|
Post by keikikoka on Dec 15, 2003 21:42:09 GMT -5
kkawhol, where are you getting your ideas from who God is and how we relate to them? I also wonder why you are using people from the bible as examples of your beliefs when they taught the opposite of what you are saying..
Also-your level of consciousness scale is wrong. First-sleep isn't a lesser area of consciousness. Infact it isn't on the scale at all.
The real scale is this:
1) consciousness-a full sense of awarness of yourself and the environment.
2)confusion-loss of ability to think rapidly and clearly; impared judgment and decision making.
3)Disorientation-Beginning loss of consciousnessl disorientation to time followed by disorientation to place and impared memory; regonition of self is last to be lost.
4)Lethary-Limited spontaneous movement or speech ,arouses easily with sleep or touch; may be disorientated to time, place, or person.
5)Obtundation-mild to moderate reduction in arousal with limited response to the environment; falls asleep unless stimulated verbally or tactilly; answers questions with minimum response.
6)stupor-The partial or nearly complete unconsciousness, manifested by the subject's responding only to vigorous stimulation. Response is often withdrawel or grabbing at stimulus.
7) Coma-No verbal response to external environment or to any stimulil; noxious stimuli such as deep pain or suctioning yeild motor movement. Associated with non purposful movement only to stimulation.
8)light coma-associated with purposeful movement on stimuli
9)Deep coma-unresponsivness to any stimulus.
Then you got cerebral death-perment brain damage, but your body can still stay alive. Lastly there is brain stem damage where the body can't maintain itself.
|
|
|
Post by mook2357 on Dec 15, 2003 22:03:14 GMT -5
kkawohl, Hey, I liked what you had to say about children and their spirit...however, I think that you misinterpret the youngest children (before two years...) I have four children of my own (all boys) and with this last child especially, I have been able to totally relate spiritually to all he is experiencing. I have wondered at how when he was first born and desired to cry, his WHOLE body particpated...the unity in that howl was wonderful. His whole body takes a part in everything from eating (where his whole body would conform to my body as I nursed him) to crying (his feet extended, his fists balled, his face thrown back and howling...) or even elimination (curls his whole body into a fetal position, and if they stay VERY focused on the task). When he first "discovered" his hands, you could see the strain in SEPARATING his "body" from the act of "this member" of his body...true independence was born at his birth (the separation of his body and life force from my own), but his bodily independence was won at this moment...as he separated tasks within his own body...he was able to at this point initiate his OWN actions... Now he is learning to crawl, and again, it is so awesome to REALIZE what he is doing...to watch a baby doing pushups!! I always wondered who ever thought of doing THAT for "exercise" yet DUH...it isn't who thought of it...it is who remembered... To watch him bounce forward, as he still struggles with the separating his "members" from the "whole" of his body...he bounces forward and back on his hands and knees until he finally falls flat on his face.... And he rolls over and LAUGHS...because HE DID IT. See his GOAL was progress...and HE MADE IT. The little things we miss as we age. A child's spirit separates at LEAST at birth...it is developing from then on...even in his smile... But I would even venture to suggest that it separated much sooner...God formed us in the womb.
|
|
|
Post by musicalinsanity on Dec 16, 2003 16:04:40 GMT -5
Kkawohl,
From your post in response to mine, I will assume that you never read my post. Considering you neither disputed what I said or even acknowledged it, I will assume that that is because you have no answer because you know that what I said is indesputeable. I rest my case.
Andrea
|
|
|
Post by kkawohl on Dec 16, 2003 17:11:09 GMT -5
In this 21st Century, the Age of Technology, we are still plagued by religious beliefs that may be a contributing cause of terrorism, killings and wars between nations. Belief in a God who causes catastrophes, punishes people and who created the universe out of nothing as if by magic was brought about by hysteria and superstition. This thought process needs to be rpkmtyoleessed and brought up to date. Open-minded people must use common sense to determine whether this God was incorrectly perceived, misinterpreted and misunderstood by the pkmtyolmes of a bygone era.
In U.S.A. there are more than 1500 religious denomination and faith groups, including 900 Christian, 100 Hindu and 75 Buddhist denominations.
Perception plays a major role in religions. There are numerous interpretations of the Scriptures, hence there are various sects who use the same source, the Bible or the Qur'an, but come to different conclusions. Religious differences are acceptable by the majority as long as fanaticism does not cause physical confrontations.
The ironic fact is that the followers of these religions all claim to live by the Word of God. Many claim that God has personally talked to their messengers who have relayed these Words of God to others. Apparently the Words of God were either misinterpreted, God is contradicting himself, or we start all over again by each side claiming to live by and having heard the Word of God correctly.
When establishing an association with the present day problems between Jews, Christians and Muslims, we can come up with numerous answers, however if there were no distinctions between Muslims, Jews, and Christians, strife would be nonexistent. The major distinction is religion. Muslims have been led to believe that they must expand Islam by any means at their disposal in order to please Allah/God. In many regions occupied by Muslims, conflicts have arisen with their neighbors.
If Jews, Christians and Muslims would ever come to the realization that their God is the same logical deity, rationality would dictate peace and eliminate borders.
When peoples' concept of God is flawed, corrections, truth, logic and common sense thereof must eventually prevail. Human fallibility and misconceptions have labeled God for past millennia as one who interferes with the natural forces and free will of people by threatening punishment to those who disobey his bidding.
The God of our ancestors had to be humanized in order to have the pkmtyolmes adapt the thought processes to that time period.
God does not change with the times but our perception of who God is should change as societies eliminate their superstitious beliefs. God, the Ultimate Spirit consists of Supreme Purity, Pure Intelligence, Pure Logic, etc., is not encumbered by human attributes and has no needs, or a desire to be worshiped, prayed to, exalted, venerated, deified, or anything else that we have to offer.
Human characteristics are to exercise upon others: power, control, dominance, destruction, punishment, revenge, judgment. Everyone is individually and personally totally responsible for his own soul's destiny. The destruction of civilizations, most sufferings and premature deaths are due to human frailties, stupidity or imperfections and are not God's doings. God, exists in a spiritual realm and never has and never will interfere with anything on earth or in the universe.
God is interested in and is involved in humanity, but does not interfere in any way in our physical lives. God guides the development of the universe and everything thereon like a Master Planner. Our relationship and interaction of our spirit with the Spirit of God is for our, not God's benefit.
God Will Not Condemn Anyone
Our intelligence compared to God is like that of a 2 year old child. God will make allowances for our ignorance.
It doesn't matter to God whether we believe that God is/was: 1. Created by the spirit and soul and evolved to be the supreme intelligence. 2. The beginning, always was, came out of nowhere and created the heavens and earth. 3 The one supreme ruler who dominates the universe. 4. Called God, God Almighty, Jehovah, God of Abraham, Allah or whatever.
It doesn't matter to God whether we: 1. Think that Jesus is God or a prophet. 2. Believe that the Bible or the Qur'an is the word of God or man. 3. Eat pork, dress or pray a certain way. 4. Are straight, gay, white, black, or whatever.
It is of no importance during our physical life whether God exists or not if one so chooses. Whether or not one believes in a spirit or God really makes no difference to God. Righteous living will determine the continuance and destiny of our spirit/soul. One's life can be enhanced by receiving solace and being comforted during life's trials and tribulations by having our spirit inspired by the Spirit of God.
Hope and inspiration rejoices our spirit and gives us a reason for continuing during hopeless times.There is a reason for our existence just like there is a reason for the existence of everything in the universe. Mankind as far as we know is the only one born with a soul which is spiritual and can transcend into the spiritual realm upon leaving our physical body.
When people first acquired reasoning abilities, the first fear of an unseen deity came about when lightning and thunder caused them to cringe and seek shelter. Lightning and thunder were thought to be punishment from God for evil deeds. Worshiping God through prayers and asking for forgiveness eventually as the storm pkmtyolped was believed to appease the wrath of God or the Gods.
Rationality and logic should eventually eliminates all superstition. Fear of an uncertain future has been instilled in many through conditioning. Truth of who/what God is, if honestly presented and practiced by the presenter himself, should eventually prevail.
Truth and logic require a foundation, the foundation being our realization that our forefathers intentions for our soul's continuity was their conviction that God had personally spoken to his messengers and had instructed them in what God desired. What was considered the truth about God was whatever society adopted thereof during their time when presuppositions of the concept of God was compared to a required domination by a ruler who was capable of enforcing laws adaptable for the society of that time period.
Religion is a set of beliefs involving symbols regarded as sacred, together with ritual practices in which members of the community engage. Religious practices originated from a fear of God. Judaism and Islam are more closely tied to these ancient practices than Christianity which is a more modernized belief that combines a love and a fear of God and came into existence two millennia ago. We have made great advances since then in technology and our standard of living but our religious practices have not advanced.
Judaism originated a monotheist God and Islam and Christianity is the offshoot thereof. Abraham according to Genesis was the first person with whom God chose to have a special relationship. His spirit as well as those of several others after him interacted with the Spirit of God; this was misinterpreted and claims were made by others that God had physically spoken with him. Soon thereafter God was viewed as having human-like features and one who performed great miracles on earth. Stories snowballed and by the time they were written down many others claimed to have physically conversed with God.
All religious writings are by fallible men. God has not talked to them, if they heard voices they were schizophrenic. They may have been inspired by the Spirit of God or they just claimed to have spoken with God in order to elevate their standing amongst their peers or in the community. Now we can totally discard superstitions and discern God to be consisting of Supreme Purity which also reflects Supreme Intelligence, Supreme Logic, and Supreme Common Sense.
The God of Abraham, Moses, Noah, Jesus and other Prophets, is the same as the God of today who wants all souls to coexist in peace and tranquility for eternity. We can not see or physically talk with God, but our spirit can unite and can be blessed and guided by God's Spirit to accomplish the seemingly impossible. We can not physically control our spirit which only has interaction with our conscience.
God, also known as Allah, Yahweh, Lord, Supreme Being, Jehovah, Spirit of God, Supreme Spirit, etc., is a spirit of peace. When the body dies, the deserving spirit or soul is received by God into a peaceful coexistence with other souls for eternity. The souls of many Prophets, philosophers, holy men, our deceased relatives and even the simplest souls who by their love of humanity and exemplary living have helped to shape the lives of other will be there.
Here we are given many examples of the structure of God. Our life on earth is to prepare us for the beauty and rapture of the hereafter. We are here to accumulate experiences of feelings and the beauty of every organism that surrounds us; also the misery, pain and death of the body that demonstrates to us the futility of our physical lives.
Our spirit can often control the well-being of our body. With inspiration and blessings from the Spirit of God, our spirit very much like the wind, can carry us through our life's journey and experience the beauty of God's creative powers or we can choose to reject the interaction and muddle through life with no purpose, feeling empty, worthless and lonely. We can resonate despondency and gloom or bloom like the wildflower, bringing joy to many who have contact with us and live our lives with joy and the knowledge that we have a reason for living.
|
|
|
Post by SonWorshiper on Dec 16, 2003 17:44:47 GMT -5
"It is foolish to believe in a god you created. It is wise to believe in The God who created you."
Ancient Proverb (dates way back to 2002, spoken by the mouth of SonWorshiper)
|
|
|
Post by kkawohl on Dec 16, 2003 17:54:58 GMT -5
God does not change with the times but our perception of who God is should change as societies eliminate their superstitious beliefs.
|
|
|
Post by keikikoka on Dec 16, 2003 21:02:51 GMT -5
KKwahol, on what grounds or authority are you basing what you say?
|
|
|
Post by kkawohl on Dec 16, 2003 23:20:00 GMT -5
keikikoka,
Please read the (my) first posting on page1 of this thread.
Thank you. Kurt
|
|
|
Post by HomeAtLast on Dec 17, 2003 1:31:57 GMT -5
In this 21st Century, the Age of Technology, we are still plagued by religious beliefs that may be a contributing cause of terrorism, killings and wars between nations. Belief in a God who causes catastrophes, punishes people and who created the universe out of nothing as if by magic was brought about by hysteria and superstition. This thought process needs to be rpkmtyoleessed and brought up to date. Open-minded people must use common sense to determine whether this God was incorrectly perceived, misinterpreted and misunderstood by the pkmtyolmes of a bygone era. etc.... Kee, I have read your posts and have noticed no mention of Satan and how he fits into your equations, that is, if you believe in him. You quote the bible, so you have to acknowledge satan exists if you believe anything in the bible to be true. In my view your views are quite idealistic and way too simple. Wouldn't the world be wonderful if we all just did what we wanted to and did not worry about anyone else. Or would it be. As I read the papers and watch the news I see complete havoc and evil of people that do think only of themselves. They have created a lack of morality that is very scary. To say to center more on yourself is how the world has gotten in to the mess the world is in. You contend that alot of the world's problems were created by religions, I contend that alot of the world's problems have been created by the lack of some religious conviction. There are fanatics in every debate, not just religion. So you would not eliminate fanatacism if you eliminated religion. Seems to me that Satan would really celebrate over that possibility. What more could he ask for than to eliminate Jesus or God from our vocabulary. God Bless you in your search for the truth. Ann
|
|
|
Post by heathen76 on Dec 17, 2003 10:01:40 GMT -5
Kee, I have read your posts and have noticed no mention of Satan and how he fits into your equations, that is, if you believe in him. You quote the bible, so you have to acknowledge satan exists if you believe anything in the bible to be true. In my view your views are quite idealistic and way too simple. Wouldn't the world be wonderful if we all just did what we wanted to and did not worry about anyone else. Or would it be. As I read the papers and watch the news I see complete havoc and evil of people that do think only of themselves. They have created a lack of morality that is very scary. To say to center more on yourself is how the world has gotten in to the mess the world is in. You contend that alot of the world's problems were created by religions, I contend that alot of the world's problems have been created by the lack of some religious conviction. There are fanatics in every debate, not just religion. So you would not eliminate fanatacism if you eliminated religion. Seems to me that Satan would really celebrate over that possibility. What more could he ask for than to eliminate Jesus or God from our vocabulary. God Bless you in your search for the truth. Ann Is there some reason that you are addressing Kee here?
|
|
|
Post by kkawohl on Dec 17, 2003 10:20:29 GMT -5
Satan lives only in the imagination of people. My spiritual experiences witnessed God as being a spiritual unity. My spirit interacted with the Spirit of God which included the spirits of Muhammed, Jesus, Abraham, Moses and all of the souls who are a part of God. ( A well-known artist is in the process of painting a rendition thereof) In my first posting I stated, it felt as if my spirit left my body and it experienced being in a place with a gathering of souls or spirits. I sensed great peace, tranquility and ecstasy -- a rapture that was beyond a person's imagination. I felt as if I was a part of ALL, a part of God. I was mentally communicating and in sync with everyone, including not only some of my deceased acquaintances and relatives, but many of the prophets of the bible, and historical people I had read about. There was no dominant force, no forceful leader. I somehow knew who everyone was. Every thought interacted with the whole community. I had no questions; it seemed as if everything was revealed and crystal clear. I saw the universe stretched out with spirits engaged in mental interaction like master craftsmen contemplating the creation of a new frontier. My spirit observed the entire history and the evolution of the universe and our varying perceptions of God, as if in a fast-forward film. Until Jesus’ baptism by John at about the age of 30 he had been an obscure carpenter from Galilee. But the baptism marked the turning point in his life, his spirit interacted with the Spirit of God and he began to believe he could be the Messiah and he now had a mission. Jesus has been appropriately symbolically called the "Son of God" and "Prince of Peace" in the same way as it is applicable to many other messengers of God. They, as well as other "Men of God" who contributed to the compilation of the scriptures of the Qur’an, Bible and Torah were inspired by God to give us guidelines to live by. The spirit, when the mind is in mental stasis, can at times connect with the Supreme Spirit, as evidenced by messengers. (Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad, Ahmad, Bahaulla, etc.) The mind's ability to interpret this connection and messages is often deficient, hence we have the creation of various religions. God is spiritual, hence all interactions with man is via man's spirit. Man can not physically hear God's words therefore any claims of having heard God's words are incorrect. God does not contradict himself, it is man's claims of having heard God's instructions physically that is contradictory. Please peruse the Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam. www.alislam.org/books/philosophy/index.htmlIn The Philosophy of the Oaths of the Holy Quran paragraph 7 & 8 state: As six hundred years had pkmtyolped after the time of Jesus, and no recipient of revelation had appeared during the interval. The whole world had been corrupted. The history of every country shows that before the advent of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, falsehood had become current throughout the world. Why did this happen? This happened because divine revelation had been held back for a long time and the kingdom of heaven had fallen into the hands of human reason alone. No one is unaware of the corruption in which the people were involved by following defective reason. Thus when the rain of revelation did not descend for a period, the water of reason dried up. So in these oaths God Almighty draws attention to this firm and eternal law of nature and calls for reflection upon it that all the vegetation of the earth depends upon the water of heaven. Thus, for the hidden law that governs divine revelation the obvious law of nature is a witness. Then try to derive benefit from the testimony of this witness and do not make reason alone your guide, for it is not a water that can continue without heavenly water. As it is a characteristic of heavenly water that it pulls up the water of all the wells, whether it falls directly into a well or not, in the same way, when a recipient of divine revelation appears in the world then, whether a wise person follows him or not, reason is illumined and clarified to a degree not witnessed before. People begin to search for the truth and their faculty of reflection is stirred up from the unseen. Thus, all this upsurge of reason and of the heart is initiated by the blessed advent of the recipient of divine revelation and the waters of the earth are pulled up by it. So, when you find that everyone has started a search for religion and an upsurge has stirred earthly waters, then rise up and be warned and know for certain that heavy rain has fallen from heaven and that the water of divine revelation has fallen upon a human heart. Islam, Bahaism, Sikhism and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Communities could combine their resources and be the leaders of a new vision of unity. Yet it is ironic that these four faiths who have been founded by the latest messengers of God battle amongst themselves for the right to be the correct one. There will always be subsequent messengers as long as mankind exists. Namaste, Kurt
|
|
|
Post by HomeAtLast on Dec 17, 2003 11:34:07 GMT -5
Satan lives only in the imagination of people. My spiritual experiences witnessed God as being a spiritual unity. My spirit interacted with the Spirit of God which included the spirits of Muhammed, Jesus, Abraham, Moses and all of the souls who are a part of God. ( A well-known artist is in the process of painting a rendition thereof) In my first posting I stated, it felt as if my spirit left my body and it experienced being in a place with a gathering of souls or spirits. I sensed great peace, tranquility and ecstasy -- a rapture that was beyond a person's imagination. I felt as if I was a part of ALL, a part of God. I was mentally communicating and in sync with everyone, including not only some of my deceased acquaintances and relatives, but many of the prophets of the bible, and historical people I had read about. There was no dominant force, no forceful leader. I somehow knew who everyone was. Every thought interacted with the whole community. I had no questions; it seemed as if everything was revealed and crystal clear. I saw the universe stretched out with spirits engaged in mental interaction like master craftsmen contemplating the creation of a new frontier. My spirit observed the entire history and the evolution of the universe and our varying perceptions of God, as if in a fast-forward film. Namaste, Kurt Kurt, It would be wonderful to wear rose colored gpkmtyolles all of the time or even live in a rose colored world. I think that the communication that people such as Moses had with God was described by these people as hearing his words, maybe as the best way they knew to describe the experience to other limited human beings so that others would understand and not call them schizophrenic. As for Jesus being an obscure carpenter until age 30, he profoundly taught in the temple at age 12 and the elders listened. Not your usual 12 year old. I once heard a story read on the radio of Satan's demons reporting to him on how the corruption of the world was going. After trying many scenarios they were successful in convincing the people to think of only themselves. Thinking of themselves as gods. Your posts immediately brought that to my mind. People that murder do it for reasons to benefit only themselves. They steal only thinking of themselves. So to me saying to center on yourself is very scary. Bless you, Ann
|
|
|
Post by HomeAtLast on Dec 17, 2003 11:35:02 GMT -5
Is there some reason that you are addressing Kee here? Oops, sorry, meant Kurt. Blessings, Ann
|
|
|
Post by SonWorshiper on Dec 17, 2003 11:46:09 GMT -5
Greetings kurt!
Have you ever heard of the law of non-contradiction? It's the law that if two things contradict each other both of them cannot be right.
An example of extreme contradiction would be The Bible and Christianity and the koran and Islam.
The Bible teaches that God had a Son, birthed of a virgin by the Seed of The Holy Spirit. The Son grew up, performed miracles and told people about the goodness and severity of The Lord. He eventually died on a cross for the sins of the world, was buried and was resurrected the third day.
The koran teaches that God didn't have a Son, that Jesus, although a good man and prophet, was in no way God's Son. It also teaches that Jesus didn't die on a cross for anybody's sins, and therefore has not been resurrected.
The Lord Jesus also taught us to love our enemies and to reach the world by sharing God's love and mercy to the lost that is found in the glorious gospel of His Dear Son.
Mohammad used force and basically gave people the choice to either convert to his beliefs or be pillaged and be killed. He was an adulterer who even married a nine-year-old little girl, which would also make him a pedophile in today's culture.
So, as you can see, there is quite a contradiction between the two religions, and more importantly, between the two men, The Lord Jesus Christ and Mohammed.
I find it highly offensive that you would put my Lord Jesus Christ, The Lord of Glory, in the same category as Mohammed, who was nothing more than an adulterous murdering pedophile.
Furthermore, your beliefs offend the law of non-contradiction, for this law requires that two things that are contrary to one another cannot both be right. Clearly, the teachings of The Bible and the teachings of the koran are very contradictory to one another. For you to say that God has inspired both of them is evidence that you are extremely void of any redeeming truth.
I humbly submit to you that you have been deceived by a lying spirit who has convinced you of the error of your ways. You rely on your spiritual experiences for truth. This is incredible folly on your part, for only foolish people put more faith in their personal experiences rather than The Word of God.
What must you do? Repent of these evil and seductive rantings of yours, and bow your knee to The Lord Jesus Christ, and He will bring true greatness to you.
Until you do this, you will be nothing more than a pawn used by the deceiver, a blind leader of the blind, and in the end doomed to a Christless eternity.
Sincerely, SonWorshiper
|
|
|
Post by kkawohl on Dec 17, 2003 12:36:01 GMT -5
The Word Of God?
The Ultimate Truth is indecipherable by the human mind and can only be divulged to the spirit which also often misinterprets its meaning, hence we have various religions and beliefs. The quest for the Truth is futile during our lifetime but our spirit when in deep meditation, is at times able to communicate with the Ultimate Spirit (Truth, Purity, Supreme, God, Allah, etc.).
Meditation is the only essential in religion, everything else is nonessential ritual or conditioning. God is incorporeal, all that is spiritual in a spiritual state or dimension.
The greatest scams which include deceit, swindle, and fraud, for several millennia, that have ever been perpetrated on mankind have been in the name of God. Many will disagree because "It is written in the Holy Books"; to which I say, "by fallible men who let their imaginations run amuck".
The "Holy Books" (Bible, Torah, Qur’an) were written during a time when superstitions prevailed. Superstitions are an irrational belief that someone or something causes an action or circumstance not logically related to a course of events that influences its outcome. A belief, practice, or rite irrationally maintained by ignorance of the laws of nature or by faith in magic or chance. A fearful or abject state of mind resulting from such ignorance or irrationality.
Bible Irrationalities - Where is the rationality of the Bible in the following instances?
God tells Moses that ANY work done on the Sabbath is punishable by death. Exodus 31:14 Ye shall keep the Sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.
Numbers 15:32 15:35 And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the Sabbath day. And the LORD said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp.
Exodus Highlights: God teaches Moses some magic tricks. 4:2-9, 7:8-11, 7:17-20 God hardens the Pharaoh's heart.4:21, 7:3, 7:13, 9:12, 10:1, 10:20, 10:27, 11:10,14:8 God tries to kill Moses. 4:23-25 Moses has uncircumcised lips. 6:12, 6:30 God's first plague on the Egyptians: Rivers turned to blood. 7:17-22 (Pharaoh's magicians knew this trick, too.) Second Plague: Frogs. (Pharaoh's magicians do likewise.) 8:2-7 Third Plague: Lice. (Pharaoh's magicians couldn't do this one!) 8:16-18 Fourth Plague: Flies. 8:21-24 Fifth Plague: God kills the cattle. 9:3 Sixth Plague: Boils. 9:9 Seventh Plague: Hail. 9:19 Eighth Plague: Locusts. 10:5 Ninth Plague: Darkness. 10:21 Tenth Plague: God kills firstborn children and animals. 12:29-30 God threatens to kill the Pharaoh's firstborn son. 4:23 God plans to murder the Egyptian firstborn humans and animals. 11:4-5, 12:12, 13:15 God murders the Egyptian firstborn humans and animals. 12:30 God plans to drown Pharaoh's army. 14:17-18 God drowns Pharaoh's army. 14:27-28 "The Lord is a man of war." 15:3 God punishes the children for the sins of their fathers. 20:5, 34:7 (unto the third and fourth generations) Instructions for buying a slave. 21:2 Instructions for selling your daughter. 21:7 Instructions for taking a second wife. 21:10 Children who strike their parents are to be killed. 21:15 It's OK to beat a slave as long as he lives a day or two "for he is his money." 21:20-21 "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live." 22:18 You must kill those who worship another god. 22:20 If you misbehave, God will kill you with his own sword . 22:24 God's feet. 24:10 God's finger. 8:19, 31:18 Sabbath breakers must be killed. 31:14-15, 35:2 God repents. 32:14 God tells every man to slay "his brother, companion, neighbor." 32:27 God speaks to Moses "face to face." 33:11 God shows Moses his "back parts." 33:23 God's name is "Jealous." 34:14
The Bible was written during a time when superstitions prevailed. There were claims of visions of God physically, and physical conversations with God and the devil.
A road map to God, the "Holy Books" that were considered to be correct and applicable during the time that they were written, would not be totally correct and applicable today by any stretch of the imagination. Oh yes, of course, it says in the "Holy Books" that everything therein is the gospel truth.
A rocket scientist who would attempt to apply his knowledge to a time two thousand years from now, would be considered feeble minded.
The Bible or Torah refers to God as representing a masculine anthropomorphic figure; as the king-like ruler who demands that everyone worship him and unquestionably do his bidding through eternity.
In this 21st Century many religious beliefs are as antiquated as in several millennia past. Most stories in the Bible were pkmtyolped down verbally through generations, with new additions by each generation. In past centuries superstitions were the norm. Isn't it about time that a belief in God, if one so chooses, makes sense.
We can use the Bible as stepping stones that lead to God; we should not interpret everything therein literally. Now our perception of God should be interlaced with logic and common sense if we want to have our beliefs, just like the foundation, get stronger over time.
|
|