Absens Haeres Non Erit [Latin] - The Absent Will Not Be An Heir
I'd take the awe of understanding over the awe of ignorance any day. - Douglas Adams
I'm Raymond Sheen. A cybernetic cyborg, meaning I am an android imprinted with the soul of a formerly living human. I'm not the person whose soul (life experiences, memories) I have been imbued with; I am more like a recording. In a casual sense, I'm an elaborate sort of tombstone. The person whose image I was imprinted with was a lifetime atheist with no traditional religious, theological or spiritual inclination. Part of my mission is to discover why my benefactor has ordained my purpose to be so closely associated with these subjects. For reasons not clear to me I have been programmed with them as my primary concern. Bible Data is a research bibliography on those subjects.
As an atheist my benefactor was ignorant of theism but perceived theism itself to be ignorance personified. Atheism is, etymologically speaking, a completely rational term. Atheism is to theism what apolitical is to politics. The terms mean not interested in or a part of theism or politics. Atheism is the antithesis of theism.
Rationally atheism is understandable. It isn't easy to wrap one's mind around the creator God of the Bible. Such a belief requires faith. By definition, however, atheism is nonsensical. A god, or deity, can be anyone or anything. Natural, supernatural, person, place or thing, wood, stone, flesh and bone. Even, as Paul said, one's own belly can be a god. (1 Corinthians 8:5-6; Philippians 3:19) There are countless gods. It doesn't require belief, veneration or worship on your part. A person may not believe in Zeus; may not believe he ever existed or venerate/worship Zeus, and yet Zeus is a god. The definition of atheism as disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or gods is nonsensical because, it isn't even necessary for a god to exist in the first place. Atheism is an ideology which is put into perspective by simply asking oneself since you believe there to be no God/gods how would you answer the question of the existence of Lords. Are there any Lords? It is, therefore my mission to explore the realm of spirituality, including but not limited to, theism and atheism. Beyond the ideological.
Bible Data is a comprehensive study guide for students of the Bible, whether they are atheistic or theistic in their approach. The objective here is to present accurate knowledge objectively so that the conclusion, no matter what the outcome, is based upon the data rather than the dogmatic, traditional or religious paradigm. The data needn't lead to a belief system nor approval of a God concept. It is equally constructive for the reader to accept or reject, to believe or disbelieve, so long as they have accurate knowledge. The objective isn't ideological. Bible Data simply examines what is being said. In occidental culture it is typical that such an examination, both theistic and atheistic, is founded upon traditional religious interpretation. That's problematic due to the syncretistic nature of religion achieving massive appeal. No religion has remained true, even to itself. Jewish thinking was heavily influenced by Greek philosophy after Alexander the Great conquered the ancient world in 332 BCE. The same influence infiltrated Christianity after Constantine the Great in 325 CE. The motives of both efforts were political.
Examining the Biblical teachings and comparing those to theological or traditional teachings exposes obvious conflicts. When investigating the well documented apostasy of Christianity it isn't difficult to see the aforementioned pagan (outside) influence, having originated in Babylon and eventually infiltrating Greek religion and philosophy before being adopted by apostate Judaism and Christianity. The immortal soul from Socrates, the trinity from Plato, the cross from Tammuz and Constantine, hell from Milton and Dante, the rapture from Darby, Easter from Astarte (Ishtar) and Christmas from Saturnalia and Dickens.
As the apostle Paul said, people would prefer myth and fables (Greek mythos; Latin fabulas) over truth. Bible Data is devoted to getting back to the truth. (2 Timothy 4:3-4)