That's a very weak defense, Shaneequa. If someone who believes in the Bible as divinely inspired can give three or four different, equally plausible, explanations for that one contradiction it somewhat suggests that the Bible is just another book that we can take multiple interpretations of. Just like Moby Dick, Macbeth, or the Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
How plausible are Moby Dick, Macbeth, or the Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster?
Moby Dick describes an albino whale (observed in nature several times) with a good memory (intelligent critters, whales) who gets pissed when people chuck spears at him (perfectly sensible IMHO). I'd say that generally Moby Dick is quite plausible.
Apart from the witches Macbeth is basically a story of dynastic intrigue and murder. Commonplace stuff in history.
I'm uncertain about the existence of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, but it's certainly no less plausible than a literal Genesis.
You want me to take comfort in the idea that God deliberately stood back and allowed people to be raped, and then God stepped in, after allowing all these rapes, and then tore them to pieces as punishment? What kind of a God is that?
I seriously don't know how to answer that.
I'll answer it for you. Cthulu.
First, He is the author of life. We cannot say that about any human being...so if
He were to choose to zap us all today, we could have no complaint. It is by His mercy that He holds back His terrible and righteous wrath. Our every breath is a sign of his mercy, as we are not guaranteed our next breath.
This is good. So he's a murdering psycho who is desperately trying to be nice then. But hang on, if his wrath is righteous why the fuck is he holding it back? Surely holding back righteous wrath would be an unrighteous act. Can't have god being unrighteous can we?
And if you were called on to do those things in the name of your religion? Would you do them?
Nope. For one thing, the bible is closed. Everything we need to know is in the bible, and that means we will not receive new revelations.
Whoosh!That was the sound of a low-flying point going over Shan's head. Also if everything we need to know is in the bible what are other books for? Just wondering.