Truth despite what you beleive the Majority of Christians in this world do not take the bible literaly. Like other books of its kind it is accepted by the moderates of every faith. As a book of symbols and stories meant to teach proper behavior.

Yes some aspects of it should taken seriously like in relation to the idea that there was a person named Abraham and there there was a King David (names are a part of historical records). And ofcourse there is scarse but valid verification that there was a man named Jesus.

For the most part truth the average Christian would scoff at this sort of behavior. the Majority of Society does not consider your argument as vaild. If anything they would tend to react to your behavior as undermining there position.

In fact they would probably tend to ingnore you, perhaps you have observed this in the past?

[Edited on 16-11-2002 by Toltec]

Toltec, Christians do not take their Bible any other way but literally. They literally take the Bible as it is supposed to be taken. Some things are obviously representative of other things, as you find in Revelation or as the fig tree represents Israel. But those things that are symbols of other things aren't generally confusing to an older Christian although sometimes a new or unlearned Christian might have problems.

I wouldn't assume that most Christians do not believe their word given to them by God. I would assume, however, that there are alot of people that call themselves "Christian" yet are not. More and more, churches are more into the feel-good sermons and do not concern themselves with the gift of salvation or price of sin.

Please, do not take this as a defense for "Truth". I have no idea what this is he's talking about, more oxygen makes bigger lizards and stuff.

The canopy of water is factual, and I've read of this from many scientists, not just of the Bible. Believe it, or not. Must have been some of that light water!

[Edited on 16-11-2002 by Thomas Crowne]

Well, maybe there was a blanket of clouds over the planet. The clouds are made of Water vapor and such. But not actual water. It is among the 99.9% highly improbable things that a blanket of water in its liquid form covered the atmosphere.

And Thomas, one shouldn't take the word literally. If one does, well, some parts support hating your family.(if he hate not his father his mother, et cetera) But, you explain it as put god first. But, if you take it literally, you take it as hate your family. Which is bad.

The book is a good story book. But what breeds from it, well, look at what happened in Europe. Look at what happened to the Indians for being heathens and not worshipping god. The ideas are good, what is there isn't.

Wait, that is how it is for almost all religons. All teach love, peace, kindness. What happens? Jews slaughtered Christians, then Christians got the power and slaughtered back, along with the Islamic, Witches, and Druids.. Then Islamic slaughter the Jews. Then Hindu come over and get shot down and retreat. Then Buddist, um, never read them slaughtering anybody else. Same for Witchcraft or Druidism.

Yes, they all teach love and such, but do the followers follow that? No. The problem isn't the religon, it's the people who follow it. Like truth, who says he is right. He doesn't think he is, he knows he is. How? God talks to him. I rest my case.

JamesTL,

You forgot us satanic devil worshipper's (non-religous folk)... We just shoot everyone!

JamesG, we don't shoot everyone. We sacrifice them to the fallen angel Lucifer.

Crap...That remind's me...almost forgot my daily offering...Now where the hell is my wife hiding?

TC am not in disagreement with you and keep in mind I was in Catholic school (5th 6th and 7th grade. In relation to longevity in the past, I was taught that it was something that was similar to Ozone which is more complex a molecule than O2. The difference being that this involved a derivative of H2O (a more complex molecule). What was explained to me was that this alternative layer of atmosphere. Kept certain types of radiation, harmful to longevity from reaching the Earthís surface.

It is interesting to note that what causes aging is the loss of water which results after repeated mitosis. There are genetic Issues in relation to this matter.

Subsequently to Rule out changes in atmospheric conditions, which resulted in a predisposition. To increased rapidity in aging being related to a change in our atmosphere is actually not good science.

At the same time another conclusion is in relation to all the very weird things presented by all cultures, during that period in history. Most cultures describe extremes in longevity. As well as other issues related to oddities and mysticism.

To quote Sherlock Homes (When discussing this time period), "Something is afoot." And one of this Issues that is presented is a cycle which last about that long.


As far as what "truth' saying in relation to the Dinos he needs to grow up.

Yup, the Budhists have a thing for killing Christians and a couple other religions....anyway.

The Bible is not a good little story book. If you'd like, please feel free to read it as such, but its Gods word and guidance to His people, and the book comes to life in the heart of the believer through the direction of the Holy Spirit within. For you to take it literally, or to go much beyond the 10 commandments, it could cause trouble and, as you have pointed out in a way, could even get you in jail, but it posses no problem for me as I understand what is to be taken at face value, what is symbolic what is historical and what is directive in nature.
But hey, we can't stop everyone else from buying our book, that would make us look like some secretive organization out to take over the world!

As far as the water thing, I wish I could remember it better, but such things I read in passing and think "Well. Isn't that special" and move on. Some of you physical science buffs would enjoy it more, I imagine. Yes, it was a layer of water, they say, not a cloud. It was supposed to keep harmful and damaging radiation out and maintain a even climate and a few other things that I can't recall. I'll try and find something on it for y'all to read, even if I have to type it from a book. Assuming I can find something, that is. I lose more stuff than I keep.

Tomorrow, however, won't be a computer day so much as it is the last Winston cup race this year. The T.V. will be on NBC, watching the Homestead 500.

BTW, Toltec, I remember some preacher talking about some gland in the head that is dead now, that is assumed to lead to longer lifespans if it worked. I don't know if the statement was backed up with actual science or if it was only his pseudo-science junk. Once again, I wish I were smarter than what I am!
What I'd give for Estragon's brain!

The only thing I know for certain Thomas. Is that aging is caused by a consistent loss of water over a life time in relation to mitosis, whatever causes that causes aging. Changing that at a certain point in time in a persons lifetime. It would interrupt the aging process (it would not matter if it was stopped at three years old, that is as much as they would age).

[Edited on 17-11-2002 by Toltec]

Aw, you wrong there Thomas. The bible isn't the word of god. The bible was written by humans, and edited many times by humans. Only words written by god were the ten commandments.


Not much of a point, but hey, you wrong for once in a million change. Well, maybe once in a billion change. But still, I finally caught you on something.

In relation to the Ten Commadments their does exit the Negative Confession. Which covers everything the Ten Commadments do, with exception of Homosexuality. I wonder how Ra would respond

Originally posted by Toltec...with exception of Homosexuality. I wonder how Ra would respond

Hmmm...Where does the 10 Commandments say "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor"? It mentions thy neighbor's *wife*, though...


And the ladies should be free to do what they want because the 10 Commandments don't specifically mention "coveting thy neighbor's *husband* either...Doesn't mention if thy neighbor even happens to be married or not, so the *unmarried* people are exempt!

Agreed MD seems many loopholes in relation to a text prepared by God?

TC, do you have any references to Buddhists running around killing large numbers of Christians? All my sources say this is one of the few religions that haven't started wars, etc.

Toltec, I think aging's more complex that that -- otherwise the "drink massive amounts of water" gurus and HolyBrian would be frisking around like fifteen year olds.

Toltec,

Aging is more complex than water. They have found that lengthing a certain enzyme or whatever it is, at the ends of our DNA can prolong or halt the aging process altogether... Also, particles of oxygen called free radicles can wreak havoc on your cells...guess that's why we take antioxidant's... Let's not forget radiation, both cosmic and solar....many many more things...

Search toleramese(SP?) on google...that's the stuff on the ends of dna.

Originally posted by Toltec
The only thing I know for certain Thomas. Is that aging is caused by a consistent loss of water over a life time in relation to mitosis, whatever causes that causes aging.

What of the thing that the medical researchers call "oxydation"? Much of the gradual aging of tissues is due to the consistant oxydation throughout our entire lives & this is why medical experts recommend taking suplimental "anti-oxydants".

...Kind of ironic, isn't it?: We depend on oxygen to survive, but it slowly kills us...