Quote Originally Posted by Mr Peabody
The problem with religion is those who want to follow the religion are too lazy or have their own agenda, so they do not research and study the point of reference whether it's the Bible or some other writing. Those who are lazy take what is told to them for fact and are misled, those who have their own agenda take what is written and distort it to fit what they want to achieve or take things out of context. Just as an example, Catholics did not have access to the Bible until the recent century. It was read in Latin and they had to accept what was told to them. They have many practices that are not found in the Bible, as do many other "Christian" denominations. Most have a Creed they follow which was written by man. If you want to follow God, then follow what God has written. Those of you who denounce Faith totally should ponder why you believe in Socrates or Aristotile but not the Bible when there is actually more physical prove, as in validated historical writings, to prove the Bible than there is for the Greek scholars mentioned?

If the Isrealy soldiers were captured in Lebanon that puts things in a different perspective for me. That would seem more of a hazzard of the assignment more so than an agressive kidnapping.
Belief in Socrates or Aristotle is not in any way faith based. Faith is the requirement to believe without proof.