Despite differences of opinion, I still quite like you. I “see” you to the extent you’ve allowed and still like the complexities you’ve been open to share.

Although we differ, I don’t need a god to respect and care about you. Like you, I live in this world for a short time; unlike you, I do not buy into the religious system of blind faith.

If god has physically manifested and talks to you daily in front of many witnesses, I’ll change my beliefs. The greatest lie in the world is that a loving god stands by and may intercede if we pray and are careful to retain blind faith—or face damnation by not doing so. This is taught to us as children, at an age we are unable to reason objectively. You were indoctrinated at a tender age. It is futile to even converse without you shutting your mind’s door.

We are not born as Christians, Muslims, Jews, et al. We’re told at an early age what belief system our family or culture subscribes. This is not helping mankind. Terrorism, wars are waged throughout history by belief systems, clash of cultural religions.

If we can survive this lie, and as more discoveries are made by intellectually gifted people of science, it’s possible the male-made-up-god of this world will become as silly as the belief in Zeus.

In defense of Buddhism, Siddartha became wise, enlightened—never claimed to be a god. Both Christian and Muslim religions elevated mortal men into gods. In all likelihood, Jesus and Allah were like Siddartha in their “higher thinking” but their cultures elevated them into gods whereas the Buddha’s culture did not. These are insights if put forth in some cultures would most likely cause the end of a person’s life—or cease of communication in a religious person’s blog cite.

If religions elevate, are the only way to heaven or salvation, why do so many kill in its name or close doors which offer higher intellectual understanding and instead fervently favor blind faith? It is a madness many subscribe because it’s been ingrained, taught to them as children to believe in ancient people’s made-up god(s). This is what’s sad, Taylor.

I believe that the cosmos are a cosmological clock setup by God to tell the stories and foreshadowing of the coming Christ. I believe that creator of the universe wound the stars, the comets, the planets to be in alignment with his larger story and purpose. The signs in the sky of the Magi? Zero coincidence and zero fudging. I believe it’s possible to date the birth of Christ by the passage of stars in the sky.

Ned. I am either 100% insane. Or 100% right on track. I don’t want to be anywhere in the middle. Jesus wasn’t a good teacher. That would make him an insane guy with a God complex. And me too – I will either be wrong and a madman, or right and in the center of where God wants me to be. I get it. I’m nuts to you. That’s ok. It’s the smell of death. To me it is so utterly compelling and mind shatteringly fantastic I can’t even describe it. I am lucky, so lucky, to be a sinner saved by grace. You don’t have to believe me. I am ok with that. I’m sad that you have written me off as the madman. But that is ok.

I shared a link in which you can email a person affiliated with NASA who will be more than happy to configure if an eclipse occurred on a date and time you specify. And then further shared a link to a paper written by an author of scientific background who explains the impossibility of calculating an eclipse to back up the Joshua story “miracle of the sun standing still in the sky.”

Nothing backs up, substantiates or, as you say, “lends historical credibility to the account and facts of the story laid out in the Bible” including the article you shared which promotes a continuing urban-legend-like falsity of a tale circulating in apologists magazines to this day.

It would be so great if more people would question things, read a book about something opposite of what they give focus, attention. It’s difficult to juggle many things most of us are challenged to do as we eke out an existence, but there’s a lot more going on than what we think or are absolutely sure about.

Again, I misunderstood the title of your “Bible Experiments” and realized you are Bible Sermonizing—and do it well haha! However, there’s no iota of science backing up miracles in the Bible. There’s recent geological findings aired on PBS which drew criticism because it changes the story Jesus was born in a manger or was a carpenter.

Archeological finds point to Jesus’ existence but do not prove he was a god—quite the opposite! PBS aired this controversial program which people can learn info but it seems most folks prefer to watch more important stuff like the kind of shows where a wealthy, egotistical person tantrums at famous people in a contest as to who can beg their other wealthy friends for money to give to charity. He and viewers enjoyed his “You’re Fired!” end to show segments. Yeah, he was elected president based on what folks perceived about him, thought about that show. It really makes you wonder about how folks are getting their intelligence these days, what is valued as an information source.

Why does it seem like the majority of people are relying on television and religious belief systems upon which to structure their lives? The person elected president at this time reflects this truth, as does the ongoing terrorism based on skewed beliefs.

Education doesn’t stop after school’s out; it’s important to question things but be cautious about the sources we receive information. The miracle is how we keep surviving despite all the ignorance.

Ironically, compared to the past this moment in time has never been better to live in for mankind.

No no no…
the article says to me that the historical account given by the Bible helped to accurately date the Egyptian calendar of rulers to a better degree of accuracy than they had had before. I’m fine with the “miracle” of the sun just being an eclipse. I was just asking if you are ok with the historical account as being true. Take a deep breath. hahaha. I’ve been really busy, and haven’t had time to engage here. Sorry.

I would really like you to pitch your god here. Tell us, oh Ned, who the one true God really is. It’s easy to throw rocks. Allow me to show you just how easy it is! hahaha.

Now as to the reasoning that allowed for hatred against gays… against my better judgement I’ll step out into that landmine infested field and say that the Bible speaks out against sin of all kind. Homosexuality is pretty cool these days. And we enjoy speaking out on behalf of the underdog. But let’s look at a couple verses that say that homosexuality is wrong:

I Timothy 1:8-11 – “We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. 9 We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine 11 that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.”

Sexual immorality, muderers, perjurers, Oh and Slave Traders! hahaha. That’s a win for the Bible! But whoops! It speaks against homosexuality in its list of sins as well! Drat! Bummer. But the Law is all about showing us our failings. In order to draw us closer to God who has the ability to forgive us our sins. The guy that has an affair, it’s sin. The lustful way I looked at the woman walking down the street? Sin. Homosexuality, sin. A lot of the old testament sins were preventative. Lobster? Bad. Pigs? Bad. Why? disease. Maybe? I don’t know. No idea.

But if you look at John 8:7-11, a woman caught in the bed of a man not her husband… “in the very act”, was brought to Jesus. And the Pharisees wanted permission from the Rabbi to kill her. They were always trying to trick him. Anyway, Jesus stooped, drew in the sand, and then said, let you without sin cast the first stone. And they all walked away. And Jesus asked where her accusers were… gone. They are gone she told him. So he says to her, then I don’t condemn you either. Right? Am I saying that sin is ok? Any kind of sin? No. I’m just saying that for people that don’t know God, sin is the only thing they know. The Bible doesn’t teach hate. If you are gay… (I know you aren’t) I would have zero issue. Actually a few of my biggest commenters are gay. (I only know because I follow them on Twitter.) But I also would have no issue if you told a lie today. Right?

But I know your response already – I’m made that way you say, if you are gay… alright, let’s talk about that. In that same passage that I mentioned about Moses allowing divorce, and Jesus saying that Moses had only given divorce because of the hardness of their hearts… Jesus started that by saying, “4And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?”

But hold on… there is also talk about eunuchs that sheds some interesting light here as well. In Matthew 19:12, Jesus mentions eunuchs in the context of whether it is good to marry. He says, “There are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.” So Jesus calls out three different types of eunuchs here, born, forced, and voluntary. The thing that is interesting to me is that this is sort of an admission by God, that birth defects exist, and it effects a certain small segment’s sexuality/experience/life. But what matters here to Him? Living life for Him. To be clear, I am not saying that Jesus said that homosexuals are born homosexuals. I have no idea about that.

I get the feeling from the Bible and my extensive readings of it, that you might be born into poverty. You might be born into status. You might be born handicapped. You might be abused. Mistreated. Downtrodden. You might be a minority. You might become an President one day. But, regardless of your life’s chaos. Despite the hand you are dealt and the chaos that you’ve lived through. The question on the table is simple – what is your relation and perspective of God your creator? Do you acknowledge Him? Or not?

I personally have my own struggles and questions that I have about the world and God. I do not understand it all. But, in my reading of the Bible, archeology, science and modernity only continues to confirm the historical accuracy of the account throughout the Bible. The prophetic predictions and the documentation of their stunning accuracies only continues to affirm my belief in the entirety of the Bible as a whole. The Bible does not affirm hate for fellow humans. It does not. We are lost in sin, and in desperate need of a savior. Humans do not like being told what they are doing is wrong. That is humanity in a state of natural prodigalness. Read the story of the prodigal son over again… and notice how horrid the son was to the father. Especially in a culture that highlights family and community over everything else. And then notice how, after being slighted by the son, the father stands on the path waiting and hoping for the son to come home.

Yes, we do not want to know or hear how our lives are little more than the feeding of the pigs and the wallowing in the mire of our lostness. We don’t want to hear that. And so we look for ways to discredit the message and the messenger. But the message is clear, God is standing and waiting for the prodigal son to return. Personally? I’m a flawed individual to be sharing this message with you. I’m loud. I’m opinionated. I’m annoying. But literally, God’s love for you is perfect. God’s love for everyone that stumbles into this stream of consciousness is perfect. Yes, you are flawed. Yes, you are mired in sin. But while we were still sinners, God sent his son to die for us. God removed that barrier.

Personally, I’m not hung up on homosexuality. You realize that there was a murderer, a criminal condemned to die on the cross next to Christ who spoke out in defense of Jesus? And Jesus told him this day you will be with me in Paradise. So if God extended his grace to this man on the cross next to him, then all of us that are currently lost in our sin are welcome to return as the prodigal did.

Anyway, I only mentioned the article as it lends historical credibility to the account and the facts of the story laid out in the Bible. But I should have given more context for my even mentioning it.

Another point to ponder: what we’re taught at an early age can greatly distort our perceptions. Think about it Taylor, the murder and terrorism going on today is due to religious belief systems or mental health issues.

You can’t deny that the god of the OT allowed, promoted, gave reasoning and advice in allowing slavery, hatred toward gays, war against the very humans it created—how very “human” and full of uneducated intelligence exudes from scriptures written by people of ancient times regarding an omnipotent god.

Regarding the link you shared about the OT story of Joshua and the steps religious fanatics have taken to prove today’s science backs up the miracle which occurred is no different than the UFO series on tv which promotes higher intelligence visits earth and is mistaken for god(s). It’s all hyperbole meant to persuade people to believe in something which occurred but seemingly escapes concrete proof.

If the “sun stood still” is your most believed myth you mistakenly believe has been proven by science, then it stands to reason you’ve become indoctrinated at a tender age to that way of thinking. It’s a deep synaptic neural network pathway in your brain only you can change if you are cognizant and willing to read, learn more things on other subjects by reliable sources and may help you reason more accurately.

I think you are a good, intelligent person but it is sad the only thing you allow yourself to read about or glean from science is what may help prove your religious beliefs.

I may not know much but feel the belief system’s god(s), created by ancient people who had no idea about atoms, DNA, or even knew the “miracle” of running tap water were not the authority they threaten through their made up god.

Scientific discoveries going on now are providing answers which show amazing things but not in the way many ancient people tried, in their imaginations used in those days, to promote existed. As more time goes by, this contrast will prevail, deepen the gap between the imagination in religious writings and the science-related, greatly researched discoveries achieved mankind will continue to benefit from…unless a religious fanatic or mentally disturbed ego-maniacal kook’s plans stop progress.

Be open to something else but not based, premised on a religious belief system. Meditating, loving someone, visiting a beautiful place, post exercise, are all some of the ways we can fill “the hole in our heart” (as you once opined religious beliefs do for you) yet, the few examples given are much more sane and real.

If the urban-legend-like religious apologist propaganda is your answer to the myth of an OT story then I’m done with trying to provide info which helps disprove such beliefs. It’s futile and exhausting to reason with over zealous or religious fanatics.

Other thoughts: Urban legend, creationist hoax; fundamentalist conspiracy—because of the need to prove miracles happened and made up false story about “NASA computers finding the missing day.”

NASA can figure out past and future eclipses but not the OT’s account of the “sun standing still” which is quite different than an eclipse. Folks who wrote the gospels didn’t write down dates and times. Historians face challenges because dates are determined by rulers but the beginning time of their rule is recorded differently by each kingdom, region.

This link thoroughly explains and debunks the myth:

https://ncse.com/cej/7/2/sun-stand-thou-still-astronomical-critique-creationist-bibli

https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEhistory/SEhistory.html

What goes through your mind when you read this article? TL;DR “sun stand still” gets retranslated and helps better clarify historical dates and reigns.

https://www.reddit.com/r/space/comments/79npqs/study_unveils_biblical_miracle_turns_out_to_be_a/?st=J9ECNK6G&sh=f68c6fc2