It is my understanding that the Bible does not show an understanding of germs. It encourages people to eat without washing their hands. I get this second hand from Christopher Hitchens so feel free to correct me on this.
uh oh USA
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ok doser
lifeguard at the cement pond
I wash my hands when they're dirty.
I wash them after I've used the toilet.
I wash them after I've changed the oil in my car.
I wash them after I've been working in the garden.
Why would I wash them before I eat?
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Bible Gateway Mark 7 :: NIV
web.mit.edu
Jesus reacting to Jewish practice of washing hands before eating:
"Are you so dull?" he asked. "Don't you see that nothing that enters a man from the outside can make him `unclean'? For it doesn't go into his heart but into his stomach, and then out of his body." (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods "clean.")
Wow...This just explains so much.
Derf
Well-known member
Which part of this confusing to you? You can see that they had a practice of washing before they ate, but the Pharisees thought it was a heart command, not a health command. Jesus set them straight.
way 2 go
Well-known member
https://twitter.com/EricMMatheny
If this were a real, honest to God public health emergency, the southern border would be closed and every able-bodied healthcare worker would be standing by. Instead, the southern border is a porous as a cloth face mask and nurses are being fired left and right.
The part where Jesus's followers do not wash their hands, cups, or plates before eating.
I see where Jesus says washing is not sacred, but where does he clarify that it IS materially healthy.
Derf
Well-known member
Handwashing? I'm not sure Jesus was trying to deal here with handwashing. The levitical laws and priestly duties are a better place to look.
I'm not all that familiar with the handwashing rituals, or where they came from, but Jesus didn't seem to think they were necessary to keep a person holy (clean in the heart). Perhaps Hutchinson was misusing the passage.
Washing and staying away from people for a time after touching a carcass, not getting near other people if you had leprosy or a discharge of blood, or whatnot, or other temporary unclean situations give an indication that God was helping the Israelites to survive better, to not be afflicted with pestilence/disease, even though they didn't know about germs, seems pretty clear.
[Deu 5:29 KJV] O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!
[Deu 5:33 KJV] Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and [that it may be] well with you, and [that] ye may prolong [your] days in the land which ye shall possess.
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You get your understanding of the Bible from an anti-theist?
No wonder you're so kookoo...
Try just reading the Bible. For example, try reading Leviticus 13, 14:8-9,33-48, Numbers 5:1-4, Deuteronomy 23:9-14, and others.
There are plenty of instances, especially in the Mosaic Law, that deal with cleanliness and diseases, many of which are the foundation for our modern understanding of hygiene and health.
ok doser
lifeguard at the cement pond
Apart from what is said elsewhere in the Bible, in this passage Jesus rejects the earlier practice of washing before meals, Sure the practice was not based on an understanding of germs either, and it was a spiritual in nature. But, it did coincide with a healthy habit. Jesus did not help the health of his followers here as thoroughly as he might have. Don't you think this was an opportunity missed to reinforce good hygiene?
Hitchens was right. As you can see, I have found the passage, and his point is supported by the text. The Xtians that he was debating did not contradict him either. His larger point was religion can focus people away from critical matters (when based on an antiquated text.)
Derf
Well-known member
Not at the expense of ingraining man's traditions as if they are as important as God's laws, which seemed to be Jesus's point. But elsewhere Jesus told the people to do everything the pharisees said to do, just don't do as they did.
[Mat 23:3 KJV] All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, [that] observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
[Mat 23:4 KJV] For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay [them] on men's shoulders; but they [themselves] will not move them with one of their fingers.
[Mat 23:5 KJV] But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
You can see there, and I believe the same was true for your original passage, that the message wasn't to have good hygiene, but to make sure everyone thought you were spiritual and holy in public, but you could do what you wanted in private. Don't be a hypocrite, in other words.
I assume that Hitchens will someday figure out which matters were more critical for him, if he doesn't already know.
ok doser
lifeguard at the cement pond
Going to stick this over in my Wokey thread
I fear he no longer knows anything at all due to his untimely passing.
ok doser
lifeguard at the cement pond
He knows
Derf
Well-known member
Why untimely? And what did he pass to?
Seems like your vocabulary betrays your background, or at least your community’s.
He had cancer, He had great enthusiasm and hope that he had several years to go.
He passed from a living being to inert substances
Do tell. What do you know about me?
Derf
Well-known member
You are using Christian terms, but acting like you’re not a believer.