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glyn · 03-27-2008, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herodotus

Why is this thread even relevant to international conflict or geopolitics? The last religious war ended in 1648, since that time the international order has been defined by nation-states (first empires then individual states). Topics on religion or non-religion are interesting, but there are plenty of boards that promote those topics; both atheist and religious.

If this thread has some relevancy to ancient geopolitics, or a new take on the modern international order than the OP could maybe tie that into the thread. But if it is just going to be pro-Christian, or anti-Christian, or pro-Bible, or anti-Bible, or what does the Bible really say or not say, etc. than why should we care? For those who believe, they will believe, for those who do not, will not; and this thread will not change anybody's minds and may just harden positions on both sides as everyone tries to advance his or her agenda.

This thread was originally part of another, but got spun off on its own. People were quoting from various 'holy works' as if they were infallible and not to be questioned in any way. Religious books of antiquity can be questioned if it is found that the translations were in error, and the bible contains many inaccuracies (due in no small part to the Dead Sea scrolls discovery). Why should we care? The answer to that is obvious. Works that have shaped thinking through the ages are now known to be in error. Should that go unremarked? Shouldn't we be more concerned with facts than erroneous interpretation? I am an atheist. That statement does not prevent me from being interested in the history of the 'holy land' during the time of Roman occupation. This involves studying the religious bodies during that time - which is the exact time when Jesus was alive. Josephus the historian, as admirable as his Chronicle of the Jews' is, doesn't provide us with all the relevent details. The Dead Sea scrolls have cast a great deal of light onto those times. The debate will continue in the real world for ages yet, and I hope we can debate it on WAB too.