I have read the Bible through its entirety several times. Unlike some others I do not claim to be an expert or "know" what it teaches anymore than the next guy who has read the book.
I am actually in awe and impressed that this man has such a direct pipeline to God.
If only we could all attain his level of impassioned conviction.
As far as monotheism and pantheism mixing it is all through the Bible.
Lets take a look at Genesis.
And the Gods created man. Yes the word is Elohim in Hebrew. Elohim is a masculine pural of a feminine noun. Essentially if we were to literally translate the passage it would be gods. This is not contended in scholastic circles.
Just because I have different vires than you and do not want to singlehandely lable people based on their beliefs you take poorly executed cheap shots at my intelligence and ability to understand the Bible.
It seems to me like someone is getting a little upset that I am not one of your "sheep" aimlessly following every word you say.
We have had the likes of people like you with Jim Jones, Rev. Kim, the Pope etc etc who all claim to have THE TRUTH about God.
Im sorry its not that simple. You cant define God. His/Her Power is so beyond anything our rational minds can conceive all we can do is "live on the square" and learn to use our "moral compass" as to what is right and wrong.
I think it is deplorable what happened to that man dressed as Saint Nick. How does this make ALL Muslims evil or terrorist?
The Unibomber was Christian. I am not idiotic enough to assume all Christians are the same.
You challenge us to produce an example of a violent act perpetrated by Christians in the last 100 or so years.
Ireland is one classic example where Christians killed each other over Catholic and Protestant rivalries.
All I am saying and will ever say is to give peace a chance.
If this makes me a bad person then so be it but I was raised to give everyone a fair chance until the individual concerned showed me otherwise.
I fully support the US Governments attempts to round up Terrerists worldwide.
It must be stopped.
I really just dont understand how any intelligent man or woman can state unequivicolly that ALL Muslims are any one way let alone ALL Christians are any one way.
This is like saying ALL Jews are greedy etc etc.
Facts are facts. Violence is condoned ALL through the Old Testament. Please dont make me list the passages and make an ass of you publically for you know as well as I do that they are there.
Why wouls any just God allow first born BABIES to be sacrificed based on the actions of one man?
How is it acceptable to completely slaughter every man, woman, child and beast that stands in your way to the Holy Land which was "given" to the Israelites by God?
What about the story where a man offers and allows his dauhter to be raped rather than offend his angelic guests. I would have to reread and find this exact spot but its in the early parts of Old Testament.
God repeatedly threatens the Jews with terrible things if they turn to other gods.
How could a God be jealous?
The bottom line is none of this takes away from the beauty or the message of the Bible.
It was written at a time where life was very different and even amdist all this we have the New Testament which preached peace.
Of course, Jesus openly admits he has come not to bring peace but the sword.
He also was violently opposed to the Roman regime and his actions were very much like the Occupy Movement when he overturned the money tables.
Still, all in all the message is a positive one and intelligent people can look past all of the cultural colorings of the times the Bible was written in.
It may surprise many that the Koran teaches Jesus was a prophet.
The Koran has the sroty of the nstivity etc etc.
All these books have violent passages.
People dont choose the religion they are born in too.
If Christians want to convert then they best know what they are facing and demonstrate the good natured disposition of Americans rather than reinforcing the LIES of the BEARDED FOOLS who tell their people we are Devils.
The best way to reverse this is to demonstrate love and kindness.
I am no Bible expert but I do Giving examples of terrible acts on either side in no way condems ALL people of a given religion.
This is just false logic.
I send all the best wishes to everyone. Even those who have disagreed with me.
If I was offensive please accept my apologies.
I just hate to see intolerance. It is a very unAmerican virtue.
