C_Mucius_Scaevola
Veteran Member
The sacrifice of pigeons does come after healing, but it's a cleansing ritual, not a thanksgiving (Leviticus 14:3-7)
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The sacrifice of pigeons does come after healing, but it's a cleansing ritual, not a thanksgiving (Leviticus 14:3-7)
DrZoidberg
Contributor
What's wrong with your god speaking for himself? He's still alive, right?
I can read the words of Harry Potter but I don't believe that person has ever existed. You want me to believe your god exists - it is going to take more than words in a book you claim he wrote.
Because God works in mysterious ways, ie uses methods to communicate which are indistinguishable from hucksters just making shit up. Sure God could use methods of communication which only could come from God. But God doesn't work that way. He wants you to doubt. Wants you to wonder how the fuck could anybody be so fucking retarded as to actually believe the rubbish and the Bible, and then believe anyway.
Did I get it right Lion IRC?
funinspace
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Though verse 7 on its face seems to suggest it is tied with the healing process, it seems that many theologians (NASB study Bible and New Bible Commentary) think that this is a purification ritual after healing. But either way, quite a typical archaic process...almost as if Yahweh was a god of his times...
A more clear version of 'do X and be cured' is Kings 5:10-14 has Elisha telling Naaman to go wash himself in the Jordan river 7 times and be cleansed of leprosy (or one of several skin diseases). And shazam it worked (per the story told).
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Atheos
Veteran Member
An even better example (IMO) is the Bitter Water test for an adulterous wife described in Numbers 5:12-31. This is definitely claimed to be a foolproof way to determine if a woman has had sex with someone not her husband.
A reflection of the times, there is no analogous test for unfaithful husbands, and there is no reason to believe this silly relic of superstitious bronze-age people would have had any effect other than to possibly infect women with fecal deposits carried on foot into the temple by people who didn't wipe their feet very well.
Which of course places it in lock-step with the rest of the bible, which is little more than a reflection of the Zeitgeist in existence as each portion of it was written.
A reflection of the times, there is no analogous test for unfaithful husbands, and there is no reason to believe this silly relic of superstitious bronze-age people would have had any effect other than to possibly infect women with fecal deposits carried on foot into the temple by people who didn't wipe their feet very well.
Which of course places it in lock-step with the rest of the bible, which is little more than a reflection of the Zeitgeist in existence as each portion of it was written.
ideologyhunter
Contributor
Ah, Numbers 5, my absolute favorite chapter of God's holy word -- 100% crazy, superstitious, misogynist, bizarre, primitive. Suitable for heavy-bearded sheepmen of 4000 years ago. And of course, as 2 Timothy reminds us, 'All scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.'
Another point to ponder...own...cherish: any woman who failed to pass the adultery test wasn't just going to have her "thigh" rot...she'd now be eligible for stoning, along with any brides who couldn't prove their virginity. Let's ponder this scripture and pray over it.
Another point to ponder...own...cherish: any woman who failed to pass the adultery test wasn't just going to have her "thigh" rot...she'd now be eligible for stoning, along with any brides who couldn't prove their virginity. Let's ponder this scripture and pray over it.