Discussion of religious viewpoints here. If such is > @> >> unpleasant, don't read further > @> >> > @> >> > @> >> * > @> >> > @> >> > @> > > @> >> * > @> >> > @> >> > @> >> > @> >> > @> >> * > @> >> > @> >> > @> >> > @> >> > @> >> * > @> >> > @> >> > @> >> > @> >> > @> >> * > @> >> > @> >> > @> >> > @> >> > @> >> * > @> >> > @> >> > @> >> > @> >> > @> >People pick and choose which commandments apply. What we like to do > @> >are those we select as no longer applicable. Stuff which is not nearly > @> >so clear - but which disgust us, condemn the practitioners to being > @> >tortured beyond all understanding forever and ever without hope of > @> parole. > @> > @> ahhhh, but if the bible is truly the inspired word of god, then i'm > @> betting god meant for all those commandments to apply, not for people to > @> pick and choose. > > Sure, one can take that approach. But if one does, then one must advocate > stoning, polygamy, slavery, and also one must abide by all the kosher > laws, etc. Then that person will have a consistent world-view. If you're > not doing that, though, you are interpreting the Bible and removing > certain things that you think don't apply. As I understand it, the events in the Gospels set down a new law -- the old kashrut laws (Mosaic law) are set aside, or summarized, in the two Great Commandments -- Love God above all things, and your neighbor as yourself. Granted, most of my theology comes from osmosis (a friend is a pretty devout Greek Orthodox, and enjoys nerding out about it), but that's what I remember. > God's plan is not for mortals to understand. True enough, but that doesn't let mortals off the hook -- the duty is to try your best, as well as you know how. Hence, for instance, the close study of the Torah, or the Protestant practice of regular Bible-reading (I can't say that I find Sola Scriptura compelling, but whatever works for them, I guess), or the centuries of scholarship from both Catholic and Orthodox priests or devout layfolk. > Well, sort of for the Old Testament, see above. The New Testament contains > no such thing, although it does have prohibitions against rape and > beastiality (Jude 1), pederasty (Matthew 8), fertility cults (Romans 1), > and temple prostitution (1 Corinthians 6, 1 Timothy 1) which are > frequently (and, probably, deliberately) mistranslated or misconstrued as > specific prohibitions of homosexuality by people with an agenda to push. Man, I always thought we could use some hierodules. Just sayin'. pe