All or nothing

Originally posted by dj2becker
I have yet to see a Bible with books in it that I don't find believable.

God condoning
genocide
slavery
stoning children
homophobia
sexism
xenophobia

Originally posted by wolfgang59

dj2becker's comment was that he has yet to see Bible book that was not believable.
This this comment you reply.

God condoning
genocide
slavery
stoning children
homophobia
sexism
xenophobia

Not speaking for him, I would give my brief reply. Believing books of the Bible as related to your accusations:

genocide

I came to the Old Testament through first believing and receiving Jesus the Son of God.
As I gradually explored the Old Testament, I found that a society could actually get so evil that God would wipe out everyone in that society.

It didn't happen every time God judged a nation by far. But a there are a few instances.
Most times I can think of someone/s from that group of people was left alive to appear elsewhere in the Bible.

Sometimes today I read something in the newspaper that absolutely shocks me. I just cannot believe that someone would be that evil. But they were.

I find believable that God would include in His communication to man instances when beyond belief wickedness so consumed a society that the righteous thing for God to do was to completely destroy it.

I imagine the closing scene of the movie Old Yellar about a boy who loved a dog.
But the dog contacted rabies. it viciously, with rage, teeth bared, insanely ready to attack his formerly beloved owner.

I don't know any kid in those days who didn't have moist eyes at that scene in Old Yellar when Travis has to put the dog down, shooting it.

The Bible does have a record of some societies who like that dog gone wild infected with sickness, had to be put down by God. It is meant to be a sad warning.
Things actually can get that bad. And God is faithful to warn us.

Your second accusation below.

Originally posted by wolfgang59
God condoning
genocide
slavery
stoning children
homophobia
sexism
xenophobia

Before we carry on let me just ask you whether you believe genocide, slavery, stoning children,homophobia, sexism and xenophobia are always wrong for all people in all cases without exception? Or do you only believe in moral absolutes when it suits you?

Originally posted by dj2becker
Before we carry on let me just ask you whether you believe genocide, slavery, stoning children,homophobia, sexism and xenophobia are always wrong for all people in all cases without exception? Or do you only believe in moral absolutes when it suits you?

Well - we are not discussing what I think are we?
We are debating your opening post.

But just to answer your question - for the sake of argument - lets assume that I
believe in owning black, lesbian, slaves whose children I would stone to death
regularly and believe in wiping out any race which disagrees with that.

Now where do you stand and how does that agree with your opening post?

Originally posted by wolfgang59
Well - we are not discussing what I think are we?
We are debating your opening post.

But just to answer your question - for the sake of argument - lets assume that I
believe in owning black, lesbian, slaves whose children I would stone to death
regularly and believe in wiping out any race which disagrees with that.

Now where do you stand and how does that agree with your opening post?

Upon what basis then do you dispute my opening post?

Originally posted by dj2becker
Upon what basis then do you dispute my opening post?

I don't dispute it.
Where have I said that.
I agree with it 100% regardless of the Bible in question.

It is you who seem at odds with it.

Originally posted by wolfgang59
I don't dispute it.
Where have I said that.
I agree with it 100% regardless of the Bible in question.

It is you who seem at odds with it.

If you agree with it 100%, what have you been pouting about?

Originally posted by dj2becker
If you agree with it 100%, what have you been pouting about?

This whole "discussion" is a clear example of your juvenile debating.
You assume you know my position without bothering to read a
single post.
(And by read I mean the full process of decoding and comprehending text)

Originally posted by wolfgang59
This whole "discussion" is a clear example of your juvenile debating.
You assume you know my position without bothering to read a
single post.
(And by read I mean the full process of decoding and comprehending text)

Well maybe I wouldn't have to assume your position if you were forthright in stating if clearly. You are an atheist so it's not too hard to assume what your position on the Bible is.

Originally posted by wolfgang59
Well - we are not discussing what I think are we?
We are debating your opening post.

But just to answer your question - for the sake of argument - lets assume that I
believe in owning black, lesbian, slaves whose children I would stone to death
regularly and believe in wiping out any race which disagrees with that.

Now where do you stand and how does that agree with your opening post?

We are discussing my opening post based on what you think aren't we?

Originally posted by dj2becker
Well maybe I wouldn't have to assume your position if you were forthright in stating if clearly. You are an atheist so it's not too hard to assume what your position on the Bible is.

Not discussing my position on your Bible, are we.

Originally posted by dj2becker
We are discussing my opening post based on what you think aren't we?

No.
Why would your post be based on what I think?

Originally posted by wolfgang59
Not discussing my position on your Bible, are we.

Why wouldn't you want to discuss it?

Originally posted by wolfgang59
No.
Why would your post be based on what I think?

Your discussion of my opening post is based on what you think, is it not?

Originally posted by dj2becker
Your discussion of my opening post is based on what you think, is it not?

I'm not really discussing anything.
Just asking questions which you refuse to answer.
(You reply - normally with a question - but do not answer mine)

I'm interested in the thoughts of theists, not in their beliefs, but why they have them.