Dobias Fine Art Photo wrote:
God?

You "made" the model pose nude? 

As I recall, that's called the Sin of Hubris.  Go straight to Hell and don't collect  $200.

You don't control people.  You're a pipsqueak on God's ass.  Hiroshima might just have gotten His attention, and you're not Hiroshima.

As I recall, what you are discussing is something called, "Blasphemy." 

You didn't blow up a city, nor did you even tame a river.  What did you do?  Take a picture?  A PICTURE! 

Baaah.

What the crap are you talking about? Where did he say anything about making anyone do anything? Did you even comprehend his question? How about you read more carefully before you condemn him to hell?

Marcus J. Ranum wrote:

So you also think he should rip his eye out?  Matthew 5:28 - 5:29
I think we've almost got enough of a quorum to vote. Can we get a show of hands?

OK, now, that person said for us not to take it literally. In the bible, there are things you take literally and there are things you should take metaphorically. It's just that you all have viewd the Bible as something that is not important, or just another book written by old people. sighs*

Why would I stand on a Bible that is changing? it IS inspired and a gift from God. If it were to be a changing book, how would Christianity ever stand? Even if it's translated, as long as you translate it correctly, it'll have the same meaning. So you're saying that if a famous English novel was translated into Chinese, the plot and the meaning of the book would change as well? I think NOT.

xoxo

Aong Vang wrote:
sighs* the BIble is our guide to life. It IS the BOOK OF LIFE! you can't say for us not to interpret the Bible literally. that's just saying that you only want to do what you want. so, if someone wanted to kill somebody and thought it wasn't a bad thing, then would it NOT be a sin???? The Bible NEVER EVER CHANGES MEANINGS! what Bible are YOU looking at?! GOd is the same today tomorrow and ALWAYS!  that offends me.. sighs*

Just when you think there's no more found comedy...

Andy Kaufmann would be proud.

Aong Vang wrote:

OK, now, that person said for us not to take it literally. In the bible, there are things you take literally and there are things you should take metaphorically. It's just that you all have viewd the Bible as something that is not important, or just another book written by old people. sighs*

Why would I stand on a Bible that is changing? it IS inspired and a gift from God. If it were to be a changing book, how would Christianity ever stand? Even if it's translated, as long as you translate it correctly, it'll have the same meaning. So you're saying that if a famous English novel was translated into Chinese, the plot and the meaning of the book would change as well? I think NOT.

xoxo

You are aware that when something is written as a metaphor, the work is fiction?  When metaphors and facts are combined, clarity is lost.  Something as important as the words of a God telling people how he wants them to live their lives needs to be clearly written in order for people to understand it.  When things aren't clear, you get religious factions that disagree with the interpretation to such an extent that wars are fought. 

To try and keep this on topic, the OP needs to make his own mind up as to what he wants to do.  There is enough wiggle room in the written words in the bible to support any decision he chooses.

Jimmy Mayfield wrote:
The overwhelming responses and participation in this thread gives me an idea! I'll start my own religion. The Church of the Presumptuous Assumption of the Photographic Light! Once the congregation has been blinded by the Brilliant Flash .... all followers will get nude and give praise to the Almighty Originator of the Image by partaking in the sacrament of wine and cheese.

Too many churches already use alcohol.  I think the sacrament should involve cream, chocolate and fruits (think of the ways the sacrament can be embellished).

Aong Vang wrote:
So you're saying that if a famous English novel was translated into Chinese, the plot and the meaning of the book would change as well? I think NOT.
xoxo

Pretty much. Especially when it comes to use of area specific jargon. And ESPECIALLY when it comes to metaphor. The meaning of slang and the hidden double meaning will most likely be lost. i remember reading about some dead language scholar talking about specific word used in the text referring to Mary NOT meaning Virgin as it was interpreted. Now THAT would be some translation faux paux huh!

Habenero Photography wrote:
You are aware that when something is written as a metaphor, the work is fiction?

This is not true, a Metaphor does not mean that the point or work is fiction

Metaphor: a figure of speech in which a word or phrase literally denoting one kind of object or idea is used in place of another to suggest a likeness or analogy between them (as in drowning in money)

Aong Vang wrote:
... In the bible, there are things you take literally and there are things you should take metaphorically. It's just that you all have viewd the Bible as something that is not important, or just another book written by old people. sighs*

Why would I stand on a Bible that is changing? it IS inspired and a gift from God. If it were to be a changing book, how would Christianity ever stand? Even if it's translated, as long as you translate it correctly, it'll have the same meaning. So you're saying that if a famous English novel was translated into Chinese, the plot and the meaning of the book would change as well? I think NOT.

xoxo

Leo Howard wrote:

This is not true, a Metaphor does not mean that the point or work is fiction

Metaphor: a figure of speech in which a word or phrase literally denoting one kind of object or idea is used in place of another to suggest a likeness or analogy between them (as in drowning in money)

Metaphors may be a good way to describe things for a while, but think of how difficult your own example would be for someone who tries to interpret it using the contention  that all of statements found in the book that contains your example are literally true.    The claim for its truthfulness is immediately shown to be false by the inclusion of the metaphors.  Thus the work is fiction at best.  Metaphors are great for emphasis, but the moment you use them, you are no longer telling a literal truth.  Thus you open the door for the work to be called fiction.