Posts by anointed1

19

Writers (not God) are at fault

by anointed1 in

if scriptures are written by people who have no sense of justice, it is natural that god would be misrepresented—something that happened to the biblical god.

to mention a few:.

1) david, murderer of the innocent and faithful, wrote portions of the bible.. 2) paul who set in opposition to genuine apostles who were directly trained by jesus himself sarcastically describing them as “superfine apostles” openly declared in some places that it was not spirit, but he was writing.

anointed1

scratchme1010 you say: Yet, you need to come here to brag about it. Some humility. Classic passive/aggressive religious crap.

Speaking about humility is not bragging nor it is the monopoly of religions. Whoever practices it benefit, and others around the practicer of humility feels comfortable. On the other hand, the egotistic makes life a hell for himself and others.

19

Writers (not God) are at fault

by anointed1 in

if scriptures are written by people who have no sense of justice, it is natural that god would be misrepresented—something that happened to the biblical god.

to mention a few:.

1) david, murderer of the innocent and faithful, wrote portions of the bible.. 2) paul who set in opposition to genuine apostles who were directly trained by jesus himself sarcastically describing them as “superfine apostles” openly declared in some places that it was not spirit, but he was writing.

anointed1

GoneAwol

You say ‘I am contradicting what I originally said in the OP.’

I repeat much of the Bible is written by people with no moral sense. Yet it does’nt mean that it has no pearls of wisdom. You remember the presidential debate--when asked do you respect each other--both of them stopped seeing the 100% negatives they were seeing, but both Trump and Hilary saw some positive points in each other. so is with the Bible.

It is like a forest that contains wild trees and cruel animals, yet it also contains some sweet and pure streams and beautiful and fragrant flowers. Revelation chapter 4 is one such pure stream. Deuteronomy 10:17 which says ‘God does not distinguish between pagans and His people’ is another beautiful flower. That means whatever it says about what is universally acceptable—can be taken.

19

Writers (not God) are at fault

by anointed1 in

if scriptures are written by people who have no sense of justice, it is natural that god would be misrepresented—something that happened to the biblical god.

to mention a few:.

1) david, murderer of the innocent and faithful, wrote portions of the bible.. 2) paul who set in opposition to genuine apostles who were directly trained by jesus himself sarcastically describing them as “superfine apostles” openly declared in some places that it was not spirit, but he was writing.

anointed1

schnell

If you don’t see any lessons in those beings—inanimate and animate, you can formulate your life in any way you like, and it is ok if it makes you happy.

But for me, taking lessons of humility from them makes me too happy, and those around me feel comfortable with me.

19

Writers (not God) are at fault

by anointed1 in

if scriptures are written by people who have no sense of justice, it is natural that god would be misrepresented—something that happened to the biblical god.

to mention a few:.

1) david, murderer of the innocent and faithful, wrote portions of the bible.. 2) paul who set in opposition to genuine apostles who were directly trained by jesus himself sarcastically describing them as “superfine apostles” openly declared in some places that it was not spirit, but he was writing.

anointed1

Xanthippe

You say:

1. The universe is vast for us to imagine it's there to teach us humility is a heck of a wate of intellect.
[all right, you are free to take its opposite—try being egotistic and see whether it benefits you and those around you or not]

2. We could be destroyed by a meteorite at any time, it probably killed the dinosaurs.
[some meteors could have killed some dinosaurs or some species—so what? We humans are still alive on earth along with many other species—who is responsible for this big fact?. We are talking about the norm, not exception]

3. Do I have to list countless poisonous berries, plants and fungi that we have only learnt to avoid through heartbreaking trial and error? A few labels from God would have been helpful.
[poisonous beings exist—why worry about them as we always can find its proper use. Petrol is inflammatory—so what? We know how to use its inflammability to our own benefit]

4. You attribute the collected wisdom of human literature and philosophy to God? Purely on the basis that a lot of it makes sense? You give us so little credit. Get off your knees and engage your brain.
[I am not attributing human wisdom to God. I only meant this: If we want to see God’s guidance silently being conveyed through beings—inanimate and animate, we can. If we don’t want to see, we do not see]

18

A history of global living conditions in 5 charts

by Simon in

great article with charts showing how the world is getting better, despite the attempts of the news and certain religious groups to say it ain't so (or try and make it not).. https://ourworldindata.org/a-history-of-global-living-conditions-in-5-charts/.

.

anointed1

What you say is true.

However, when we have leaders [like Trump] saying “Let it be an arms race,“ [MSNBC said on Friday, Dec 23, 2016] “We will outmatch them at every pass and outlast them all,“ and have leaders like Kim Jong-un, Iran becoming a nuclear power, and terrorists trying to lay their hands on nuclear arms, things can go on reverse gear within no time.

19

Writers (not God) are at fault

by anointed1 in

if scriptures are written by people who have no sense of justice, it is natural that god would be misrepresented—something that happened to the biblical god.

to mention a few:.

1) david, murderer of the innocent and faithful, wrote portions of the bible.. 2) paul who set in opposition to genuine apostles who were directly trained by jesus himself sarcastically describing them as “superfine apostles” openly declared in some places that it was not spirit, but he was writing.

anointed1

Xanthiappe, you may be thinking now how I can take guidance from the Bible about which I said in the OP that much of the Bible is written by people with no moral sense. Yet it does’nt mean that it does not contain some pearls of wisdom.

It is like a forest that contains wild trees and cruel animals, yet it also contains some sweet and pure streams and beautiful and fragrant flowers. Revelation chapter 4 is one such pure stream. Deuteronomy 10:17 which says ‘God does not distinguish between pagans and His people’ is another beautiful flower. That means whatever it says about what is universally acceptable—can be taken.

19

Writers (not God) are at fault

by anointed1 in

if scriptures are written by people who have no sense of justice, it is natural that god would be misrepresented—something that happened to the biblical god.

to mention a few:.

1) david, murderer of the innocent and faithful, wrote portions of the bible.. 2) paul who set in opposition to genuine apostles who were directly trained by jesus himself sarcastically describing them as “superfine apostles” openly declared in some places that it was not spirit, but he was writing.

anointed1

xanthippe, You said: “I wonder what you think his way of guidance is?”

He has provided guidance, and many are following it. To mention a few:

1) The incomprehensibly vast size of the universe teaches how insignificant our earth and all its inhabitants are (which means there is no basis for anyone to feel self-important)

2) The way planets and stars act too teaches us humility! They move around keeping to their orbits just like vehicles follow lane-discipline on a busy express highway (as though submitting themselves to some unseen authority).

3) Plants produce fragrant and beautiful flowers and trees produce fruits for others to enjoy (not for themselves). They too are living lessons of humility.

4) All the stories and histories written show that those who pursued self-importance reaped misery in the end. [shows that all the writers are somehow led by some imperceptible force to come to the same conclusion that ultimately truth wins and ego fails]

Thus humans are soaked in the information that ego means trouble (conversely, going egoless means peace and prosperity) There are some who enter into silence (not just external, but internal also) where they come in alignment with God’s will for him for the moment. Anyone can try this as it cost nothing.

Personally I feel that God exists, but He is not interested in receiving any worship or praise from us. I formulated this concept from the Bible: In the Bible, God describes Himself as the Supreme Ruler of the universe being seated on a throne from which “flashes of lightning” are coming. Further it is shown that and “in front of the throne, seven lamps” are blazing. (Revelation 4:3, 5) “Seven lamps” or seven highlights may remind us the seven qualities of God (knowledge, joy, love, power …). Around the throne, there are “four living creatures—one having the face like a man, and others looking like bull, lion and eagle. (Revelation 4:7) Since the whole revelation was given in signs or symbols (Revelation 1:1) these four living creatures should highlight four aspects of God’s propensity of Benefiting us, Elevating us, Sustaining us and Teaching us [we can form an acronym BEST]. Man’s face stands for benevolence [we call inhuman those who act injuriously]; bull (that is known for its strength) stands for His elevating us; lion (that is a symbol of authority) stands for His sustaining us; eagle (that is the symbol of far-sightedness or wisdom) stands for His teaching us. These four acts of Him are shown as bringing honor to Him. (Revelation 4:8) Hence I take this as guidance given to me from God that whatever I do should be BEST: Benefitting others, Elevating others, Sustaining others and Teaching others.

19

Writers (not God) are at fault

by anointed1 in

if scriptures are written by people who have no sense of justice, it is natural that god would be misrepresented—something that happened to the biblical god.

to mention a few:.

1) david, murderer of the innocent and faithful, wrote portions of the bible.. 2) paul who set in opposition to genuine apostles who were directly trained by jesus himself sarcastically describing them as “superfine apostles” openly declared in some places that it was not spirit, but he was writing.

anointed1

If scriptures are written by people who have no sense of justice, it is natural that God would be misrepresented—something that happened to the biblical God. To mention a few:

1) David, murderer of the innocent and faithful, wrote portions of the Bible.

2) Paul who set in opposition to genuine apostles who were directly trained by Jesus himself sarcastically describing them as “superfine apostles” openly declared in some places that it was not spirit, but he was writing. (1 Corinthians 7:25) He even openly acknowledges that he uses the tactic of telling “lie” in writing scriptures (Romans 3:7) His sense of justice goes extremely distorted when he says ‘a slave should not change his status’ which is not only an endorsement of slavery, but also glorification of it—1 Corinthians 7:21.

3) Peter who forgot his own use of exaggeration (“Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will” and yet he fell away repeatedly!—Mathew 26:33) paints a cruel God who brings instant death sentence on people for slightly exaggerating their generosity. (Acts 5:1-11)

Yet other parts of the Bible show God would not kill even a donkey (Number 22:32, 33) let alone human child—something He says ‘has not come into His mind.’ (Jeremiah 7:31) This means genocide attributed to God is actually writers’ invention. Originals were destroyed repeatedly when the Jerusalem Temple was destroyed in 607 BCE, 70 CE, and also in the destruction of ancient Royal Library of Alexandria. This gave later writers opportunity to rewrite everything in the way they liked which compels readers to conclude that God of the Bible as warmonger, blood-thirsty, unreasonable …. etc. Such reaction is like that of children watching/experiencing the consequences of bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. They do not know that Japan attacked America (as part of their ongoing aggressive/imperialistic policy) and America was only responding as victim against its victimizer or aggressor.

Interestingly, God’s silence gives a louder and clear message that giving a book is not His way of guidance, hence He has no obligation to protect it.

11

Is account of Ananias & Sapphira genuine?

by anointed1 in

1) ananias “sold a piece of property… and kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.” (acts 5:1, 2) peter interpreted the whole incident as unbecoming of believers as they created the impression that they are giving full amount received from the sale of their property, and told the wife of ananias: “the feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” (acts 5:9).

death sentence for slightly exaggerating one’s generosity?.

2) in this incident, peter seems to be over-righteous!

anointed1

stillin

Yes, you got it. If the account is genuine, no untruth would have been permitted

26

Questions for the Biblical God

by Saethydd in

i consider myself an agnostic, i feel no sense of certainty that there is a single all-powerful creator who made the entire universe, and yet i must acknowledge that the universe is a large place that is filled with much beauty so the possibility of an intelligent mind being behind it is certainly there.

lately, however, i do have more and more doubts about the god of the bible being a candidate for that all-powerful creator should such a being even exist at all.. these doubts are founded upon a number of questions for which i have never found any satisfying biblical or logical answer.

instead, i was simply chided with the remark that "god's actions aren't always meant to be understood by humans," which i found to be a very unsatisfying answer.

anointed1

I believe even atheists are the part of God’s design. When religionists go into one extreme (doing inhuman things such as violation of human rights and religious atrocities of the Dark Ages…) this become the cause for the other extreme to appear—materialists. Thus existence of atheists offsets against the extremities of the religionists—thus atheists do a great favor to the humanity. In God’s eyes, atheists are better than religionists because religionists use God as a means to get material blessings from God (means their actual love is towards things of God, not God) which means God is used (like a carpet), not loved.