Greetings all,

I am new to the boards, but have read through many of the reasonings and found much to wisdom to be had. This topic in particular interests me, as I have long tried to dissect truth from the bible.

To me, the biggest distortion is eternal punishment. If Jah is love, and has created each of us in his image, why would he, for any reason, put us through unimaginable horrors for sins in this life? I was raised an Athiest, and came to believe in Jah through my protestant Grandfather, but I could not accept the ideals of any of the mainstream christian faiths for this reason.

Verses that are particularly universal? The one I find great meaning from is Psalm 119:11. A more common one to be sure, but to me it represents the word of Jahs presence in all people, regardless of race or culture. Not just in our hearts, but in our soul, and we can all come to it, through many paths. I believe Selassielive said something close to this.

The best way to read the bible, in my opinion, is to rule out absolutes. Just because I believe in these truths doesnt mean another morale, decent human being is going to be punished just because he/she has found truth in another way.

Blessings