A question for the christian scholars

Published on June 24, 2005 By dharmagrl In Misc

Ok, I already posed this question on another thread, but I want to ask again.

Why, if God is a single entity, does it say at the end of Genesis 1 'let US make them in OUR image'?

Why the plural there?

Thanks in advance for any answers....

Comments (Page 7)

bakerstreet

on Jun 26, 2005

"In the context of my statement, what they need to believe is supernatural."

The concept of the supernatural is severely limited by the knowledge of the natural. Science can't explain far, far more than it can explain, and yet you just KNOW that certain things are impossible. "Supernatural" to a scientist is always one discovery away from Law.

History is full of 'rational' scientists who BELIEVED that flight, supersonic flight, space travel, and other common feats were impossible because of what they THOUGHT they know about nature.

"Are you and Baker trying to take this thread even more off-topic than it already is?"

The topic was introduced by our host when she posed Biblical literalism as some detriment to the world. Call and response, unless you want to blacklist.

Ionolast

on Jun 26, 2005

Oh, so we're not discussing people who believe in stereotypes and who are atheists because they need to believe it?

No.

Ionolast

on Jun 26, 2005

The concept of the supernatural is severely limited by the knowledge of the natural

History is full of 'rational' scientists who BELIEVED that flight, supersonic flight, space travel, and other common feats were impossible because of what they THOUGHT they know about nature.

Are you saying maybe God isn't supernatural?

you just KNOW that certain things are impossible

I'm not completely convinced one way or the other. As long as I don't see evidence, I'm skeptical. Maybe you should read my Virgin Mary Tour article and all the replies.

island_gurl12

on Jun 27, 2005

If what He does was easily explained and replicated then we, someday, could make ourselves God's through technology.

What do you think cloning is?

Sorry to come up so late, but these comments reminded me of a joke.
The scientists discover how to bring a man to life from dust. They talk to God and say:
"Hey! We've reached divinity! We know how to create a man ourselves without your help!"
God says:
"Okay then, lets do this. I'll create a man, and you can create yours, and we'll compare the results"
As scientists gather some dust God says:
"T-t-t-t! Go get your own dust!"

bakerstreet

on Jun 27, 2005

"Are you saying maybe God isn't supernatural?"

1 : of or relating to an order of existence beyond the visible observable universe; especially : of or relating to God or a god, demigod, spirit, or devil
2 a : departing from what is usual or normal especially so as to appear to transcend the laws of nature b : attributed to an invisible agent (as a ghost or spirit)

If you limit the natural to only those things you can observe and comprehend right now, then the basic workings of the universe are supernatural. Everything that exists is "natural". "Supernatural" is just tag to poo-poo anything you opt not to buy into, as though your current awareness is all there is.

That's why it sounds so obtuse and close-minded when you say something like:

"I don't believe in the supernatural. I've never seen anything that could be considered supernatural."

That's the same attitude sported by people who refused to believe the earth was round. A round earth was dubiously supernatural to them, because it defied what they could see with their own eyes.

You have the benefit of living in a scientifically advanced society. 1000 years ago most everything you witnessed would have been supernatural to you. In 1000 years there's no telling what will be commonplace that we now consider supernatural.

I think it is funny that Bibilical literalists are being painted as close-minded, and no one catches it when someone says "I don't believe in the supernatural."

Ionolast

on Jun 27, 2005

1000 years ago most everything you witnessed would have been supernatural to you. In 1000 years there's no telling what will be commonplace that we now consider supernatural.

I agree. You seem to be ignoring this:

I'm not completely convinced one way or the other. As long as I don't see evidence, I'm skeptical.

I guess you still haven't read my Virgin Mary Tour article.

"Oh, this is futile."
"No it isn't."

Ionolast

on Jun 27, 2005

1000 years ago most everything you witnessed would have been supernatural to you. In 1000 years there's no telling what will be commonplace that we now consider supernatural.

I agree. You seem to be ignoring this:

I'm not completely convinced one way or the other. As long as I don't see evidence, I'm skeptical.

I guess you still haven't read my Virgin Mary Tour article.

"Oh, this is futile."
"No it isn't."

bakerstreet

on Jun 27, 2005

"As long as I don't see evidence, I'm skeptical."

Your personal beliefs really don't matter to me. I just take issue when people form a little sewing circle and start yammering about what is wrong with Christians, or Fundamenatlists, or Literalists, especially under the guise of asking a biblical question.

It comes off as another Myrrander "Here, answer these unanswerable questions so I can childishly laugh at you." article. I really thought Dharma wanted an answer, but evidently she was just waiting for someone to admit there wasn't an answer so she could start bashing literalists.

People bitch about me taking it off topic, but the author took it off topic when she started making rash generalizations about people.

drmiler

on Jun 27, 2005

1000 years ago most everything you witnessed would have been supernatural to you. In 1000 years there's no telling what will be commonplace that we now consider supernatural.

I agree. You seem to be ignoring this:

I'm not completely convinced one way or the other. As long as I don't see evidence, I'm skeptical.

I guess you still haven't read my Virgin Mary Tour article.

"Oh, this is futile."
"No it isn't."

Hey Icon....your "Monty Python" is showing. "I believe we're having an arguement". "No we're not".

100

dharmagrl

on Jun 27, 2005

I really thought Dharma wanted an answer, but evidently she was just waiting for someone to admit there wasn't an answer so she could start bashing literalists.

Yeah, Baker, that was it. Yep, you're right. You know what my intention was because you can read my mind. Whatever.

I got answers, but I had further questions.....like if it's the 'royal we' scenario, how come it's not used anywhere else in the bible? I even went to www,torah.org and asked a rabbi....but that ws on saturday, shabot, so I haven't got answer yet.

I asked questions, got answers, and gave my opinion. If I wanted to 'bash' literalists I'd have done it in a much more blatant way than this.

101

dharmagrl

on Jun 27, 2005

Kind of, beyond the fact that I don't espouse the "middle path", while condemning some religious beliefs and overlooking fundamentalism in my own religion. Being a buddhist, it seems like your priority would be to address buddhists who are preoccupied with demons and hell and the rest of what you would call mythology

No, you just say that taking the bible literally is 'silly' in one statement and then defend it in the next.

Like I said, you're just being antagonistic anymore. This has gone from what I thought was a discussion about things biblical to your telling me what I do and do not think.

And you accuse other people of being childish....

102

bakerstreet

on Jun 27, 2005

Fine, ignore all your unprovoked posts about people who intepret the Bible, about how literalism is a bad thing. Just make blanket statements and then get outraged and scream off-topic when people try to respond.

I'm not defending the beliefs, I actually differ with the beliefs. I am doing EXACTLY what I would be doing if some asshat ignorantly critiqued your beliefs for no reason other than to show how theirs are superior. You can say you differ, but the vibe here is the world would be a better place if people didn't narrowly interpret the Bible.

I tried to point out that humanity's ills occur with or without literalist ideas, and that there are peace-loving literalists who make the world a better place. You, of course, ignore that and complain that I am being argumentative and mussing up your little ego fest. Sorry.

Do I agree with Buddhist ideals? Nope. Do I have to in order to speak up when people start circling it like sharks to make themselves feel more "enlightened"? Nope.

I think Buddhist ideas of Demons and demi-gods and all that are silly too, but I wouldn't sit here quietly and listen to anyone whose beliefs are just as far-fetched pretend that they are more of a benefit to the world. All faiths are far-fetched, or else they wouldn't require faith.

103

MyViewsAndMuse

on Jun 27, 2005

I'm happy for you that you have faith that your god and his son will redeem you. I don't have that faith. I have faith of a different kind.

Since you have spent so much time attacking Christianity, what of your faith? Can you "defend" it? I bet not.

104

Ionolast

on Jun 27, 2005

Hey Icon....your "Monty Python" is showing. "I believe we're having an arguement". "No we're not".

"I came here for a good argument."
"No you didn't. You came here for an argument."

105

drmiler

on Jun 27, 2005

]

"I came here for a good argument."
"No you didn't. You came here for an argument."

Damn I haven't done any Monty in "years"! My cousin and I used to do them "all" from memory. Monty, Cheech & Chong and Bill Crosby. It used to drive our parents NUTZ! Our favs used to be the argument, crunchy frog by monty, sister mary elephant, and daves not home by cheech and Chong and lastly the chicken heart by Bill. Here's some site for Monty's words:

Link

Link

I'm sorry, is this a five minute argument, or the full half-hour?

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