Amazing

Born

Thoughts

BORN AGAIN - AND AGAIN

by Doyle Duke

The Church in Perspective

We live in an advanced age of information technology where knowledge has spanned the globe and the means of dissimulating that knowledge is opening new vistas everyday. In such an environment it is almost impossible to believe millions of people, entire cultures of educated, even affluent people, still cling to a superstitious belief founded upon nothing more than tradition. A belief rooted in centuries of fear and intimidation that, on the one hand, promises blessings and eternal life, and on the other, cursing and eternal dying.

This deception, Christianity, thrives in over three thousand different sects. All pray to the same gods, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, yet fight and kill over their differences in beliefs. These confused souls drip the syrup of love and goodness with their words; yet, at times kill each other and wage wars over differing viewpoints.

How is it possible? When werewolves and vampires are only the subject of horror stories; when witches are folk-lore for Halloween; when most of the myths and superstitions of the dark ages have been dispelled by the brighter light of reason and education--how has this collection of unsupported, preposterous, tales managed, not only to survive, but thrive? What could bring educated, intelligent individuals to believe in an immaculate conception, resurrection from the dead, or other equally ridiculous stories? It might be supposed that there exists volumes of indisputable evidence to substantiate such brazen claims--but no, as we have seen, just the opposite is true. There is no proof, only a collection of letters, stories, and journals appended to Jewish religious works, that supposedly introduce and tell the story of the son of God.

The fact of the matter is that Christian religion, like all others, is man-made and man-operated and uses the same tactics and mind control common to all religions: fear, ignorance, intimidation and force. For example:

The history of the Church is one of the most ghastly tales of deception, suppression, enslavement, terrorism, slaughter, and world domination ever inflicted upon man. Yet the organization guilty of such horrendous deeds has never been brought to account for their vile actions. Why? Because even today their reign of fear and greed still controls the minds of billions who want to believe in a father-son deity that answers every prayer. They play upon the weakness of those who can't relinquish the idea of reigning in a holy kingdom, or dismiss the fairy-tale concepts of eternal life.

I know this is not how most Christians perceive one another. Most of the Christians I know are good, honest, men and women who sincerely believe the teachings they have learned. Most of them are aware of the history of the Church, yet I have never heard one acknowledge the corruption of the Biblical texts. Oh, they know of the accusations, but like Sir Kenyon quoted elsewhere, believe whole-heartedly that God has kept them pure.

You might point out all the good works church organizations perform and remind me of the high moral values they ascribe to and uphold. You might also point out the time in my life when I turned to them, an act, which quite probably, prevented me from destroying my future. And I agree with you on all counts. My contention is not about the good that they do, but rather the harm. There is nothing wrong with teaching and upholding moral values. The error is in using terror, deception, and intimidation to promote those values. Had I not been instilled with a sense of guilt and wickedness as a child, would I have needed their salvation?

It's hard to question ideas and sacred beliefs that are an inherited part of your life and the life of your loved ones, especially good, moral, ideas that strengthen mankind and provide a strong basis for law and government. Indeed, it's hard to imagine why one would want to. But false beliefs, no matter how noble or righteous, hide the truth--perhaps a better truth with even greater ideas. And Christianity is such a confounder of truth.

For instance, I've met a number of Christians who "hear the Holy Spirit speaking to them." They regulate their lives according to instructions, or premonitions, received at such times. I have also heard and read of hundreds of non-Christians; agnostics, Moslems, Hindus or even professed witches, who describe the same experiences and refer to them as psychic events or the leading of "their god". To the Christian, one is the moving of God's Spirit;--the other, a counterfeit spirit of Satan. Isn't it possible that all are the product of man-made religions? Don't we owe it to ourselves and our children to question the teachings that have been handed down from generation to generation for thousands of years? Don't we owe it to ourselves, and to God, who supposedly, exhorts us to search for truth and question all things? Ask yourself, "If God encourages us to question, why are so many facets of organized religion steeped in taboos and innuendo?" I, personally, have known a number of Christians who actually quake at the thought of reading any literature that expresses ideas contrary to Church teachings. Not simply because they believe it a waste of time; but because they fear they will fall under demonic possession. Years ago a good friend made just such a refusal on the grounds that such material, "messed up his thinking". Truth has that effect on deception.

I know fantastic claims have been made that supposedly prove, or at least gives strong evidence to support the Bible; but there is even more evidence to deny it. Ask any Christian the basis for his belief and he'll quote or refer to the Bible eventually. Why? Because there is nothing else--only a book of fabrications; written and rewritten through the centuries. A book that conveniently demands blind, unsubstantiated, faith. God must be accepted on faith. He cannot be proven scientifically. To do so would negate faith, the very essence of Christianity. Such a faith, coupled with the fear of an eternal, burning, hell proved to be a mighty battle-ax weld by Catholicism during the dark ages. And, of course, if it fail, there was always the literal battle-ax and very real fire. Facts teach us that there is little proof that the Bible is anything more than recycled, pagan, philosophy and myths. The idea of Jesus being the Son of God, sent to suffer for our afflictions, and die for our sins, is ridiculous. Look around you. It isn’t Jesus who heals the ill and suffering, and it wasn’t Christianity that conquered leprosy, tuberculosis, and polio. It was man. Had we waited for God to reveal the knowledge we now possess we would still think the earth flat and the moon unattainable. And I know of no one who has defeated death. Sure, I know that supposedly refers to the second death, but who told you that? The Bible? And who wrote the Bible? "Holy men of old, moved by the Holy Spirit…" Who told you that? The Bible! An empty circle going nowhere.

Until our children learn to reason, they look to us, their parents, as the fountain of all knowledge. During that time we hold total sway over them. We are, in essence, their gods. In our hands we have the power to train them or let them grow as weeds; to up-lift or ridicule, to instill right values, or none at all. It is during these informative years that the basic building blocks of their character are laid, when the course of their life is mapped. With so much responsibility resting upon our shoulders, should we not take great care in what we teach? And when it comes to an issue, such as religion, that provides the guidelines for a lifetime, and perhaps (as some believe) for eternity, should we not at least prove it? Is it fair to pattern our children's lives on a feeling or faith? It is time we were honest with our children? Tell them all the facts and let them reach their own conclusions as they mature. As they become older and more knowledgeable how can we expect them to respect and obey parents who are still spouting myths about water turning to wine and dead men walking around town?

Christians, be honest, how many of you ever instructed your ill child to pray for healing, and then silently hoped he wouldn't be disappointed? Yes? Did you ever wonder how you could explain that one to him? Easy right -- "You just don't really BELIEVE!" Isn't it amazing how the hot ball of wax always lands in the believer's hands? God is always right--so even the wrong answer, or no answer, to a prayer is right! Maybe God is always right, but just where did he tell you that the Bible is his Word? In the Bible? Think about that? How would such reasoning stand in a court of law? The defendant’s word is final; it negates all contrary evidence and over-rides all reason. Wouldn't that be a defense attorney's ultimate dream? The suspect is the book--the Bible. And don't insult my intelligence by telling me it proves itself. It’s so riddled with contradictions it couldn't float in a gravity free environment.

I know there are some Christians who did not make a blind commitment. There are hundreds and thousands who read the Bible, questioned, studied, did their homework, and chose to believe. If their efforts were honest and unbiased, then I have no contention with them. Though they made a choice based on faith rather than reason they made that choice knowingly. However, if they studied to proof the Bible, rather than find truth; if their judgment was impaired by a sense of guilt, or fear, or if they just could not stand against the majority; then they do themselves, and perhaps their descendants, an injustice.

The truth is Christians, and Jews, only know what they've been told from and about the Bible. And they're threatened with damnation and hell fire if they question some of those touchy subjects. But the truth isn’t locked away in the Vatican vaults. It hasn’t been burned or destroyed. It’s openly evident right under the believers’ noses. Determining the origin of the Bible may not be easy, but it is simple. All one has to do is visit his local library. There he has to toss aside the hundreds of commentaries and soul lifting volumes that strain at gnats while feeding him camels. Then dig pass the historical smoke clouds published by or for the Church and find out just what were the original texts that the New Testament was founded upon. You'll discover there were thousands of pieces or parts of texts. And later, hundreds of copies of scriptures, all contradicting each other and in most cases scratched out and rewritten two, three or even four times. Probably reflecting the new philosophy of the latest emperor or pope.

You'll find out that Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John did not write the gospels. No one knows who did, but they do know they were written after the apostles were dead and probably derived from one original gospel. And if you read the New Testament with an open mind, you just might realize that the chosen apostles of Jesus did not like Paul and rejected his teachings. You may come to understand that Paul taught a different gospel. For more on that subject see my "The Amazing Deception".

The time has come to question these dogmatic and unfounded, quasi-sacred, teachings--and many of our young people realize this. In this age of information and technology, knowledge is paramount. To survive and prosper one must be able to discern between fact and fiction. And no subject is taboo. For instance, it doesn't take a genus to divide the estimated number of prayers, by the number of estimated answered prayers to realize the results is nothing more than mere coincident, with Christianity ranking no higher than Hinduism, Islam or black magic.

If you still doubt, I purpose a challenge based upon the teachings you hold so dear. Despite the general belief that the existence of God cannot be proven, I submit to you that it can--by His own scriptures. From I Thessalonians 5:21 Paul exhorts:

"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good."

And in Judges 6:36-40 we're told the story of Gideon's means of proving God by laying out a fleece. Many times I've hear church members speak of "laying a fleece before God" to make a decision. Here is a scriptural means to "prove all things". Lay a fleece out on the ground--literally. Apply the dew test, or do you fear the results? Do you really believe the Bible, or are you a hypocrite? Oh--I already know your answer, "Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God!". Context--study the context and you'll see it has nothing to do with proving God's existence. Supposedly, God proved himself again and again, with signs and wonders, to the children in the wilderness. Could it be that some little bit of early Christian fear control still smolders within your breast?

Despite Christian beliefs, man in general, is not inherently wicked--neither is he inherently good. I remember once, as a Christian, I made the statement that if I didn't believe I'd be held accountable (by God) for my actions; I'd rob, steal, kill, or do whatever necessary to have my own way. At the time, my reasoning was that without God there was nothing but this life and one should tear all he could from it. But now, I've come to realize that a man's genes or training has more to do with what type of person he becomes than God does. I no longer shiver under the anticipation of God's wrath, yet I still abide by my moral beliefs. My personal values haven't changed--only the reasons for adhering to those values.

Today, I'm depression free and I love my wife more than ever before. Our daughter, Davina, is assistant manager of a large grocer and has two sweet, beautiful, and intelligent daughters. Our son, Jeffrey, is married and has a son and daughter. He did a tour in the Navy and is now a tattoo artist with his own parlor. We shake our heads and wonder, but it’s his chosen work and he's happy.

Before, as a Christian, I thought life was good, but it was good only in relation to my prior tormented, guilt-ridden life. Today, it's good for all my family. Oh, we still have problems and worries--we always will, as long as there are others to love, but I'm free! Free from all the mind-controlling techniques fostered through nineteen hundred years of human suppression. Free from trying to conform my life to someone else’s out-dated, ineffectual, and sometimes asinine rules. A great burden has been lifted from my shoulders. No longer do I have to worry that God will zap a loved one because I disobey. No longer do I have to whisper prayers for protection or seek his blessing on the food I eat. No longer do I have to worry that the Devil will seduce me. No longer do I have to carry the guilt shouted from every pulpit or baked in every communion wafer. No longer do I have to be anything other than what I am--a man--a mortal, human, animal--capable of amazing kindness or dastardly deeds. I have reached an understanding of myself, and at last I can truly say, "I am sin free--I have been born again."

The Christian is fond of singing that phrase, but he has no idea of the concept. The freedom that surges within his heart is an unburdening of guilt and the serenity of a false security. The price is only a different enslavement; an enslavement to religious dogma and superstition. It is best described by a passage from a popular novel written by one of my long time favorite authors.

Frank Yerby, The Saracen Blade

I've made some critical statements, but are they factual? You can pull your blinders tighter and search for the answers in the sand, or visit your nearest library. Where you might try these references for a start:

A History of Christianity, Paul Johnson

Miracles of the Gods, Erich von Daniken

The Dead Sea Scrolls - Qumran in Perspective, Geza Vermes

The Passover Plot, Dr. Hugh J. Schonfield

Essene Writings, Andre Dupont-Sommer

The Text of the New Testament - Its Transmission, Corruption & Restoration, Bruce M. Metzger

Christian Beginnings (Part I & II), Marton Scott Enslin

The Hidden Jesus, Dr. Mike Magee (available on the internet at www.askwhy.co.uk/books)

I'll leave you with this thought:

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