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No getting stoned in new Bible
The Observer ^ | March 13, 2005 | Jamie Doward

Posted on 03/13/2005 10:10:07 PM PST by Ronzo

For centuries scholars have argued over the most delicate nuances of biblical texts, passionately debating whether key words should be tweaked to reflect cultural changes.

But, despite the fervent exchange of such learned views, there has been no fretting about whether the Bible endorses dope-smoking. Until now.

A 15-strong panel of eminent theologians and linguists was so concerned that young people reading the Bible today are confusing the phrase 'stoned' not with Old Testament executions but with drugs, that it has suggested a radical clarification to a forthcoming edition of the sacred text.

In an attempt to clear up any confusion on the part of Britain's youth, Today's New International Version Bible, published by Hodder & Stoughton on Tuesday, updates the original edition, published 27 years ago, so that people are 'stoned to death', rather than 'stoned'.

'We wanted to keep it from being confused with drug addiction,' Professor Ronald Youngblood, who chaired the panel, told the Church Times newspaper.

The clarification is an effort by the panel to modernise its earlier edition of the Bible, which became the most popular English language version in the world.

Scholars may sense political correctness in the changes. Out goes terminology such as 'he', 'man' and 'men', replaced by 'person' or 'people'. In comes an attempt to dispel anti-Semitic interpretations of the New Testament. John 5:16 now reads 'Jewish leaders', rather than Jews, 'began to persecute Jesus'.

The panel said that the changes were being made to 'increase understanding' rather than make the Bible more contemporaneous.

'There is a need to reach today's generation with language they can understand and relate to,' the panel states on the TNIV website.

Overall, around seven per cent of the original New International Version Bible has been altered in a bid to bring clarity to a new generation of readers. Some of the changes appear trivial. For example, Matthew's use of the word 'tunic' becomes 'shirt' and his phrase 'with child' becomes 'pregnant'. However, some changes are more profound. Use of the word 'Christ', which was popular with Greek-speaking churches, has been replaced by the Hebrew title 'Messiah'.


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bible; lapidation; stoned; tniv; wodlist
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1 posted on 03/13/2005 10:10:08 PM PST by Ronzo
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To: Ronzo
Dude! It says they were, like, stoned to death. Whoa, that must have been some wicked $#!+!
2 posted on 03/13/2005 10:12:22 PM PST by Sloth (I don't post a lot of the threads you read; I make a lot of the threads you read better.)
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To: Ronzo

No way!
3 posted on 03/13/2005 10:12:23 PM PST by Andy from Beaverton (I only vote Republican to stop the Democrats)
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To: Ronzo
A 15-strong panel of eminent theologians and linguists was so concerned that young people reading the Bible today are confusing the phrase 'stoned' not with Old Testament executions but with drugs....

Lol.....okay, at least I got a good chuckle before turning in.

4 posted on 03/13/2005 10:14:02 PM PST by Mr. Mojo
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To: Ronzo
Don't the Coptics use weed somehow?

These word mistakes happen quite often actually. I was just reading about one translation where in the sentence Bull could have been construed as "that is a bunch of bull" so they changed it.
5 posted on 03/13/2005 10:14:50 PM PST by bahblahbah
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To: Andy from Beaverton

Well, I would not feel so all alone...


6 posted on 03/13/2005 10:16:15 PM PST by L.N. Smithee (Thanks for nothing, you dumb pucks. The NHL is now the NHWC [No Hockey? Who Cares?])
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To: Ronzo

You know, I can really see why some peoplpe are so adamant about the King James version being the best. No PC boloney in there.


7 posted on 03/13/2005 10:17:21 PM PST by vpintheak (Liberal = The antithesis of Freedom and Patriotism)
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To: Ronzo
In an attempt to clear up any confusion on the part of Britain's youth, Today's New International Version Bible, published by Hodder & Stoughton on Tuesday, updates the original edition, published 27 years ago, so that people are 'stoned to death', rather than 'stoned'.

Why am I imagining Ali G having a discussion with a clergy member?
8 posted on 03/13/2005 10:55:42 PM PST by Welsh Rabbit
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To: Ronzo

There's nothing quite like affixing a warning label to the Bible. I mean, stupid people might get the wrong ideas.


9 posted on 03/13/2005 11:00:06 PM PST by Reactionary
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To: Ronzo

Good grief!!!

These "eminent theologians and linguists" are idiots.


10 posted on 03/13/2005 11:01:33 PM PST by k2blader (It is neither compassionate nor conservative to support the expansion of socialism.)
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To: Ronzo

ROTFL! This is ridiculous, but not a surprise.


11 posted on 03/13/2005 11:04:09 PM PST by ladyinred
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To: Ronzo
'We wanted to keep [being 'stoned'] from being confused with drug addiction,' Professor Ronald Youngblood, who chaired the panel, told the Church Times newspaper.

Oh good grief, is today's generation THAT dense?

12 posted on 03/13/2005 11:06:59 PM PST by HiTech RedNeck
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To: Ronzo

Off the net:
Substitutes for rolling paper?

Bible paper.

Nuff said.


13 posted on 03/13/2005 11:13:11 PM PST by endthematrix (Declare 2005 as the year the battle for freedom from tax slavery!)
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To: Ronzo
[ A 15-strong panel of eminent theologians and linguists was so concerned that young people reading the Bible today are confusing the phrase 'stoned' not with Old Testament executions but with drugs, ]

LoL....

14 posted on 03/13/2005 11:17:07 PM PST by hosepipe (This Propaganda has been edited to include not a small amount of Hyperbole..)
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To: Ronzo

Change "stoned" to "rocked"? Naaaah, same problem.


15 posted on 03/13/2005 11:18:53 PM PST by NaughtiusMaximus (Progressives are just liberals with an Earl Scheib paintjob.)
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To: Sloth

16 posted on 03/13/2005 11:23:29 PM PST by Loud Mime (Liberals want good things to happen - - - to the right people)
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To: Ronzo

Which is why Scriptures must be reliable. Douay-Rheims. Or Jerome's Vulgate if you understand the Latin, that well. Accept no substitutes. And for interpretation, The Church. Otherwise, it's ALL 'good news' for what is really good news, corruption instead of truth, and a smirking contempt instead of humility before God.


17 posted on 03/13/2005 11:42:11 PM PST by sevry
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To: Sloth
Maybe this is their target audience...

"Dude! You mean if I screw up, I go straight to Dell!? WHOA!"

18 posted on 03/14/2005 12:01:49 AM PST by newzjunkey (Demand Mexico Turnover Fugitive Murderers: http://www.escapingjustice.com)
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19 posted on 03/14/2005 12:31:01 AM PST by KneelBeforeZod ( I'm going to open Cobra Kai dojos all over this valley!)
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To: NaughtiusMaximus

20 posted on 03/14/2005 12:38:59 AM PST by KneelBeforeZod ( I'm going to open Cobra Kai dojos all over this valley!)
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