if we are to understand that this is the basic rules to live within this world in peace. we ourselves can't be a judge and a party. therefore, we have to conclude that this rules were set by God, for us to live as brothers and sisters. Then, we can conclude that God would be the judge. nevertheless, men are the ones who have written this set of rules, or at least philosophers and scholars are the ones who have come to the realization of the existance of natural law.
Then again, if this law have been set on paper by men they must be imperfect. From here, non-believers would say the same about the bible. Which is an understandable argument.
God have given some light to chosen people to write about him, so the rest of us can know Him. This does not mean that while these people were writing their soul and spirit left their body and God got into them. They were still themselves, with their own style and personality, but in that precise moment when they were writing they were in such a connection with the Creator that God's wisdom got into the paper, and that is what we have now.
I understand that through time and space the translations we have nowadays are less accurate from what they were originally written, but I honestly believe that the original purpose and spirit of the Word is still there. It's up to each one of us to see it.
Natural Law as well as the bible are like handouts, for us to live a more harmonious life.

Go on tell it!.

TLW, if the Bible and religion helps anyone to live a harmonious existence with nature and a peaceful co-existence with the rest of society, than I'm all for it.

Unfortunatley, it's also nature that makes people judgemental and unable to accept peace when others disagree with them.

So peace to you - you do write some lovely thoughts.

I agree with Red. If the Bible or any religion can help people live in harmony and peace than I’m all for it.

Two things come to mind however.

1. I see far too many people using the Bible to advocated bigotry and hate and far too few examples of the opposite.

2. I can’t imagine how anything in the Bible could possibly help me to live a better life than I already do.

All you really need is the Golden Rule and, to me, the golden rule is just common sense.

In short, a person should simply need to be themselves. If that doesn’t work automatically, then telling them to behave probably isn’t going to work either.

M-

"This does not mean that while these people were writing their soul and spirit left their body and God got into them. They were still themselves, with their own style and personality, but in that precise moment when they were writing they were in such a connection with the Creator that God's wisdom got into the paper, and that is what we have now."

I think this is the best explanation I have ever heard for how "God" could write the bible and yet we know that it was written by several individuals.

Unfortunately, when I have read the Bible I do not see this overall consistancy of message. I see some parts that are beautiful and make sense to me, but *many* other parts that are cruel or nonsensical. And I do think the many translations through the generations have played a part in that. But for me it seems much more obvious to say that the bible is flawed and inconsistant because it was created by humans who are so flawed and inconsistant...

Actually, the flawed parts do match up with what was going on in history at the time. So, if you look at the cruel/flawed inconsistencies in that light and look at it as a means to control the masses.......(just a thought).