Where I am

[April Rose]

Andrea Elise started this thread as a comment on evolution. That puts Doot 225 or any other chapter and verse into the correct context for me. That is as a time specific detail from a compendium of oral legends written down for the first time hundreds or possibly thousands of years after their original generation. This is mythology, and therefore limitlessly interpretable. The Bible, as a part, and an effect, of evolution, not the cause of of it, takes it's place among many other manifestations of human development, as an indicator that, if there is Deity, It acts generally, and not anthropomorphically.

My argument with a fundamentalist would be, "deuteronomy is irrelevant. Prove to me that you are moral, without reference to the Bible, before you can comment on my morality."

[Andrea Elise]

Although not in my thoughts when I originally posted, the direction of this thread has been very informative for me and, hopefully, it has given others a better understanding of this bible verse. I admit that I have thought about it, but it was not something that gave me cause to question who I am or what judgement I might receive in an afterlife.

Thanks to all for a thoughtful discussion.

I am not sure that I do, or do not, believe in an afterlife. But, if you are God fearing, these kinds of things can push feelings of guilt into overdrive!

I learned a lot! I really enjoyed this and to think I nearly deleted my original post. Now I am glad I did not!

Andrea

[Carol Elizabeth]

These discussions on the ancient texts of the Bible are always fun. I do enjoy hearing (reading) how others intertpret the text because I don't believe that any one person has all the answers (including me).

To offer food for thought, Duet. 22:11 states "You shall not wear cloth of two different kinds of thread, wool and linen, woven together."

I wonder how many people who quote Duet. 22:5 stand in violation of Duet. 22:11. My point being, if one is to follow the Jewish Law, one should follow all of the Jewish law - (not just the parts that appeal to them.)

For those of Christian persuasion, Jesus said it this way, "Love God with your whole heart, soul, and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself." Follow these two commandments and all the old Jewish laws really don't matter at all.

Now that I've stated my take on things, let the bashing (or if you prefer, discussions) begin.

[Absaroka]

Donna the fundamentalist position would be that God revealed this once, and does not need to do it again, and (the aftermath of Noah's flood notwithstanding) He does not change His mind. Clearly the KJV was correct (or whatever version they are using), all other translations may be suspect. DOn't forget the fundies love to claim other Christians are wrong, a trait common to funamentalists of all religions.

Much of this has to do with the state and church. In England the Catholics were considered heretics because other countries (Spain, France, the Romans) were Catholic. And vice-versa.

I used to live in a neighborhood which had a lot of folks from the Islands. It was amazing how folks from English speaking islands (Jamaicaand so on) often considered Halloween to be work of the devil, while Hispanic folks (Puerto Rico, Cuba) felt it was almost a part of Christianity.

Someone, I think it was Paul, said that Jews who were not Christians did not need to follow Jewish law, but that they should abstain, from drunkenness, eating food offered to idols, and homosexuality. I've often wondered if the homosexuality in question was part of some pagan ritual. Cross dressing would seem to be excluded from this along with stuff like keeping kosher, except that it is so often equated with homosexuality.

But then, you can prove almost anything by quoting the Bible out of context.