Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlatan
The fact is that the Bible has been written and re-written many times. It has also been translated into many languages.
Within the canoized Bible there are contradictory voices. For example, did Moses lead his people through a shallow "sea of reeds" or did he part the Red Sea. Both versions exist side by side in the Bible on your shelf. It is a direct result of different editorial schools having a go at the text of the stories over time.
Other parts have been reinterpreted through translations produced by translators with a specific world view. Calling Mary a Virgin came from a particular translation. In the original language it's meaning is closer to young girl.
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People are going to make of the Bible what they will.
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Don't disagree with your analysis at all, but the description of the sea of reeds and parting the Red Sea
ARE consistent. At the time of the writing, the northern end of the Red Sea was much shallower and narrower (it is still shallow today, but was much more so in Biblical times, and most likely was characterised by stretches of reeds along the shores).
The mistaken reference to young girl or maiden is Mary Magdalene, not the the Virgin Mary. The concept of Mary's virginity was added to appeal to the pagan earth goddess worshipers and make Christianity much more palatable to them. The mistranslation of the Aramaic word for young girl/maiden used to describe Mary Magdalene as prostitute was more politically inspired to prevent the competing followers of Mary from gaining the upper hand.
The idea that there were internecine quarrels amongst his followers shortly after Jesus' death is anathema to many Christians, but is pretty much a matter of historical record. Even the claiming of Ann (John the Baptist's mother) recognising Mary as carrying the true Messiah was inserted to establish his primacy over John and justify the bloody disputes between the followers of Jesus & John.
What you have with the Bible is a work that, Divinely inspired or not, has been used to promote the political aspirations of different groups for centuries. Why shouldn't the Conservatives of our day have their shot at it? Will it really change whether or not Christ was divine?