09-17-2008, 12:21 PM
Damn, MF. This topic and these questions can vary to huge degrees depending on who you're talking to, or about.
When you're talking to me, I have different views on it because of my Gramps, and my hubby; two people I have untold levels of respect for.
Gramps is very religious. He has his church and he has his faith and he doesn't ever cram either down a person's throat. He can talk politics or gardening with as much intelligence as religion or the bible. He has all his wits about him still, at 87. I love my Gramps to death and would listen to him about many things; except his church. He knows I won't listen about the church so we don't even broach that subject.
Now Bullet; he has his faith, too. But he has no church. We see things the same way; you can be spiritual, but you don't have to attend a church. You can believe in God and not believe in any church. Both of us think organized religions are a joke.
When you talk to Bullet about the bible, he knows it very well and can quote scripture as easily as a preacher. He's going to be a formidable opponent to JBF when he gets there! He takes parts of the bible literally, just as it is written, and he interprets other parts. Just like anyone who believes, all things are subject to interpretation. The difference in these people is, some (like Bullet) can argue a point with reputable source, fact and proof. Not just quote scriptures as JBF does. When your answer to a question is a bible text, that tells me that you are a bit dim, and that you cannot think for yourself.
So your question about how do I view people who believe in the bible can't be answered easily or with a few simple words, or in the same way for every person.
When you're talking to me, I have different views on it because of my Gramps, and my hubby; two people I have untold levels of respect for.
Gramps is very religious. He has his church and he has his faith and he doesn't ever cram either down a person's throat. He can talk politics or gardening with as much intelligence as religion or the bible. He has all his wits about him still, at 87. I love my Gramps to death and would listen to him about many things; except his church. He knows I won't listen about the church so we don't even broach that subject.
Now Bullet; he has his faith, too. But he has no church. We see things the same way; you can be spiritual, but you don't have to attend a church. You can believe in God and not believe in any church. Both of us think organized religions are a joke.
When you talk to Bullet about the bible, he knows it very well and can quote scripture as easily as a preacher. He's going to be a formidable opponent to JBF when he gets there! He takes parts of the bible literally, just as it is written, and he interprets other parts. Just like anyone who believes, all things are subject to interpretation. The difference in these people is, some (like Bullet) can argue a point with reputable source, fact and proof. Not just quote scriptures as JBF does. When your answer to a question is a bible text, that tells me that you are a bit dim, and that you cannot think for yourself.
So your question about how do I view people who believe in the bible can't be answered easily or with a few simple words, or in the same way for every person.