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 | Traditional/historical viewpoint: The Bible is the "Word of God:"
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| Historical/skeptical viewpoint: The Bible is the product of
individual human efforts to promote their own faith tradition:
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Some examples of the impact of different views of the Bible:
The most-frequently visited sections of this web site dealing with controversial topics with a religious or ethical foundation are described below:
| Topic | A traditional/historical view (perhaps one of many) |
Historical/skeptical view (perhaps one of many) |
| Abortion: |
The Christian Scriptures (a.k.a. New Testament) and its interpretation by early Christian theologians have led to the concept of the human soul, which defines the difference between human life (in the form of an ovum and spermatozoa) and a human person. From this logically follows the belief that a human person is present from the time of conception. Thus abortion involves the taking of a human life, and should be severely restricted or prohibited. |
The concept of a human soul is a religious hypothesis
that is not supported by research on the human brain and its functions. An embryo at an early stage of gestation is a potential human being, not an actual human being. A woman should be free to decide whether to continue her pregnancy to childbirth or to terminate it. |
| Religious tolerance | The Bible consistently teaches that there is only one God, that there is only one valid religion, and that other religions worship Satan and his demons. The Bible contains many instances of intolerance towards those of other religions, up to and including genocide. | According to the "World Christian Encyclopedia there are 19 major world religions which are subdivided into a total of 270 large religious groups, and many smaller ones. The greatest threat to peace at this time is religious intolerance founded in an intolerant and exclusivist view of religion. |
| Homosexuality | There are six passages in the Bible that condemn homosexual behavior as profoundly sinful. 1 Corinthians 6:11 implies that, once saved, homosexuals can leave this abnormal, unnatural and chosen lifestyle. | The Bible does condemn homosexual rape, homosexual activity in Pagan temples, sexual abuse of children, homosexual orgies by heterosexuals. But it does not comment on loving, committed same-sex relationships. Homosexuality is a normal, natural and fixed sexual orientation among adults. |
| Same-sex marriage | God's plan, confirmed by Jesus is that marriage is to be a permanent covenant between a man and a woman. Same sex "marriage" is a major threat to the future of marriage. | Giving over 1,000 benefits to loving opposite-sex, committed couples who marry while denying the same rights to same-sex, committed couples who wish to marry is unethical. Same-sex marriage can only strengthen the institution. |
| Death penalty | The Hebrew Scriptures commanded the death penalty for a wide range of criminal activities. The death penalty today lowers the homicide rate. A person who kills another has forfeited its right to life. | Human life is precious. Killing another person -- particularly premeditated killing by the state -- is immoral; it cheapens life, distress the family and friends of the prisoner, sometimes murders an innocent person, and may increase the homicide rate. |
| Stem cell research | Adult stem cell research has few ethical concerns, but embryonic stem cell research kills a human baby. | Embryonic stem cell research removes undifferentiated cells from a surplus pre-embryo that would never have developed into a human person. |
| Assisted suicide | Only God can give a life; only God can take a life. Physician assisted suicide is murder. | Suicide is generally a permanent solution to a temporary problem. But some terminally ill people suffer greatly. Helping them, upon request, to commit suicide is a humane gift. |
| Ten Commandments | This is the core message of the Bible. Since the U.S. and Canada are Christian nations, they should be posted in schools, courthouses and government offices. | Commandments 1 to 4 are religious instructions for Jews and Christians and have no place in a religiously diverse society. The tenth commandment condones human slavery and treats women as property. |
| Spanking Children | God's word commands, mainly in Proverbs, that parents have a duty to discipline their children through the use of loving corporal punishment. | Studies show that children who are spanked and whipped are more violent towards their peers. As adults they have a greater incidence of alcoholism, depression, anxiety and drug abuse. |
| The environment 1 | A continuing theme in the Bible is God's love and protection of his followers. God will not allow a worldwide catastrophe brought on by global warming. Daniel and Revelation describe Armageddon, and don't mention global warming. | Atmospheric scientists have reached an almost complete consensus that global warming is a reality. It has already altered climate patterns and will cause great suffering and loss of life if we do not take stringent actions quickly to reduce CO2 emissions. |
Related essay in this web site:
| God's inspiration of the biblical authors |
Footnote:
Actually, our section dealing with global warming and other environmental concerns is not among our most visited topics. But we feel that it should be. The tenth most visited section is end of the world scenarios.
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Home page > Christianity > Bible > Inerrancy > here |
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or Home page > Christianity > Bible > Bible Topics > Inerrancy > here |
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or Home page > Religious information > Inerrancy > here |
Copyright © 2007 by Ontario Consultants on
Religious Tolerance
Author: B.A. Robinson
Original posting: 2007-APR-29
Latest update: 2007-APR-29
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