This forum really needs a religious discussion
re this thread:
http://miasma.org/index.php?topic=927.msg11196;topicseen#newand Poom's comment: "Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy GOD in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh HIS name in vain" (Exodus 20:7)
because of:
I wasn't sure what it meant: "Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy GOD in vain" ... I'm still not. I thought well a child walks along saying God, god, god... that would be in vain??
My wife always thought it meant presuming on the concept God, eg: It's God's fault my life went wrong - that would be presuming on God, ie taking God's name in vain, because it's not God's fault.
But Poom, you applying that to the sign is imo taking it to the extreme - the sign is a witty joke. My understanding of the concept, God is that It's intelligent, witty and understands the difference between 'in vain' and humour. Furthermore the Bible was the output of the ancient Jews and if I wanted answers about Biblical subjects I'd ask a Rabbi. I have previously asked a Rabbi about Biblical questions that bugged me -me being brought up among Chrisitian; Catholic; Methodist; Church of England; Anglican etc. I was surprised the Rabbi was helpful, me definitely not Jewish.
One of the questions I asked the Rabbi was about Onan and masturbation. The 'Christian' version is masturbation is evil - as per Onan - end of subject. The Rabbi gave me a whole lot of other references on the subject and plainly from what he said masturbation isn't evil - the story of Onan isn't even referring to masturbation, and that side of life is covered by other Biblical areas.
From that and other Biblical subjects imo the Jewish take is more objective, less emotional, more factual and very much less dogmatic. (by "Jewish" I don't mean Israeli - I understand they are two entirely separate groups, the latter being non-religious).
So although I was brought up with the Christian outlook, I disregard it in favour of the Jewish style of religion because Rabbis have given me sensible answers to questions Christians have never answered to my satisfaction.
