Convenient Truths: Why the Bible is a Tool for Selective Morality

Many individuals talk about their religious belief and find divine evidence and justification in the bible. The reason why the bible (in your mind) is such a powerful argument is because it is fact handed down by god. However, is it really fact? ... or are you interpreting it as fact to satisfy your own needs? 

First of all, the bible was written by man and not by god so there is already room for error. The bible was passed down by word of mouth for decades before finally being written. The bible contradicts itself within its own bindings about timelines and who was born to whom. 

It is clear to me there is enough doubt to render this book questionable:

1 Timothy 2:12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. 

Colossians 3:18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

To entertain the possibility, we will say the bible is fact and we'll throw all opposing arguments out the window. What does this mean? By saying the bible is fact is like saying it is a fact that homosexuality is a choice and not biological. It is fact that, at the very least, slavery is acceptable. It is fact that women should pretty much stay home, be obedient to men, and get in the kitchen and cook something .

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The problem is where the justification of morality through the bibile starts and stops in reference to it. If you look to the bible for justification, often, many site one argument to be truth (through devine justificatoin) and not another. For example peoople will site the new testimate for moral guidence but ignore revelatoins and the genocidal god of the old testimate, although they claim the bible is divine and infallible.

It is either all or nothing. You can’t look for justification for your actions in a book that you say is fact and turn around and say some parts are to be taken figuratively or up for interpretation. Otherwise, you're just using the bible as a selective morality and patting yourself on the back by making excuses. Most don’t look to the bible because it is fact. They look to the bible because it is convenient. 

Still, don’t believe me. When these words echo through your head do you immediately become defensive? If the bible and religion are so right things like science should slowly prove them to be right, instead of undoubtedly wrong. Doubt is a virtue, not a vice.

So to reiterate the question, why is the bible infallible? ...because you think it is. 

Thanks for reading! Please comment!

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