Religion Catch All

Are your opinions on homosexuality based upon religious merit?

I think it’s super hypocritical that the bible preaches good morals… until they cover an issue deemed to be sinful, or supposedly immoral. So “thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself”… unless you’re gay.

I was raised modern orthodox (jewish). I’ve never read any of the Christian bible, but if it’s anything like the torah there is some absurdly outdated and contradictory shit within the scripture. I never took these texts literally, I interpreted many of the stories as euphemisms in relation to extrapolating on how one should optimally behave, differentiating between right and wrong etc. In a time wherein society was rather barbaric it was probably a good idea to set out a foundation of rules dictating whether or not someone is allowed to rape, steal, pillage etc.

In secular society I think we ought to know right from wrong. The Torah shouldn’t be the word of law, I think we’re developed and civilised to see the shortcomings and/or discrepancies present within present within religious scripture. That being said, I can respect someone harbouring disdain towards homosexuality and/or abortion on the basis of religious merit (although I may not agree with it). If you’ve been raised that way it can be very difficult to change ingrained ideology.

That being said if you’re going to abide by this one portion of the bible because it agrees with your beliefs, why not abide by other aspects preached within the bible/torah. Under biblical principles, premarital sex, eating shellfish and taking the lords name in vein are also considered sinful. Do you abide by these principals?

Or is it more of a “THIS part of the bible suits my beliefs, therefore I’ll quote it and abide by it whilst disregarding the rest”.

It’d be tremendously hypocritical if I was to give someone shit about being gay because “the torah prohibits it” whilst I simultaneously chomp down on my bacon cheeseburger.

1 Like

You don’t get the Bible without the old testament. However, I find the new testament to be pretty immoral too. The idea of punishing someone forever based on lack of faith is about as bad as it gets IMO.

It should. It doesn’t actually say to do that anywhere.

What did Jesus teach about abortion?

I don’t believe you. Jesus claims that belief in him is the way to heaven, and the other alternative is a lake if fire with weeping and gnashing if teeth for eternity.

Jesus did not tteach anything directly regarding abortion. He taught a lot of principles and the need to understand them and be guided by them. Viewing life as sacred, and knowing the “Old Testament” view that unborn children are alive, it would not be an acceptable action for a Christian. But I, as a Christian, would not have the right to enforce my beliefs on someone else, that’s their individual decision to make. Go ahead and get to the argument you want to make, I won’t take it personally.

Does it forbid abortion?

It would by extension prohibit any Christian from performing or obtaining one. It would be a form of murder. What you do is between you and God, not you and me. I’m waiting for the “Catch” that I assume you have planned.

It doesn’t state that in the Bible.

Ending a life by direct and intentional action would be murder. It doesn’t state lots of things directly, it’s not that big of a book.

Were you following the conversation I was having with Chris about abortion being permissible and instructed in Numbers 5?

Causing a miscarriage is not considered murder in the Bible.

Not outside of this thread, but I am aware of the passage. It does not invite human hands to end the pregnancy, and the penalty for adultery was death under the Mosaic Law.

1 Like

It does invite human hands in the case of adultery. The husband chooses whether or not to have the curse placed upon his wife by the priest.

It actually is. Exodus 21:22-25. If it is induced.

That’s for the death of the woman, not the fetus.

It’s not simply a curse but she must drink a potion. It probably caused an abortion if the woman was pregnant.

This is specifically regarding SUSPECTED unfaithfulness. As in, he thinks she messed around but she denies it and no one else can testify about it. It is not his choice as to whether or not to punish her under the Law if she is guilty (Which requires two witnesses or direct admission).

No, it quite clearly is not for the death of the woman. It is for any injury to the fetus.

I’m not sure that is consistent with most Christian pro lifers? The unborn dies if the wife was unfaithful. Would an abortion be permissible under those circumstances?