Ok, before I begin, I think it's important that I explain that I'm an atheist and I'm extremely intrigued by judeo-christian theology. So, with that said, I'll get to the point.
Lately I've been reading the christian bible. The Old Testament mostly since coming from a catholic family, I'm already pretty familiar with the New Testament. Anyhow, thus far I've read the books of Genesis and The Exodus and I've got to say, God seems way more human than devine. Oh and he/she/it is kind of a jerk. Take the story of Job. Job is a very pious man. He devoted his entire being to God and saw that all of his children did the same. So one day the devil basically tells God that his "human expriment" (thats my own term) is a failure. So God says, "What about Job?" To which the devil says, "Let me test his faith." (I'm paraphraising of course.) So, the devil takes all of Job's posessions and still, Job is faithful. Then, the devil kills his sons and still, Job is faithful and devoted. It's only after the devil strikes Job with desease that he questions his faith. So what does God do? He chastizes Job for losing faith. Finally Job repents and God takes his disease away and lets him be. My question is; what kind of loving god would do that just to prove a point? Now let's look at the story of Moses. I'm sure we all have a basic idea of the story of the exodus so I wont go into all the details. But, at the end, Moses doesnt get into heaven. What the hell? (no pun intended). Then theres the story of the guy (can't remember his name) who God commands to sacrifice his own son to prove his devotion. It's only at the last second that God intercedes and says he doesn't have to do it. What kind of sick game is that? I think by now you get my point. So thousands of years pass, and finally we get Jesus of Nazereth and I gotta say, what a great guy. I might not believe in all of the supernatural stuff but other than that he seemed to be a wonderful person who, even if you dont believe in the whole "Son of Man" thing either, you gotta agree with the things he taught. And through his journeys he did a great deal to change the perception that God was a loving deity instead of a vengeful one. But, the Jews, being used to the idea of God's wrath, didn't believe in Jesus. Could you really blame them? Eventually, a few people came around but, not enough because the remaining Jews had the Romans kill him. But, before you think I'm blaming it all on the Jews, you gotta remember, it was God's will. You remember him,that loving compassionate deity? So, with all that said, God willed the killing of the only person who was trying to make him look good. But, let's not forget that Jesus went willingly, never questioning his duties and he was tortured and killed for his troubles. But as we all know, christianity flourished and christian leaders still envoke the name of Jesus to explain why God is mad at us and punishes us. Because, "He so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son to die for their transgressions." To me thats a bad business decision.
If anybody is offended by this, I apologize deeply as it was not my intention. I'm merely trying to explain my own perspective.
I'd like to quote Mohandas Ghandi,"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."
PLEASE!!!! Keep in mind these are MY OWN opinions and views if you don't agree I totally respect that as I would hope you would respect that I don't agree with any of your views that may be contradictory to mine.
I realize that this is a weird time to say all of this as it is Christmas Eve so, obviously I'm not a master of timing but i think it was brought on because of this time of year.
But, in the spirit of Chrstmas I implore everyone weather you're christian jew muslim bhuddist etc. to honor the words of Jesus of Nazereth and love one another and live peacefully. I might not believe in the devine but I gotta believe in that. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, and Happy Holidays.
Love
-Foor Life-
