How did people in history twist the Bible to do violent things?

[Anonymous]

Like they claimed they were Christian, but did they even read the New Testament? Jesus would definitely not approve of this sort of horrific violence that many have committed.

[NamerOfStars]

True, but think: the Bible has 73 books. Only FOUR of them are about Jesus. Most of the rest of the New Testament was written by a self-styled "apostle" who never even MET Him, and focused mostly on the "anti-Zionist Roman imperialism" side of things.

Beyond that specific detail, ask yourself: what would make a war worth fighting? Not just killing one specific person, but waging a full-on WAR, with all the horror and suffering that entails? Land and resources? Maybe who gets to wear the crown? Money? The proper salute being given to an admiral? They all seem kinda lackluster as reasons for mass death and misery.

Now how about religion? How about something that claims to be the happiness and purpose of a human life? The Crusader genuinely believed "that Islam harmed the soul of every man, king or tinker, that it could capture". I disagree, but I see it as a FAR worthier thing to fight for than gold or power- though, again, I don't see fire and sword as the RIGHT way to fight that struggle. It's about differing perspectives, then and now, of what really matters in life.

[Asker]

I’m not talking about wars that are fought for possibly just causes. I’m talking about like outright crimes. Mass murder and that sort of thing.

[Kaneki05]

When people say such things it's clear they've never read the bible and that's coming from someone who's never read it fully but I've seen enough to know the bible depicts war as been righteous longs if it's for god. Therefore anyone could do anything and claim it was for god hence why people did such things.

"When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you.
When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army.
He shall say: “Hear, Israel: Today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them.
For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”

These verses are directly expressing about in a war longs if you are fighting for god you shall gain victory and this isn't some metaphor for just a an argument, these verses are directly talking about a war that did actually happen and further wars that happened after.
It's funny because if the g0d/bible cared about humans lives so much and didn't approve of violence it would have a lot more empathy and compassion to the so called enemies and would not gloat about beating them or take pride in it. Yet this is all the bible does takes pride in the deaths of it's so called enemies.

[purplepoppy]

In history few people actually had access to the Bible apart from what was read to them in church as they were extremely expensive. Another problem was they were written in Latin which few understood. Those in power could simply cherry pick passages to suit their needs unchallanged. It was the reason many opposed the Bible being published in English.

[jennifer_bloom]

I interpret the bible as a series of mysteries and some mysteries have more than one meaning.

Like when it says not to mix milk with meat, to me it means not to mix work with indulgence, or truth with imagination, or love with pain, or death with life, or favour with criticism, or clarity with concealment etc…

[Bricealan]

I have never understood that either, and the horror that has been committed in the name of religion is just stupefying to me. How many died in the Crusades? Catholics committed horrific crimes in the name of religious beliefs.

How about the burning at the stake, of Joan of Arc, at the hands of the English, at the age of 19, for 'blaspheming by wearing mens clothes, acting upon visions that were"demonic" (how about that bullshit!) - Demonic !!!

How about the Salem 'Witch" trials... how many women were burned alive, for being 'tried' and convicted of being 'witches"

[Asker]

I don’t know if I’d agree about the crusades. There were some things, but the mission of most of it was to protect Christian lands from ongoing Muslim invasions and for pilgrims to have safe passage. Not to say there weren’t crimes, but that’s the exception.

[jshm2]

There is no evidence of the crusades having anything to do with Muslims or pilgrims. In fact, most of the castles and villages welcomed Saladin. Mainly as the church and crusaders taxed and abused them mercilessly.

[Bricealan]

@jshm2 The CRUSADES were launched to 'take back the Holy Land... it sure wasn't launched to take back the Holy Land from the JEWS?

[Hispanic-Cool-Guy]

By ripping scripture out of context and distorting it to convince themselves into deception along with others.

People still do it today.

The Bible warns of such people.

2 Peter 3:14-18

Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.

You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

[jshm2]

Atheists did horrible things in the name of their non-religion and politics too - as did many minor cults and groups. These days most violence is done in the name of "freedom" and "democracy".

What you don't seem to understand is that people will always use all sorts of excuses and reasons for their violence. Doesn't mean you can be judge or jury for it simply because you choose to be.

[strateguy632]

The pope read book. The pope just gave the order to battle. as leader go fight. Despite Jesus said opposite "put down your sword".

Maybe @BCRanger10 knows?

[genericname85]

not really. much like any ideology, religious ideology is THE tool to do violent things with. it's like asking "did people in history twist hammers into such absurd things as putting nails into walls".

[exitseven]

The Bible can be interpreted in many different ways. You can make it say pretty much anything you want.

[CountessSarah]

Nobody has to twist the bible to find justification in it for horrible things - that's just the bible presented as it is.

[Curiosity2006]

lol
.

[EmmaMary]

What a complete and utter load of fucking Bollox.

[Curiosity2006]

Woah...