American Christians buy millions of Bibles they seldom read and don't understand

[HeatDeath 430]

Even the boring parts of the Torah become more interesting when you realize the context it was written in.

The oldest parts of the Torah represent a significant fraction of the oldest preserved writing of any kind, ever. They are a literal snapshot of the transition of humanity from cultures in which all information was religiously memorized and passed down from word of mouth to a literate culture.

To them, the idea [that is so taken for granted by us, it seems invisible] of writing - "words that stay" - the idea that, for example, "my great great great grandchildren will be able to read a scroll and know that I existed and helped with some of the Temple artifacts", was more mindblowing and gobsmackingly awesome to them than computers, the internet, automobiles, and airplanes combined seem to us!

The lists of names and genealogies in the Torah seem boring to us, because we can't comprehend a world without writing - a world where your grandparent's childhood is already only a dimly remembered story and their grandparent's childhood is beginning to fade into myth and legend. The Torah is the invention of the recording of history itself, and that can be respected and appreciated whether you believe in the associated metaphysics or not.

[mawilson 2,133]

He is real....and very interesting, and gave and still gives great guidance. If you don't want to feel that in your life, then fine. I feel it in mine. I already know that you don't believe that's possible. I believe it's possible. You can believe it's all in my head, but that doesn't change my feeling of being content on this subject.

I'm worried about you.

[웃 910]

Dude, you have some serious, pent-up anger over your Fundamental Christian upbringing. Some therapy sessions with a good counselor would do you more good than continually projecting it here.

You seem to think you know more about my upbringing than I do. Can you tell me about it or how you think it was?

Edited February 14, 2011 by Lord Infamous

[chri'stina 190]

I'm worried about you.

Well isn't that sweet. Thank you for being sweet, as always. I want to be like you when I grow older.

[mawilson 2,133]

Well isn't that sweet. Thank you for being sweet, as always. I want to be like you when I grow older.

You're probably older than me

[chri'stina 190]

You're probably older than me

I'm 30, so are you older or younger?

Look at the other people worried about me too, who gave your post plus ones, awww. Heart warming!

[mawilson 2,133]

I'm 30, so are you older or younger?

About the same, give or take a few years

[Dan and Judy 614]

WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH THE ENVIRONMENT?

It's bad for the environment to cut down all those trees to make bibles that nobody reads

[Dan and Judy 614]

About the same, give or take a few years

Men are over the hill when they hit 50

[Ban Hammer 12,839]

About the same, give or take a few years

Leopard geckos, like most other reptiles, can live 15-20 years under the best conditions. Breeding consistently every year can lower a leopard gecko's life expectancy.

link

[natty bumppo 289]

Leopard geckos, like most other reptiles, can live 15-20 years under the best conditions. Breeding consistently every year can lower a leopard gecko's life expectancy.

ink

will changing his spots help ... or make matters worse?

[Ban Hammer 12,839]

will changing his spots help ... or make matters worse?

i dunno, but the more sex gecko has the lower his life expectancy.

[mawilson 2,133]

i dunno, but the more sex gecko has the lower his life expectancy.

You said "breeding", not sex!

I don't breed

[Ban Hammer 12,839]

You said "breeding", not sex!

I don't breed

one has results after so many months, the other doesn't. now stop doing that, your health depends on it!

[natty bumppo 289]

one has results after so many months, the other doesn't. now stop doing that, your health depends on it!

better tell him this probably includes the self administered variety too ....