I am dreading tomorrow because of religion!

[StinkyXmasCheese]

Dreading tomorrow with my family.
They are all strong in their faith Christians and I know there will be praying and thanking god etc.
I was brought up Christian but am no longer and I'm actually quite angry about religion at the moment. (Working through these issues with my counsellor.)
I know Christmas is a Christian holiday but I know I can't have a drink or I'll say something to cause an argument and I have to bite my tongue.
I've already said to dh that we're going away for Xmas next year cos I just don't want to deal with it.
I don't know how I'm going to get through the day without letting something slip!

@NeedAnExpert due to its inerrancy and the fact that so many discoveries have confirmed it. Also the bible itself says it is in 2 Timothy 3:16–17 (ESV)
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
(Copied and pasted)

@scarecrowhead sorry it slipped my mind. In answer to your question no I do not believe in the theory of evolution.

If you were going to invent a religion to control the masses, you would make sure it said that though, wouldn’t you?

If Aunty Doris hears voices and writes them down convinced that it’s god dictating new rules that all biscuits must be covered in chocolate and banning the eating of bananas, would you consider that equally true? Because you have no proof whatsoever that any of the bibles authors were in the least bit sane.

@NeedAnExpert

How do you know your holy book is right? All the holy books say they are true.

What did you think of the video I posted?

Which Bible ? There are over 400 just English versions and they don't all agree. It was also men who decided what went into it and what didn't

From a show called “wretched” hosted by Todd Friel (DISCLAIMER: I have not done a full background check on him) but I like the show and his radio program and his other segments like street preaching and “bqsa” (big question short answer) the particular image is made by a YouTube called called “WWUTT” (when we understand the text) they do good 90 (or so) second long clips about different things within Christianity. (Again I have not done a full background check on them but they can be a helpful resource).

As far as I am aware most modern bible translations agree with one on another. For example the: CSB, KJV, NKJV, ESV, NLT, and many other translations I haven’t mentioned.

It’s worth saying I haven’t done any research into the NLT but as far as I know and based of what someone has said it is a good translation but I don’t know... I will do more research into it and try to come back with a more comprehensive analysis.

Love a bit of Tim Minchin. Sexist, racist, murderous cunt sums it up tbh. Honestly the rebellious archangel that rejected such a system genuinely does look the better option.

There is nothing in the universe that suggests the presence of any god or gods (depending on your theological system). Yes a creation needs a creator, but to say the universe needs god is to say the the universe is a creation, when there is nothing to suggest that. Once you remove that supposition religious logic falls apart.

How do you explain the fossil record if you don't believe in evolution ?

@Takethebuscuitandthesink please just step away from the keyboard. You do not have the depth of knowledge in the Bible, experience of hermeneutics, evangelism or theology to do what you are trying to do.

Someone a way back down the thread suggested prayer. I know that your strand of con evo Protestantism is very scared of silent prayer but may I suggest that a period in silence with the God who loves you even when you are being a twat might be beneficial. You might encounter a God who is about more than rules and what your old, white, male teachers tell you. Then perhaps read some liberation theology and some Bonhoeffer. Volunteer with those at the margins where should and lights don't seem quite so clear cut. Maybe God will surprise you if let God out of the box you have put God into.

When Christians explain about divine inspiration making bible-writing men infallible, about prayer, the need to worship, heaven for adhering to a particular system but torture otherwise, sacrificing children to prove loyalty, etc some names flit across my mind, not Jesus, more Robert Mugabe, Hitler, Mao, Stalin, etc.

@WestBerlin of Course there is because of the highly designed nature of the universe and the earth more specifically. Also the fact we know the universe had a beginning means something has to have caused that beginning (Genesis 1:1) it would 1) break the law of cause and ,as I have previously stated and 2) be silly to suggest the universe spontaneously created itself from this article www.gotquestions.org/big-bang-theory.html

“If Christians are to have an objection to the Big Bang theory, it should only be in the atheistic presuppositions that often go along with it. The idea itself—that the universe came into existence in an instantaneous expansion from an infinitely small point—is compatible with an orthodox view of creation. Scripture only says that God created (Genesis 1:1); it does not specify how. The fact that non-believers were so opposed to the Big Bang theory, on religious grounds, speaks to how powerfully it supports the Genesis account.”

Me, I wouldn't worship any god that demanded worship. Creature can create our universe. Yet creature is desperate for us all to tell it how brilliant it is and will torture anyone who doesn't. WTF, why would anyone be like "yeah, that's the god for me, count me in"?

If everything has a cause, what caused your god to exist?

Everything needs cause - except God who is infinite
Everything needs a designer - except God.
Or something like that

Your links are irrelevant here, because you’re assuming they are established fact and they’re patently not. You’re employing fallacious reasoning and expecting people to entertain it.

Again, there is nothing to suggest the universe is ‘highly designed’ by any creator, or that it was or is fine tuned for us. There is far more evidence that we’re the product of both cosmic chance, and evolutionary processes

@Takethebuscuitandthesink this is pitched around first year undergrad level and it comes from outside your tribe but it is probably the best argued case for why what you are saying about the authority of the Bible is not mainstream Christianity. It is from an evangelical scholar who is respected across all the strands. He can safely be referenced in academic work.

@mostlydrinkstea please correct me in any areas where I have made a mistake?

If it is in the bible then it is true as I believe the bible is the inspired, inerrant word of God. You can’t pick and choose.

Really? What about the bits that claim people lived to be 100s of years old - do you believe those to be the literal truth? Or the bits about slavery, stoning, not wearing mixed-fibres?

ntwrightpage.com/2016/07/12/how-can-the-bible-be-authoritative/

@Takethebuscuitandthesink you are using a proclamation approach to preaching which is the anthesis of cross cultural mission. Look up the words. Read the Tom Wright. Drink tea and pray.

If it is in the bible then it is true as I believe the bible is the inspired, inerrant word of God. You can’t pick and choose.

Also, it isn't the word of God, God didn't write, people did. It's what some people think God might or might want, for all you know, God might actually be shaking his/her/its head and despairing of how badly people have interpreted his/her/its wishes.