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From: bch@unc.UUCP (Byron Howes )
Newsgroups: net.religion
Subject: Re: Not Pharaoh again! (:-)
Message-ID: <6559@unc.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 11-Jan-84 12:47:42 EST
Article-I.D.: unc.6559
Posted: Wed Jan 11 12:47:42 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 12-Jan-84 04:19:36 EST
References: <743@ssc-vax.UUCP>
Organization: University of North Carolina Comp. Center
Lines: 30

Irrespective of the details and the particular Biblical quotes involved,
tim's major point is worthy of debate:  The deity described in the old
testament is definitely given to punishing whole peoples (the Egyptians,
the Midianites) for the perceived transgressions of the few.  Were *all*
of the Egyptian first-born and their parents somehow guilty of failing to
free the Hebrews?  Were *all* of the Midianites (excepting, of course,
the virgin women) guilty of corrupting the Hebrews?  I somehow doubt it.

(Incidentally, if you think polluting the Nile isn't cruel try going 
without water for seven days -- there was no Pharoes WaterWorks in those
days.  The effects on crops and livestock, not to mention humans, would
have been long term and disastrous.)

The problem with adopting the position of Biblical inerrancy is that you
may be putting words and actions in G-d's mouth, so to speak.  Certainly
this is a form of blasphemy.  An historically justified, and simpler,
explanation for the events that are being discussed here is that the
Biblical narratives, like the Homeric narratives, are men's interpretation
of natural and social events imputing that which is unexplainable or
unjustifiable to the Deity.  Prove to me that the Bible is completely
inerrant, however, and I will happily and voluntarily join tim in line.

If indeed the Diety is given to punishing whole peoples for the sins of
some, and this country is on the road to perdition as some believe,
then I will also expect to find Dave Norris in line behind me...
-- 

					Byron Howes
					UNC - Chapel Hill
					(decvax!duke!unc!bch)