james o

Does it give them some kind of satisfaction or what?

Breakthrough, if you have some clear justifiable reason for this, feel free to email me. Unlike you, my mailbox is always open, and unlike you, I'm not afraid of email from folks who disagree with me.

There are countless examples of textual contradictions and confusions. Now one could claim that these can be reconciled, but if the book is to be read literally, you would hardly expect such confusing, frustrating instances. And yet, the Bible is full of them.

I was asking Oleg to explain this to me, and he was unable to do so at the time, and so blocked me, which is his prerogative. If there is a clear reason for only reading the Bible literally, surely you can articulate this in simple terms! And Oleg, if you have the courage, here's an opportunity to redeem yourself.

Below is a part the story of how God revealed the commandments to Israel. This little section is about preparing to receive the commandments. Read it all the way through and tell me without thinking the one thing that is obviously wrong with it.

The People Consecrated [from Exodus, chapter 19]

When Moses had told the words of the people to the Lord, the Lord said to Moses: ‘Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes and prepare for the third day, because on the third day the Lord will come down upon Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. You shall set limits for the people all around, saying, “Be careful not to go up the mountain or to touch the edge of it. Any who touch the mountain shall be put to death. No hand shall touch them, but they shall be stoned or shot with arrows; whether animal or human being, they shall not live.” When the trumpet sounds a long blast, they may go up on the mountain.’ So Moses went down from the mountain to the people. He consecrated the people, and they washed their clothes. And he said to the people, ‘Prepare for the third day; do not go near a woman.’

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What is the most obvious (note: the most obvious) problem.

Is it striving to do the right thing?

I guess you might consider the possibility that your viewpoint of righteousness might be wrong, and later on, you might find new information that makes you think the opposite point of view is right.

Or is it obeying the will of God, no matter how evil that might seem to you?

And obviously, how do we determine what God's will is? Rely only on the Bible? Rely on the thoughts of the Church Fathers too?

I sometimes find that answers are hidden for no apparent reason. This seems to be happening on the Religion and Spirituality section.

I thought it was due to a large number of thumb-downs, but this is apparently not the case.

I wonder what's going on, and why when I try to ask this in religion and spirituality, the button appears active, but does not accept my click on it, no response at all.

I sometimes see a note "1 answer hidden" among the answers when I respond.

I at first thought they were heavily disapproved questions, but that turns out not to be correct. I have looked at some of them, and they do not have any thumb-downs.

Any ideas, astute ones?

Explain the relationship between the Roman Catholic Church and other Christian denominations today.?

People need to get control over this forum.

LEGITIMATE QUESTIONS ARE BEING DELETED, AND IT IS NOT RIGHT.