An "infallible" written account

I sometimes hear people refer to certain written accounts (e.g., the bible) as "infallible". What does it mean to say that some written account is "infallible"?

Originally posted by LemonJello
I sometimes hear people refer to certain written accounts (e.g., the bible) as "infallible". What does it mean to say that some written account is "infallible"?

Infallible = foolproof, flawless, perfect, reliable, without error, watertight, dependable etc

Therefore the word should never be used when referring to the bible, which is obviously full of errors, contradictions, ambiguities, misrepresentations etc

Unless of course in the context of…… the bible is NOT infallible

Originally posted by LemonJello
What does it mean to say that some written account is "infallible"?

That the account is at least as accurate as a proclamation given by the pope from his special chair.

Originally posted by LemonJello
I sometimes hear people refer to certain written accounts (e.g., the bible) as "infallible". What does it mean to say that some written account is "infallible"?

It basically means the speaker is practicing willful ignorance regarding the process of transmitting orature into text, postulating instead deus ex machina.

Originally posted by LemonJello
I sometimes hear people refer to certain written accounts (e.g., the bible) as "infallible". What does it mean to say that some written account is "infallible"?

It means that in the context of their belief there is no greater weight given to any other evidence. I suppose it's like wanting to know surety, it is very comforting.

Like people can 'witness' someone 'levitating', as long as they believe it to be so, it is so.

Originally posted by snowinscotland
It means that in the context of their belief there is no greater weight given to any other evidence.

Almost clear:

It means that in the context of their belief there is no weight given to any other evidence.

Originally posted by LemonJello
I sometimes hear people refer to certain written accounts (e.g., the bible) as "infallible". What does it mean to say that some written account is "infallible"?

It means listening to Whodey. 😛

Originally posted by whodey
It means listening to Whodey. 😛

Who they?

Originally posted by Wulebgr
Who they?

Now your catching on!!

Originally posted by whodey
Now your catching on!!

There's nothing equal to wearing clothes and eating food

Originally posted by LemonJello
I sometimes hear people refer to certain written accounts (e.g., the bible) as "infallible". What does it mean to say that some written account is "infallible"?

It means that the account is true account ie contains no lies, falsehoods etc. Most people who use it in reference to the Bible tend to leave unexplained or deliberately overlook the issues relating to translation, version and interpretation. It is an undeniable fact that any writting of length of less than perfect legal language is subject to multiple interpretations and therefore simply cannot be infalible in all possible interpretations (and most people will admit as such.)
The issue with the Bible, is that the people who claim it is infalible, and use their own interpretation as the supposedly infalible interpretation, usually cannot give an infalible method for detemining the infalible interpretation.

Originally posted by twhitehead
The issue with the Bible, is that the people who claim it is infalible, and use their own interpretation as the supposedly infalible interpretation, usually cannot give an infalible method for detemining the infalible interpretation.

Most of 'em don't have a chance in the pages of Faulkner, Joyce, Pynchon, Kundera, Rushdie, ... Yet, they wanna instruct me how to read.

Originally posted by timebombted
Infallible = foolproof, flawless, perfect, reliable, without error, watertight, dependable etc

Therefore the word should never be used when referring to the bible, which is obviously full of errors, contradictions, ambiguities, misrepresentations etc

Unless of course in the context of…… the bible is NOT infallible

Most bibles aren't even watertight.

What does that have to do with anything?

Originally posted by daniel58
What does that have to do with anything?

I dont think nordys going to answer you.maybe someone else will....My answer is read the thread again