The previous thread that I started in this forum brought out another topic, which is the possibility that someone might take the verses of a religious text out of context.

Since this forum is the "General Religion" one, I don't want to focus exclusively on the religious texts of the Christian faith.

So, what religious verses, if any, do you believe are often taken out of context?

who is to decide whether they are out of context? ten people can read any bible and come up with 15 different meanings... so who would be the authority on what is the "right" way?

Moe, yours is a good question. So, I'll buy you a drink the next time you're in Scoobert's bar.

Anyway, competent theologians can tell us about the cultural and historical background behind the verses of a religious text.

Any of them can be taken out of context. As long as there is self interest, whether personal, or organizational, one can never be able to truly give the right meaning and context of any verse...

If you are talking about cultural-historical references, then i do think the better reference personnel would be theologians, archeologists, and seminarists, and the like. But if you are more concerned with the moral-spiritual aspect, the real meaning and essence of the text can be best explained and/or understood by someone who is spiritually inspired.

I'm sure that some people are inspired by spirits.

"But if you are talking more concerned with the meaning and essence and/or understood by someone who is spiritually inspired "


" Let those who have ears hear "
* Some only take direction & interpretation from the Spirit within & not from MAN *cough* Human

judge not lest you be judged...


the bible already guarantees we will all be judged, so there is no way to avoid being judged,, including not judging

the verse is more about judging consistently,, not being a hypocrite in judging

Ohhh...certain people can be inspired be certain "spirits", alright...

When the words of men that are attributed to a god are open to interpretation, they are flawed.

ALL religious verses can, and have, been taken out of context by somebody at some time.

Just as msharmony pointed to "judge no lest you be judged" and gave her impression of the meaning of this phrase, I have a different take on it. I read "do unto others" in this line. By judging someone you will in turn be judged by them and you'll find yourself having urinating contests.

Who is right? Who is wrong?

We both are...depending on the interpretation.

But then again, the example is addressing the semantics of interpretation and not context.

Context is better exampled by snipping the phrase "an eye for an eye" from the full citation which in its entirety implies that justice rests solely in the hands of the deity and not mankind.

That ^^ is what i was saying...personal or organizational self-interest on being righteous and what not.

It is no different as the situation of Jesus being judged and condemned by the pharisees and saducees for not fulfilling the letter of the law.

The character christ was condemned for blasphemy.

The bible is spiritual and spiritual things are understood and "interpreted rightly" by those who have the Spirit of the author of the bible. The "right" interpretation is important but sincerity is of paramount important to God

What, if any?...They can all be taken out of context if that is the way they are read and unfortunately most are!...This would be true of any book...It's only said more about the bible because the bible is one of the most read, most quoted, least understood books in history...Make sense?...Sure it does...Don't overcomplicate it with things like spirituality, belief or non belief...Treat it like any piece of literature and you will have no problem understanding why it is so misinterpreted or even better, interpretable...

Unless you have read, studied in depth from start to finish and comprehended contextual meaning, it's easy to misinterpret the phrases and verses of the bible; it's an extremely complicated piece of non? fiction...That's why religious instruction is offered in most colleges, it's why bible study classes for all age groups continue to thrive...

Correct interpretation of the bible is ALL about context...The four principles of context are literal meaning, historical setting, grammar and syntheses...Taken out of context, most people would (and do) misinterpret bible phrases and scripture...Some even do it intentionally in order to prove a point or seek validation...Reading random scriptures will never lead to clear understanding and will always leave room for interpretation...Pick up a book, any book, open it to a random page and read one paragraph, now interpret that paragraph...

I just love the way that some people try to create non-falsifiable arguments when it comes to the proper way to interpret a religious text.

"My interpretation is right because I am so spiritual."

.....and............

Lol...not really. The value is in how it changes your outlook to become a better person. Its not always about the semantics of right and wrong..unless of course, we are talking about debating the content of the text. in that case, defense of the context is of utmost importance.

Heehee...You are such a diplomat...

just saying what i know to be true .... gotta take things in proper context...
(((Leigh)))

Too true that! Having an 'AGENDA' behind the reasons for teaching the bible and controlling the masses = deliberate mind washing methods and it worked quite well.
While reading about the way 'Puritan Missionaries' forced upon their cultures that the sailors and crusades marched into those 'NEW WORLD REGIONS' was quite the eye opener for me!
In order to manipulate the natives {read about Hawaii} and in order to conquer their pagan beliefs system - the 'MISSIONARIES' just incorporated some of their faith system right into his teaching & preaching and managed to convert many into the Christ Followers! And ever so slowly they eradicated the methods of faith and ancient ways of the natives!

But there has been a resurgence of 'Native Culture' that is teaching the young about their ancestors and the 'CASTES' system that sustained Hawaii for generations {pre-white man}; unfortunately because this culture was all verbal historically passed along to the next generation...there's a expediency in spreading the word/passing along the history before all the elders are gone!

I cannot quote you on my little dumb phone but

well said Leigh