OT: Bible Gets A Makeover!

[Enigma869]

Okay my religious friends...what is your opinion of this story? A bible with pictures of Anglina Jolie seems wrong on EVERY level!

http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2008/10/0 ... 1200696012


John from Boston

[scarygirl]

Okay my religious friends...what is your opinion of this story? A bible with pictures of Anglina Jolie seems wrong on EVERY level!

http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2008/10/0 ... 1200696012


John from Boston

While I agree that it's wrong, I have noticed a trend in packaging bibles so that they appeal to certain segments. For example, can't remember the name of it, but there is a bible specifically aimed at teens that is packaged like a teen magazine with issues addressed from a biblical perspective.

[Lula]

not one of your religious friends, but....

if the goal is to get the younger generation, our generation, interested in the bible; i say market as you must. if more people become better human beings by reading the bible i'd say the end justifies the means. doesn't bother me one bit if illustrations are used to ramp it up a bit.

[conversationpc]

It kinda strikes me the wrong way but I think Lula is partly right. However, how far can you go before it gets sacreligious?

[Enigma869]

how far can you go before it gets sacreligious.

This is what I was thinking, Dave. Although I'm not a religious person, I did spend my share of hours in church, in my younger years. It just seems beyond bizarre to me to incorporate celebrities into The Bible!


John from Boston

[Don]

how far can you go before it gets sacreligious.

This is what I was thinking, Dave. Although I'm not a religious person, I did spend my share of hours in church, in my younger years. It just seems beyond bizarre to me to incorporate celebrities into The Bible!


John from Boston

That's one of the problems with religion, the goal posts are constantly being moved.

[conversationpc]

That's one of the problems with religion, the goal posts are constantly being moved.

Religion is man's own attempt to justify himself. Jesus bypassed religion and established a relationship. Man is the one who moves the goalposts.

[JH'sTXfan]

That's one of the problems with religion, the goal posts are constantly being moved.

Religion is man's own attempt to justify himself. Jesus bypassed religion and established a relationship. Man is the one who moves the goalposts.

Well said.

[Rip Rokken]

Religion is man's own attempt to justify himself. Jesus bypassed religion and established a relationship. Man is the one who moves the goalposts.

You got that right, brother... And this cover looks more like a teaser poster for "The Ring: 3" than anything that belongs on a Bible.

[(Crazy)Dulce Lady]

not one of your religious friends, but....

if the goal is to get the younger generation, our generation, interested in the bible; i say market as you must. if more people become better human beings by reading the bible i'd say the end justifies the means. doesn't bother me one bit if illustrations are used to ramp it up a bit.

what she said. as long as the message remains as intended.

[X factor]

I dunno...when the medium becomes more important than the message...

It's kinda like the billboard for a local "mega church" I saw recently that had some dude jumping in the air like a pose from "Rock Star" with the caption "Church shouldn't have to bt BORING!" Really??? No, by all means, lets put in vari-lites, a million dollar sound system, jumbo tron and a rock band! Then you won't even have to feel like your at church at all!

Or...you could just enjoy the simple praise and worship and ...Oh, I dunno...think about why you're actually there??


But that's just me.

[jourmapac]

I am not really sure about this but if this can show the "Good News" to even one person, it may be justified...

[Rip Rokken]

I dunno...when the medium becomes more important than the message...

It's kinda like the billboard for a local "mega church" I saw recently that had some dude jumping in the air like a pose from "Rock Star" with the caption "Church shouldn't have to bt BORING!" Really??? No, by all means, lets put in vari-lites, a million dollar sound system, jumbo tron and a rock band! Then you won't even have to feel like your at church at all!

Or...you could just enjoy the simple praise and worship and ...Oh, I dunno...think about why you're actually there??


But that's just me.

Count me in with ya, bro -- I've been griping about the same for years. I usually say take away the expensive sound systems, the rock bands, the fancy screens and of course, the built-in Starbucks, and see how many people remain for the Lord alone. Not that many, probably. Mega-churches specifically are really self-contained all-things-to-all-people businesses who must cater to those who can afford to support their trappings. I get sick when I find out how much these places cost, especially when a Christian's commission includes taking care of the poor. Last one I attended was trying to spiritualize the need for $17-million to build their new mini-city, and surely enough it was buried right in the heart of RichVille. When the rich migrate further out West here, so do the mega-churches!

Interesting that the story of Jesus driving the money-changers out of the temple was important enough to include in all four Gospels.

I could write a book on this... LOL. I think I'll stop.

[Enigma869]

I get sick when I find out how much these places cost, especially when a Christian's commission includes taking care of the poor. Last one I attended was trying to spiritualize the need for $17-million to build their new mini-city, and surely enough it was buried right in the heart of RichVille. When the rich migrate further out West here, so do the mega-churches!

This is just one more reason for my argument that churches, and ALL religion should be taxed, just like EVERY other business in the country. Anyone who believes that religion isn't an industry isn't being honest with themselves. While I certainly have zero problem with churches being run like a business (like many are), I have always had an issue that these places pay no taxes, and raise more money than most charities do!


John from Boston

[Voyager]

how far can you go before it gets sacreligious.

This is what I was thinking, Dave. Although I'm not a religious person, I did spend my share of hours in church, in my younger years. It just seems beyond bizarre to me to incorporate celebrities into The Bible!


John from Boston

That's one of the problems with religion, the goal posts are constantly being moved.

You got it dude. The religious leaders make the shit up as they go along. All religion is made by man for the means of control. If you really want to obey the Bible, go into Deutoronomy and you will find commands by God to murder non-virgin brides, homosexuals, and even adulterers. Is anyone here prepared to obey those commands?

[S2M]

not one of your religious friends, but....

if the goal is to get the younger generation, our generation, interested in the bible; i say market as you must. if more people become better human beings by reading the bible i'd say the end justifies the means. doesn't bother me one bit if illustrations are used to ramp it up a bit.

what she said. as long as the message remains as intended.

And what message was that? Intended?

Bible is a set of not so neatly disquised set of 'rules' to control the masses....

While I DO admit that most of the ten commandments are neccesary for a peaceful society....please don't mistake religion with morality.

[scarygirl]

how far can you go before it gets sacreligious.

This is what I was thinking, Dave. Although I'm not a religious person, I did spend my share of hours in church, in my younger years. It just seems beyond bizarre to me to incorporate celebrities into The Bible!


John from Boston

That's one of the problems with religion, the goal posts are constantly being moved.

You got it dude. The religious leaders make the shit up as they go along. All religion is made by man for the means of control. If you really want to obey the Bible, go into Deutoronomy and you will find commands by God to murder non-virgin brides, homosexuals, and even adulterers. Is anyone here prepared to obey those commands?

That's Old Testament. Those laws were done away with the advent of Jesus.

[Voyager]

how far can you go before it gets sacreligious.

This is what I was thinking, Dave. Although I'm not a religious person, I did spend my share of hours in church, in my younger years. It just seems beyond bizarre to me to incorporate celebrities into The Bible!


John from Boston

That's one of the problems with religion, the goal posts are constantly being moved.

You got it dude. The religious leaders make the shit up as they go along. All religion is made by man for the means of control. If you really want to obey the Bible, go into Deutoronomy and you will find commands by God to murder non-virgin brides, homosexuals, and even adulterers. Is anyone here prepared to obey those commands?

That's Old Testament. Those laws were done away with the advent of Jesus.

Yeah, but it was the same God. Did he turn over a new leaf? I thought the Bible says he is the same yesterday, today, and forever?

Like I said, it was all written by men. I don't believe any of it is from God. The men who wrote the Bible believed it was okay to murder people over religion, so they wrote it into the Bible as commands from God. Then one day the religious leaders decided that it was too cruel to murder people for God, so they wrote a new book that supposedly did away with the old book and all of its rules. But if God was a murderer back in the Old Testament days, I'm sure he hasn't changed.

I don't know if Jesus was a miracle worker or if it was just a big fable like Jonah and the Whale, Noah's Ark, or Adam and Eve - but I do know that more people have been killed over religious disagreements than any other cause in the history of mankind. That alone is enough to make me stay away from it.

[Enigma869]

I do know that more people have been killed over religious disagreements than any other cause in the history of mankind.

That's a fact that even devoutly religious people can't deny, because it is absolutely true!


John from Boston

[artist4perry]

I do know that more people have been killed over religious disagreements than any other cause in the history of mankind.

That's a fact that even devoutly religious people can't deny, because it is absolutely true!


John from Boston

Not again! I thought this stupid thread got trashed?

[Voyager]

I do know that more people have been killed over religious disagreements than any other cause in the history of mankind.

That's a fact that even devoutly religious people can't deny, because it is absolutely true!


John from Boston

Not again! I thought this stupid thread got trashed?

Nope - you must be thinking about a different one. This one has been very civil so far.

[artist4perry]

I do know that more people have been killed over religious disagreements than any other cause in the history of mankind.

That's a fact that even devoutly religious people can't deny, because it is absolutely true!


John from Boston

Not again! I thought this stupid thread got trashed?

Nope - you must be thinking about a different one. This one has been very civil so far.

Civil, but still religion bashing all the same.

Guys I want you to put yourself in my shoes for a second. Not all religion is bad, even if you do not want to beleive it. Religion helped my mom deal with breast cancer and chemo. The pain, the shame, and the heartache.

When I divorced my husband for adultry, it got to a point where he went half a year and did not pay his child support. I was a single mom, and I worked, but I lived in a house where my room had no heat in the winter. I wondered how we were going to make it.

I came home one day, and there were bags and boxes filling my dining room and kitchen. My poorly stocked fridge was full. There were new clothes and coats for my children. The church knew as a single mom things would be hard for me, so they "suprised" me. They got my house key from my folks. New quilts for my bed. I did not ask for a thing, nor did I let anyone know how hard it was. I lived on Ramen so my kids could eat better. When I saw the note, that said we love you, your church. I broke down and cried. This is not a rich church by no means, but they give till it hurts.

When I am sad, my faith sustains me. It gives me comfort and peace I cannot explain, except to someone else who knows it. So when I read the horrible things you write about "religion' as though it should be all lumped together, it offends me. All I know of it is love, peace, kindness, gentleness, and generosity. Someday I want to do to some single mom what was done for me. I have not tried to convert you guys. But I cannot understand the need to bash something that means more to me than life itself. It is hurtful to me.

[Voyager]

I do know that more people have been killed over religious disagreements than any other cause in the history of mankind.

That's a fact that even devoutly religious people can't deny, because it is absolutely true!


John from Boston

Not again! I thought this stupid thread got trashed?

Nope - you must be thinking about a different one. This one has been very civil so far.

Civil, but still religion bashing all the same.

Guys I want you to put yourself in my shoes for a second. Not all religion is bad, even if you do not want to beleive it. Religion helped my mom deal with breast cancer and chemo. The pain, the shame, and the heartache.

When I divorced my husband for adultry, it got to a point where he went half a year and did not pay his child support. I was a single mom, and I worked, but I lived in a house where my room had no heat in the winter. I wondered how we were going to make it.

I came home one day, and there were bags and boxes filling my dining room and kitchen. My poorly stocked fridge was full. There were new clothes and coats for my children. The church knew as a single mom things would be hard for me, so they "suprised" me. They got my house key from my folks. New quilts for my bed. I did not ask for a thing, nor did I let anyone know how hard it was. I lived on Ramen so my kids could eat better. When I saw the note, that said we love you, your church. I broke down and cried. This is not a rich church by no means, but they give till it hurts.

When I am sad, my faith sustains me. It gives me comfort and peace I cannot explain, except to someone else who knows it. So when I read the horrible things you write about "religion' as though it should be all lumped together, it offends me. All I know of it is love, peace, kindness, gentleness, and generosity. Someday I want to do to some single mom what was done for me. I have not tried to convert you guys. But I cannot understand the need to bash something that means more to me than life itself. It is hurtful to me.

If I state the way I feel about religion, it is not bashing anyone - it is simply stating my beliefs. When someone says they believe in religion, they usually give their reasons - just as you just did. It's no different than me saying I don't believe in religion and stating my reasons. When you tell me why you believe differently than I do, I don't see you as bashing me. You just believe a different way than I do. You should see it the same way when I express my disbelief of religion.

What you described in your post was people being nice to you. They just happened to be church people. That might strengthen my belief in the goodness of people, but it would not convince me that the Bible is true.

[S2M]

I stick by my principles.....

Personal triumphs aside, religion at it's HIGHEST, and LOWEST levels is an abomination.

[artist4perry]

I stick by my principles.....

Personal triumphs aside, religion at it's HIGHEST, and LOWEST levels is an abomination.

Then don't believe. I think hate, cruelty, selfishness, rudeness and unkindness is an abomination. If someone uses the name of Christ to do harm then they are not Christians. He would not claim them. You start these threads to hurt christian people on this thread. You have made your points clear before. Your little signature makes your feelings clear. What is your true purpose for this thread? To bash religion. Your principles don't impress me, when they require you to hurt someone to make them.

[S2M]

I stick by my principles.....

Personal triumphs aside, religion at it's HIGHEST, and LOWEST levels is an abomination.

Then don't believe. I think hate, cruelty, selfishness, rudeness and unkindness is an abomination. If someone uses the name of Christ to do harm then they are not Christians. He would not claim them. You start these threads to hurt christian people on this thread. You have made your points clear before. Your little signature makes your feelings clear. What is your true purpose for this thread? To bash religion. Your principles don't impress me, when they require you to hurt someone to make them.

Pardon me, but *I* did not start this thread......

But you know something? No matter what anybody does, one can always go to confession and get absolved. Right? So even if there is a god, he forgives me.

[artist4perry]

I stick by my principles.....

Personal triumphs aside, religion at it's HIGHEST, and LOWEST levels is an abomination.

Then don't believe. I think hate, cruelty, selfishness, rudeness and unkindness is an abomination. If someone uses the name of Christ to do harm then they are not Christians. He would not claim them. You start these threads to hurt christian people on this thread. You have made your points clear before. Your little signature makes your feelings clear. What is your true purpose for this thread? To bash religion. Your principles don't impress me, when they require you to hurt someone to make them.

Pardon me, but *I* did not start this thread......

But you know something? No matter what anybody does, one can always go to confession and get absolved. Right? So even if there is a god, he forgives me.

Sean, maybe you didn't start this thread. And it is not you alone bashing religion. I know you have your right to your oppinion. Maybe I am just hurting a great deal right now and I am more sensitive than normal. But it is the equivilent of talking trash about someone I love. It is personal. And no, not all religion is bad. It is people who use it for evil purposes that mess up it's intent. Look. Believe, Don't believe, it is a choice. But as you have a right to your say on the subject, my take is sadness, that you can find no good in something that was purely good, wich was the teachings of Christ.
With all due respect to all of you, if I spoke in the same manner about one of your family that you loved, would it not trouble you? Well, I see Christ and God as my family. They have always been there in my most troubled of times, and have given me more love and comfort than I have ever known.
You are free to speek as you will. But can you not see that the things you say are hurtful to ones who beleive?

[S2M]

I stick by my principles.....

Personal triumphs aside, religion at it's HIGHEST, and LOWEST levels is an abomination.

Then don't believe. I think hate, cruelty, selfishness, rudeness and unkindness is an abomination. If someone uses the name of Christ to do harm then they are not Christians. He would not claim them. You start these threads to hurt christian people on this thread. You have made your points clear before. Your little signature makes your feelings clear. What is your true purpose for this thread? To bash religion. Your principles don't impress me, when they require you to hurt someone to make them.

Pardon me, but *I* did not start this thread......

But you know something? No matter what anybody does, one can always go to confession and get absolved. Right? So even if there is a god, he forgives me.

John, maybe you didn't start this thread. And it is not you alone bashing religion. I know you have your right to your oppinion. Maybe I am just hurting a great deal right now and I am more sensitive than normal. But it is the equivilent of talking trash about someone I love. It is personal. And no, not all religion is bad. It is people who use it for evil purposes that mess up it's intent. Look. Believe, Don't believe, it is a choice. But as you have a right to your say on the subject, my take is sadness, that you can find no good in something that was purely good, wich was the teachings of Christ.
With all due respect to all of you, if I spoke in the same manner about one of your family that you loved, would it not trouble you? Well, I see Christ and God as my family. They have always been there in my most troubled of times, and have given me more love and comfort than I have ever known.
You are free to speek as you will. But can you not see that the things you say are hurtful to ones who beleive?

BTW, My name is Sean....

Three-point stance boy is John....

[artist4perry]

I stick by my principles.....

Personal triumphs aside, religion at it's HIGHEST, and LOWEST levels is an abomination.

Then don't believe. I think hate, cruelty, selfishness, rudeness and unkindness is an abomination. If someone uses the name of Christ to do harm then they are not Christians. He would not claim them. You start these threads to hurt christian people on this thread. You have made your points clear before. Your little signature makes your feelings clear. What is your true purpose for this thread? To bash religion. Your principles don't impress me, when they require you to hurt someone to make them.

Pardon me, but *I* did not start this thread......

But you know something? No matter what anybody does, one can always go to confession and get absolved. Right? So even if there is a god, he forgives me.

John, maybe you didn't start this thread. And it is not you alone bashing religion. I know you have your right to your oppinion. Maybe I am just hurting a great deal right now and I am more sensitive than normal. But it is the equivilent of talking trash about someone I love. It is personal. And no, not all religion is bad. It is people who use it for evil purposes that mess up it's intent. Look. Believe, Don't believe, it is a choice. But as you have a right to your say on the subject, my take is sadness, that you can find no good in something that was purely good, wich was the teachings of Christ.
With all due respect to all of you, if I spoke in the same manner about one of your family that you loved, would it not trouble you? Well, I see Christ and God as my family. They have always been there in my most troubled of times, and have given me more love and comfort than I have ever known.
You are free to speek as you will. But can you not see that the things you say are hurtful to ones who beleive?

BTW, My name is Sean....

Three-point stance boy is John....

Sorry Sean. Still can you see what I am trying to say? I would not force religion on anyone. But I just ask for the right to believe and have it in my life. I respect everyones right to their beliefs, even to not believe. But it is personal to me. As much a part of me as breathing. I am not a perfect person, no one is, but it helps me to strive to be better.

[Enigma869]

You start these threads to hurt christian people on this thread. You have made your points clear before. Your little signature makes your feelings clear. What is your true purpose for this thread? To bash religion. Your principles don't impress me, when they require you to hurt someone to make them.

Considering it was I who started this thread, I think you should get your facts straightened out before coming into this thread to spew a bunch of garbage! First and foremost, the thread wasn't started to bash any religion. Based on the ridiculous feedback you've offered in this thread, it's quite apparent to me that you didn't even read the first post! I haven't read any posts in this thread that "bash" anyone. This thread was actually quite civil, until you decided to inject your non-sensical babbling into it! Perhaps if you're overly sensitive to religious discussions, you shouldn't read them!


John from Boston