Comments on: Did God condone and order mass killings? http://seekism.wordpress.com/2005/10/01/did-god-condone-and-order-mass-killings/ the act of passionate inquiry.... Sun, 24 Aug 2008 17:13:17 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: carlton figg http://seekism.wordpress.com/2005/10/01/did-god-condone-and-order-mass-killings/#comment-2288 carlton figg Thu, 01 Nov 2007 11:35:01 +0000 http://seekism.wordpress.com/2005/06/17/did-god-condone-and-order-mass-killings/#comment-2288 Good for you. Margaret Harrison. I am with you in the belief that the scriptures have been twisted and "tainted" to suit the people and organisations that were writing them at the time. Mostly, the Bible appears to be a history of the Jewish people -- a little history and a lot of mythology. But I'm referring to the Old Testament -- and by this I mean that my belief in Jesus Christ and the Gospels must not be questioned. I don't need to listen to the clergy ( from whatever church) to believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ. However, I don't believe in the resurrection of the human body as we know it. I believe this is one area in which the scriptures have been distorted. The so-called resurrection "of the body" is a deliberate falsehood by vested interests who are keeping congregations in check by using a policy of carrot-and-stick, and who are also exploiting mankind's fear of the unknown (after death, what ?) . St. Peter himself said that Jesus was "killed in the flesh and raised in the spirit" --- meaning, obviously, that it is the spirit that rises. Even Paul was at pains to explain that the mortal body as we know it does NOT rise from the dead and that, instead, it is transformed into something more acceptable to Heaven. But despite these very clear teachings, our spiritual leaders persist with a fairy-tale version of bodily life after death. They appear to have learnt nothing from the words of Jesus on the Cross, when He commended his "Spirit" to the Lord. I do not agree that the New Testament contains untruths. But yes, the truth has so often been distorted beyond recognition. We all know why -- all except bigots. Only the truth will set us free --not a bundle of lies ! Good for you. Margaret Harrison. I am with you in the belief that the scriptures have been twisted and “tainted” to suit the people and organisations that were writing them at the time. Mostly, the Bible appears to be a history of the Jewish people — a little history and a lot of mythology. But I’m referring to the Old Testament — and by this I mean that my belief in Jesus Christ and the Gospels must not be questioned. I don’t need to listen to the clergy ( from whatever church) to believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ. However, I don’t believe in the resurrection of the human body as we know it. I believe this is one area in which the scriptures have been distorted. The so-called resurrection “of the body” is a deliberate falsehood by vested interests who are keeping congregations in check by using a policy of carrot-and-stick, and who are also exploiting mankind’s fear of the unknown (after death, what ?) . St. Peter himself said that Jesus was “killed in the flesh and raised in the spirit” — meaning, obviously, that it is the spirit that rises. Even Paul was at pains to explain that the mortal body as we know it does NOT rise from the dead and that, instead, it is transformed into something more acceptable to Heaven. But despite these very clear teachings, our spiritual leaders persist with a fairy-tale version of bodily life after death. They appear to have learnt nothing from the words of Jesus on the Cross, when He commended his “Spirit” to the Lord.

I do not agree that the New Testament contains untruths. But yes, the truth has so often been distorted beyond recognition. We all know why — all except bigots. Only the truth will set us free –not a bundle of lies !

]]> By: Margaret Harrison http://seekism.wordpress.com/2005/10/01/did-god-condone-and-order-mass-killings/#comment-1442 Margaret Harrison Fri, 13 Jul 2007 19:51:00 +0000 http://seekism.wordpress.com/2005/06/17/did-god-condone-and-order-mass-killings/#comment-1442 I just read Numbers 31 to 34 again. It seems to me that the priest Eleazar took part in Moses decisions to tell the Isralies to kill everyone in the lands mentioned therein, including Eleazar's land, and all this people, including his own son that was in power. Then half was divided: the priest got a portion of the booty of animals and people captured. Moses [acting on behalf of God's tribute] got a portion, and the Isrelie Army got a portion of half. The Isrelie people got the other half. Sounds like the first financial corruption of the church to me. The Isralies killed many and then occupied Canaan. ] Was it really and truly God's will for all of this killing from that "beginning". So does "Canaan" really belong to the Isralies? I do not believe that God would create man, and then set us to killing each other. Why do you think that Christ came to save the souls of the NON Hebrews, and give them (today's Christian's) the "inheritance of Heaven"; and He was clear that in the end times, only those Hebrews that repent, will be restore their true inheritance. I don't hate anyone. I do believe that the Hebrews, the Muslims, and the whole world is at war because of the UNtruths that got into our Bible, and our beliefs. Christ came to give us the truth, but even that part of the Bible has been tainted with the zeal of the times in which it was written. The TRUE BIBLE is in your HEARTS. You KNOW what is right and what is wrong. Believe in that, and you will please the true GOD ALMIGHTY Lord of us all. I just read Numbers 31 to 34 again. It seems to me that the priest Eleazar took part in Moses decisions to tell the Isralies to kill everyone in the lands mentioned therein, including Eleazar’s land, and all this people, including his own son that was in power.
Then half was divided: the priest got a portion of the booty of animals and people captured. Moses [acting on behalf of God's tribute] got a portion, and the Isrelie Army got a portion of half.
The Isrelie people got the other half.
Sounds like the first financial corruption of the church to me. The Isralies killed many and then occupied Canaan. ]
Was it really and truly God’s will for all of this killing from that “beginning”.
So does “Canaan” really belong to the Isralies?
I do not believe that God would create man, and then set us to killing each other.
Why do you think that Christ came to save the souls of the NON Hebrews, and give them (today’s Christian’s) the “inheritance of Heaven”; and He was clear that in the end times, only those Hebrews that repent, will be restore their true inheritance.
I don’t hate anyone. I do believe that the Hebrews, the Muslims, and the whole world is at war because of the UNtruths that got into our Bible, and our beliefs.
Christ came to give us the truth, but even that part of the Bible has been tainted with the zeal of the times in which it was written.
The TRUE BIBLE is in your HEARTS. You KNOW what is right and what is wrong. Believe in that, and you will please the true GOD ALMIGHTY Lord of us all.

]]> By: roopster http://seekism.wordpress.com/2005/10/01/did-god-condone-and-order-mass-killings/#comment-1398 roopster Fri, 29 Jun 2007 00:18:23 +0000 http://seekism.wordpress.com/2005/06/17/did-god-condone-and-order-mass-killings/#comment-1398 cragar, I'm around. Thanks for the tag!!! Paul cragar,

I’m around. Thanks for the tag!!!

Paul

]]> By: cragar http://seekism.wordpress.com/2005/10/01/did-god-condone-and-order-mass-killings/#comment-1397 cragar Thu, 28 Jun 2007 16:27:08 +0000 http://seekism.wordpress.com/2005/06/17/did-god-condone-and-order-mass-killings/#comment-1397 roopster, If you are around I tagged you. http://cragar.wordpress.com/2007/06/28/tagged/ roopster, If you are around I tagged you.

http://cragar.wordpress.com/2007/06/28/tagged/

]]> By: cragar http://seekism.wordpress.com/2005/10/01/did-god-condone-and-order-mass-killings/#comment-1353 cragar Thu, 21 Jun 2007 16:38:11 +0000 http://seekism.wordpress.com/2005/06/17/did-god-condone-and-order-mass-killings/#comment-1353 <i>The reason God commanded Isreal to completely wipe out surrounding nations was because first of all, they were harrassing Isreal. As Isreal’s king wouldn’t you want to protect your people from harm. The second reason is because Isreal was conquering their land. God knew that if they didn’t completely wipe out the surrounding races they would continue to harrass Isreal and claim right to the land. </i> Or maybe it was just the Isrealites writing things down to justify conquering other lands and killing everyone except the virgin women. Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him But all the women children, that have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves Num 31:17-18 The reason God commanded Isreal to completely wipe out surrounding nations was because first of all, they were harrassing Isreal. As Isreal’s king wouldn’t you want to protect your people from harm. The second reason is because Isreal was conquering their land. God knew that if they didn’t completely wipe out the surrounding races they would continue to harrass Isreal and claim right to the land.

Or maybe it was just the Isrealites writing things down to justify conquering other lands and killing everyone except the virgin women.

Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him
But all the women children, that have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves Num 31:17-18

]]> By: dosnlinux http://seekism.wordpress.com/2005/10/01/did-god-condone-and-order-mass-killings/#comment-1299 dosnlinux Mon, 18 Jun 2007 03:09:15 +0000 http://seekism.wordpress.com/2005/06/17/did-god-condone-and-order-mass-killings/#comment-1299 These are images of the same God. God demands obidiance. He has always demanded obediance. From the Ark's beginning God said "touch it and die" (with the exception of certain priests) As for the bald prophet, prophets speak for God. Would you tease a king's messenger and show contempt for their position and what the king has to say? Would you not expect reprecusion for that? The reason God commanded Isreal to completely wipe out surrounding nations was because first of all, they were harrassing Isreal. As Isreal's king wouldn't you want to protect your people from harm. The second reason is because Isreal was conquering their land. God knew that if they didn't completely wipe out the surrounding races they would continue to harrass Isreal and claim right to the land. Also, if there's one thing that really gets on God's bad side it's rebellion and disobediance. This is what sin is, which the punishment is death. This explains why God sent various plagues/deaths to Isreal. It also explains why God killed the misc. "coups" that tried to depose Moses. 'The LORD is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.' - Numbers 14:18 He's the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow, and if people would get to know him better (by reading entire Bible not just parts) and stop trying to turn God into what they want him to be they could see this. This is why Christianity is in the shape it's in today, and why were so busy bickering with each other over stuff that's stated quite plainly. These are images of the same God. God demands obidiance. He has always demanded obediance. From the Ark’s beginning God said “touch it and die” (with the exception of certain priests)

As for the bald prophet, prophets speak for God. Would you tease a king’s messenger and show contempt for their position and what the king has to say? Would you not expect reprecusion for that?

The reason God commanded Isreal to completely wipe out surrounding nations was because first of all, they were harrassing Isreal. As Isreal’s king wouldn’t you want to protect your people from harm. The second reason is because Isreal was conquering their land. God knew that if they didn’t completely wipe out the surrounding races they would continue to harrass Isreal and claim right to the land.

Also, if there’s one thing that really gets on God’s bad side it’s rebellion and disobediance. This is what sin is, which the punishment is death. This explains why God sent various plagues/deaths to Isreal. It also explains why God killed the misc. “coups” that tried to depose Moses.

‘The LORD is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.’ – Numbers 14:18

He’s the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow, and if people would get to know him better (by reading entire Bible not just parts) and stop trying to turn God into what they want him to be they could see this.

This is why Christianity is in the shape it’s in today, and why were so busy bickering with each other over stuff that’s stated quite plainly.

]]> By: Denes de Sainte-Claire (Baron Del) http://seekism.wordpress.com/2005/10/01/did-god-condone-and-order-mass-killings/#comment-362 Denes de Sainte-Claire (Baron Del) Sat, 08 Oct 2005 04:38:54 +0000 http://seekism.wordpress.com/2005/06/17/did-god-condone-and-order-mass-killings/#comment-362 ''If what he [Jesus Christ] said was good and so much of it is absolutely beautiful, what can it matter if he was God or not?''--Kurt Vonnegut ”If what he [Jesus Christ] said was good and so much of it is absolutely beautiful, what can it matter if he was God or not?”–Kurt Vonnegut

]]> By: Denes de Sainte-Claire (Baron Del) http://seekism.wordpress.com/2005/10/01/did-god-condone-and-order-mass-killings/#comment-361 Denes de Sainte-Claire (Baron Del) Thu, 06 Oct 2005 15:45:38 +0000 http://seekism.wordpress.com/2005/06/17/did-god-condone-and-order-mass-killings/#comment-361 stevej,<br/><br/>Is it possible that the "God" story was [originally] a fabrication that has been built upon, and used over the years? stevej,

Is it possible that the “God” story was [originally] a fabrication that has been built upon, and used over the years?

]]> By: SteveJ http://seekism.wordpress.com/2005/10/01/did-god-condone-and-order-mass-killings/#comment-360 SteveJ Wed, 05 Oct 2005 16:24:12 +0000 http://seekism.wordpress.com/2005/06/17/did-god-condone-and-order-mass-killings/#comment-360 People sometimes say that God formerly acted one way but now acts another because of what Jesus did. That bothers me. First, it makes Jesus appear to be a more lovely being than God and suggests that the former can change the latter's character. Second, it short-shrifts the fact that the New Testament scriptures also contain descriptions of divine severity.<br/><br/>Clearly, there is a development in the Bible concerning God's nature and character. In Genesis, He walks with humans in the garden, doesn't know certain things and seems to require ethical conduct only toward kin. By the time of the prophets, a different picture emerges.<br/><br/>Our theology should leave room for an evolution of ideas concerning the Sacred. People sometimes say that God formerly acted one way but now acts another because of what Jesus did. That bothers me. First, it makes Jesus appear to be a more lovely being than God and suggests that the former can change the latter’s character. Second, it short-shrifts the fact that the New Testament scriptures also contain descriptions of divine severity.

Clearly, there is a development in the Bible concerning God’s nature and character. In Genesis, He walks with humans in the garden, doesn’t know certain things and seems to require ethical conduct only toward kin. By the time of the prophets, a different picture emerges.

Our theology should leave room for an evolution of ideas concerning the Sacred.

]]> By: BruceA http://seekism.wordpress.com/2005/10/01/did-god-condone-and-order-mass-killings/#comment-359 BruceA Thu, 22 Sep 2005 19:11:15 +0000 http://seekism.wordpress.com/2005/06/17/did-god-condone-and-order-mass-killings/#comment-359 I would say that the views listed in the "Liberal Christians" section from religioustolerance.org is a pretty accurate reflection of my own beliefs.<br/><br/>Baron Del -<br/><br/>Thanks for the quote. I've added it to my database. I would say that the views listed in the “Liberal Christians” section from religioustolerance.org is a pretty accurate reflection of my own beliefs.

Baron Del -

Thanks for the quote. I’ve added it to my database.

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