Emperor Constantine of Rome choose the books for the New Testament, leaving out others. I assume its more New Testament you are refering too?

Eh, it is the biblical Canon and later by influencial political leaders of their time.

From the get-go the bible was DECIDED upon by mere mortals with political interests. Search for the gnostic scriptures to see what I mean. These were left out because they were TOO fanciful. In one of the gnostic gospels (The Gospel According to St. Thomas, I believe) there was included a tale of Jesus flying around on dragons. No wonder it was left out. But the tale about him riding around on a talking Jackass was left in?! haha...

Jesus likely was real, but these are fables. Nothing more, nothing less.

Originally posted by Jay-in-AR
From the get-go the bible was DECIDED upon by mere mortals with political interests. Search for the gnostic scriptures to see what I mean. These were left out because they were TOO fanciful.

Yes, due the political and economical reasons. But I disagree that they were left out because of being 'too fanciful'. I rather would say that they were left out because they would've been "too dangerous" for the ideologies what some megalomaniacs of that time wanted to push through.

I mean, what kind of consumers we would make if we would be gnostics? Not very good ones! What kind of citizens, when everyone would be their own 'masters'? Not very good ones, no. I don't want to appear rude, but today's christianity is in it's lowest point and common christian is a mindless slave. They seem to forget that we were made as God's image, so we may perfect to become a god ourselves, meaning that we would be all Christs. Or how can you deny that you are not sons / daughters of God?

Sorry for the removal of that post. I misstated my position completely.

[edit on 6-9-2008 by Jay-in-AR]

Grrr, I don't know why I link info half the time. Seems certian posters don't truly want their Q answered, but actually want to post a rhetorical question just for a reason to X.

I think the Bible is a never ending story. So many dozens of people have changed the wording in the past 2000 years, it's a wonder that it even makes any sense at all.
I will admit though, it's one of my favorite science fiction books.

I think you are asking the wrong question. Instead I would ask one of the two:

-Who hasn't tampered with the Bible?

or

-Was the Bible ever pure to begin with?

Originally posted by Ravinsomniac
I think the Bible is a never ending story. So many dozens of people have changed the wording in the past 2000 years, it's a wonder that it even makes any sense at all.
I will admit though, it's one of my favorite science fiction books.

Why do you label it "science" fiction? because it tells us about areas of science sometimes centuries before the secular world discovered them?

My favorite fairy tale for adults is "Origin of Species".

Always good to see intelligent, critical-thinking skills at work...oh, wait...I'm in the "Conspiracies in Religions" forum.

You know who you are.

Originally posted by ItsTheQuestion
Always good to see intelligent, critical-thinking skills at work...oh, wait...I'm in the "Conspiracies in Religions" forum.

You know who you are.

What department of 'intelligent, critical-thinking' skills do appeal to ridicule and appeal to authority comments fall under?

Or are you simply trying to up your post count?

Silly, me, I was taught those arguments belong in middle school.

Originally posted by Anonymous ATS
Emperor Constantine of Rome choose the books for the New Testament, leaving out others.

No he didn't.

Neither Constantine nor the Council of Nicea had ANYTHING to do with choosing the books of the NT.

(Constantine's Bible is NOT the same as ours.)

It's just an urban legend endlessly repeated on the 'net.


Iasion

reply to NOTurTypical

I guess that would be the same middle school which trains people to believe things such as "My favorite fairy tale for adults is "Origin of Species"."

Keep baitin'.

[edit on 9.6.2008 by ItsTheQuestion]

Who 'tampered' with the bible?

EVERYONE. And it's STILL being tampered with today!

"Inclusive language" - the latest bible tampering phase - destroys the meanings and the layers, especially in the Psalms.

Bible 'tamperers' also include Martin Luther who tossed out entire books and wanted to toss out even more (he HATED the 10 commandments, etc), but was talked out of it by his contemporaries.

Originally posted by ItsTheQuestion
reply to NOTurTypical

I guess that would be the same middle school which trains people to believe things such as "My favorite fairy tale for adults is "Origin of Species"."

Keep baitin'.

I went to a government school.

Secondly, I guess it's "okay" to 'bait' in this thread if it's directed at Christians as in the post I quoted above??

Gotcha, now I get big boy logic and decorum.