Books and letters that are not part of the Bible

by sinis 22 Replies latest watchtower bible

• 

  Terry

  Hey Terry,
  
  Will you consider living by the teachings of Christ and ignore the denominational blather? Isn't what He taught about having a relationship with Him? Viz; "If you obey me you love me"; "I call you friends", etc. Isn't true, radical Christianity NOT about religion but about living a life that truly is unselfish, being abandoned to the obedience of the Lord's teachings and example?
  
  I believe that is is illogical to consider the teachings of Christ false because the alleged followers do not really live what the Lord teaches. You cannot condemn Chrsitianity, you can only condemn Christendom. What does your heart and your mind tell you when you really consider this?
  
  Rex

  Okay, I'm going to give you the most straight forward honest answer I can.

  First, Jesus probably never existed as a person (or just one person) historically. I think he is alot like Robin Hood or King Arthur: an expansion of one person's exploits for mythical/psychological reasons that has become canonized by pseudo-history.

  But, for the sake of argument, let us suppose Jesus is EXACTLY who common opinion tells us he was.

  The messege of Jesus is entirely different from the messege of Paul. I've said it many times here on JWD. Historically, the "church" has been fetishistic in quoting Paul's neo-Platonic cum Mystical philosophy under the banner of Jesus and colored by quasi-historical Judaism.

  Now--on to my most interesting point!

  Jesus, if he existed, proposed a philosophy which is lovely and comforting but ENTIRELY LUNATIC in the practical world.

  Just one example:

  Love your enemies and turn the other cheek when you are struck.

  How long would such a person last on this planet if they actually followed this instruction??

  When terrorists attack you forgive them, pray for them and point to some other tall buildings for them to take down??

  When burglars break into your house and demand at gunpoint your TV set and jewelry you offer them your bank account and car too?

  It is utter lunacy disguised as philosophy and has no place in a rational person's thinking in any genuine way.

  The maguffin that enables this creaky philosophy to endure is buying in to the idea that a universally powerful super being will oversee the REWARD and PROTECTION part of the bargain. The invisible guy in the sky is keeping track of your behavior, you see, and you will be reimbursed for your losses.

  That is bunkum and quite dangerous to one's sanity.

  Jesus is a form of mental illness. I'm sorry to have to say it like that.

  Terry
• 

  Shining One

  >Jesus, if he existed, proposed a philosophy which is lovely and comforting but ENTIRELY LUNATIC in the practical world. Just one example:Love your enemies and turn the other cheek when you are struck. How long would such a person last on this planet if they actually followed this instruction??
  People have for many years and many obey this to their deaths.
  >When terrorists attack you forgive them, pray for them and point to some other tall buildings for them to take down??
  Wooden literalism.
  >When burglars break into your house and demand at gunpoint your TV set and jewelry you offer them your bank account and car too?
  Aren't you getting out of context a little? It may fit with a stretch.
  >It is utter lunacy disguised as philosophy and has no place in a rational person's thinking in any genuine way. The maguffin that enables this creaky philosophy to endure is buying in to the idea that a universally powerful super being will oversee the REWARD and PROTECTION part of the bargain. The invisible guy in the sky is keeping track of your behavior, you see, and you will be reimbursed for your losses.
  That's the idea!
  >That is bunkum and quite dangerous to one's sanity.
  Maybe to yours, not to mine. It is very radical and challenging and absolutely life-changing. The whole of the Sermon on the Mount is a powerful and challenging teaching. There are elements of it in many types of philosopy and peaceful religious principles. Christians changed the Roman empire through this radical philosphy and that changed history. Jesus very much existed and only the lunatic fringe left of scholarship says different. Even the wackos from the Jesus Seminar don't dispute His existence.
  >Jesus is a form of mental illness. I'm sorry to have to say it like that.
  I am too, because it means I probably did not reach you.
  Terry
• 

  Terry

  It is very radical and challenging and absolutely life-changing. The whole of the Sermon on the Mount is a powerful and challenging teaching. There are elements of it in many types of philosopy and peaceful religious principles. Christians changed the Roman empire through this radical philosphy and that changed history

  Radical? Yes, for a genuine reason. It is the opposite of self-preservation. The will to live is short-circuited by a sham substitute: LIFE LATER. This is like a deadly trojan virus downloaded into your brain. The lie is: Die Now; Live Later.

  The "later" is dressed up nicely Disney-style.

  The willingness of people with mental illness to die for a promise of "later" is sad and pathetic.

  Christians changed the Roman empire? All the histories I have read tell me different!! The Christians were just as inclined to persecute EACH OTHER (they couldn't agree, it seems on much of anything) and resort to violence as their pagan neighbors. Yes, many were stubborn and willful about not denouncing their Trojan Virus---but, that is not a plus, it is a minus.

  We have beautified and modified what actually has happened throughout history in the name of Christianity. Constant updating of apologetic effort has smoothed the rough edges off the blood and grisly idiocy in the name of glory.

  T.