luns101 wrote:Backglass wrote:And so we start with the cop-outs. "Mysterious ways", "doesn't answer to mans standard of proof", "wont show himself, you must seek him", etc.
It's convenient answers to explain myths about fantasies.
If gods really did exist, they would NOT hide in the shadows. These are just handy excuses to reason away the obvious fact that gods (for tens of thousands of years/religions) are an invention of man...created to explain away the pain, suffering and injustices of our world. Nobody wants to die...the finality of death is difficult to rationalize and so the fable of an afterlife and a "sky daddy" helps to make it easier to digest.
Which I believe proves the point I'm trying to make. It's not a matter of convincing people with proof because the human mind is an incredible thing...if someone doesn't want to believe, all the evidence in the world will not change their mind. It's more a matter of someone's will.
The bible doesn't explain away bad things, they can and do still happen even to people that believe in "sky daddy" or better yet are a card carrying member of some fine religion.
I find it facinating the way a fair number of the miraculas things Jesus did are presented in the bible. Showing people believing what they want to.
I would like to think I see some crazy thing like a guy getting his ear cut off by a sword then put back on would amaze me and make me think, Ok, how'd you do that? But check out the reaction here.
Luke 22 (New American Standard Bible)
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation wrote:Luke 22
47While He was still speaking, behold, a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was preceding them; and he approached Jesus to kiss Him.
48But Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"
49When those who were around Him saw what was going to happen, they said, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?"
50And one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear.
51But Jesus answered and said, "Stop! No more of this." And He touched his ear and healed him.
52Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders who had come against Him, "Have you come out with swords and clubs as you would against a robber?
53"While I was with you daily in the temple, you did not lay hands on Me; but this hour and the power of darkness are yours."
Jesus' Arrest
54 Having arrested Him, they led Him away and brought Him to the house of the high priest;
The last part is particularly interesting to me.
Jesus puts a severed ear back on a guy (that could have been a pretty handy skill at zizi the other day) then says, "Hey man, I've been hanging out at your churches every day, you hardly talk to me, what's up with the swords and clubs and stuff?"
Guys completely ignoring the ear thing, respond, "Uh, come with us dude tell it to the judge."
I love these stories but coupled with, strange church versions and what Glass is telling me it's all quite confusing.
First this is supposed to be written and compiled to convince me of what ever the guys that did it wanted me to believe. If I'm following common ideas regarding that. Something about "I'm on the brink of going to hell, aaaaaaaaaaa!" Don't eat pork etc.
I think if you actually read the bible there's so much that doesn't quite line up with the watered down versions churches tell you. ie. Jesus and his deciple guys were these hippy peacenic guys, prancing around being nice.
Uh, dude just flipped out jedi style here and cut off buddies ear. Hello?!?
Peace to you my friend, Yiiiiiiiiii *slash*!
I just don't understand how brilliant the guys would have to be to write this stuff out of imagination in so few drafts. Yet they didn't have windows and were still cooking over a stick that was on fire.