I don't live by any particular religion and I'll be the first to hold my hands up when it comes to knowing next to nothing about the bible. I can only go by quotes that I've read by others here, quotes made by people I know personally and things that Dot Cotton says in "Eastenders". Even so, it is clear that, in my opinion, the bible has many flaws.

Whether you are religious or not - even if you are but don't live by the words of the bible - are there any things in the bible that you would change if made possible? Even better, if you could rewrite the bible, what, in your opinion, would be the most important things for you to include?

Bring it up in a word document:

*click*

Control + A

*back space*

Control + S

*close*



There, I just saved thousand and thousands of people throughout the ages, from brutal punishment, crime and murder.

*watches rainbow over come the sky*

I do not think tampering with ancient documents and records is wise.
They are what they are, just like our Constitution.

I think a separate supplement or totally new book as a companion volume might be better.

The first thing I would pop in would be an explanation of hell using the Buddhist model that is relatively easy to understand.

I would have just hit delete. Much easier and quicker.

One must account for the educational and intellectual level of the people that the scriptures were originally written for. There is a great fear among Christian writers as to not change the intent of the word. A fear that is instilled from the scriptures themselves.
Gal1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. (PS. take note those of the Mormon faith).
It does present an oxymoron with the knowledge of today’s world. It would be much akin to you going back to those times and explaining the events of the war in Iraq for instance. How would you describe bombers, tanks, helicopters, machine guns and the like?
Or from the other perspective how would you describe tomorrow’s technological improvements to the people of today.
if I may go out on a limb for a sec, let me explain the following scripture to today’s world.
Genesis ii, 21-22

So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept he took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh; and the rib which the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man.
Remember that I am only paraphrasing as a demonstration.
So God anesthetized Adam so as he would feel no pain. And removed some cells and genetic material from his chest. This material He then cloned the first woman from Adams own body to be his companion on earth. He gave this new creation of woman the ability to replicate the physical attributes of both her and Adam without intervention from Himself.
So in concluding I would say that we are able to take scripture literally if we apply reason and knowledge as to the technical abilities of the people receiving that information.
All the Best

tornado Bec's ma had a thread such as this not to long ago, Its absurd not to rewrite things the apprehension to doing this is rooted in a humanity that has gotten lazy forgotten how to think Just wants someone to tell them what to do point them in the right direction just tell me so i don't have to make the really hard decisons....<my bible would look like this the journey of my life and how I have allowed life to show me the wonders and truths and mysteries of life through the living of mine, and it would be full of blank pages becasue i know that every day i see a new journey full of possiblity and full of new horizions to explore and i would have the experinces of my friends included and this would be unity and sacredness in all perspectives and no ones perspective would be better or more worthy than anothers, this bible would insist on new truths becasue life is all inclusive everything is integral to the whole...

Yes, and I am sure you have read through many of the same monster books that I have that are supposed to make understanding the bible easier for folks, that are often harder to comprehend than the bible itself since the last thing they are is user friendly.
The Oxford Companion comes to mind first. You can spend an hour sifting it to try to find a simple answer if you do not already pretty much know what you are looking for.
But and even bigger problem with these current study aids is that they are all written for people who were more or less already raised within a church and know "church language" well and what different words mean, and come off as harsh cold and very much out of the middle ages to those not familiar with the intent.

And that would be?

Oops! Sorry, I didn't know that.

That's a pretty good answer.

"New truths"? Like what?

I sooooo agree with that. I haven't attempted to read the bible since I was a kid, and even then, I didn't grow up in a family based on religion - well, except my Dad. He was Pagan - but I do remember finding it hard to understand. Even reading/hearing quotes from people - it all went in one ear and out the other. I find it as hard to get into as reading Shakespeare.

The bible has been changed & tampered with a lot over time to suite the needs of leaders and their people.

And it's not like it makes any more sense than before.

Honestly, if I could, I'd change the parts about not being able to have sex before marriage. I'd also like to have some time to myself and only myself, not constantly thinking of other people.

However, I believe the BIble to be the true Word of God, and so I cannot change it, because my God does not change.

Regards, PA

Never thought of it like that! Should have done though. Very clever explanation.

Tis fine Tornado...yes I made one a lil while ago...its on the second page of this board...I have no problem with this new one after all SurMan did say before if a thread has not been used in a while its ok to make a new one so feel free missy LOL

AHA here is it...I called it....If you could re-write the bible LOL check it out if you like

http://www.unexplained-mysteries.com/forum...topic=59308&hl=

absolutely nothing - real life
to have it in chronoligical order - my lower lets make my studying easier

I'd preserve the beautiful Psalms and Proverbs- i wouldn't change anything but give things a little bit of an update- sort of like a version 2.0...Theres some things that dont really need to apply to todays law in Leviticus and a few others- but morally the book shall never age.

WARNING: If you make this book your bible burn it, no one book contains the sacredness and wisdom or truth of life, My bible would be a construction of each and every person that has ever walked their perspective making up the whole, founded in 3 core concepts Awareness, honesty and Responsibility, Each life lived makes up the whole each person contains wisdom and each person is integral to the mysteries and wonders and workings of this universe, Wisdom that would be include and focused on would be that which brings the most benefit to the all of us.Each page would contain these WARNINGS: This is only a guide it is not to be taken literal, be open to new perspectives and new truths especially when you see the old ones not working. Never be afraid to admit you may be in error!!! WARNING: tell the truth especially to yourself first and foremost!!!!!! Namaste Sheri

Tornado I wrote this on Bec's ma's thread and i still stand by this until i don't lol girl not prob going over old ground I can always learn something good thread girl Namaste sheri

Yes, I think I'd change the part about "no sex before marriage" too.

There are a lot of opinions on this subject, so I would just leave it to the individual to make up thier own mind.


Thanks BM. I'll take a look at it in a sec.


What do you feel would need updating?


I like that!

He changed between the OT and the NT.
That is if the Bible was the truth.

Check this out: Morals from the Bible

Changing the bible would be no big deal. I'm sure stories from the OT,NT have been changed and rewritten many times to fit a particular era. Most of it is myth, but not to say that there isn't any truth in there. That's for reader to decide.

I agree with zandore
Although even without the Bible, people will still believe in something. I think it is inherent in some of our nature. And people will always kill in the name of a belief. Too much zeal can be dangerous in my opinion.

Exactly!

Why do people honestly feel that they need the bible, when we were (supposedly) given free will?

If you own a car a map comes in handy!

Yes but, with all due respect, one that takes you to the exact location. Not one that takes you around the houses then back on yourself.

Not the fault of the map that would be the drivers fault

Okay, that was kind of funny, but I was actually referring to the bible, lol.

Cars don't contribute to wars though - religion does. If the bible was a good thing, or a guide, then why are there so many differences between religions? How has the bible taught us right from wrong?

Truth is it people full of greed and power that contribute to war, Religion and politics just becomes there excuse!

Okay. So explain this:

I seem to remember a riot between the Protestants and Catholics due to victory with the Orange March? It got to a point where even little kids had bricks 'lobbed' at their heads by an opposing religion while being guarded by a parent on their way to school. These riots consisted of gas bombs, rocks, etc., until the police backed everyone off with water cannons.

How is this not about religion?


EDIT: This doesn't apply to everyone who believes in any particular religion. This is just an example.

No he did not

God is exactly the same in the two Testaments. I've posted this before, but as usual, it was totally ignored:

There is a repeated pattern throughout the Bible. That pattern is

SIN - JUDGEMENT - GRACE *sometimes Grace is preceded by Repentence*

This pattern applies to pretty much every single event in the Bible, both Old and New Testament. Just because God isn't taking the active role that he did back then, that's not to say that there's anything different about God.

Just my opinion though.

Regards, PA

Can I ask how do you know this for sure?

I thought I explained it farily well in the rest of that post. However, my statement that God did not change is as valid as zandore's statement that God did change. The only difference is I provided reasoning as to why I believe what I do.

Just a thought.

Regards, PA

You only believe.....thats not actual fact....belief is all you have

Just a quick question - why are you singling me out? zandore said exactly the same thing as I, except from the opposite point of view - the God of the New Testament is different to the Old Testament God. Why not ask him why he thinks that way?

Just a thought, perhaps.

Regards, PA

LOL PA I just respended to the last post...yours stood out...would you like me to question Zandore ok I will brb

Ok Zandore how do you know this? ( I believe ya but I just want to know how do you know for sure)


Is that ok PA???

NO need, I was just curious why. You're right, it is only my opinion. BUt I have backed that opinion up with solid reasons why I think this is the case. As it stands, zandore has not (though I have a fair idea of what he's going to write).

Regards, PA

Lets just see what Zandore has to say then...I have just asked him..

Zandore you better answer my question ya big nanar LOL

EDIT If this annoys you....Sheri wrote it and PA put her up to it LOL

Haha, you have a good point.

Then what was the purpose of Jesus supposedly dieing on the cross?


I can see your opinion has changed again.

The Bible! Read it for yourself.
The Bible shows him to be a violent God bent on genocide, mass murder, slavery, rape (condoned by the Christian God),......the list is long.

Or you can Google "Bible+violence" and then just click "I'm feeling lucky".

I would delete the writings of Paul, and Revelation.

If I could either totally rewrite the bible or edit it, ok first

jokingly and with a nod to bill and ted, it would only say "be excellent to one another"

in reality hasn't each denomination already done this to their benefit? It's been edited so many times lets start fresh.

call it bible 2.0

set down some rules for living (not in an "or else" kind of way I should add just because)

Don't kill
Don't hurt others physically, sexually, or mentally.
Don't steal.
Always do the absolute best you can in any situation.
(borrowing from Native Americans)
Always have the seventh generation in mind in everything you do small or big.
Treat the earth with respect.
Never harm an animal, unless specifically for food and then make it's death as painless and respectable as possible.
Give children more credit, they see and hear more than you realize.
No one needs to go hungry or homeless if everyone shared more.
If you have more than you need in one lifetime, give it away to those who have nothing.


Ok well thats just some ideas but really it wouldn't be a book more like a page. Life should be simple and a religion should not need more than a page anyway, how many pages do you need to say "just be nice to one another"?

All ancient soceities were barabaric and their rulers changed things to suit them.
Despite this religions helped the peoples become more just as their civilizations evolved, as religions gave them all their first solid foundations for law and the order neecessay for healthy growth.

Evolution of law and civilization is both fact and theory.
Religion creating barbarism among a previously peaceful and advancing civiization is not.

Read this about what violence in the Bible is doing:

Bibles to be Published With Parental Advisory Labels
Freehold Iowa - Liberals are screaming bloody murder again over the accidental death of a Landover Baptist child whose sweet innocent faith in Scripture sent him home to Jesus with third-degree burns after attempting to re-enact a scene he had read in the Bible where God kept three people alive in a furnace to impress a king a few thousand years ago.

"This child's faith in God and his untimely death should be a cause for rejoicing, not dismay!" yelled Pastor Deacon Fred from the pulpit on Sunday morning. "Through little Billy's example, other children will want to pick up the Bible and read true stories! Re-enacting a true story(See below) from the Bible is a whole lot different than re-enacting something from a fictional cartoon! Our children are acting by faith on the true facts in God's Holy Word and if Jesus decides to melt the skin off a few of them each year for doing so, well - it's not for us to question! In my opinion, little Billy died a regal death, worthy of any king or martyr for Christ. At least our Christian parents don't have to run around trying to explain to people why their children can't tell the difference between fact and fiction! Our kids are reading the Bible! They are not watching Bugs Bunny swinging around from a noose while eating carrots! How outrageous!

Source:Parental Advisory Labels

From a link in the story:
FREEHOLD, IOWA- One non-Christian adult is dead and two Christian children are without skin after a backyard Bible skit ended in tragedy earlier this week. The mishaps occurred when Fernie Walker, age 6, decided to perform a Christmas play for his friends and neighbors. Because several bites from angry goats turned septic last year, Fernie decided to avoid another manger scene this year. Instead, he recruited his friends from the second grade at Landover Christian School to depict Revelation's Judgment Day in the back yard of the pond house owned by his father, Tin Level Tither Ernest Walker.

"When they first told me they was going to re-enact God's wrathful fury on Judgment Day," recalled Mr. Walker, "I just laughed like a fool. I told them it would be impossible to match the Lord's vengeful ferocity. I told Fernie that the Merciful Lord was going to throw almost everyone he knew - his little playmates and the Goldsteins up the street -- into a lake of fire! I think that is what gave Fernie the idea to try to pour all that kerosene on our fishpond. I tell you, I was amazed at what a good job my boy did at making God's wrath so realistic! He had me buy kerosene, matches, white robes, and a gold throne. He thought of everything. Praise be."
Source: Bible Skit

No violence in the Bible?
This is tragic and unnecessary.

Indeed it was

Err, no it hasn't. Ever since I became Christian, I've always believed the Old and New Testament God to be one and the same.

God is the same Loving God today as He was thousands of years ago. Every act of violence is part of the Judgement (see my last post for that pattern). However, you are ignoring the Grace given in the Old Testament. It's not all bloody murder. Every time the Israelites turn back to God, there is Grace.

Now, believe it or not, that is exactly the same as the New Testament God. WHile not taking the active role today that He did back then, the exact same judgement (death) that was inflicted so liberally in the Old Testament is promised to us today. Yet God's Grace is also available to those who ask. That's all it is. Speak out and ask for that Grace.

Regards, PA

pa-I guess you just don't know any jews, do you?I thought they had Jews in australia. jews believe in a loving god who cares for all his children. it is the nt god who exacts all the judgements like the lake of fire, etc., on non-believers. thousands of years ago, god told the jews to attack cities, etc., and take back the land of abraham. you need to spend time with a rabbi, and find out what the jews really believe.

Pa what perplexes me s how you see the OT and Nt as a loving god????
How you would argue this isn't a fear construct????

Zannie no joke i so agree with labeling the bible not suitable for children, I would not teach a small child the stories of the bible, Zannie I guess people miss how a child can get the context or gist of something more adeptly than most adults. i hear the kids talk with each other they get that there buts are in serious trouble if they want to follow a ungodly path. Also the worst kid in the neighbor hood and I attribute it to him having been scared and fear guided most of his life., he's 12 already doing drugs lies, has weird ideas sexually all the kids talk and tell each other and mine tell me...... When i was a teenager the worst kids were the religious ones the religious kids will tell you that too. Interesting huh?????

Most kids who dont follow the bible play video games with violent games and swears and tease other kids and lie..i could go on and on
but i dont want to
I wasnt raise by the bible but no and then me and my mom went to church...but i get what you mean by not teaching kids the ALL the stories from the bible but some stories are good to know

I have an 8 year old niece that is taught the bible....most kids her age and younger are taught the bible if they where to try and read it it would be confusing for them now come on how the heck do you expect an 8 year old to fully understand and read a bible??? I was taught it too but it did't stop me from playing games ect