Can someone explain to me why anybody would believe in the Bible code?

[Seth928]

Look I don't get how rational people can take words from a event that has already occured plug them into a computer then find a section of the bible that has those words spelled out in random directions and then call it a prophecy. It makes no sense to me what so ever can someone please explain why you believe in it.

[cpwill]

:shrug: same thing as the davinci code, i reckon. people believe because they want to believe. it's a neat story; has hints of conspiracy theories and extraordinary circumstances, and has the added benifite of allowing folks to feel one step ahead of common knowledge (no one ever assumes that knowledge might be common because it's true:)).

[Jard]

What i dont understand is people taking the bible literally, this is a 2000 year old book, which must has been changed who knows how many times to fit different periods and purposes.

[satu largi]

...and it has been, of course. But, as a tool for mind control, it"s one of the greatest.

Pass the poisoned Kool-Aid, Momma....

[cpwill]

:rolleyes: this is one of the most oft-repeated criticisms of the bible, and also one of the most exagerated.

as a straw man argument, it also kinda stinks;)

[Secession]

People will accept any evidence that supports their assumptions, no matter how tenuous.

[Jard]

In the past in europe the bible/religion was big business and it even it had emense influence on royalty, like in all big businesses rules/phrases are changed to arrange a few. You just have to look at why protestant christianity was created to understand the principle of fitting religion into your agenda.

People before the 19th century had to write, this in itself is dubious as no exact copies would ever be made, taking the bible lierally is not what it is there for. It has metaphores and can be used as a guidline for life, in my eyes it is up to the individual percieve the texts, it is not there to be taking literally.

[cpwill]

In the past in europe the bible/religion was big business and it even it had emense influence on royalty, like in all big businesses rules/phrases are changed to arrange a few. You just have to look at why protestant christianity was created to understand the principle of fitting religion into your agenda.

as a reaction against the abuses of the catholic church, namely the idea of indulgences?

People before the 19th century had to write, this in itself is dubious as no exact copies would ever be made,

The problem with this being that we have copies of the texts that reach back into the 3rd century, so "additions" or alterations would be spotted pretty quickly via the simple method of comparison.

[Jard]

Who has a copy dating that far back? and what about the 300 years between the death of christ and the writings. Thigs get forgeton or change with time. 300 years back then must have been what 6/8 generations thats a lot of story telling to get spot on.

[jamesrage]

I think who ever came up up with that bible code was proably a tweaker(meth addict) because you would have to be high to come up with some ludicris stuff like that.I am a christrian and I do not believe that code non-sense.

[cpwill]

Who has a copy dating that far back?

well, depends on what you consider "copy". there are numerous bibles out there that are direct translations from the original greek and hebrew; but the actual physical originals themselves are kept (i would suppose) mostly by musuems, historical foundations, that sort of thing.

and what about the 300 years between the death of christ and the writings.

3rd century means the 200's. Jesus died around 33AD (that would be in the first century) so really the oldest copies are only about 200 years after the death of Christ.

the actual writings of the documents vary, of course, with each document. as a general rule, the gospels were written between 60 and 90 AD, the letters of Paul from 50 to 70 AD, etc. i can get you the scholarship on each text, if you like (shrugs).

Thigs get forgeton or change with time.

which is why the gospels often differ in the small details. however, in reality, events were written down quite soon after the events, and the narratives seem to be in agreement about the overwhelming mass of material.

thats a lot of story telling to get spot on.

ah, but it was not story telling, it was written and passed around;)

[gopman]

I saw a show on Bible code on the History channel. They kept talking about how astronomical the odds were, but then opponents did the same thing with Moby Dick, which is about the same length, and were able to find plenty of predictions in it.

[Aletheia]

People will accept any evidence that supports their assumptions, no matter how tenuous.

I agree, but you have to admit that evolution stands on some pretty tenuous evidence itself. :rolleyes:

[Secession]

No I don't, because it doesn't.

[Aletheia]

No I don't, because it doesn't.
Then may I please have some REAL evidence that it is fact? Like a missing link maybe? ;)

[mataj]

I agree, but you have to admit that evolution stands on some pretty tenuous evidence itself. :rolleyes:You probably mean the creationist variant of evolution theory.

[Aletheia]

creationist variant of evolution theory.
Please define?

[mataj]

Then may I please have some REAL evidence that it is fact?Selection of information, combined at random, and occasionally slightly mutated, can solve very complex problems. It's called Genetic Algorithm. This is a fact, that everyone with PC, and basic programming skills can verify. It proves, that the basic concept behind evolution theory is sound. No missing links are necessary.

You can still believe, that life was created, if you want to. But, it was created so, that it looks like a product of a spontaneous process.

Dilemma between evolution, and intelligent design is non-existent. Evolution IS intelligent design.

EDIT:
Please define?Evolution theory, as quoted, and understood by creationists. You know, the one that combines Darwin, and Big Bang Theory, among others.

[Redheat]

Then may I please have some REAL evidence that it is fact? Like a missing link maybe? ;)


:confused:

There is tons of scientific evidence of evolution. Even one piece would be more then supports that of creationism.

[ranger]

What i dont understand is people taking the bible literally, this is a 2000 year old book, which must has been changed who knows how many times to fit different periods and purposes.Those who have studied the Dead Sea Scrolls claim that there has been no significant change in the Bible today as compared to the documents they are now studying. The reports I have read claim only 1 word in the Old Testament is in question at this time.

[Secession]

Selection of information, combined at random, and occasionally slightly mutated, can solve very complex problems. It's called Genetic Algorithm. This is a fact, that everyone with PC, and basic programming skills can verify. It proves, that the basic concept behind evolution theory is sound. No missing links are necessary.

You can still believe, that life was created, if you want to. But, it was created so, that it looks like a product of a spontaneous process.

Dilemma between evolution, and intelligent design is non-existent. Evolution IS intelligent design.

EDIT:
Evolution theory, as quoted, and understood by creationists. You know, the one that combines Darwin, and Big Bang Theory, among others.

I don't believe in intelligent design either. Evolution is simply a description of the process of trial and error. Life will exist, must exist, wherever the appropriate chemistry and a reasonably stable environment persist.

[Seth928]

I saw a show on Bible code on the History channel. They kept talking about how astronomical the odds were, but then opponents did the same thing with Moby Dick, which is about the same length, and were able to find plenty of predictions in it.
Yeah that is where I got this idea. I particullary liked the part when one of the "decoders" predicted the end of days in about 2010 2011 sometime I can't remember but he said that for the end of days cycle to occur peace must be reached in the middle east by about october of 2003. I saw the show in February 2004.

[Seth928]

Validity of the Bile code here people not Bible. Come one FOCUS! You can do it! Thanks to aletheia and matja for staying focused.

[Aletheia]

You can still believe, that life was created, if you want to. But, it was created so, that it looks like a product of a spontaneous process.

Dilemma between evolution, and intelligent design is non-existent. Evolution IS intelligent design.

EDIT:
Evolution theory, as quoted, and understood by creationists. You know, the one that combines Darwin, and Big Bang Theory, among others.

No, when I said evolution stands on tenuous evidence I meant evolution, not some washed up I-can't-handle-the-persecution-so-I-will-assimilate Christian doctrine. ;)
And I will continue to believe that life was created. Random yeah, right. I'm in AP Bio, and studying the intricacy of life - plants, animals, cells, molecules, and humans - shows anything but the product of a spontaneous process. If anything it was made by someone incredibly intelligent.
Intelligence, in fact, calls for me to not to believe that some random molecule combined with a whole bunch of other molecules and exploded to make some thing so complex! Here's an experiment.
1. Take a buncha legos
2. Put them in a big pile
3. Throw them into the air at the same time
4. Draw the resulting world. . .
Will it be anything like Earth? or the solar system? or universe? No. Clearly Someone of great power crafted the Earth to fit our needs. If it was tilted as little as 10 degrees either way on it's pole, the light/dark ratio would seriously mess up life on Earth. If we were 23 closer to the sun, we'd burn, farther away, we'd freeze. Try that on the laws of probability.
The dilemna is very existant. If it isn't, what are we debating over?!

[Aletheia]

Validity of the Bile code here people not Bible. Come one FOCUS! You can do it! Thanks to aletheia and matja for staying focused.
Ya man! ;)

[Djj1973]

Does anyone here believe in Bible Code? I do no think anyone here made that claim.

[Democritus]

I believe in it's entertainment value. Is that close enough?

[Countium]

I may not be complete athiest but he has a point.

Evolution is all around us, can be measured and we for 100% fact know it exists. Honestly it suprises me so many people live by the words of the bible, the story can be picked apart without much effort and has been for many years.

I'm quite aware of the Christian answer for this question but when I look at this world i see suffering, uneeded death, people living in the worst conditions possible and people hell bent on raping the world for eveything it's worth.

It's easy to sit back and be religious when you live a comfertable life in a developed country, how much do you do for your brothers and sisters across the pond?

George Bush is apparantly religious yet he wages war against other nations and kills thousands of people all in the name of F*'k knows what.

You can take your organised religion and you can keep it, keep it away from the people in this world who actually go out and make a difference without expecting some entity to come and make things better, it's a complete whitewash and quite a pathetic one at that.

I mean America is a religious country yet they are the most capitilist inspired nation, I'm sorry but my small knowledge of religion tells me that the two cannot possibly mix.

Jesus apparnetly said "It is easier to thread a camel through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to get into heaven"

[Djj1973]

I believe in it's entertainment value. Is that close enough?

Close but no cigar my friend.

[Aletheia]

Evolution is all around us, can be measured and we for 100% fact know it exists. "

If evolution could be measured and have 100% infallible rating, then there wouldn't be a big discussion over whether or not its true.

when I look at this world i see suffering, uneeded death, people living in the worst conditions possible and people hell bent on raping the world for eveything it's worth."

Sad, isn't it? But it is not the Christian faith that makes it this way, and I don't think its evolution either.

It's easy to sit back and be religious when you live a comfortable life in a developed country, how much do you do for your brothers and sisters across the pond?"

I agree. Most Americans, living in their cocoon, don't realize what life is like out there. As for me, I spent 1 and 1/2 years in France and 6 in Africa, helping the nationals, and witnessing to them.

George Bush is apparantly religious yet he wages war against other nations and kills thousands of people all in the name of F*'k knows what. "

Yeah, well he's also a politician trying to get re-elected. And in this world, it's kinda morals, or the vote. Hmmm. Not that I am supporting war. And war isnt necessarily antireligious. Do I need to give you examples of war, or can you take my word for it?

You can take your organised religion and you can keep it, keep it away from the people in this world who actually go out and make a difference without expecting some entity to come and make things better, it's a complete whitewash and quite a pathetic one at that."

I don't keep my religion. I share it with all who will listen!

I mean America is a religious country yet they are the most capitilist inspired nation, I'm sorry but my small knowledge of religion tells me that the two cannot possibly mix."

America for the most part is atheist. There are people who feel very strongly that Christianity does not belong here. Even though Christianity helped form this nation. It is written all over the Constitution, the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, the money!!! But still, lets not pray in schools, or share our faith, or be conservative!

Jesus apparently said "It is easier to thread a camel through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to get into heaven"
Yeah, and its true!!!

[Aletheia]

Keep in mind we are talking about the Bible code!!! :)

[AgentOrange]

Look I don't get how rational people can take words from a event that has already occured plug them into a computer then find a section of the bible that has those words spelled out in random directions and then call it a prophecy. It makes no sense to me what so ever can someone please explain why you believe in it.

SLOTH,

Do you believe in the teachings of our Lord Jesus ?

[mataj]

Validity of the Bile code here people not Bible. Come one FOCUS! You can do it! Thanks to aletheia and matja for staying focused.Nnnnnnggggghhh... Bible Codes... :banghead: Bible Codes... :banghead: Bible Codes... :banghead: Bible Codes... :banghead: Awww, that's too much for me. Sorry, I can't. :shrug: Say, how about Microsoft License-Agreement Codes? http://www.bluedonut.com/biblecode.htm :o


I don't believe in intelligent design either. Evolution is simply a description of the process of trial and error. What do you think intelligent design is? Had you ever tried to design anything? For hobby perhaps, some model aeroplane, small rocket, stuff like that? Or write computer program, maybe? Then you should have noticed, that intelligent design is purely trial and error process. You combine known solutions together (insemination), and try your creation (natural selection). If it doesn't work properly, you tinker a little bit with it(random mutation), and try again. You repeat the process, until you are satisfied. Evolution, and intelligent design is the same thing.

Intelligent design always involves considerable amount of random tinkering.


. . . calls for me to not to believe that some random molecule combined with a whole bunch of . . .Evolution is purely random only in creationist's version of evolution theory, which is made only to be refuted. Real evolution, on the other hand, is equivalent to the design process I described above to Secession.

There is no such thing as 'Irreducible Complexity'.

Clearly Someone of great power crafted the Earth to fit our needs. That eventual Someone must have experimented, and tinkered as well.

Our world is not crafted to fir our needs. It is, as it is, and we evolved into it.

If it was tilted as little as 10 degrees either way on it's pole, the light/dark ratio would seriously mess up life on Earth. If we were 23 closer to the sun, we'd burn, farther away, we'd freeze. In this case, some other beings, on some other planet, in some other time, in some other (part of the) universe would have a discussion, similar to ours.

[Djj1973]

Seth, you realize we are talking about Bible Codes right?

[Redheat]

I watched the same program as gopman :shock:

I believed in Nostradmus and all that, but after watching the show I've got my doubts.

So I think the Bible Code is a bit far fetched. I guess you could believe anyting you want if you look at it upside down, from the right with one eye closed.

[Djj1973]

The guy on the show was giving me the willies.

[Secession]

I watched the same program as gopman :shock:

I believed in Nostradmus and all that, but after watching the show I've got my doubts.

So I think the Bible Code is a bit far fetched. I guess you could believe anyting you want if you look at it upside down, from the right with one eye closed.

The human brain is a device for recognising patterns in the environment and translating that information into opportunities to control resources and reproduce. We will see patterns in anything we look at because we can't do anything else.

[Aletheia]

Yea, enough said, I think

[trombone]

absolutely right.bunch of nonsense and crap.but i guess people are soo afraid of dying that they would believe in anything.