Thought Theater

All too often the Bible is used to selectively support the preferred ideology of various religious groups. Unfortunately, this "pick and choose" approach undermines the validity of the religion it is used to bolster and it also helps to expose the numerous contradictions that exist in the application of the Bible...as well as countless directives found in it that we choose to ignore.

The following video provides the viewer with a number of Biblical passages that religious groups do not put forth as absolute moral imperatives. Granted, these passages are in conflict with modern society but the fact that religious groups have opted to ignore them while promoting the literal interpretation of other pronouncements contained in the Bible serves to illuminate the hypocrisy that permeates many religions.

If the Bible is the literal word of God, how can religious leaders justify their decisions to adhere to some portions while disregarding others? I think the answer is simple. Those who manipulate the Bible are adept at defending their discretionary understandings to their followers...which enables them to push whatever agenda they favor. One can find or interpret just about any position one chooses from the Bible...and it happens all the time in an attempt to control the faithful.

There are countless instances of discordant doctrine. For example, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth is contradicted by the admonition to turn the other cheek. The truth of the matter is that the Bible is a compilation of writings from a number of individuals who were biased by different cultural values. Further, the books that were included or excluded from the Bible were frequently the result of the influence of those who held power at various junctures in time.

In the end, the desire to define our existence...and the meaning of the end of our existence (the mystery of death) has served to perpetuate the perceptions that the Bible is the definitive word of God. In accepting as much, it can provide the hope that comes with the belief in an afterlife. I understand the allure...but I can't bring myself to condone a series of convoluted contortions to assuage the fear of death.

The title of this posting asks a question. I want to close with another question. Isn't it possible that man created God as an act of cowardice...an act designed to enable us to live in denial of our pending mortality? You decide.

UPDATE:

I found another video on the same topic from Penn & Teller. Penn & Teller look at whether there is any evidence to support the many stories found in the Bible. While they take a somewhat different tack in deconstructing the Bible, there objective is much the same as the original video.