"Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men."
Author: Matthew 12 Verses #: 31
This is Jesus speaking. He is discussing the unpardonable sin that will send your soul to hell. Common christian belief is that Jesus died for our sins. John 3:16 states that anyone whosoever believes can be saved, but the above verse clearly exempts blasphemy against the holy spirit. I think this is a pretty easy sin to commit. Blasphemy is an utterance against god. I would have to say that at least 100% of humans do this at some point in their lives. That makes being saved from hell a near impossibility. In moments of intense fear, or intense pain or intense grief one can easily think and then question the goodness of god. It is very easy to question and wonder why something horrible has happened and question "god". This is almost natural for anyone who believes in god to at some point in their life question, doubt or possibly blaspheme god. Very few of us are like Job. This requirement for heaven extends throughout our whole lives and one slip up...bam. No salvation. No hope. I don't know who wrote this book in the bible, but the earliest gospels were written 30 to 40 years after Jesus died. Since the average life span during the time of Jesus was 45, it is likely that those who were living and heard Jesus were likely dead or very old and therefore leave exacts "utterances" as unreliable.
Fear. Raw fear of hell and the fear of the wrath of god has been the greatest tool of the church against it's people for years. The goal of man made religion is total obedience and total control and unrestrained politcal and economic power for centuries. The pope needs you to believe he can pray you out of hell. The church needs you to believe that their organization is the one with an ear to deity. To teach the masses than an utterance made in grief, pain, confusion or dispair will condemn them to an eternity in hell is a very cruel and compassionless teaching. I doubt Jesus ever said it.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
Suffer a "witch" not to live
Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. Whoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death. He that sacrificeth unto any god, save to the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed." (Exodus 22:18-20)
These verses attest to the power of belief as they led to the slaughter of thousands of defenseless people throughout Europe and the rest of the world. Understand that these verses not only authorize the executions but they explicitly command them. Verse 18 justified the burning of women in Europe judged as witches. In early America, the Salem witch trials resulted in the deaths of women and men.
Verse 19 refers to bestiality, a sin considered worthy of death. Christians used verse 20 to justify religious wars, Crusades and the slaughter of unbelievers throughout Europe. And the condemnation of heretics still goes on.
Two themes that Jesus repeatedly discusses are "hell" and his ability and the ability of his followers to cast out "demons" in his name. I have read two news stories in the last 3 days about pastor's in the UK and in Africa subjecting children and teenagers to the stigma of "demon" possession and the subsequent "casting out of the demons" for a fee. Once the child is labeled as demon possessed and/or a "witch" the parents distance themselves from the child or abandon them altogether. It is as if the church is gearing up for the dark ages with "witch hunts" and violence against anyone who believes different than their church does. The bible never illumines what the behavior of demon possession looks like leaving it to the imagination of the "witch HUNTER". This biblical view is so pervasive in america that Pat Robertson could blame the Haiti earthquake on the supposed"devil worship" of Haitian ancestors 300 years ago. Pretty heady knowledge from a billionaire who talks and hears from god daily on his TV show. No one cancelled his show....the TV evangelist just keeps on collecting checks from superstitious and gullible people who send him money. I am sure he claims to have some "ministry" set up in Haiti to help the poor people of Haiti who have suffered so much "because of the sins of their great great grandparents". Yeah ...right!
I do get weary of the delusions of the TV evangelists who claim daily to "heal people" with their prayer cloths, and assorted trinkets sold to the superstitious and the gullible and deluded. We have forgotten that a reformation took place because of Martin Luther's outrage at the catholic church selling "favors".
For a fee you can get a demon cast out and get a prayer for your healing. It is all part of the dog and pony show that is very,very profitable and very, very dangerous for a people who have quit thinking rationally.
These verses attest to the power of belief as they led to the slaughter of thousands of defenseless people throughout Europe and the rest of the world. Understand that these verses not only authorize the executions but they explicitly command them. Verse 18 justified the burning of women in Europe judged as witches. In early America, the Salem witch trials resulted in the deaths of women and men.
Verse 19 refers to bestiality, a sin considered worthy of death. Christians used verse 20 to justify religious wars, Crusades and the slaughter of unbelievers throughout Europe. And the condemnation of heretics still goes on.
Two themes that Jesus repeatedly discusses are "hell" and his ability and the ability of his followers to cast out "demons" in his name. I have read two news stories in the last 3 days about pastor's in the UK and in Africa subjecting children and teenagers to the stigma of "demon" possession and the subsequent "casting out of the demons" for a fee. Once the child is labeled as demon possessed and/or a "witch" the parents distance themselves from the child or abandon them altogether. It is as if the church is gearing up for the dark ages with "witch hunts" and violence against anyone who believes different than their church does. The bible never illumines what the behavior of demon possession looks like leaving it to the imagination of the "witch HUNTER". This biblical view is so pervasive in america that Pat Robertson could blame the Haiti earthquake on the supposed"devil worship" of Haitian ancestors 300 years ago. Pretty heady knowledge from a billionaire who talks and hears from god daily on his TV show. No one cancelled his show....the TV evangelist just keeps on collecting checks from superstitious and gullible people who send him money. I am sure he claims to have some "ministry" set up in Haiti to help the poor people of Haiti who have suffered so much "because of the sins of their great great grandparents". Yeah ...right!
I do get weary of the delusions of the TV evangelists who claim daily to "heal people" with their prayer cloths, and assorted trinkets sold to the superstitious and the gullible and deluded. We have forgotten that a reformation took place because of Martin Luther's outrage at the catholic church selling "favors".
For a fee you can get a demon cast out and get a prayer for your healing. It is all part of the dog and pony show that is very,very profitable and very, very dangerous for a people who have quit thinking rationally.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Modern Day Witchhunts
"These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new languages; "
Author: Mark 16 Verses #: 17
In the african countries of Nigeria and Uganda the pentecost revivalist churches pastors are charging up to several hundred dollars to cast demons out of children. When the exorcism has been thought to have failed children as small as toddlers are being abandoned by their parents and families. This is causing a great strain on the social networks of these countries to find people who will care for these poor abandoned children. The practice of claiming that people and little children are possessed of demons by church leaders creates a stigma upon the child and person that is nothing short of a cruel modern day "witch hunt". At no point in scripture does god explain what a demon possessed person looks like or acts like and it is impossible to provide proof of demon possession. This has left the accusation of demon possession open to those church leaders and church members with the largest and most vivid imaginations. I have met many a "preacher" in my 30 years of church attendance who claimed they cast out demons and yet the characteristics and signs and symptoms of a person requiring exorcism is quite vague and the actual proof that a "demon" has been cast out is non existent. To be singled out for a public exorcism is quite demeaning and very confusing for an adult let alone a little child and yet is done routinely in many american churches. Until you have had someone lay hands on you and start screaming for the devil to come out of your body/mind/spirit you cannot really appreciate the confusion and damage that this practice can do. I personally pity any child forced into the experience.
2,000 years ago very little was understood about mental illness, head trauma, and various neurological disorders which I suppose could have been construed as demon possession. Since the advent of modern psychiatry and psychiatric medication society has been able to close institutions/jails that were designed to keep the mentally and criminally insane from the population at large. We no doubt still have a problem with people who need treatment for mental illness and are not getting the care and drugs that they need. Many mentally ill people still refuse help and fail to recognize their illness. This no doubt causes a great deal of suffering as any family unit can attest to when subjected to a mentally ill and unmedicated family member. I personally have never known an exorcism of demons as sufficient to accomplish anything except embarrass and ridicule the person being subjected to the experience. When you are forced to live with someone who has a manic explosive anger disorder for instance one can only wish an "exorcism" could ease the pain and end the physical abuse, but the reality is that demons are a figment of the imagination as is exorcism. Modern day exorcisms are nothing but a fraud and a dog and pony show put on by a church leader who wants to make themselves look powerful and connected to deity before they pass the offering plate.
Author: Mark 16 Verses #: 17
In the african countries of Nigeria and Uganda the pentecost revivalist churches pastors are charging up to several hundred dollars to cast demons out of children. When the exorcism has been thought to have failed children as small as toddlers are being abandoned by their parents and families. This is causing a great strain on the social networks of these countries to find people who will care for these poor abandoned children. The practice of claiming that people and little children are possessed of demons by church leaders creates a stigma upon the child and person that is nothing short of a cruel modern day "witch hunt". At no point in scripture does god explain what a demon possessed person looks like or acts like and it is impossible to provide proof of demon possession. This has left the accusation of demon possession open to those church leaders and church members with the largest and most vivid imaginations. I have met many a "preacher" in my 30 years of church attendance who claimed they cast out demons and yet the characteristics and signs and symptoms of a person requiring exorcism is quite vague and the actual proof that a "demon" has been cast out is non existent. To be singled out for a public exorcism is quite demeaning and very confusing for an adult let alone a little child and yet is done routinely in many american churches. Until you have had someone lay hands on you and start screaming for the devil to come out of your body/mind/spirit you cannot really appreciate the confusion and damage that this practice can do. I personally pity any child forced into the experience.
2,000 years ago very little was understood about mental illness, head trauma, and various neurological disorders which I suppose could have been construed as demon possession. Since the advent of modern psychiatry and psychiatric medication society has been able to close institutions/jails that were designed to keep the mentally and criminally insane from the population at large. We no doubt still have a problem with people who need treatment for mental illness and are not getting the care and drugs that they need. Many mentally ill people still refuse help and fail to recognize their illness. This no doubt causes a great deal of suffering as any family unit can attest to when subjected to a mentally ill and unmedicated family member. I personally have never known an exorcism of demons as sufficient to accomplish anything except embarrass and ridicule the person being subjected to the experience. When you are forced to live with someone who has a manic explosive anger disorder for instance one can only wish an "exorcism" could ease the pain and end the physical abuse, but the reality is that demons are a figment of the imagination as is exorcism. Modern day exorcisms are nothing but a fraud and a dog and pony show put on by a church leader who wants to make themselves look powerful and connected to deity before they pass the offering plate.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
A brigade called the Grim Reapers
"Who knows whether God will not turn and relent, and turn away from his fierce anger, so that we might not perish?""
Author: Jonah 3 Verses #: 9
The story of Jonah is a story of a prophet who did not want to do what God wanted him to so God caused a big fish to swallow him. As the story goes, Jonah cried out to God for 3 days and 3 nights from sheol (the place of the dead) and God brought him back from death and caused the fish to vomit him on dry land. He then goes to Nineveh and tells the people to repent of their violence and evil or they will be destroyed. The entire population repents and God does not destroy them. Jonah is disappointed that God did not destroy them and goes into deep depression and asks God to kill him.
The book of Jonah is a very exciting and interesting tale of how God worked through a prophet named Jonah and relented of destroying a city of 120,000 people when they began to worship him, the Hebrew God . Jonah believed that God would bring destruction on the city of Ninevah if they did not repent and worship Yahweh.
Many modern americans believe hurricanes, and 9/11 are acts of God meant to punish America for it's evil, but our violence to other countries like Iraq are not interpreted as a violence God abhores. Men like John Hagee and Pat Robertson are blaming any american tragedy on God's anger and judgement. All this implies God punishes some people including children out of anger because america is not "christian enough". This strikes me as very arrogant and superstitious. I suppose the same mindset dimishes bombing raids in Iraq and Afghanistan because those people are evil and deserve the judgement of God. Somewhere in the psyche of America the God of Jonah justifies our "holy" wars against a people who believe and look differently than we do. 18 and 19 year old boys become our "grim reapers" and fight "evil" (GWBush favorite phrase) in brigades in the streets of Bagdad by that name. What a culture believes about God does matter and the muslim world will suffer because we have the bombs and afterall God is on our side!
Author: Jonah 3 Verses #: 9
The story of Jonah is a story of a prophet who did not want to do what God wanted him to so God caused a big fish to swallow him. As the story goes, Jonah cried out to God for 3 days and 3 nights from sheol (the place of the dead) and God brought him back from death and caused the fish to vomit him on dry land. He then goes to Nineveh and tells the people to repent of their violence and evil or they will be destroyed. The entire population repents and God does not destroy them. Jonah is disappointed that God did not destroy them and goes into deep depression and asks God to kill him.
The book of Jonah is a very exciting and interesting tale of how God worked through a prophet named Jonah and relented of destroying a city of 120,000 people when they began to worship him, the Hebrew God . Jonah believed that God would bring destruction on the city of Ninevah if they did not repent and worship Yahweh.
Many modern americans believe hurricanes, and 9/11 are acts of God meant to punish America for it's evil, but our violence to other countries like Iraq are not interpreted as a violence God abhores. Men like John Hagee and Pat Robertson are blaming any american tragedy on God's anger and judgement. All this implies God punishes some people including children out of anger because america is not "christian enough". This strikes me as very arrogant and superstitious. I suppose the same mindset dimishes bombing raids in Iraq and Afghanistan because those people are evil and deserve the judgement of God. Somewhere in the psyche of America the God of Jonah justifies our "holy" wars against a people who believe and look differently than we do. 18 and 19 year old boys become our "grim reapers" and fight "evil" (GWBush favorite phrase) in brigades in the streets of Bagdad by that name. What a culture believes about God does matter and the muslim world will suffer because we have the bombs and afterall God is on our side!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Book Review
Suppose you had never heard of Christianity, and that next Sunday morning a stranger standing in a pulpit told you about a book whose authors could not be authenticated and whose contents, written hundreds of years ago, included blood-curling legends of slaughter and intrigue and fables about unnatural happenings such as virgin births, devils that inhabit human bodies and talk, people rising from the dead and ascending live into the clouds, and suns that stand still. Suppose he then asked you to believe that an uneducated man described in that book was a god who could get you into an eternal fantasy-place called Heaven, when you die. Would you, as an intelligent rational person, even bother to read such nonsense, let alone pattern your entire life upon it. --- from book's first page
The above is a book review of the book "The Born Again Skeptics View of the Bible" by Ruth Hurmence Green.
The above is a book review of the book "The Born Again Skeptics View of the Bible" by Ruth Hurmence Green.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
God wants Glenn Beck's eyes!!
"I truly came to a place that is the greatest blessing," he said, according to Yahoo! News. "Lord, if you need my eyes, they're yours. They were yours the whole time anyway. Thank you for letting me see as long as I have. That's a blessing." Glenn Beck
Why would an omnipotent, omnipresent, all knowing God "need" to make someone blind. This just shows the craziness of the craziness of ascribing thoughts, actions and intentions to an invisible and silent deity. Glenn Beck is going blind due to a hereditary defect. This is the common view from the 4,000 year old book of Job that everything good comes from god and everything bad comes from god and evertthing both good and bad has a divine purpose.
In John 9: 1-41 In this story Jesus and the disciples pass by a blind man. The disciples asked who sinned??? Him or his parents?? Jesus said he was blind in order that the "works of god would be made manifest in him". In other words God had made the man blind so that Jesus could heal him and prove that he was the son of god. So in otherwords...God had made him blind so that God could prove he was God and heal him.
Fastforward 2,000 years and filter a hereditary disease through this biblical lens and you have a common prevailing religious view that god is to blame. Ancient man did not know all the causes of blindness, modern man does, and yet god is invoked when there is no proof he is even involved. DNA and genetics are involved in Glenn Beck's blindness. Why spiritualize it beyond that? Modern man needs to progress beyond the book of Job and look for a "scientific" and "medical" solution. God quit healing people of blindness 2,000 years ago, but modern medicine has only just begun.
Why would an omnipotent, omnipresent, all knowing God "need" to make someone blind. This just shows the craziness of the craziness of ascribing thoughts, actions and intentions to an invisible and silent deity. Glenn Beck is going blind due to a hereditary defect. This is the common view from the 4,000 year old book of Job that everything good comes from god and everything bad comes from god and evertthing both good and bad has a divine purpose.
In John 9: 1-41 In this story Jesus and the disciples pass by a blind man. The disciples asked who sinned??? Him or his parents?? Jesus said he was blind in order that the "works of god would be made manifest in him". In other words God had made the man blind so that Jesus could heal him and prove that he was the son of god. So in otherwords...God had made him blind so that God could prove he was God and heal him.
Fastforward 2,000 years and filter a hereditary disease through this biblical lens and you have a common prevailing religious view that god is to blame. Ancient man did not know all the causes of blindness, modern man does, and yet god is invoked when there is no proof he is even involved. DNA and genetics are involved in Glenn Beck's blindness. Why spiritualize it beyond that? Modern man needs to progress beyond the book of Job and look for a "scientific" and "medical" solution. God quit healing people of blindness 2,000 years ago, but modern medicine has only just begun.
God's banning of bastards from worship for 10 generations
A bastard shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to his tenth generation shall he not enter into the congregation of the LORD." (Deuteronomy 23:1-2)
If someone has the misfortune of being born as a result of his mother being raped he is excluded by this edict from worship for 10 generations. This is punishing the child for something that happened between the 2 adults that parented him. It is most probably very likely his mother did not intend to have a child out of wedlock. This bible verse demonizes children out of wedlock. A bastard child does not have the same access to god as a child whose father claims him. I remember that the word bastard carried very heavy shame up to my generation. The shame of birthing and raising a "bastard" has no doubt been the cause of women for centuries risking their own life to resort to self-induced abortions to remove a pregnancy that would result in a stigmatized "bastard" child. Thankfully, the stigma has been lifted in our present culture to the point where now up to 45% of mothers birth babies out of wedlock. To take the bible literally those children would not be allowed to enter a church or a synagogue for 10 generations.
If someone has the misfortune of being born as a result of his mother being raped he is excluded by this edict from worship for 10 generations. This is punishing the child for something that happened between the 2 adults that parented him. It is most probably very likely his mother did not intend to have a child out of wedlock. This bible verse demonizes children out of wedlock. A bastard child does not have the same access to god as a child whose father claims him. I remember that the word bastard carried very heavy shame up to my generation. The shame of birthing and raising a "bastard" has no doubt been the cause of women for centuries risking their own life to resort to self-induced abortions to remove a pregnancy that would result in a stigmatized "bastard" child. Thankfully, the stigma has been lifted in our present culture to the point where now up to 45% of mothers birth babies out of wedlock. To take the bible literally those children would not be allowed to enter a church or a synagogue for 10 generations.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Jesus advocating putting children to death for speaking evil of father or mother
"For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother;'{Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16} and, 'He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to death.'{Exodus 21:17; Leviticus 20:9}"
Author: Mark 7 Verses #: 10
Jesus is agreeing with Moses in Mark 7 and disagreeing with the religious leaders who had a softer take on these scriptures. I think it goes without saying that society would charge any parent with murder for killing their own children and that society has come to view calling your mother or father "evil" with leniency and tolerance not a death sentence. A large number of people in america actually have/had evil parents who either neglected them or abused them or raped them. The burden here is on the child to honor and not speak evil of their parents. Jesus definitely cannot be accused of being a child psychologist here. Where is the Jesus who says..."Suffer the little children come to me for such is the kingdom of heaven"? I am confused.
Author: Mark 7 Verses #: 10
Jesus is agreeing with Moses in Mark 7 and disagreeing with the religious leaders who had a softer take on these scriptures. I think it goes without saying that society would charge any parent with murder for killing their own children and that society has come to view calling your mother or father "evil" with leniency and tolerance not a death sentence. A large number of people in america actually have/had evil parents who either neglected them or abused them or raped them. The burden here is on the child to honor and not speak evil of their parents. Jesus definitely cannot be accused of being a child psychologist here. Where is the Jesus who says..."Suffer the little children come to me for such is the kingdom of heaven"? I am confused.
1 billion species of creatures in a 3 story boat
"For as in those days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ship,"
Author: Matthew 24 Verses #: 38
For years I was taught that Noah was able to save his family and all of creation on the earth in a 3 story boat from an earth destroying biblical flood and I believed it. I had a degree from a university, but I chose to not question reason and instead I believed the impossible. Why? Fear. Conformity. Acceptance in a group. I was well aware that religious groups do not approve of dissention. No one is allowed to question the authority of the bible, or the authority of the leader, or the authority of God, Jesus, and the biblical writers and prophets. Noah, if he existed at all was an ancient man, and the story is inspiring if you are Noah, but not if you are the rest of doomed mankind God chose to destroy. The bible loves to tell stories of men who believed and obeyed god against all the odds, but are they true? Could a billon or more species have survived a flood in a boat and repopulated every continent after Noah's flood? Of course not, but to doubt it is to ascribe to heresy and risk the condemnation of god and the church and who wants that? Questioning is strictly forbidden. Group think is the only approved discourse. In this verse Jesus is ascribing to the story of Noah and talking about Noah and telling his listeners that God is going to destroy the earth again someday. Jesus did not question the story of Noah but used it to remind his followers that god destroyed the earth once and he will do it again. New Testament readers are expected not to question the story of Noah and await a time when god destroys the world again and sends billions upon billions to an eternal hell of unending torture. Is a world destroying worldwide flood a provable fact? Could an ancient man spent 120 years building a boat that was capable of saving all of creation in a worldwide flood? I no longer have the faith to believe this story that is affirmed by Jesus and I am no longer awaiting doomsday. I do not understand why modern men need these ancient fables, nor do I understand why the god of hell and an apocolypse are appealing to the masses, but it took me 56 years to walk away from the fables, but they aren't going away anytime soon. Doomsday prophets are making a killing off their books like the "Left Behind" series. With america possessing enough weapons to destroy the earth a hundred times they might just get what they are wishing for! Boom! Doom! and Boom! It is now wihin mankind's grasp to end the world and blame god!
Author: Matthew 24 Verses #: 38
For years I was taught that Noah was able to save his family and all of creation on the earth in a 3 story boat from an earth destroying biblical flood and I believed it. I had a degree from a university, but I chose to not question reason and instead I believed the impossible. Why? Fear. Conformity. Acceptance in a group. I was well aware that religious groups do not approve of dissention. No one is allowed to question the authority of the bible, or the authority of the leader, or the authority of God, Jesus, and the biblical writers and prophets. Noah, if he existed at all was an ancient man, and the story is inspiring if you are Noah, but not if you are the rest of doomed mankind God chose to destroy. The bible loves to tell stories of men who believed and obeyed god against all the odds, but are they true? Could a billon or more species have survived a flood in a boat and repopulated every continent after Noah's flood? Of course not, but to doubt it is to ascribe to heresy and risk the condemnation of god and the church and who wants that? Questioning is strictly forbidden. Group think is the only approved discourse. In this verse Jesus is ascribing to the story of Noah and talking about Noah and telling his listeners that God is going to destroy the earth again someday. Jesus did not question the story of Noah but used it to remind his followers that god destroyed the earth once and he will do it again. New Testament readers are expected not to question the story of Noah and await a time when god destroys the world again and sends billions upon billions to an eternal hell of unending torture. Is a world destroying worldwide flood a provable fact? Could an ancient man spent 120 years building a boat that was capable of saving all of creation in a worldwide flood? I no longer have the faith to believe this story that is affirmed by Jesus and I am no longer awaiting doomsday. I do not understand why modern men need these ancient fables, nor do I understand why the god of hell and an apocolypse are appealing to the masses, but it took me 56 years to walk away from the fables, but they aren't going away anytime soon. Doomsday prophets are making a killing off their books like the "Left Behind" series. With america possessing enough weapons to destroy the earth a hundred times they might just get what they are wishing for! Boom! Doom! and Boom! It is now wihin mankind's grasp to end the world and blame god!
Sunday, July 18, 2010
It is impossible to be a christian!
Luke 14:26 If any man come to me and hate not his father and his mother, and wife and children, and bretheren and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. (verse 33) So likewise, he be if you that forsaketh not all that he hath, cannot be my disciple.
Unless you are a monk committed to a life of poverty and celibacy who also hates his life it is virtually impossible to follow this teaching. Was the bible written by celebate monks to affirm their lifestyle choice and elevate their spirituality? In 2,000 years of translations who knows? This verse contradicts the ten commandments to love your mother and your father. This verses contradicts Jesus' teaching to love your neighbor as yourself. What exactly going on here is unclear, but it makes it virtually impossible for the average human being to be declared a "disciple" of Jesus. Modern day belief just sidesteps these verses. How is one to go about "hating" his own life? This is a qualification of "discipleship" and therefore eternal life. I think a mid early century monk who could not read greek or hebrew had his own self elevated take on Jesus' teaching or Jesus' is setting the bar for qualification for discipleship so high that heaven will be populated by a few thousand male monks leaving billions to suffer the tortures of hell for eternity.
Unless you are a monk committed to a life of poverty and celibacy who also hates his life it is virtually impossible to follow this teaching. Was the bible written by celebate monks to affirm their lifestyle choice and elevate their spirituality? In 2,000 years of translations who knows? This verse contradicts the ten commandments to love your mother and your father. This verses contradicts Jesus' teaching to love your neighbor as yourself. What exactly going on here is unclear, but it makes it virtually impossible for the average human being to be declared a "disciple" of Jesus. Modern day belief just sidesteps these verses. How is one to go about "hating" his own life? This is a qualification of "discipleship" and therefore eternal life. I think a mid early century monk who could not read greek or hebrew had his own self elevated take on Jesus' teaching or Jesus' is setting the bar for qualification for discipleship so high that heaven will be populated by a few thousand male monks leaving billions to suffer the tortures of hell for eternity.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
How can a loving god torture people forever?
http://www.what-the-hell-is-hell.com/FromHellsEternalDeath.htm
To come to grips with the concept of hell is not easy since we are a nation of believer obsessed with hell and what we perceive as the coming doomsday of the billions of people on planet earth. Obsession with hell has it's roots in america in "The Great Awakening" and before that in the King James Bible. My earliest recollections of church and church camp sermons are recollections of messages meant to frighten young people in the hands of a loving god that would just as readily throw their soul in hell for any number of sins and blasphemy as not. I searched through a 100 websites that claim and promise a god who is going to torture "unsaved" souls forever in a place of eternal torment until I found this very thoughtful discussion of hell by a bible believing scholar.
I have come to a place in my life that I question the doomsday prophets and "evangelical" messages that god is eagerly awaiting a reason and a chance to throw humanity into a place of eternal torment. This is ridicuous. Man made religion and powerful kingdoms have used the fear of hell to control the masses for centuries. It is still being done today. To be set free to love god and not fear him as your potential torturer is a really free place to be after 50 years of nothing but doomsday. I will blog more about what I have learned about hell...in the meantime please check out this website.
To come to grips with the concept of hell is not easy since we are a nation of believer obsessed with hell and what we perceive as the coming doomsday of the billions of people on planet earth. Obsession with hell has it's roots in america in "The Great Awakening" and before that in the King James Bible. My earliest recollections of church and church camp sermons are recollections of messages meant to frighten young people in the hands of a loving god that would just as readily throw their soul in hell for any number of sins and blasphemy as not. I searched through a 100 websites that claim and promise a god who is going to torture "unsaved" souls forever in a place of eternal torment until I found this very thoughtful discussion of hell by a bible believing scholar.
I have come to a place in my life that I question the doomsday prophets and "evangelical" messages that god is eagerly awaiting a reason and a chance to throw humanity into a place of eternal torment. This is ridicuous. Man made religion and powerful kingdoms have used the fear of hell to control the masses for centuries. It is still being done today. To be set free to love god and not fear him as your potential torturer is a really free place to be after 50 years of nothing but doomsday. I will blog more about what I have learned about hell...in the meantime please check out this website.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Is your pastor a christian?
The Bible offers several different ways to tell if someone is behaving in a Christian way. Is your Minister, Pastor or Priest following the Bible's prescriptions? Here are four of the most important:
#1 - Christians keep quiet
In Matthew 6:5-8, Jesus tells Christians how to pray:
"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."
Does your Minister, Pastor or Priest pray in public like a hypocrite? Does he babble on and on? If so, he is defying Jesus.
#2 - Christians keep quiet 2
In 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, Christians are encouraged to live quietly:
Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
Is your Minister, Pastor or Priest living a quiet life, working with his hands and minding his own business?
#3 - Christians do not have wealth
In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus tells his followers to give up on possessions:
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
In Matthew 19:21 Jesus says:
"If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
Does your Minister, Pastor or Priest live in a nice house, drive a nice car, wear nice clothes? Why? Why isn't he listening to Jesus?
#4 - Christians can demonstrate that they are Christians
In Mark 16:17-18, Jesus is very clear about what True Christians will be able to do to demonstrate their belief:
And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."
Can your Minister, Pastor or Priest drink poison without dying? If not, according to Jesus, he must not believe.
Simply think about it. Jesus and the Bible are quite clear about these things. And your Minister, Pastor or Priest should have the closest connection to Jesus of anyone you know. Is your Minister, Pastor or Priest following the Bible? Probably not. There is no one you know who is doing all of these things. There is no Christian on earth who can drink poison without dying.
The reason why your Minister, Pastor or Priest ignores the Bible is because God is imaginary. If God were real, your Minister, Pastor or Priest would be following the Bible to the letter. And so would you.
"Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.""
Author: Matthew 19 Verses #: 21
How many pastors sell everything they have and give it to the poor? This is a way to assure a way to have treasure in heaven. Are the televangelists following Jesus? Have they given everything to the poor? Pat Robertson is reportably worth over a billion dollars. This has accumulated since he started a very profitable TV ministry in 1961. Has he given everything he has to the poor? If not, he is not following the commands of Jesus.
#1 - Christians keep quiet
In Matthew 6:5-8, Jesus tells Christians how to pray:
"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."
Does your Minister, Pastor or Priest pray in public like a hypocrite? Does he babble on and on? If so, he is defying Jesus.
#2 - Christians keep quiet 2
In 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, Christians are encouraged to live quietly:
Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
Is your Minister, Pastor or Priest living a quiet life, working with his hands and minding his own business?
#3 - Christians do not have wealth
In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus tells his followers to give up on possessions:
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
In Matthew 19:21 Jesus says:
"If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
Does your Minister, Pastor or Priest live in a nice house, drive a nice car, wear nice clothes? Why? Why isn't he listening to Jesus?
#4 - Christians can demonstrate that they are Christians
In Mark 16:17-18, Jesus is very clear about what True Christians will be able to do to demonstrate their belief:
And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."
Can your Minister, Pastor or Priest drink poison without dying? If not, according to Jesus, he must not believe.
Simply think about it. Jesus and the Bible are quite clear about these things. And your Minister, Pastor or Priest should have the closest connection to Jesus of anyone you know. Is your Minister, Pastor or Priest following the Bible? Probably not. There is no one you know who is doing all of these things. There is no Christian on earth who can drink poison without dying.
The reason why your Minister, Pastor or Priest ignores the Bible is because God is imaginary. If God were real, your Minister, Pastor or Priest would be following the Bible to the letter. And so would you.
"Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.""
Author: Matthew 19 Verses #: 21
How many pastors sell everything they have and give it to the poor? This is a way to assure a way to have treasure in heaven. Are the televangelists following Jesus? Have they given everything to the poor? Pat Robertson is reportably worth over a billion dollars. This has accumulated since he started a very profitable TV ministry in 1961. Has he given everything he has to the poor? If not, he is not following the commands of Jesus.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Is it true the "prayer" + "belief" = "whatever you ask for"?
Mark 11:24 "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Anything you need -- money, love, happiness, you name it -- I am here to provide it for you.
Jesus made many claims that God would answer prayer. He taught his disciples that what they needed was faith, belief and in some cases 2 or more people to agree with them in prayer. Is this true? Do christians see evidence of prayer producing miracles? Can believers get "whatever" they ask for in prayer by "believing"? Do we see evidence that god listens and answers specific prayers? Are answers to prayer lists a common occurence? Why do churches pass an "offering plate" to pay salaries and pay for building expenses when all that would be necessary is prayer? I have never met a paralyzed person who did not pray moment by moment to be set free from their paralysis, and yet in 35 years of working with patients with spinal cord injuries I have never met one that god "healed" and allowed to walk. I am not a skeptic, I am a realist living in the world as I observe it.
Jesus made many claims that God would answer prayer. He taught his disciples that what they needed was faith, belief and in some cases 2 or more people to agree with them in prayer. Is this true? Do christians see evidence of prayer producing miracles? Can believers get "whatever" they ask for in prayer by "believing"? Do we see evidence that god listens and answers specific prayers? Are answers to prayer lists a common occurence? Why do churches pass an "offering plate" to pay salaries and pay for building expenses when all that would be necessary is prayer? I have never met a paralyzed person who did not pray moment by moment to be set free from their paralysis, and yet in 35 years of working with patients with spinal cord injuries I have never met one that god "healed" and allowed to walk. I am not a skeptic, I am a realist living in the world as I observe it.
Monday, July 12, 2010
The book of Job
"My anger burns against you and your two friends,because, unlike my servant Job, you have not told the truth about God." (Job Chapter 42 verse 1)
The book of Job is thought to be the oldest story in the bible predating Genesis. A google search of the book of Job will produce pages and pages of theologians attempting to explain a God who uses Job to prove a point to Satan. Job loses everything except his life. He loses his children, his servants, his animals, his wealth, and his health. By all accounts, modern believers are completely absorbed by this very ancient story and believe it tells the truth about God. If modern man were able to excavate an ancient manuscript and decipher it, would we ascribe to the ancient and primitive text infallibility and inerrancy and accept it as telling the truth about God? No. We would put it in a museum and not think twice about applying it to modern beliefs, but the book of Job is accepted as the gospel truth about an ancient god that controls calamity and "blessings". Modern believers even go a step further and use the ancient text as proof that god is intimately involved in every good thing that happens to them and every bad thing that happens to them. Job 1:21 The Lord gave and the Lord taketh away; blessed be the name of the Lord. The ancient man Job ascribed that the Lord gave him everything and that the Lord could take everything away. This puts god as the source of everything good and everything bad all at once. I simply fail to see why modern man with knowledge of science and medicine finds this comforting. When bad things happen we can either blame god or satan (who permits satan), and when believers are experiencing "blessings"...god gets the credit as well. I simply have come to see Job as a very ancient man with a very ancient view of deity. Job does not have the goods on god and neither do all the theologians who have written reams about the ascribed diety in this ancient book. No one alive today knows any more about God than Job claimed to. Preoccupation with deity seems to me to be preventing a needed preoccupation with science, technology and preservation of humanity and the planet.
The book of Job is thought to be the oldest story in the bible predating Genesis. A google search of the book of Job will produce pages and pages of theologians attempting to explain a God who uses Job to prove a point to Satan. Job loses everything except his life. He loses his children, his servants, his animals, his wealth, and his health. By all accounts, modern believers are completely absorbed by this very ancient story and believe it tells the truth about God. If modern man were able to excavate an ancient manuscript and decipher it, would we ascribe to the ancient and primitive text infallibility and inerrancy and accept it as telling the truth about God? No. We would put it in a museum and not think twice about applying it to modern beliefs, but the book of Job is accepted as the gospel truth about an ancient god that controls calamity and "blessings". Modern believers even go a step further and use the ancient text as proof that god is intimately involved in every good thing that happens to them and every bad thing that happens to them. Job 1:21 The Lord gave and the Lord taketh away; blessed be the name of the Lord. The ancient man Job ascribed that the Lord gave him everything and that the Lord could take everything away. This puts god as the source of everything good and everything bad all at once. I simply fail to see why modern man with knowledge of science and medicine finds this comforting. When bad things happen we can either blame god or satan (who permits satan), and when believers are experiencing "blessings"...god gets the credit as well. I simply have come to see Job as a very ancient man with a very ancient view of deity. Job does not have the goods on god and neither do all the theologians who have written reams about the ascribed diety in this ancient book. No one alive today knows any more about God than Job claimed to. Preoccupation with deity seems to me to be preventing a needed preoccupation with science, technology and preservation of humanity and the planet.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Everlasting Fire (Matthew 17:8)
Matthew 17:8 "Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee; it is better to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands and two feet to be cast into everlasting fire."
Jesus' ministry was one of healing and warning listeners about hell. The bible is replete with promises that mankind is promised by God a place of everlasting torment for disobeying the commandments of God. He not only includes all the Old Testament commands but adds new ones like Mark 16:16 "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned." Jesus was very focused on warning all listeners about God's damnation. Not only must mankind believe in God and Jesus, but must be baptized to be saved from the tortures of hell." Jesus was preoccuppied with hell.
Religion has used the fear of hell as a way to control the masses and subdue them for centuries. Without the fear of hell people simply would not be able to be controlled. Fear causes people to accept that with one or any missteps God will torment them forever in the afterlife. It is religion's most useful tool. No one knows what the afterlife promises and yet eternity is a lifetime obsession. We have "denominations" that all disagree how and at what age people can be baptized, and what constitutes a "valid" belief in Jesus. Fifty six years of life tell me that no one group or organization has all the answers. Americans strongly believe their specific beliefs and faith will save them from an angry god. I have finally chosen to see the beauty and goodness and loveliness of the world and deduce that God is not waiting for me to "mess up" so he can torment me forever. I am no longer controlled by fear and it is a very free place to be. I spent years worrying about whether God loved me and whether I would go to heaven. My path now is a simple acknowledgement that I would not torture my children or anyone else's children for any reason whatsoever. If that consciousness abides in me and mankind in general around the world then that goodness is resident in the universe and all around us. I no longer accept the angry and violent God we have been told about in the bible, but embrace goodness and kindness. It is the most wonderful place to be. My God is not angry, violent and creating a place to torture people forever.
Jesus' ministry was one of healing and warning listeners about hell. The bible is replete with promises that mankind is promised by God a place of everlasting torment for disobeying the commandments of God. He not only includes all the Old Testament commands but adds new ones like Mark 16:16 "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned." Jesus was very focused on warning all listeners about God's damnation. Not only must mankind believe in God and Jesus, but must be baptized to be saved from the tortures of hell." Jesus was preoccuppied with hell.
Religion has used the fear of hell as a way to control the masses and subdue them for centuries. Without the fear of hell people simply would not be able to be controlled. Fear causes people to accept that with one or any missteps God will torment them forever in the afterlife. It is religion's most useful tool. No one knows what the afterlife promises and yet eternity is a lifetime obsession. We have "denominations" that all disagree how and at what age people can be baptized, and what constitutes a "valid" belief in Jesus. Fifty six years of life tell me that no one group or organization has all the answers. Americans strongly believe their specific beliefs and faith will save them from an angry god. I have finally chosen to see the beauty and goodness and loveliness of the world and deduce that God is not waiting for me to "mess up" so he can torment me forever. I am no longer controlled by fear and it is a very free place to be. I spent years worrying about whether God loved me and whether I would go to heaven. My path now is a simple acknowledgement that I would not torture my children or anyone else's children for any reason whatsoever. If that consciousness abides in me and mankind in general around the world then that goodness is resident in the universe and all around us. I no longer accept the angry and violent God we have been told about in the bible, but embrace goodness and kindness. It is the most wonderful place to be. My God is not angry, violent and creating a place to torture people forever.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Why won't God heal amputees?
http://www.whywontgodhealamputees.com/bible.htm
Thought provoking web site. Very well written. Fundamentalist christianity leads one to believe that with enough faith and prayer God will heal. Many people have felt like God abandoned them or didn't love them when their miracle did not come. As a nurse, I see surgeons healing, I see doctor's healing with medicine, but I don't see God reversing dementia or renewing lost kidney or organ function. I don't doubt that there are miracles, but in 35 years of nursing I have not seen one. What I do see are people that need good medical care in order to live long productive lives. I don't question people's faith in Jesus or God to heal, but as a society we have to accept that lack of good medical care is inhumane.
Thought provoking web site. Very well written. Fundamentalist christianity leads one to believe that with enough faith and prayer God will heal. Many people have felt like God abandoned them or didn't love them when their miracle did not come. As a nurse, I see surgeons healing, I see doctor's healing with medicine, but I don't see God reversing dementia or renewing lost kidney or organ function. I don't doubt that there are miracles, but in 35 years of nursing I have not seen one. What I do see are people that need good medical care in order to live long productive lives. I don't question people's faith in Jesus or God to heal, but as a society we have to accept that lack of good medical care is inhumane.
Dear President Bush (a letter off the internet)
Dear President Bush,
Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from you and understand why you would propose and support a constitutional amendment banning same sex marriage. As you said "in the eyes of God marriage is based between a man a woman." I try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18: 22 clearly states it to be an abomination . . End of debate.
I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of God's Laws and how to follow them.
1. Leviticus 25: 44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?
2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21: 7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanness - Lev. 15: 19-24. The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.
4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev. 1: 9. The problem is, my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35: 2. clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?
6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination - Lev. 11: 10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there degrees of abomination?
7. Lev. 21: 20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle-room here?
8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?
9. I know from Lev. 11: 6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?
10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev. 19: 19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? Lev.24: 10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20: 14)
I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, as well, you have a direct line to God so I am confident you can help
Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging
(this post was taken from an undisclosed source off the internet)
Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from you and understand why you would propose and support a constitutional amendment banning same sex marriage. As you said "in the eyes of God marriage is based between a man a woman." I try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18: 22 clearly states it to be an abomination . . End of debate.
I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of God's Laws and how to follow them.
1. Leviticus 25: 44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?
2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21: 7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanness - Lev. 15: 19-24. The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.
4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev. 1: 9. The problem is, my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35: 2. clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?
6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination - Lev. 11: 10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there degrees of abomination?
7. Lev. 21: 20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle-room here?
8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?
9. I know from Lev. 11: 6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?
10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev. 19: 19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? Lev.24: 10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20: 14)
I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, as well, you have a direct line to God so I am confident you can help
Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging
(this post was taken from an undisclosed source off the internet)
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Numbers 15: 32-36
This passage tells a story about a man that gathered sticks on the Sabbath. They put him in a prison until they decided what to do with him. Verse 35 says, "And the Lord said to Moses, "the man shall surely be put to death; all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp." Verse 36 says, "and all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died"; as the Lord commanded Moses.
As God was setting up a theocracy and a "favored" people there was no tolerance for any deviations from commands such as doing no work on the sabbath. In the process of creating a nation and a national religion there was no tolerance for any behavior that was outside the established expectations on the people. Sticks were used for cooking and possibly shelter building. Stoning seems like a very harsh punishment. Note that the punishment was done by the group as a whole, with a supposition that God approved.
Modern day christians use the old testament and its scriptures as justification of their beliefs. How many would advocate a good ole stoning at the behest of a leader? None. It is against the law. I am sure stoning would be reprehensible to the average believer.
Is judaism and christianity a man made religion? How much of this did Moses make up as he went along? What kind of man was Moses? Would we tolerate Moses as a leader today? Would the average person follow Moses today?
This passage tells a story about a man that gathered sticks on the Sabbath. They put him in a prison until they decided what to do with him. Verse 35 says, "And the Lord said to Moses, "the man shall surely be put to death; all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp." Verse 36 says, "and all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died"; as the Lord commanded Moses.
As God was setting up a theocracy and a "favored" people there was no tolerance for any deviations from commands such as doing no work on the sabbath. In the process of creating a nation and a national religion there was no tolerance for any behavior that was outside the established expectations on the people. Sticks were used for cooking and possibly shelter building. Stoning seems like a very harsh punishment. Note that the punishment was done by the group as a whole, with a supposition that God approved.
Modern day christians use the old testament and its scriptures as justification of their beliefs. How many would advocate a good ole stoning at the behest of a leader? None. It is against the law. I am sure stoning would be reprehensible to the average believer.
Is judaism and christianity a man made religion? How much of this did Moses make up as he went along? What kind of man was Moses? Would we tolerate Moses as a leader today? Would the average person follow Moses today?
Monday, July 5, 2010
Why is this command to pluck out your eyes not followed?
Mark 9:47
"And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell."
The current movement of fundamentalists pride themselves for taking every word of the bible literally as God inspired. Huge denominational shifts abound over the practice of baptism, but all protestant churches practice some form of baptism. Why is the practice of gouging out one's eye or eyes not practiced with equal fervor? The verse clearly alludes to the practice as a way of avoiding hell. The whole point of christianity is a belief system that will spare the faithful the torments of eternal hell. The gouging out of one's eye would seem a small price to pay if you truly believe in a place of eternal torment for the "sinner" and it would keep you from going there.
Hell is universally believed to be a place of eternal torment created by God for the unfaithful and unbelievers by modern day christians. I will address the problem of a loving God creating and religating his creation to a place of eternal torment at a later blog. Today I simply want to ask the question of why christians do not pluck out their eyes in order to avoid this hell that is so universally believed? In the above bible verse Jesus is suggesting such a practice. My problem with bible scholars is they cherry pick verses they prefer to be taken as literal. Jesus did not say this was not to be taken literally. To the contrary he seemed to fervently encourage such mutilation. The ritual of baptism is universal while the ritual of gouging out one's eyes to avoid hell is not practiced. Why? A "literalist" does not have the liberty of choosing to obey one verse and ignore a command in another verse. The reason christians do not gouge their eyes out is because it is a reprehensible thought. We as a human species are hard-wired for self preservation not self mutilation. This command by Jesus is literrally against our very nature and is a rediculous bible verse.
"And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell."
The current movement of fundamentalists pride themselves for taking every word of the bible literally as God inspired. Huge denominational shifts abound over the practice of baptism, but all protestant churches practice some form of baptism. Why is the practice of gouging out one's eye or eyes not practiced with equal fervor? The verse clearly alludes to the practice as a way of avoiding hell. The whole point of christianity is a belief system that will spare the faithful the torments of eternal hell. The gouging out of one's eye would seem a small price to pay if you truly believe in a place of eternal torment for the "sinner" and it would keep you from going there.
Hell is universally believed to be a place of eternal torment created by God for the unfaithful and unbelievers by modern day christians. I will address the problem of a loving God creating and religating his creation to a place of eternal torment at a later blog. Today I simply want to ask the question of why christians do not pluck out their eyes in order to avoid this hell that is so universally believed? In the above bible verse Jesus is suggesting such a practice. My problem with bible scholars is they cherry pick verses they prefer to be taken as literal. Jesus did not say this was not to be taken literally. To the contrary he seemed to fervently encourage such mutilation. The ritual of baptism is universal while the ritual of gouging out one's eyes to avoid hell is not practiced. Why? A "literalist" does not have the liberty of choosing to obey one verse and ignore a command in another verse. The reason christians do not gouge their eyes out is because it is a reprehensible thought. We as a human species are hard-wired for self preservation not self mutilation. This command by Jesus is literrally against our very nature and is a rediculous bible verse.
modern day circumcision
Genesis 19:9-13
Every male was required to be circumcised. The requirement for circumcision of all males extended to slaves and anyone bought with money. All males and slaves had to be circumcised as a sign of a covenant between the Israelites and God. What does this have to do with modern mankind today?
I am not going to address slavery today. God obviously condoned slavery which is offensive and has caused and continues to cause suffering in certain populations. Modern man has discarded slavery as morally reprehensible and wrong. Why are women still giving their newborns over to a barbaric ancient practice of circumcision, a practice that started 4,000 years ago as a racist and bigotted way of identifying a group of men as having made a covenant with God?
As a nursing student I had to observe several circumcisions. They were barbaric and caused the baby a great deal of pain. The doctor who performs them makes a good little profit for participating in the barbaric practice. And yes, I know all the supposed health arguments for circumcision and I will tell you they are not a valid reasons to continue this barbaric practice. If insurance companies and medicaid would refuse to pay for this barbarism the mother would think twice about being charged for the cruelty to her baby boy.
I hope this blog gives a young woman courageous to resist this practice and leave their baby boys alone. As a nurse and mother I refused to allow my boys to be circumcised and they are glad I did because they have more sensitivity. Why did God create a foreskin only to demand they be chopped off to identify a class of men? It just doesn't make sense and is my rediculous bible verse for the day. Pass this thought along. This blog is designed to give us courage to think for ourselves.
Every male was required to be circumcised. The requirement for circumcision of all males extended to slaves and anyone bought with money. All males and slaves had to be circumcised as a sign of a covenant between the Israelites and God. What does this have to do with modern mankind today?
I am not going to address slavery today. God obviously condoned slavery which is offensive and has caused and continues to cause suffering in certain populations. Modern man has discarded slavery as morally reprehensible and wrong. Why are women still giving their newborns over to a barbaric ancient practice of circumcision, a practice that started 4,000 years ago as a racist and bigotted way of identifying a group of men as having made a covenant with God?
As a nursing student I had to observe several circumcisions. They were barbaric and caused the baby a great deal of pain. The doctor who performs them makes a good little profit for participating in the barbaric practice. And yes, I know all the supposed health arguments for circumcision and I will tell you they are not a valid reasons to continue this barbaric practice. If insurance companies and medicaid would refuse to pay for this barbarism the mother would think twice about being charged for the cruelty to her baby boy.
I hope this blog gives a young woman courageous to resist this practice and leave their baby boys alone. As a nurse and mother I refused to allow my boys to be circumcised and they are glad I did because they have more sensitivity. Why did God create a foreskin only to demand they be chopped off to identify a class of men? It just doesn't make sense and is my rediculous bible verse for the day. Pass this thought along. This blog is designed to give us courage to think for ourselves.
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