FEAR IS A TOOL
The Bible is chalk full of FEAR. The Bible even says to "fear God" and at the same time it says that "there is no fear in love." Contradiction? Yes, to those of us who think, but not to Bible apologists, who move heaven and earth to defend the indefensible. If God is LOVE, then why would He expect His human creation to live in FEAR of Him? Perhaps a better alternative is to respect God, because He is really about LOVE, although the Bible in many parts portrays Him abysmally otherwise.
In the story about Ananias and Sapphira in the book of Acts, we read that God supposedly struck these two people down dead at the feet of Peter, over $money matters and lying. This story is pure fiction! If it really did happen, then God could not possibly be responsible. Why is that so? Simply because it so contradicts the teachings of Jesus Christ, that it makes no sense. In another account in the Gospels, we read that two of the disciples of Jesus wanted to call down fire out of heaven and consume some folks that they had issues with, to which Jesus rebuked them saying that He (Jesus Christ) came NOT to destroy the lives of men, but to SAVE. How is it possible that Jesus could teach "do unto others as you would have them do unto you", "love your neighbor as you love yourself", "blessed are the peacemakers", "blessed are the meek", "love your enemies", "turn the other cheek" and so forth and at the same time, strike down Ananias and Sapphira at the feet of Peter??? It is absurd!
I have an answer. The answer is God did NOT do it, but someone wrote that He did. Men have always placed words in the mouth of God that He never spoke, and attributed events to God that God is not responsible for. The flood of Noah and the ark for example (another fairy tale). We all know that the Roman Catholic Church traces (falsely) its origin to Peter, and does anyone sense that there must be suspicion surrounding the fable of Ananias and Sapphira as attributed to God? Perhaps religious leaders and rulers have always wanted common people to live in FEAR of their false authority, and fear that they might just contract leprosy or cancer or something if they do not obey the rulers. Perhaps "Pope Peter" was NOT the fisherman that Jesus hand picked to be a witness about Him, but is a fictional character.
A very similar fable is found in the Old Testament where we read that Korah and those with him, including the women, innocent children and babies were swallowed up by the earth opening up under their feet, because Korah and certain men with him voiced opinions contrary to Moses. It is attributed to God, as are many other myths and legends of lying scribes. If Jesus Christ is indeed the same yesterday, today and forever, then there is no possible way that Jesus Christ was also God of the Old Testament as so many proclaim. The contradictions on display in the writings called "the Bible" are so glaring that even a cave man can see them. Even a dinosaur must know that there are issues with the so called "Bible" that make no sense. Apparently cave men are more discerning than modern day Bible apologists, who come unglued when challenged over Bible foolishness.
In Romans 13 the reader is led to believe that rulers of men are "not a terror to good works, but to the evil" and of course consequently "obey the rulers, because they are so concerned about your welfare, that they keep a close watch for your protection and security." HOGWASH! History is awash with the horrors of rulers who have slaughtered the innocents of life by the countless millions. In fact, if indeed rulers were not a terror to good works, but to the evil only, then Jesus Christ would never have been crucified, because He was nothing but GOOD. Anyone who has read a little history knows how insane many rulers of nations have been and how they have been responsible for the horrible deaths of their own family members, as well as millions of others that they considered their "enemies." How then can anyone believe that God "inspired" words such as "obey those who have the rule over you?" Do we obey terrorists in power?
Naturally the Worldwide Church of God and its disfigured offspring teach that it is God who expects the common people to "obey" their false authority. The same is true of all human governments who proclaim "its the law", which of course are "laws" of those who control. The churches and governments are twins, because they both demand obedience upon threat that "its the law." Natural laws of physics such as gravity are in place and we all know they are real. However the "laws" of men and of religions of men are penned in INK on PAPER and are about as useful as newspapers for starting a fire. Humans are forever making "laws", which gives them the excuse to control and snatch your money from your pocketbook. Of course as with most things in life, the rulers exclaim that it is for your "good", your "protection", "your security" and "your well being." Hee haw!!!
Van Robison
4 comments:
Very good, Van. I can't find a single word to disagree with.
Yeah, like Peter was so innocent when he denied even knowing Jesus, and playing the hypocrite by shunning the Gentiles and fraternizing with the Jews! How come HE wasn't struck dead? If you took money out of the equation, I doubt if there would even be a church or a religion...anywhere.
Steve noted "Yeah, like Peter was so innocent when he denied even knowing Jesus, and playing the hypocrite by shunning the Gentiles and fraternizing with the Jews! How come HE wasn't struck dead? "
Peter was a major actor in the play. Death comes mostly to the bit part players like Annanias and Sapphira.
One might ask or note the same problem with the Angel Gabriel striking the Father of John the Baptist , Zacharias, blind when he had a hard time accepting Elizabeth's advanced age pregnancy. Gabriel then goes and tells Mary the same thing, she doubts rather much the same way as Zacharias and......nothing.
A blind Zacharias is doable. He's a bit player and soon disappears. A blind Mary just isn't right. It also has a tad bit of mean to it when inflicted on the pregnant woman.
Also, we may as well note that extraordinary men are born to old infertile women while Gods are born to virgin hotties.
Jesus Christ was representing the way of God, the way of love and concern with the villagers.
Contrast this with Ananias and Sapphira, who were misrepresenting the way of God, and couldn’t even be straightforward and trustworthy with those that were supposed to be their spiritual brothers and sisters.
Add to this that God can and will make alive again, and for this couple its not the end of the story, they will have further opportunity in easier circumstances.
Not difficult if you believe in a loving God, less easy if you dismiss the existence of such a being.
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