EVEN ORTHODOX RABBIS QUESTION BIBLE!

by Dansk 9 Replies latest jw friends

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  Dansk

  You may be interested in the following:
  
  'Abraham, the Jewish patriarch, probably never existed. Nor did Moses. The entire exodus story as recounted in the Bible probably never occurred. The same is true of the tumbling of the walls of Jericho. And David, far from being the fearless king who built Jerusalem into a mighty capital, was more likely a provincial leader whose reputation was later magnified to provide a rallying point for a fledgling nation.
  
  Such startling propositions - the product of findings by archaeologists digging in Israel and its environs over the last 25 years - have gained wide acceptance among non-Orthodox rabbis.' Quotes the Miami Herald, Saturday, March 9, 2002 Final Edition, in its review of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism's new Torah and commentary entitled Etz Hayim (Tree of Life in Hebrew).
  
  The paper further quotes Robert Wexler, president of the University of Judaism in Los Angles and writer of the essay 'Ancient Near Eastern Mythology' , as stating that on the basis of modern scholarship, it seems unlikely that the story of Genesis originated in Palestine. More likely, Wexler says, it arose in Mesopotamia, the influence of which probably grew out of the periodic overflowing of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The story of Noah, Wexler adds, was probably borrowed from the Mesopotamian epic Gilgamesh.

  Dansk
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  Loris

  This is something I have never understood. If a person does not believe in the teachings of a religion; what is the reason behind why they call themselves a Jew, Christian, Muslim, whatever? These are Rabbis for god's sake. If they think it is a bunch of Hooy why not get a new career?Something they can believe in? Take up rocket science or something.

  Loris
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  asleif_dufansdottir

  Ummm, first of all, the title should read, "Even non-Orthodox Rabbis Question Bible"

  ...and really, only fundamentalists of the "Big 3" (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) take the Bibles accounts as (you should excuse the expression) "Gospel truth". Most others will say that the accuracy of the historical accounts are not proven, or that they are allegory, or something. Makes it easier when archaeology or historical research proves that the stuff didn't happen.

  The priests and nuns who taught Old Testament literature at my Catholic college did not teach that the Bible was an accurate history book. In my experience most middle-of-the-road religious leaders will say that you need to learn from the spirit of the stories of the OT especially, they don't need to be 'historical fact' for them to give you important insight on how you should live your life. Or words to that effect.

  I, personally, just find it easier to lump the Bible in with all the other religious texts of that time period, at not expect it to be anything else.
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  Mary

  If they think it is a bunch of Hooy why not get a new career?Something they can believe in? Take up rocket science or something.

  Probably because they still believe in God, even though they don't believe all the stuff that's written in the Bible. Yes there is much that suggests that Moses got the story of Noah's Flood from the Epic of Gilgimash, but rather than just dismiss it, it could simply reaffirm what happened.

  Athough I find some of the stories in the bible rather far-fetched, I still believe that we were created by God. This, in addition to people becoming accustomed to whatever environment they were raised in, makes a fertile ground for remaining in one's faith.
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  DevonMcBride

  Jews consider Judaism more than just a religion. Other than being a culture, Judaism is made up of different tribes. Native Americans are still Native Americans whether they practice Shamanism, Christianity or Atheism.
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  garybuss

  Believing the Biblical stories are not historical events does not interfere with the lessons the story conveys. If the stories are parables, the lessons are the same. The only reason the stories need to be real is to prove a made up addition to them that needs credibility. The Rabbi's I know, and know of, do not have to be afraid of reality. Their understandings are based on perception and reality. The Jews are not a religion, they are a race. More than a few of them are skeptics and humanists.
  
  
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  Dansk

  Believing the Biblical stories are not historical events does not interfere with the lessons the story conveys.

  Gary,

  That's true, of course, but it's when everything in the Bible is considered sacrosanct it gets a wee bit galling. Let's face it, we wouldn't be here on this forum had our lives not been affected by our being told the Bible is truly the word of God.

  For anyone interested, 'A short History of the Bible' by Bronson C. Keeler, first published in the 1800s but now reprinted and available from Amazon, is a real eye-opener. Be prepared, you'll never look at a Bible in the same way ever again!

  Dansk
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  garybuss

  
  Dansk, All good points, Thanks! Karen Armstrong wrote A History Of God that is a good objective read and of course in my opinion . . . a prerequisite reading is Carl Sagan's book, The Demon Haunted World.
  
  I would not be here on these forums had it not been for my parents who thought they were doing the best for themselves and their children by forcing us to dispense with life on many levels and learn and propagate the propaganda of a rigid, high control religion, owned and operated by a multi layered conglomerate publishing corporation.
  
  My parents are the product of their parents as well as their environment. They are ignorant, superstitious, and childlike in many ways. God is real. There are really demons lurking in the dark and in books written about the publishing corporation. Education is bad. Secular success is bad. The Internet is dangerous and unnecessary. Armageddon is real and is near. Loyalty to the publishing corporation is the most important thing in life. Disobedient children were killed by the Jews and they would kill their disobedient (adult) children if it were legal. Dishonorable parents are owed honor just because they are parents. The Bible is the word of God even if it contains error. All their personal beliefs can be found in the Watchtower index.
  
  Reality is too scary for them. They got a glimpse of it once and they ran and hid. Life and family and responsible living is work and it is much easier to be told what to think and how to believe and where to go and where to sit and what to eat and what medical treatment is allowed and which books can be read. It's like being a child and being told everything by the parent. It's safe and if something goes wrong there is the parent or the publishing corporation to blame.
  
  Now, my life is much different from my parent's. I accept responsibility for my own behaviors. I have sought teachers and got an education. I embrace reality and I do not know all the answers. That way I can learn. I help my friends and my family and my family and friends are more important to me than my job or my religion, or my lack of one. I believe success is friends and security is health. My best deals in life were the bad deals I got out of. I try not to debate a topic unless I can debate the pro and the con with equal competency. I never push little ducks under the water. GaryB
  
  
  
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  heathen

  Interesting topic. IMO the word jew is not related to judaism . jew is a reference to ethnicity while judaism is the relion that the the ancient hebrews practiced in the bible.It's pretty obvious that todays jews do not practice judaism and reject christianity .If they started calling God allah I'm not sure we would be able to destinquish them from the arabs . The arabs think the dome on the rock is holy and the jews think the wailing wall is holy both of which are located in the same spot .It seems that the christian sector is more adament about the jews being relation to the holy nation that once existed than the jews are .If the jews rule out the significance of Abraham then they can no longer claim the right to the state of Israel .
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  Dansk

  Gary,

  Now, my life is much different from my parent's. I accept responsibility for my own behaviors. I have sought teachers and got an education. I embrace reality and I do not know all the answers. That way I can learn. I help my friends and my family and my family and friends are more important to me than my job or my religion, or my lack of one. I believe success is friends and security is health.

  Yep, I can identify with all of that!

  Best wishes,

  Dansk