using the Bible in arguments
@emilywickersham (56)
United States
September 24, 2007 9:33am CST
Why do people think they can quote a Bible passage to me to support their point and I will immediately agree with them? The arrogance of this never ceases to amaze me. It assumes 1) That the person being spoken to is a Christian, even when this is not clear. 2) That the person, if a Christian, believes in the literal truth of the Bible.
3 people like this
11 responses
@loved1 (5328)
• United States
24 Sep 07
I agree with Springlady. It is just backing up our opinions with God's word. I guess I don't feel like I am trying to make others believe what I am saying when I do that, but instead, letting them know why I feel the way I do. It is amazing to me that some people get so offended anytime the bible is mentioned. You really don't have to whack people over the head with it to offend them, you just have to mention it. Of course not everyone feels this way, but many people do. I also don't assume everyone is a Christian, but that should not mean I have to pretend I am not a Christian when I am speaking to them. Oh, and I believe in the literal truth of the bible. Either every single word of it is truth, or the whole thing is a lie. It is sad that 1)some Christians offend people, and 2) some people are so easily offended.
1 person likes this
@loved1 (5328)
• United States
2 Oct 07
Those are some interesting thoughts cyntrow. I am not a "bible worshipper", but do read the word of God and rely on the Holy Spirit to help me to discern what I am reading. Thanks for your input. One of the great things about myLot is hearing the opinions of others.
@cyntrow (8523)
• United States
30 Sep 07
Loved1, you and spring are both wrong. The bible is not the complete truth. All of the different versions are soooooo different, that they almost cease to be the same book. I ask you, do you worship God or do you worship the Bible. I fear the latter is true. It is idolatry to worship the bible.
@emilywickersham (56)
• United States
24 Sep 07
I am not at all offended when people mention the Bible, nor do I see any reason why anyone should feel like they have to pretend to be anything other than what they are. There are many wonderful things in the Bible, and much that I agree with. Its impossible for me to see how it can all be true, though, when it contradicts itself at times. (for example, the gospels don't agree on what Jesus' last words were) Anyway, the point is that regardless of what your religious orientation is, you should really listen to what other people have to say and try to understand where they're coming from. There are too many people on all sides who fail to do this, but I do think that fundamentalists are among the worst.
@clrumfelt (5490)
• United States
25 Sep 07
The Bible is widely regarded as a holy and infallible book
and people thus will rely on its authority to lend
truth to their arguments, arguments which may be true or
not, however. Just b/c someone alludes to the Bible to
support an argument does not mean that they have studied
the scriptures or even believe in them. They know that
many people do revere the Bible and thus try to use that
to their advantage.
@Chiang_Mai_boy (3882)
• Thailand
25 Sep 07
The arrogance of Christians. There are more people in this world who are not Christian then there are people who are. To quote a book that is full of contradictions and assume that it ends all arguments is almost beyond belief. It is only a small percentage of fundamentalist Christians believe in little truth of the Bible. Most Christians realize that it is a book full of allegory, that teaches some good lessons in life but it's not a user manual.
@tigertang (1749)
• Singapore
29 Sep 07
This is of course with all due respect for the Holy Scriptures but I think you are right about this one. I mean seriously, the Bible is the Holy Word of Christ but it should not be the ultimate in all arguements. When people use their Holy Scriptures as the final proof of their arguments, it shows that they really don't understand the truth of their own scriptures and what the Holy text were meant for.
I find Christians who are obsessed with the words of the Bible to be an exceptionally ironic bunch. If you read the Gospels of Christ, he spends most of his Ministry pointing out how the obsession with the letters of the "Laws of Moses" had obstructed God's work and the ability for man to really know God. He shows up the Pharasies as being more in love with the Words of God rather than God's Spirit and in short the Pharasies look UnGodly. - How Ironic that some of Christ Followers have lost this point.
@lancingboy (1385)
• United States
3 Nov 07
"Come to hate hypocrisy and evil intention. Intention produces hypocrisy, and hypocrisy is far from truth." Jesus says this in the Secret Book of James (Gnostic scripture). Evil intent is at work when a Christian uses the Bible for arguments to "prove a point."
Hopefully this makes sense to the fundies among us lol.
@emilywickersham (56)
• United States
29 Sep 07
Extremely good point, Tigertang. There definitely do seem to be a modern-day pharisees out there, but I doubt if they'd recogize themselves.
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
24 Sep 07
You should never assume . It makes an a$$ out of you and me. That is one of my sayings and it fits perfectly here. Even if the person that they are talking to may be a Christian and reads the Bible but they still can disagree with them. And if they aren't Christian, then quoting the Bible won't make a difference. They must think that using the Bible the other person will see that they are wrong and automatically agree with them.It will never happen.
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
4 Nov 07
As long as it is G-d , not any other middle man, I will be fine with it especially because it will be My choice no one else's.
@lancingboy (1385)
• United States
3 Nov 07
I believe that when Jesus said he would return, it meant the resurrection. The Bible even says that Jesus told the people in his time, that they would see him again in their lives. To me, that means, Jesus was saying that the people gathered would see him again. Before people go around yelling about Jesus' second return, they should read that part in the Bible. I'll copy and paste the verses when I am finally able to.
1 person likes this
@Springlady (3986)
• United States
24 Sep 07
The Bible is God's Holy Word to us and everything in it is true. That is why Christians back up what they say with Scriptures.
No matter how much you may not believe, it will not change God's plan.
God bless.
@emilywickersham (56)
• United States
24 Sep 07
I don't have a problem with Christians saying "Here's what I believe" but its never like that. Instead it's always said as though every one is a Christian, and as though all Christians would interpret a passage the same way, which is hardly true. It seems to me that being a Christian should mean consideration for other people, and an attempt to understand them and their point of view, but instead it seems like most fundamentalist
"Christians" use their Bible like a club to hit people over the head with.
@Springlady (3986)
• United States
24 Sep 07
Why do you say "hit you over the head with"? It is God's Word to us. Everything in it is true and holy. That is what we (believers) go by. It is the Guidebook for life.
We are aiming for your heart, not your throat or head.
God bless.
@emilywickersham (56)
• United States
24 Sep 07
If I were a Muslim (I'm not) and I answered your argument by saying "Well, the Koran says.." and just assumed that once you knew what the Koran says you would accept it, I think you would be offended. That is what you do when you refuse to accept the fact that not everyone believes the Bible is the word of God, and that those who do may have a different interpretation of a passage than you. This is what I mean by hitting people over the head. It really turns people off, and will turn people away from Christianity. I think this is what many so-called Christians really want--they enjoy believing they're chosen and everyone else is going to hell.
@Bunsdk (242)
• Denmark
25 Sep 07
Truely if someone starts qouting bible texts to me to validate an argument for anything, Ill requote them out of the game, using either the bible itself, which luckily is very very twominded about most things.
And if they start quoting the bible for being the correct way, I will instantly assume that they stone women, kill kids and in general is an overzealous religious person.
My saying is, dont quote the bible... its probably the most dualminded book on earth.
And yes, I actually studied the bible before I made up my mind about being an atheist. I spent a lot of time going through different religions and their beliefs to really get a hold of what it was about, and I didnt like much of what I learned.
@Springlady (3986)
• United States
25 Sep 07
I told them how I feel and I pray for them, Zukepr. I do feel sorry for those who claim they don't believe in God because they have no hope and no real assurance of anything.
Have a great day.
@cyntrow (8523)
• United States
30 Sep 07
I've come to place Christians into two catagories: Bible worshippers and...well, the rest of us. My father is a christian minister, but he would never quote scripture to a non believer. His point will never be made with this. In fact, I;ve only heard him quote scripture in arguing scripture with other Christians.
It drives me nuts when the Bible worshippers start. First of all, I can't see living my life by a book that was written a thousand years ago. I believe the concept and I believe in the diety. I don't adhere to the Book. It also scares the hell out of me that these people will not do anything if the book doesn't tell them that it is OK to do so. And the version of the book that they read has so much to do with how they feel. Modern versions of the Bible are sooooo corrupted as scholars have attempted to put a modern slant on an ancient text. It doesn't work. There are words that no longer exist. There are words that have no modern interpretation.
To quote the bible as an arguement to anything just says that you have no brain and cannot understand anything that isn't spelled out for you. I have a brain. I believe that God gave me that brain to use. But my God isn't the God of everyone. My GOd taught me to respect and love ALL people and to understand their beliefs as perfectly legitimate. The Bible does not say this. My God helped me feel this.
@lancingboy (1385)
• United States
3 Nov 07
I've read many of your posts on this site, and I'd have to say, I wish more Christians were like you! Most in my family are the Bible worshippers you mentioned. I know how the recent translations of the bible is corrupted. Like the word homosexual was added into some of them to "prove the point" of the Bible's being by God. The KJV said nothing about homosexuality and I've never read anything in it to condone it. These "translators" also add in their own views to make people think it came from God too.
The Gnostic Scriptures are a good read if you are interested in knowing what the early Christians believed and read frequently. I started reading these yesterday and am enjoying them. I've also found some good life lessons to think about within these texts.
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
25 Sep 07
This drives me nuts too. I'm not a Christian. I have read the Bible, because I live investigating other religions and learning about them, but I didn't feel anything in particular while reading it (except horror through much of the Old Testament).
So people using the Bible to try and argue religion with me just doesn't work for me. I don't care what the Bible says. It's not my religious book, it didn't come from my Gods. That's not to say that I have no respect for Christianity or Christians (I'm married to one) but the Bible simply doesn't mean anything to me in itself.
@Zorrogirl (1502)
• South Africa
24 Sep 07
i guess Christians believe what is written and want others to read it too. i have seen some using it in heavy arguments and i think thats the ones you are reffering to. but i have seen some very good discussions with quotes. what religion are you?
@Philxav (733)
• Malaysia
25 Sep 07
Using Bible in arguments?.. Oh that is one stupid things to do. Do you know the true meaning of Christian? Its love.. God wants us to love one another and we love ourself.
LOVE is the symbol of Christian. If you argue and to prove you are right and you are using a Bible to do that.. Oh! then i guess he or she might not a true Christian.
Bible is word of GOD.. all those who believe in Jesus believe in Bible. Bible is a guide for all Christian to follow the path that Jesus have created.
Anyone believe in BIBLE they believe in the words in it.. as word of GOD.. why because we believe that way.. its hard for me to explain.. Have we seen GOD? how many can answer this.. but i ask you.. do u believe in GOD.. just imagine how many people can answer this..
I have seen some people who uses Bible as tools to convince one to become Christian.. What i feel.. forcing someone to be a Christian..is not the right way..
If i got a chance.. what i will do is.. Show him the love and care to suite his daily life.. and i will pray for him and also his loved ones and help him and i know.. when all his prayers is answered.. i dont have to call him.. He himself will come and ask me.. to know more about Jesus. That is LOVE that will never have the END. Remember what Jesus said in Bible.. "Happy are Those who believe In Me but Never Seen Me"
God Bless Us All.
