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Moniker's thread on the Global Flood got me to thinking.

Why is there any reason to believe the Old Testament is the word of God?

Is there any more reason to believe in Balam's talking ass, Noah's ark, Daniel in the lion's den, or any other miraculous Old Testament story than there is to believe in a Jaredite barge? In cureloms and cummoms?

Sure, the Bible is at least based somewhat on geographical reality and there may be some actual history included, but so what? Those things can be found in any number of fictional books and it doesn't render them holy.

Why is it more likely that God spoke to an Old Testament prophet telling him to cut off a woman's hand if she were to defend her husband against an attacker by hitting the attacker in the balls or that the Israelites could take attractive female captives and keep them as virtual sex slaves than it is that God commanded Joseph Smith to marry other men's wives? It's all completely implausible in my opinion! If there is a God, S/He said no such things to anyone.

Why should anyone accept the word of any person(s) who claims to know the will of God--be they Old Testament barbarians or a 19th century megalomaniac or modern-day old men in Salt Lake City?

For those who believe the Old Testament to be the Word of God or inspired by God: why? Why do you believe it?

KA

Ummm...because those stories are a lot older, and tons of people believe them?

The worst thing that ever happened to my belief in the Bible was for me to start questioning the Book of Mormon. You know all those apologists who insist Christians are inconsistent when they doubt the Book of Mormon but believe the Bible? They're right.

cinepro wrote: You know all those apologists who insist Christians are inconsistent when they doubt the Book of Mormon but believe the Bible? They're right.

A-freakin-men.

If one can accept the New Testament, then accepting the Old Testament isn't that much more of a stretch (well, besides God-commanded genocide anyhow). The New Testament uses the Old Testament to help establish it own legitmacy. Why accept the New Testament? Faith, testimony, etc.

KimberlyAnn wrote:Moniker's thread on the Global Flood got me to thinking.

Why is there any reason to believe the Old Testament is the word of God?
[...]

Pantheism (at least a broader version of it).

Unfortunately, this also gives reason to believe that Atlanta Nights is the word of G-d. But, it also fortunately allows for Chbosky's Perks of Being a Wallflower to finally be recognized as a piece of divinity.

Why is there any reason to believe the Old Testament is the word of God?

You could start with asking if you believe the New Testament is the word of God. If you so believe, then what do you do about the Old Testament references in the New Testament as well as the fact that Jesus is referred to as Jehovah in the New Testament.

KimberlyAnn wrote:Moniker's thread on the Global Flood got me to thinking.

Why is there any reason to believe the Old Testament is the word of God?

Is there any more reason to believe in Balam's talking ass, Noah's ark, Daniel in the lion's den, or any other miraculous Old Testament story than there is to believe in a Jaredite barge? In cureloms and cummoms?

Sure, the Bible is at least based somewhat on geographical reality and there may be some actual history included, but so what? Those things can be found in any number of fictional books and it doesn't render them holy.

Why is it more likely that God spoke to an Old Testament prophet telling him to cut off a woman's hand if she were to defend her husband against an attacker by hitting the attacker in the balls or that the Israelites could take attractive female captives and keep them as virtual sex slaves than it is that God commanded Joseph Smith to marry other men's wives? It's all completely implausible in my opinion! If there is a God, S/He said no such things to anyone.

Why should anyone accept the word of any person(s) who claims to know the will of God--be they Old Testament barbarians or a 19th century megalomaniac or modern-day old men in Salt Lake City?

For those who believe the Old Testament to be the Word of God or inspired by God: why? Why do you believe it?

KA

Because it's fun. I think the Old Testament is the word of God mixed with the words of men, sprinkled with the words of the devil, and stuffed with some words by men who thought they were speaking for God but weren't. The joy is sorting it all out.

Because it's fun. I think the Old Testament is the word of God mixed with the words of men, sprinkled with the words of the devil, and stuffed with some words by men who thought they were speaking for God but weren't. The joy is sorting it all out.

AntiMormons don't have fun.

asbestosman wrote:If one can accept the New Testament, then accepting the Old Testament isn't that much more of a stretch (well, besides God-commanded genocide anyhow). The New Testament uses the Old Testament to help establish it own legitmacy. Why accept the New Testament? Faith, testimony, etc.

It's the God-commanded genocide that really makes it unacceptable for me. It's more than enough dog poop to ruin the whole pan of brownies.

AmazingDisgrace wrote:

asbestosman wrote:If one can accept the New Testament, then accepting the Old Testament isn't that much more of a stretch (well, besides God-commanded genocide anyhow). The New Testament uses the Old Testament to help establish it own legitmacy. Why accept the New Testament? Faith, testimony, etc.

It's the God-commanded genocide that really makes it unacceptable for me. It's more than enough dog poop to ruin the whole pan of brownies.

Then explain to God that you want an explanation.