Which 10 commandments are you referring too? There are 2 sets..the first set was destroyed when Moses came down and saw the people worshiping the Golden Calf. The second set replaced it and had a few differences. And the original poster is correct. There are bible verses that clearly indicate for example God condoned slavery. God was alleged to have told Moses that if a man beats his male, or female servant to death, he would be punished, however if he beats his male or female slave to near death, and they are able to recover in a few days, then he would not be punished, for the slaves were the property of the owner.
It also talks in Deut that if a man rapes an unengaged virgin, he must pay the father of the rape victim 50 shekels of silver and must marry his rape victim and not divorce. [/qb]
A woman who was raped in such a manner would have her marital "draft status", if you will, drop, because for some strange reason, guys like having virgins as wives.
Fifty shekels was the price for a brand-new blushing bride. And virtually nobody would pay that much for what would be perceived to be damaged goods. Therefore, the perpetrator responsible for such now has the responsibility of taking care of that woman.
As for engaged women who were raped, that's a whole different kettle of fish. The girl's family has been compensated for her loss (her fiance or that fiance's family has already coughed up the 50 shekels). And she has a man to take care of her, already. With those two logistical hurdles out of the way, there's no reason to keep the rapist alive. So, he gets his own personal rock concert, courtesy of the judges of Israel.
Also talks of God commanding Moses to slay the Midianites. Afterwhich Moses kills the captive women and children and gives the virgin female captives to his soldiers. [/qb]
They were at war with the Midianites. Furthermore, the Midianite women weren't exactly baking brownies and taking their kids to soccer practice. Israel was forbidden to intermarry with the Midianites, due to their pagan rituals, WHICH INCLUDED PERVERSE SEXUAL PRACTICES. The women were being used strategically by the Moabites, also at war with Israel, to fornicate with the men, the gist being that God would no longer protect the Israelites because of their sinful behavior with these women, leaving them vulnerable to attack.
Mark Twain said "It's not the parts of the bible I don't understand that give me trouble, its the parts I DO understand"
I think this bumper sticker sums it up rather well "Definition of Athiest- Person who has actually read the bible"
Perhaps that sticker should add the phrase....."but DOES NOT UNDERSTAND IT!!" at the end
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