Capital Offense in The Bible: Blasphemy (Leviticus 24:10-16)

Now an Israelite woman's son, whose father was an Egyptian, went out among the people of Israel; and the Israelite woman's son and a man of Israel quarreled in the camp, and the Israelite woman's son blasphemed the Name (of the Lord), and cursed. And they brought him to Moses. His mother's name was Shelo'mith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan. And they put him in custody, till the will of the LORD should be declared to them. And the LORD said to Moses, "Bring out of the camp him who cursed; and let all who heard him lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him. And say to the people of Israel, Whoever curses his God shall bear his sin. He who blasphemes the name of the LORD shall be put to death; all the congregation shall stone him; the sojourner as well as the native, when he blasphemes the Name, shall be put to death. -Leviticus 24:10-16 RSV

Of course the Bible would have this as a capital offense. You would think that a god that is as powerful as this one claims to be, would have a little thicker skin. But this only shows the lack of confidence the writers had in their ideas (all good ideas are open to criticism). The religious claim that God gave us free-will — we have free will to do everything God wants or be killed/tortured forever, and of course to never talk badly about him. These verses also provide another example for why God is far from being all-loving: "And the LORD said to Moses, "Bring out of the camp him who cursed; and let all who heard him lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him". God is all-loving to those that do everything he says; odd how an all-loving god's love is conditional. I suppose the writers didn't think that far ahead when they were writing about him.

Capital Offense in The Bible: Not Obeying a Priest (Deuteronomy 17:12)

The man who acts presumptuously, by not obeying the priest who stands to minister there before the LORD your God, or the judge, that man shall die; so you shall purge the evil from Israel. -Deuteronomy 17:12 RSV

Priests are viewed here as being somehow better then all other people. This verse makes priests out to be like kings, they could ask people to do anything, and if people do not obey them, the death penalty is given. Hypothetically, if a priest was trying to molest a little boy, if the child resisted, that child (under biblical law) would be put to death, and would be considered evil.

Intolerance in the Bible (Part 4): Kill Those That Do Not Believe.

They sacrificed to the LORD on that day, from the spoil which they had brought, seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep. And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and with all their soul; and that whoever would not seek the LORD, the God of Israel, should be put to death, whether young or old, man or woman. They took oath to the LORD with a loud voice, and with shouting, and with trumpets, and with horns. -2 Chronicles 15:11-14

 "Believe in our god or we will kill you!". This is another great example of intolerance in the Bible: killing people that do share your beliefs. A fanatic wouldn't have to look hard to find verses to justify murdering people. Hardly a book of morality and compassion — more like a book of immorality and hate.

Bible on Slavery (Part 4): Exodus 21:7-11

"When a man sells his daughter as a slave, she shall not go out as the male slaves do. If she does not please her master, who has designated her for himself, then he shall let her be redeemed; he shall have no right to sell her to a foreign people, since he has dealt faithlessly with her. If he designates her for his son, he shall deal with her as with a daughter. If he takes another wife to himself, he shall not diminish her food, her clothing, or her marital rights. And if he does not do these three things for her, she shall go out for nothing, without payment of money. - Exodus 21:7-11 RSV

This verse is a great example for why the Bible is absolutely not a book on morality. These verses condone a father selling his daughter as a sex slave.

"If she does not please her master, who has designated her for himself, then he shall let her be redeemed; he shall have no right to sell her to a foreign people, since he has dealt faithlessly with her" So if the sex slave does not please the master any more, he can sell her to a non-foreigner. In the Bible women apparently can be used as currency.

"If he designates her for his son, he shall deal with her as with a daughter." Hint of incest?

 "If he takes another wife to himself, he shall not diminish her food, her clothing, or her marital rights. And if he does not do these three things for her, she shall go out for nothing, without payment of money" This is where the authors draw the line, they view it as immoral to not feed and clothe a sex slave!

People should never brag about getting morality from the Bible. That is like bragging about a getting health-food from a candy store.

More Pillaging and Rape (Judges 5:30)

"They are only finding things to capture and divide, a woman or two for every soldier, rich cloth for Sisera, embroidered pieces for the neck of the queen." -Judges 5:30

This is another example of how the Bible portrays women as being mere property. In this case being divided up like all of the other loot. Raping and pillaging is not an evil action, just so long as God is on your side (that was sarcasm). But if Believers are on the receiving end of the rape and pillaging, those committing it are viewed as immoral and evil. Hypocrites! Actions are actions — just like how believers will attempt to justify such verses (people that do such a thing are similar to holocaust deniers), doing so is an immoral action in my opinion.

The All-Jealous God: Zephaniah 1:2-6

The LORD said, "I am going to destroy everything on earth, all human beings and animals, birds and fish. I will bring about the downfall of the wicked. I will destroy everyone, and no survivors will be left. I, the LORD, have spoken. "I will punish the people of Jerusalem and of all Judah. I will destroy the last trace of the worship of Baal there, and no one will even remember the pagan priests who serve him. I will destroy anyone who goes up on the roof and worships the sun, the moon, and the stars. I will also destroy those who worship me and swear loyalty to me, but then take oaths in the name of the god Molech. I will destroy those who have turned back and no longer follow me, those who do not come to me or ask me to guide them." Zephaniah 1:2-6 GNB

Breaking this quote down starting off with: "The LORD said, "I am going to destroy everything on earth, all human beings and animals, birds and fish". So destructive, but insightful at the same time, I suppose birds and fish are not animals.

"I will destroy everyone, and no survivors will be left". Isn't that a little redundant? If everyone is destroyed wouldn't it be obvious that no survivors would be left?

"I will destroy the last trace of the worship of Baal there, and no one will even remember the pagan priests who serve him." Here God acknowledges the existence of another god, and naturally he is super jealous — poor guy. But, why an all-powerful, all-loving, all-knowing god would be jealous of something is strange; he created everything, including this god.

"I will destroy anyone who goes up on the roof and worships the sun, the moon, and the stars" — that's a bit harsh...

"I will destroy those who have turned back and no longer follow me, those who do not come to me or ask me to guide them" Destroying all of those that do not come to you for advice; I have some words of advice for you God: you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar (but an all-knowing god should already know that).

Bible Bull!@#$ (Part 3): Poison Immunity, Healing sick.

This here is another great example of Bible bull!@#$. 

He said to them, "Go throughout the whole world and preach the gospel to all people. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. Believers will be given the power to perform miracles: they will drive out demons in my name; they will speak in strange tongues; if they pick up snakes or drink any poison, they will not be harmed; they will place their hands on sick people, and these will get well." -Mark 16:15-18 GNB

 These verses claim that Believers have the ability to preform miracles, drive out demons, speak in strange tongues (about all they can do), and have poison immunity. You can have all the faith in the world, you drink poison, you will die. If a Christian wants to prove me wrong, go drink some poison and get back to me (don't really do it). These verses also make the claim that believers can "place their hands on sick people, and these will get well". Forget the finding the cure for cancer! All we needed was for Christians to touch us!

Capital Offense in The Bible: Hitting a Parent (Exodus 21:15)

Whoever hits his father or his mother is to be put to death. -Exodus 21:15 GNB

Another punishment that doesn't fit the crime. Which is worse: hitting a parent or murder? The Bible appears to hand out death sentences left and right, but doesn't see how killing another human  is wrong. It views all bad actions as evil ones, and all evil must be eliminated. The writers view unjustifiable killing as righteous.

Intolerance in the Bible (Part 3): Kill Those Follow Another Religion

"Condemn to death anyone who offers sacrifices to any god except to me, the LORD. -Exodus 22:19 GNB

It is verses like these that make people feel justified in hating/killing those that follow other faiths. This verse also concedes to the existence of other gods as well. If only one god existed, how would it be possible to sacrifice to other gods?

Bible on Stoning Fortune-Tellers: Leviticus 20:27

"A man or a woman who acts as a medium or fortune-teller shall be put to death by stoning; they have no one but themselves to blame for their death." -Leviticus 20:27

Isn't that a tad bit excessive? "they have no one but themselves to blame for their death" — or they can blame the people that stoned them  — or even better, the writers that made up this nasty law. Just to get this straight: it's okay to believe in an invisible sky daddy, and pretend to speak with him telepathically; but not okay to pretend to telepathically speak with spirits and/or predict the future. Those that wrote this book expected people to believe/respect their silly ideas, but want people who have ideas which are just as ridiculous as theirs to be put to death. Double standard much?

Strange Bible Rape Law: Deuteronomy 22:23-24

"Suppose a man is caught in a town having intercourse with a young woman who is engaged to someone else. You are to take them outside the town and stone them to death. She is to die because she did not cry out for help, although she was in a town, where she could have been heard. And the man is to die because he had intercourse with someone who was engaged. In this way you will get rid of this evil. -Deuteronomy 22:23-24 GNB

This is a strange law, I can understand stoning the attacker to death, but the victim? Only because she did not scream? I imagine a great percentage of rapes take place in densely populated areas. If we followed biblical law, all of the victims would be stoned to death. I suppose God, when he was "inspiring" the writers, did not think far enough ahead to realize that rapist would drug, muffle, threaten, or knock unconscious, the person whom is being attacked (to avoid drawing attention). Being that this law provides no room for exception, all women that don't/are unable to scream are automatically stoned to death. Obviously this law is not followed in modern times, but to think that it may have been in the past is a disturbing thought.

Bible Bull!@#$ (Part 2): Unicorns: Job 39:9-11, Psalms 29:6, Isaiah 34:7

This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 2.5

Here are examples of unicorns (a fictitious animal) found in the King James Version of the Bible. Obviously unicorns are not real, which makes this another great example of  bull!@#$ found in the Bible.

Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib?  Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee? Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great? or wilt thou leave thy labour to him? Wilt thou believe him, that he will bring home thy seed, and gather it into thy barn? - Job 39:9-11 KJV

He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn. -Psalms 29:6 KJV

And the unicorns shall come down with them, and the bullocks with the bulls; and their land shall be soaked with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness. -Isaiah 34:7 KJV

Chatting with a Muslim.

 Here I am chatting with a Muslim while pretending to be a Christian (name I use is jacob_446), enjoy!

<MatureMale> yes what about Islam?


<jacob_446> i'm a christian...but im curious about islam..and what you believe
 
<jacob_446> what is it that you believe? 

<MatureMale> We believe...
 
<MatureMale> There is One and only God who created the heavens and the earth...
 
<jacob_446> ok....the heavens...and the earth...they are separate?
 
<jacob_446> you mean heavens...as in heaven?
 
<MatureMale> as in all beyond the earth
 
<MatureMale> the heavens and the earth were together and by His decree rendered asunder
 
<jacob_446> as far as the quran....who wrote it?
 
<jacob_446> for christianity...we have many writers...is it the same for the quran as well?
 
<MatureMale> the scribes assigned by Messenger of Allah(sas) had first written it on bones, parchment, leaves, leather
 
<jacob_446> does the quran have the 10 commandments in it?...or something simmilar to it?
 
<MatureMale> the author of the Qur'an as claimed by the Qur'an itself is the Creator of the Universe
 
<MatureMale> yes th Qur'an torah given to Moses(peace be upon him)
 
<jacob_446> mohmmad is the creator of the universe?...i thought he was the main writer..
 
<MatureMale> yes the Qur'an confirms torah given to MOses(as)
 
<MatureMale> God Almighty is the creator of the universe
 
<jacob_446> so it was inpiration from him...which caused the writers...to write as they did?
 
<MatureMale> he sent the guidance through his ArchAngel Gabriel to Messenger of Allah(sas)
 
<jacob_446> allah = god right?
 
<MatureMale> yes Allah is the unique name given to God and does not have goddess or godfather or godmother or plural made of the word
 
<jacob_446> interesting...
 
<jacob_446> but why not just call him God?
 
<jacob_446> or is it because allah is more specific to islam?
 
<MatureMale> because God has connotations attached to it from different faiths... Islam likes to have its own...
 
<jacob_446> that is what i thought
 
<MatureMale> identity to call the Almighty free of all connotations
 
<jacob_446> i live in the united states...and we tend to think of muslims as being terrorists....how do 
muslims view events like 9/11?
 
<jacob_446> we as in the country...i personally do not hold those views.
 
<MatureMale> No need to ask... a wrong act is wrong wherever it happens
 
<jacob_446> i think violence is bad...regardless of who commited it...don't you agree?
 
<MatureMale> yes... and it goes for all... muslims or non-muslims alike
 
<jacob_446> just out of curiousity...what is heaven in the muslim religion?
 
<MatureMale> killing of women in children either in new york or bagdad or kabul
 
<jacob_446> and is there a hell?
 
<MatureMale> *women children
 
<jacob_446> heh, i live in newyork
 
<MatureMale>  yes... and it goes for all... muslims or non-muslims alike... killing of women in children either in new york or bagdad or kabul
 
<MatureMale> women and children
 
<MatureMale> yes there is a heaven and there is a hell
 
<jacob_446> i heard of this one case in the middle east...of this guy cutting the head off this 4 year old girl...because she was not he right type of muslim...that just sickend me....and its probably a bad representation of islam....rihgt?
 
<MatureMale> well... I think we should differentiate between faith and what people do
 
<jacob_446> i agree
 
<MatureMale> its like constitution of a country and what the citizens do
 
<jacob_446> but the western media tend to portray islam as being evil.
 
<jacob_446> on the news they seem to send that message
 
<MatureMale> well... thats what makes ratings
 
<MatureMale> any book on anti-Islam is a hot seller!
 
<jacob_446> it is only because of 9/11
 
<MatureMale> any sensational headings in mags and newspapers sell the paper
 
<jacob_446> if that never happend...the fear and dislike of muslims would not be as high as it is.
 
<MatureMale> commercialism is the part of modern day economics
 
<jacob_446> yep
 
<jacob_446> i think in the end....religion aside...it is the people themsevles that are responsible for their actions.
 
<MatureMale> Well... as far as west is concerned dislike for alien faith specially Islam and muslims is well documented over centuries
 
<jacob_446> its true
 
<MatureMale> millions of books have been written in the hate of Islam and its Prophet
 
<jacob_446> any other faiths are viewed as demonic
 
<jacob_446> other then christianity
 
<MatureMale> even among christians flaunting and enimity of different denominations is well 
recorded
 
<jacob_446> i believe the key is respecting others...regardless of their religious beliefs.
 
<MatureMale> nice wordings but little practiced
 
<jacob_446> what do you mean?
 
<MatureMale> respect comes only when you fit into preconceived notions
 
<MatureMale> if you dont then no respect rather ridicule
 
<jacob_446> i think the real problem is not exactly religious beliefs....but rather ingroup..and outgroup....its just tribalism....we (as in the united stated) christians as being on this side...and everyone else as being on the other side.
 
<jacob_446> because the religious beleifs of islam are not all that radicaly different that christianity.
 
<jacob_446> not enough to be killing eachother.
 
<MatureMale> you might be partially right... other being ignorance... old adage... half the world doesnt know how the other half lives
 
<jacob_446> yeah
 
<jacob_446> its just lack of empathy for the "other side"
 
<MatureMale> true
 
<jacob_446> i've got to go, great talking with you :)

The Sadomasochistic God (poem)

the sadomasochistic god

he loved his creation

loved to see them in pain

loved to cause them misery

he wanted human sacrifice

enjoyed it while he could

when his creation would do it not longer

then he wanted animal sacrifice

until they eventually disobeyed

he then thought

what about guilt and shame?

the sadomasochistic god would ponder

how can I be all loving?

if I am a sadomasochist?

the only way is to be a narcissist

ego is the answer

but there is only one way for this to work

the sheep must obey

Human Sacrifice in the Bible: Judges 11:29-40

Then the spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah. He went through Gilead and Manasseh and returned to Mizpah in Gilead and went on to Ammon. Jephthah promised the LORD: "If you will give me victory over the Ammonites, I will burn as an offering the first person that comes out of my house to meet me, when I come back from the victory. I will offer that person to you as a sacrifice." So Jephthah crossed the river to fight the Ammonites, and the LORD gave him victory. He struck at them from Aroer to the area around Minnith, twenty cities in all, and as far as Abel Keramim. There was a great slaughter, and the Ammonites were defeated by Israel. When Jephthah went back home to Mizpah, there was his daughter coming out to meet him, dancing and playing the tambourine. She was his only child. When he saw her, he tore his clothes in sorrow and said, "Oh, my daughter! You are breaking my heart! Why must it be you that causes me pain? I have made a solemn promise to the LORD, and I cannot take it back!" She told him, "If you have made a promise to the LORD, do what you said you would do to me, since the LORD has given you revenge on your enemies, the Ammonites." But she asked her father, "Do this one thing for me. Leave me alone for two months, so that I can go with my friends to wander in the mountains and grieve that I must die a virgin." He told her to go and sent her away for two months. She and her friends went up into the mountains and grieved because she was going to die unmarried and childless. After two months she came back to her father. He did what he had promised the LORD, and she died still a virgin. This was the origin of the custom in Israel that the Israelite women would go out for four days every year to grieve for the daughter of Jephthah of Gilead. -Judges 11:29-40  (GNB)

Jephthah promises God that he will "burn as an offering the first person that comes out of" his house, if he gets a victory over the Ammonites. And of course he gets his victory. The first to walk out of his home was his daughter, and in the end she is sacrificed via burning. This shows how primitive people were in the time this story was written. It also shows that the content of scripture is society based, not inspiration from God — an all-knowing god wouldn't change its mind.

Biblical Law on Women who are not virgins on their wedding night: Deuteronomy 22:20-22

"But if the charge is true and there is no proof that she was a virgin, then they are to take her out to the entrance of her father's house, where the men of her city are to stone her to death. She has done a shameful thing among our people by having intercourse before she was married, while she was still living in her father's house. In this way you will get rid of this evil. "If a man is caught having intercourse with another man's wife, both of them are to be put to death. In this way you will get rid of this evil. -Deuteronomy 22:20-22

A women not being a virgin on her wedding night is a capital offense, but rape is not. Obviously the punishment far exceeds the crime (like many biblical laws). Not only that, but what a double standard; as shown by my post on the rape laws in the Bible, the punishment for rape is being forced to marry the victim. Of course the Bible was written by men, their "inspiration" from God always appears to tip the balance of justice in their favor, and against those they enjoy oppressing (women in this case).

Chatting with a former Catholic.

 Here I'm on a chat room (using the name: bea) with an atheist who was a former catholic (thought he was a catholic until the end), the discussion is interesting nonetheless.

<UsandThem> hi bea
 
<UsandThem> i used to be catholic so i might be able to help
 
<bea> i realy want to know the difference between catholic...and protestant.
 
<UsandThem> umm one of the big things is the idea of transsubstantiation
 
<UsandThem> that the bread and wine become jesus' body and blood
 
<bea> interesting
 
<UsandThem> and another thing is the idea of faith and works....catholics think you need both faith and works to get into heaven and protestants believe you only need faith
 
<bea> what are works?
 
<UsandThem> other than that im not sure...i mean they had a problem with indulgences....but that doesnt happen anymore
 
<UsandThem> like good deeds
 
<UsandThem> like helping the sick and all that
 
<bea> what is your view on islam?
 
<bea> i used to be a muslim..but i left that faith....for jesus
 
<bea> i became a catholic...but ..there are so many branches
 
<bea> not sure where i fit in.
 
<UsandThem> umm to be honest i have a problem with its susceptability to corruption that leads to many bad things
 
<UsandThem> plus, unlike catholicism, they have a high probably of rejecting science
 
<bea> yeah, i noticed that
 
<bea> they are very close minded
 
<UsandThem> yes it seems like that too me...i mean im sure there are reasonable muslims but i think that they are more like exceptions to the rule
 
<bea> they don't seem to understand that ...people grow in knowledge..and understanding...but at the same time.....can maintain faith in god.
 
<UsandThem> yes i think this is a big problem in any fundamentalists mind...they all seem to think that accepting things like evolution means they must become atheists
 
<bea> yes, evolution is an interesting idea....what do you think about it?
 
<UsandThem> umm i think that its as proven a fact that we can have
 
<bea> but doens't it disprove the genesis story then?
 
<bea> if evolution is true..then adam and eve..is not..
 
<bea> if we came from monkies..
 
<UsandThem> well yes it does but as a catholic for 20 years i was never taught that these stories were to be taken literally
 
<bea> heh, then how can you determine what parts are real ..and which are not?
 
<UsandThem> the catholic church and the orthodox churches both accept evolition
 
<bea> is it anything beyond just moral teachings?
 
<UsandThem> yes that is tricky
 
<UsandThem> since leaving the book up to interpretation is highly problematic
 
<bea> so did god start the proccess of evolution?
 
<bea> how does god work into that?
 
<bea> b/c it seem like evolution just takes over..
 
<UsandThem> well thats what most catholics say
 
<bea> for life
 
<UsandThem> yes i agree
 
<bea> where does god fit in then?
 
<UsandThem> ummm you are asking the wrong person
 
<bea> heh
 
<UsandThem> in my opinion he doesnt
 
<bea> i mean, in the universe
 
<bea> what is god?
 
<UsandThem> thats also tricky
 
<UsandThem> there are about 6.5billion different definitions of that word
 
<bea> hehe
 
<bea> you see like an agnostic to me
 
<bea> not sure either way.
 
<UsandThem> no im rather sure...as sure as i can be
 
<UsandThem> thats why i say atheist
 
<bea> what are you sure about? :P
 
<UsandThem> obviously im not 100% but we cant be about anthin really
 
<UsandThem> God
 
<bea> this is probably a hard question to answer..but what is god?
 
<bea> like...what is he...and what did he do?
 
<UsandThem> right so i say that no definion i have heard argued for makes sense or has enough evidence to back it up for me to believe in it
 
<UsandThem> there is still a possiblity that i could find one i believe in, but i dont think its too likely
 
<bea> this probably sounds strange..but ...how can you believe in something..when you are not sure of what that something is?
 
<bea> like, i have no idea of what God is..
 
<bea> how can i believe in something...when that something is completly unknown to me..
 
<bea> what is it that i would have to believe in?
 
<UsandThem> right....seems to make sense to me..
 
<UsandThem> i think that the best you can do is take the definitions you are given and evaluate them
 
<bea> the main definition I am given is that he is a spirit..
 
<bea> but that gets me no where...b/c i don't know what a spirit is..
 
<bea> god...and spirit...seem to be just words....when actual understanding of either word...is lacking..
 
<UsandThem> yes that is the problem when you told to believe in something that has a tendency to look alot like something non-existent than something that is just invisible
 
<bea> yeah, i tend to notice that
 
<bea> ...like ..what is the difference between god and nothing....I cannot tell....b/c i know nothing about both ..
 
<bea> and if something is invisible...how can we even know about it?
 
<bea> the idea of god is confusing..
 
<bea> we are suppost to belive in something which we really can't know about...
 
<UsandThem> yes i think so also....preaching to the chior if you will
 
<bea> I almost understand the view point of an atheist....not believing in a god....what is there to even believe in?
 
<bea> i don't want to admit it....but ....its a very confusing thing.
 
<UsandThem> yes really the point of view i have is to not believe in something until it is demonstrated to be true
 
<bea> evidence.....huh?
 
<UsandThem> yes i like evidence
 
<UsandThem> and the proper kind of evidence
 
<bea> but the thing is....according to christians...if you do not follow jesus...you go to hell.
 
<UsandThem> not just "feelings" that people have
 
<UsandThem> well just apply that same idea of god to hell
 
<UsandThem> i mean how do they know it exists
 
<bea> so you treat all ideas as equal?
 
<bea> I find it much easier to believe in an idea that has some evidence backing it.
 
<UsandThem> ummm yes and no....i mean if somethings are totally contra to reality as i know it i might dismiss it
 
<bea> i wish there was some evidence for god...
 
<bea> ppl say that they see god in a new born baby...and so on...but i just don't see it...
 
<UsandThem> well i think that just has to do with the state of mind religion puts people in...to see things that might not be there
 
<bea> yeah...sort of like seeing faces in clouds...right?
 
<UsandThem> right
 
<UsandThem> or making some random feeling into "being filled with gods presence"
 
<bea> i hate the idea...of having to believe in certain things...over other things....which determines wether or not you spend etenity in paradise..or pain
 
<UsandThem> well i think that the idea of hell doesnt make any sense at all
 
<bea> i wish religion was more based in just being a good person...and not what stories you believe were true or not.
 
<UsandThem> i mean does it make sense that the "creator of the universe" would torture people for eternity and be moral and loving??
 
<bea> hehe
 
<bea> an all loving god giving out an infinate amount of pain...for an infinate time.
 
<bea> it doesn't make sense
 
<bea> i hate how people try to do the ultimate exaggeration for god
 
<UsandThem> yea that doesnt make sense too me either
 
<bea> saying how he is all powerful...alll loving..all knowledgable etc
 
<bea> he can't be all of these things...otherwise..things would be perfect
 
<UsandThem> RIGHT
 
<UsandThem> it seems to me that you arent really a catholic...no offense
 
<bea> lol
 
<bea> none taken
 
<UsandThem> you are way too much in liine with what i think to be catholic
 
<bea> im just open minded i suppose
 
<UsandThem> well thats a good thing
 
<bea> so what are you?
 
<bea> if not a catholic
 
<UsandThem> like i said im an atheist...i dont believe in any gods
 
<bea> ur an atheist?
 
<UsandThem> yes i said that before
 
<bea> ....
 
<UsandThem> what
 
<bea> you fooled me..
 
<UsandThem> no i told you
 
<bea> know whats funny
 
<UsandThem> what
 
<bea> im an atheist to
 
<UsandThem> really
 
<bea> just looking for idea to blog about
 
<UsandThem> so you tricked me???
 
<bea> not completly
 
<bea> i used to be a catholic..and methodist
 
<UsandThem> did you really think i wasnt atheist?
 
<bea> i wasn't sure what you were
 
<UsandThem> i was catholic
 
<bea> you seemed to believe a god.
 
<UsandThem> nope i was just trying to be respectful
 
<UsandThem> and not come off as the usual arrogant atheist
 
<bea> i hate those sort of people
 
<UsandThem> yes its a little annoying
 
<bea> people that claim absolute certaintiy in anything...are arrogent...and ignorant.
 
<UsandThem> its too bad that people dont get that one atheist doesnt represent any other atheists
 
<bea> the one thing i dislike about the term atheist is the assumed certainty in it
 
<bea> obviouslly ...there is no reason to think a god exists...but at the same time...by defintion...atheists are people that claim to know there is no god
 
<bea> which is impossible
 
<bea> like it is impossible to know 100% a something does not exist.
 
<UsandThem> right...but i dont want to call myself agnostic because then its assumed that you are 50/50
 
<UsandThem> or something like that
 
<bea> yeah
 
<bea> well...that is what is assumed of the term..but it really means....a person whom doesn't believe in something...unless there is evidence for it. 


<bea> some agnostics claim to be 50/50
 
<bea> but a real agnostic is just someone that requires evidence to justify believing in something.
 
<bea> they form no opinions on things which cannot be proven.
 
<bea> like god...etc
 
<UsandThem> right i guess im an agnostic atheist
 
<bea> the definitions are just to broad imo.
 
<bea> i would fall under agnostic..but most would consider me to be an atheist.
 
<bea> well..i've gota get going...was great chatting with you.
 
<UsandThem> i think that we cant know there is no god but we can evaluate the positive claims about god and determine whether or not they are probable or even possible
 
<UsandThem> good talking with you too
  
<UsandThem> alright
 
<UsandThem> have a good night
 
<UsandThem> and a good holiday
 
<bea> same to you :)

David Blaine + Time Machine = New Religion.

Just imagine if David Blaine was sent back in time a few thousand years. Imagine what they would have thought of him? If you do not know who David Blaine is, check out the following videos:















These kinds of tricks blow the minds of people today. Imagine how people would have reacted several thousand years ago to this? I bet an entire religion/religions would be constructed in his name. In modern times people (most people that is), know that it is just slight-of-hand which creates the illusion of magic. Most even try to figure out how the trick was done (most people don't assume it is real magic); in the past most people wouldn't have, they would have thought he really had magical powers. Ignorance leaves holes in understanding, the idea of 'magic' can help fill those holes up — people are uncomfortable with ignorance, they would rather feign understanding. People thousands of years ago would have thought of David Blaine as being a prophet. I imagine slight-of-hand magic tricks have been around forever. Imagine if David Blaine was sent back in time 2,000 years? Imagine the stories that would be written about him. Figures like Jesus (if they existed), were probably just old-school magicians, exploiting the gullible. That and the writers are known for exaggerating events to make a good story. Regardless of that, David Blaine + Time Machine = New Religion.

Chatting with a Mormon

 Here I am chatting with a Mormon on a chat room, while pretending to be a believer, interested in the Mormon faith, enjoy! (My name is: Steven)


<MrMormon> considering I am the only mormon in the room
 
<steven_663> mind if i ask you a few things?
 
<MrMormon> ok then
 
<steven_663> Who is joseph smith? is he just a human? or is he higher?
 
<MrMormon> no, he was very much a human. We considered him to be a prophet who restored the original church of christ and the gospel following years of apostasy. He was no god and whilst we respect him, we do not worship him
 
<steven_663> i heard that if you are a mormon...you have to give like 20% of your income to the church...is that true?
 
<MrMormon> no, its 10%
 
<steven_663> o
 
<steven_663> you guys believe Jesus came to America right?
 
<MrMormon> yes we do
 
<steven_663> this was after he was put on the cross?
 
<steven_663> and died etc
 
<MrMormon> yes
 
<steven_663> why did he come to america? he died on the cross for our sins...what was the purpose of him coming over here?
 
<MrMormon> To build his church there around the civilization that we believed to have revelated his teachings, and was falling into apostasy
 
<steven_663> wouldn't it be just indians over here ...if he came over here?
 
<steven_663> at that time* rather
 
<MrMormon> what, can you rephrase that question please
 
<steven_663> jesus ...if he was over here...it was awhile ago....was he teaching indians?
 
<MrMormon> kind of
 
<MrMormon> but actually they were mexcian civilizations
 
<steven_663> i've heard some mormons tell me that europeans were over here back then....but some say they wern't.
 
<MrMormon> hmm
 
<steven_663> well not europeans, but people from isreal.
 
<MrMormon> Well, although the church makes no postion on this there is some evidence that christ became the basis for the mesoamerican god Quetzalcoatl
 
<MrMormon> and yes people from israel
 
<steven_663> why didn't the religion continue with the native americans/mexicans?
 
<steven_663> were they all killed?
 
<steven_663> the ones that knew about jesus?
 
<MrMormon> most of the ones who followed him were killed
 
<MrMormon> the rest survived, and some may have continued it on
 
<steven_663> was jesus killed? or did he die of old age in america?
 
<MrMormon> no
 
<MrMormon> he ascended to heaven again
 
<steven_663> o
 
<steven_663> so what was the point then? ...if none of the people he taught survived?
 
<steven_663> why didn't god protect them?
 
<MrMormon> good question, however why didn't god protect the early christians from roman persuction in the eastern world?
 
<steven_663> true
 
<steven_663> mormons believe that god can intervene in human affairs right?
 
<steven_663> or do they believe that he just made everything..and is just sitting back watching?
 
<MrMormon> yes he can, but normally he lets things take their course. He does not make decisions on behalf of people
 
<MrMormon> bit of both
 
<steven_663> i heard that mormons believe they can become a god....is that true?
 
<MrMormon> not exactly
 
<MrMormon> we don't believe anyone can be equal to god
 
<MrMormon> but we believe that people can ascend to be like god and live directly in his precense, but never be "God" themselves
 
<steven_663> ah
 
<steven_663> sort of like an angel?
 
<MrMormon> kind of I would imagine
 
<steven_663> i also heard that mormons believe that black people are the spirits that didn't pick a side in heaven....with the God vs Satan thing.
 
<MrMormon> do you have a religion?
 
<steven_663> im kind of undecided
 
<steven_663> i believe in jesus...and god...but not exactly sure where i fit in.
 
<MrMormon> no that was sadly a lie created by someone who had an extreme bitterness against the church
 
<MrMormon> black people are welcome in our church
 
<steven_663> is it true that you use water instead of wine to represent the blood of christ?
 
<MrMormon> yes it is
 
<steven_663> why is that?
 
<steven_663> just out of curiousity
 
<MrMormon> because our ethical code disencourages us from drinking wine because it is unhealthy and addictive to the body
 
<steven_663> ah
 
<steven_663> i never really understood that though....when drinking the water/wine....does a part of Jesus actually enter the body?...or is it just a metaphor?
 
<MrMormon> its kind of a metaphor to represent the blood christ shed for the sins of mankind, its not unique to mormons btw
 
<steven_663> yeah i know....all christians do it...right?
 
<MrMormon> I think so
 
<steven_663> mormons consider themselves to be christians...right?
 
<MrMormon> yes
 
<steven_663> sorry, if im asking to many questions :P...but im curious about mormonism
 
<MrMormon> its fine
 
<steven_663> do you guys believe in hell?
 
<MrMormon> yes
 
<steven_663> is it basically the same as all sectors of christianity?
 
<steven_663> or is it different at all?
 
<MrMormon> not quite
 
<MrMormon> different in some ways
 
<steven_663> how so?
 
<MrMormon> well
 
<MrMormon> 1) The book of mormon
 
<MrMormon> 2) we believe that the president of our church is a living prophet who recieves revelation
 
<MrMormon> 3) we believe in having temples
 
<MrMormon> 4) we believe that marriage can last eternally
 
<MrMormon> 5) we believe in two other texts, the book of moses and the book of abraham
 
<steven_663> what about hell tho?...how is that different in the mormon religion?
 
<MrMormon> well
 
<MrMormon> we just believe it isn't fiery lol
 
<steven_663> what happens tho?
 
<MrMormon> we believe the fire description just to be a metaphor
 
<MrMormon> it is a dark place where people stay in sorrow forever for their sins
 
<steven_663> do all non-mormons go to hell? or just all non-christians?
 
<MrMormon> only sinners
 
<steven_663> o
 
<MrMormon> let me explain
 
<MrMormon> unlike other christians we believe everyone is ressurected and judged, and placed into three kingdoms of glory based on their life
 
<steven_663> like heaven ..limbo..and hell?
 
<MrMormon> no
 
<MrMormon> 1) celestial kingdom- for those who have lived honorable lives as mormons, they live here in the presense of god
 
<MrMormon> 2) terrestial kingdom- for those who have lived good lives but never joined our church (for other christians and good people). They live with the essense of jesus but not god
 
<MrMormon> 3) telestial kingdom- those who have lived not so good lives, but were not essentially wicked. These people live with the holy ghost
 
<MrMormon> and actually there's a fourth one after those I forgot
 
<steven_663> hmm
 
<steven_663> interesting
 
<MrMormon> 4) Outer darkness- in other words, "hell"
 
<steven_663> so is jesus/holy ghost/ god all separate?
 
<MrMormon> no
 
<MrMormon> what do you mean?
 
<steven_663> well, is Jesus...God...and the Holy ghost...the same being...or are they separate.
 
<steven_663> guess this is a question on the trinity.
 
<steven_663> i never understood that
 
<MrMormon> we believe them to be seperate, but united in one godhead
 
<MrMormon> we do not believe in the trinity
 
<steven_663> like a snake with three heads? :P
 
<MrMormon> no, just together
 
<MrMormon> like a team lol
 
<steven_663> heh
 
<steven_663> so god is like a foot ball team...and the players are god/jesus/holy ghost?
 
<MrMormon> no lol
 
<steven_663> lol
 
<MrMormon> I just used it to describe what I meant
 
<MrMormon> however the trinity is not a true doctrine of christ, it is a pagan corruption that was introduced by the roman emperor Constantine the great 300 years after the death of christ, he done it on his own guess and judgement
 
<steven_663> that's another thing that seems odd to me....why is the new testament so much different then the old?
 
<steven_663> like different moral standards...and god seems like a different personality...
 
<MrMormon> well, they are of different eras
 
<MrMormon> the old testament was a record of jewish prophets, the new testament was a record of christs life
 
<steven_663> seems like alot of reading..mormons would have to do...old testment...new...and book of mormon.
 
<MrMormon> yeah, and the pearl of great price
 
<steven_663> do you follow each evenly....or do you guys focus more on the new testement..and book of mormon?
 
<MrMormon> kind of each evenly
 
<steven_663> heh, i feel like im playing 20 questions with you....but...do you guys celebrate holidays like easter...christmas...etc?
 
<steven_663> Because I hear that those holidays have pagan origins :P
 
<MrMormon> yes we do celebrate them
 
<MrMormon> but because of the good spirit that they can bring
 
<MrMormon> and the good morals and principles behind them, we are not bitter and stupid like Jeovah's witnesses lo
 
<steven_663> lol
 
<steven_663> they don't celebrate holidays?
 
<MrMormon> no
 
<steven_663> heh, that would be boring..
 
<MrMormon> lol yeah
 
<steven_663> Well...i've gtg...great chattting with you :)

Discussion on a Chat Room With a Muslim.

 Here I am talking with a Muslim about religion (pretending to be a Christian), the name I used is "billy".

Lulwa> what do u want to know 

billy> i wana know the differences




Lulwa> between ur religion and islam ?


billy> i was raised christian my whole life..but i started reading the quran...and i've goten interseted in it


billy> but im still new to the religion


billy> what is it that sets you apart from christianity.


billy> as far as beliefs etc.


Lulwa> first of it all ... jesus christ is not the son of god ... and god is not a spirit


billy> oo


billy> so what is god then?


Lulwa> jesus who is Eesa is a messenger of god


billy> if not a spirit?


Lulwa> we do not know .. we know he is the creator of all things


Lulwa> he is everywhere ... but we do not know of what he is like


billy> this may sound stupid..but did he create himself


Lulwa> no


billy> then how did he come into being?


billy> probably impossible to answer...but im curious..


Lulwa> this thinking will lead u to only a head full of headache :p


billy> i know.. lol




Lulwa> because it beyond over mind limitations  


billy> so who is mohammad to you? is he just a human?


billy> so who is mohammad to you? is he just a human?


billy> err


billy> is he divine?


Lulwa> and i really recommed you to go to one of these organizations that  spread islam ... better than this chat ... its mosly extremsts and racists


Lulwa> yes he is human


billy> so he is not better then me and you?


billy> jsut a human?


Lulwa> but he is the chosen on and the last prophet 


Lulwa> he is better


billy> why did allah..or god, pick him..over anyone else?


Lulwa> coz of his actions 


billy> o


Lulwa> because his heart is pure


Lulwa> i think


billy> i've been very confused about what religion to follow...why do you think islam would be the right religion for me?


Lulwa> Allah ... or god ... created us with sense of direction ... what does ur mind tell you


billy> i dont know :P


Lulwa> i am a muslim not because i was born into it ... because i beleive it with my heart and soul


billy> i've tried to think about it..but i can't seem to pic a religion...


Lulwa> because every prayer i prayed was answered


billy> what is the difference between islam ...and christianity/ judaism..etc.


Lulwa> Read books about religion ... search ... and what make sense to you ... what speaks to your brain then follow it


billy> they all seem the same to me...being ....abramaic.


Lulwa> i told u ... the core of islam that Allah is one ... one god ... one creator and Mohammad is his prophet


billy> allah= God right?


Lulwa> right


billy> why use different words then?


Lulwa> because one of his many names is Allah


Lulwa> God is the english term ... not the name


billy> ah


billy> so its a cultural thing...there is only one god..right?


Lulwa> right


billy> so how did allah talk to mohammad?


billy> through visions..or dreams?


Lulwa> Other than that Christianity is almost similar to islam


Lulwa> no ... he used to send him malak as in angel


Lulwa> in ghar hera'a


billy> o


Lulwa> to speak to him 


billy> i don't know much about islam...but i was told it was very simmilar to the old testament.


Lulwa> whats the old testament ?


billy> the first section of the bible


billy> before jesus


billy> abraham...moses...etc


billy> noah to


Lulwa> yes yes .,,, all of which were prophet to spead the messege


Lulwa> spread*


billy> i don't understand why it became so complicated..why not one religion?


billy> why are there so many to complicate things...


Lulwa> because men kind is proud


Lulwa> they wont admit wrong


billy> thats true


billy> ppl seem to be stuck in there ways


billy> hey, i write a blog on people that are confused about religion...this discussion has got me very interseted in islam...mind if i post it on my blog?


Lulwa> nop


billy> i've gtg...but id like to talk with you again


Lulwa> sure thing

Trying to get into the mind of a Jehovah Witness. (chat room discussion)

 In this chat room (Isq.com), I am pretending to be a Believer (not pretending to be drunk in this case). And having a chat with a JW, enjoy! (I'm Rich James bitch!)




rickjames> even with biblical knowlege..there is still so much more to understand....like what happend before the earth was created etc
 
rickjames> how was it created...
 

rickjames> i suppose that is the mind of god..
 
rickjames> which we can never understand..
 
lightspeedlazy> well, we have a theory
 
rickjames> whats that?
 
lightspeedlazy> and it makes some sort of sense to me personally, but not to everyone we speak to
 
rickjames> im prety open minded :P
 
lightspeedlazy> well, God's Holy Spirit, his tool to help us, there is a belief that God used HS to create the universe by slowing it down sufficiently so that physical matter could come into being. Now I know you are going to say that that is purely conjecture, but when we really need HS in difficult situations, HS is sent to us directly from God and gets here from there instantly,
 
rickjames> interesting
 
lightspeedlazy> Heaven is supposedly so very very far away that for it to get here in an instant of time means that it is highly powerful
 
rickjames> i wish people would talk about the stuff we talk about right now..more..
 
rickjames> its like ppl don't even talk about this kinda stuff anymore
 
rickjames> thats what i hate....even during holidays...i bring up this kinda stuff...and ppl just roll their eyes..
 
lightspeedlazy> I know, people talk more about sex and food more than any of this stuff, but few people I ever talk to are ever interested in what I have to say, the momemtn I say I am JW they lock up
 
rickjames> sex and food lol...such basic crap.....the stuff we talk about is so much more important.
 
rickjames> like why we are heree in the first place..
 
lightspeedlazy> I can answer that one
 
rickjames> not just who made us...but why...
 
lightspeedlazy> we are here solely to praise God and to live according to his rule
 
rickjames> why did god make us?
 
lightspeedlazy> read uprickjames> oh
 
rickjames> but why did god do that?
 
rickjames> why did he want that ?
 
lightspeedlazy> because he did, there is no answer for that, God had his reasons
 
rickjames> i imagine he would...would still like to know tho..
 
rickjames> was he lonely?
 
rickjames> did he want ppl to talk with?
 
lightspeedlazy> God never needed anythng, he did it all out of love
 
rickjames> interesting
 
rickjames> which leads back to ur initial point..that he made us out of love.
 
rickjames> and that god is love
 
rickjames> i suppose its just so complicated..its just hard to understand
 
lightspeedlazy> yes, he is
 
rickjames> what do you guys think about mormons?
 
rickjames> i had this mormon try to convert me a few months ago.
 
lightspeedlazy> mormons, I have an opinion, but it wouldn't be nice to mention it because its not respectful
 
rickjames> well...im not a mormon
 
rickjames> so go ahead ?:P
im a methodist....if u wana know
 
lightspeedlazy> I think Mormons have been grossly misled by JSmith, as I have had the opportunity to research all about them
 
lightspeedlazy> JSmith was a golddigging trickster, and that's as far as I'm willing to go
 
rickjames> i agree
 
rickjames> i tell that to mormon friends al the time..and they get angry at me
 
rickjames> but its ture
 
rickjames> true*
 
lightspeedlazy> well, its true
 
rickjames> therers a difference between faith...and just being a moron
 
rickjames> i don't get mormons
 
rickjames> jsmith was known for his missleading of ppl
 
rickjames> they say that mormonism is the next hot religion in the united states
 
lightspeedlazy> yes, I am aware of that
 
lightspeedlazy> I also know that his beliefs have no basis in fact with relation to the bible
 
rickjames> u mention the bible
 
rickjames> can the bible be added on to?
 
rickjames> like in the futer?
 
rickjames> or is it set in stone?
 
rickjames> sorry im not a good typer.. :OP
 
lightspeedlazy> there is a scripture that mentions the opening of other scrolls in the paradise, but I doubt it will add to the bible, these new scrolls will probably be new rules for perfected humanity to live by
 
lightspeedlazy> we have the bible because we are imperfect and need guidance, but these new scrolls will be something wholly on a scale of understanding far greater and more difficult to understand for us imperfect humans right now
 
rickjames> thats another thing ..humanity......in the town i live in..murder is almost a common thing to occur.....
 
rickjames> why hasnt the bible stopped murder?
 
rickjames> its in the commandments..
 
rickjames> you would think ppl woudl obey that sort of stuff ...
 
rickjames> being that it would determine their eternal fate.;
 
lightspeedlazy> yes, but we have sinful tendencies as bore through Adams sin
 
rickjames> yeah but murder?...what is more sick then that?
 
lightspeedlazy> the bible will stop murder the moment people start taking the bible seriously
rickjames> why would anyone ever do such a thing...
 
lightspeedlazy> I mean, in one sense it has, no Jehovah's witness, a practising witness has ever committed murder
 
rickjames> um
 
rickjames> thats the one thing im interested in..what is a jehavoah witness? what does that mean?  who is jehavova?
 
rickjames> sorry if i missed it before
 
lightspeedlazy> yes, i'm afraid you missed it before, but I don't mind going through it again
 
lightspeedlazy> A jehovah's witness is someone that dedicates his/her life to the praise of 

Jehovah God, follows his commands by means of the bible, reads and studies the scriptures regularly, preaches the good news of the kingdom regularly, meeting attendance also is necessary for a christian, and for that reason we have regular meetings
 
rickjames> jehovah = god then?
 
lightspeedlazy> yes, exactly
 
lightspeedlazy> can I direct you to a site? sure
 
rickjames> honestly tho..what you said...is what soudl be expected of a good christian in general..
 
lightspeedlazy> trust me I'm not about to infect your system with viruses or anythng but its just a site that I found that shows a digitally remastered copy of the Dead Sea Scroll
 
lightspeedlazy> Its called the Isaiah Scroll, I think its from the 2nd C BCE
 
lightspeedlazy> look for the Dorot Foundation Isaiah Scroll
 
rickjames> i only have a methodist bible tho :P..would it be in it?
 
lightspeedlazy> it is a copy of the original scroll in digital form
 
rickjames> brb, one sec
 
lightspeedlazy> like an interactive photo, almost as though you'd have the original scroll in your hands
 
lightspeedlazy> and if you look for the Tetragrammaton YHWH then you'll see that it occurs hundreds of times in that scroll alone
 
lightspeedlazy> though you'd have to check what the Tetragrammaton looks like in Hebrew first in order to identify it
 
lightspeedlazy> looks something like the following 'HIH
 
rickjames> back
 
rickjames> had to use the bathroom :P
 
lightspeedlazy> but my keyboard doesn't have hebrew characters
 
lightspeedlazy> ok, np
 
rickjames> the main thing im curious aobut is...what separates a jw..from an ordinary roman catholic.
 
rickjames> as far as beliefe
 
lightspeedlazy> we don't believe in trinity, we don't believe in the pope as intermediary between God and man, Jesus is that person
 
rickjames> that is what i believe to
 
lightspeedlazy> we don't believe in mixing pagan beliefs with christian ones, as the catholics frequently have done
 
rickjames> like xmas? lol
 
rickjames> i hear that is a pagan holiday
 
lightspeedlazy> we don't meddle in politics, war, and we don't conduct immoral business
 
lightspeedlazy> we don0t do xmas because there are a mass of reasons why it is so pagan
 
rickjames> i know..
 
lightspeedlazy> we don0t do easter for the same reason
 
rickjames> i did some research on that..
 
rickjames> why is easter pagan?
 
lightspeedlazy> look up info on the God Astarte
 
rickjames> oo
 
rickjames> ill do that..let me write that down
 
lightspeedlazy> ok
 
rickjames> kk
 
lightspeedlazy> you know that some gods have identifying symbols
 
rickjames> yep
 
lightspeedlazy> well, Astarte's symbols are the egg and the rabbit, (I wondered for years where the egg came out of the anus of the rabbit
 
rickjames> lol
 
lightspeedlazy> and now I know
 
rickjames> so easter is pagan...huh..
 
rickjames> never knew that
 
rickjames> ppl are so ignorant..
 
lightspeedlazy> there is only one date that we stick to
 
rickjames> supporting nasty beleifs..
 
lightspeedlazy> Nisan 14
 
rickjames> what date is that? :P
 
lightspeedlazy> its the date of the Passover in the Jewish calendar
 
lightspeedlazy> Jesus celebrated it
 
lightspeedlazy> so we do it
 
rickjames> i personally don't like to celebrate for religious reasons...b/c i don't know which dates are orginallly christian...and which days are pagan.....i like to look at every day as being special.
 
rickjames> may seem a bit corny..but thats what i do :P
 
lightspeedlazy> we believe that the breaking of the bread is symbolic of those that will be 
selected to go to heaven to live there as King-Priests with Jesus
 
lightspeedlazy> we follow the customs that jesus followed
 
rickjames> i want to ask you a qustion
 
lightspeedlazy> for all Jews it was expected that they perform the passover ritual
 
rickjames> i write a blog on religion.....mind if i have this convo..on it?
 
lightspeedlazy> you can ask me anything
 
rickjames> to show ppl a good discussion on religion is like?
 
lightspeedlazy> you can put anything on it, but I'd hope that when it is up there, that its done in a way that doesn't twist what I said
 
lightspeedlazy> people do that
 
rickjames>  not at all
 
lightspeedlazy> but if you want, how can I stop you?
 
rickjames> i actually am very interested in what you say
 
lightspeedlazy> I don't know where it will be posted
 
rickjames> i view the jw as being a more progressive religion
 
lightspeedlazy> well, I suppose it might be nice to chat again sometime
 
rickjames> anytime.....just look for rickjames.
 
lightspeedlazy> we are definitely progressive, but like any child we make our mistakes, and we learn from them always
 
rickjames> ill be on here with that name
 
lightspeedlazy> I'm always here as LSL
 
rickjames> i've gtg, would be great to talk with you again..perhaps get into a deeper discussion on religion etc.
 
lightspeedlazy> I'm actually studying the history of the organisation through a publication they produced many years ago
 
lightspeedlazy> its very in-depth
 
rickjames> nice
 
lightspeedlazy> maybe you can find a copy
 
lightspeedlazy> we'll chat about it again next time I hope
 
lightspeedlazy> I hope you have a nice evening,
 
lightspeedlazy> and I hope that Jehovah God blesses your efforts to know more about him
 
rickjames> tnx..back at you :)
 
lightspeedlazy> see you next time
 
lightspeedlazy> byebye

lightspeedlazy>lightspeedlazy>rickjames>lightspeedlazy>lightspeedlazy>lightspeedlazy>lightspeedlazy>rickjames>lightspeedlazy>lightspeedlazy>

The Bible on how to Properly Pillage Women: Deuteronomy 21:10-14

"When the LORD your God gives you victory in battle and you take prisoners, you may see among them a beautiful woman that you like and want to marry. Take her to your home, where she will shave her head, cut her fingernails, and change her clothes. She is to stay in your home and mourn for her parents for a month; after that, you may marry her. Later, if you no longer want her, you are to let her go free. Since you forced her to have intercourse with you, you cannot treat her as a slave and sell her. -Deuteronomy 21:10-14 GNB

 These verses are a great example of the primitive/barbaric mindset of the authors. Breaking this down, starting off with:  "When the LORD your God gives you victory in battle and you take prisoners, you may see among them a beautiful woman that you like and want to marry". This shows that the Bible supports taking citizens of an enemy nation as prisoners, presumably to be used as slaves, wives (suppose there is not much of a difference here) etc.

If a person sees a "beautiful woman" that they would "want to marry", they are to take her home and she is to to "shave her head, cut her fingernails, and change her clothes". I wonder why they would want her to shave her head and cut her fingernails, this sounds sort of similar to the preparation the Jews had to undergo before entering a concentration camp (not drawing any parallels beyond that). 


"She is to stay in your home and mourn for her parents for a month; after that, you may marry her". So her parents were killed then? That would be the assumption, being that she is mourning them. Does this imply that if you are to steal a woman from a captured civilization, you must murder her parents first?

The last part of the quote: "Later, if you no longer want her, you are to let her go free. Since you forced her to have intercourse with you, you cannot treat her as a slave and sell her." So it is okay to essentially steal a female from a rival civilization, force her into having "intercourse with you" (along with marriage), but not okay to sell her as a slave; its good to know where they draw the line.

The Biblical moral here is: err, uuhhhh.....if it's in the Bible it must be moral (go ask a Christian about it).

Biblical Law on Rape: Deuteronomy 22:28-29

"Suppose a man is caught raping a young woman who is not engaged. He is to pay her father the bride price of fifty pieces of silver, and she is to become his wife, because he forced her to have intercourse with him. He can never divorce her as long as he lives. -Deuteronomy 22:28-29 GNB

So many things wrong with this, where to begin..

Let's start with: "He is to pay her father the bride price of fifty pieces of silver, and she is to become his wife,". What the hell kind of punishment is that? Some piece-of-garbage rapes a "young woman", and he is punished by having to marry her for "long as he lives"? Was the Bible written by rapists? Not only would this not have been a punishment (besides having to pay some silver), it in fact would be a reward.

This 'Biblical Law' gives no say to the victim at all, for "He can never divorce her as long as he lives". I imagine this Biblical law has been enforced in the past. And not only is getting raped a horrible thing for a women to experience, a law like this would have been the icing on the cake.

These verses are not only not a deterrent, they would be a motivator. If a guy became obsessed with a girl, and raped her, it can be fairly certain he would have little objection in marrying her. This verse makes women out to be mere property, the rapist is essentially buying her from the father.

The Bible lists: working on the Sabbath, homosexual behavior, worshiping other gods, cursing at a parent, and many others "crimes" as capital offenses, but not rape. Some may disagree with me, but I think even in modern times, rape should be considered a capital offense (excluding mitigating circumstances).

Intolerance in the Bible (Part 2): Homosexuality

Much bigotry towards homosexuals its rooted in scripture. Here are a few examples of this found within the Bible.

No man is to have sexual relations with another man; God hates that. -Leviticus 18:22

 "Women are not to wear men's clothing, and men are not to wear women's clothing; the LORD your God hates people who do such things. -Deuteronomy 22:5 

If a man has sexual relations with another man, they have done a disgusting thing, and both shall be put to death. They are responsible for their own death. -Leviticus 20:13

The first of these three verses makes the claim that God hates men that have "sexual relations with another man". This is something which the more tolerant believers cannot escape. There are two routes: rather the writers were directly inspired by God, or they were not. Rather God hates gays (apparently an all-loving god can hate), or the Bible's god does not exist (would be a character in a work of fiction). For the more open-minded believers, they may be tolerant towards gays. Tolerance is a good thing, but hypocritical at the same time — you rather believe it is the word of god, or it isn't. It appears that the majority of Believers are intolerant of gays. Scripture for them is rather a source of hate, or a way to help justify it.

The second verse: "Women are not to wear men's clothing, and men are not to wear women's clothing". I wonder how the writers were able to know that God hates this sort of thing. Were they able to talk directly to God? I suppose they would have had to (or they were making up bull@#$!). Let's say hypothetically the writers were able to talk directly to God (remember they would have to, to know he hates transvestites). If the Bible is indeed the true word of God, why didn't the writers ask better questions? They could have asked such more important questions, but they ask what this god's opinion is on transvestites? You would think the creator of the universe would think of such questions as being nonsense, and a waste of time. But perhaps when it comes to hate, the Judeo-Christian god can make time!

Now the last verse: the instruction to put homosexuals "to death". Not only does the Bible create extreme hatred towards gays, but insights extreme violence towards them as well. And then we have hypocrisy here: "they have done a disgusting thing, and both shall be put to death". Homosexuality is a disgusting behavior, but murder isn't? The end of this verse tries give justification for murderous behavior, saying: "They are responsible for their own death". These three verses reflect the ignorance and lack of empathy the Bible has towards people that are different. It assumes that being gay is a choice, a bad behavior like murder and rape — well not that bad, in-fact those acts can be, by biblical standards, 'righteous' in certain circumstances.

What I do not understand, and this is directed towards homophobes: why do you care? Me personally, I don't care what another guy does sexually. I view gay men as less competition. What another guy does with his junk is his business, and the last thing on my mind. The fact that it is on the minds of the less sexually secure, seems a bit hypocritical. People should just live and let live.

Intolerance in the Bible (Part 1): Deuteronomy 13:13-17

This is the first part of a series of blog posts; the focus (as stated in the title) is on Bible verses that fuel intolerance of others. A real gem is found in the book of Deuteronomy...

that some worthless people of your nation have misled the people of their town to worship gods that you have never worshiped before. If you hear such a rumor, investigate it thoroughly; and if it is true that this evil thing did happen, then kill all the people in that town and all their livestock too. Destroy that town completely. Bring together all the possessions of the people who live there and pile them up in the town square. Then burn the town and everything in it as an offering to the LORD your God. It must be left in ruins forever and never again be rebuilt. Do not keep for yourselves anything that was condemned to destruction, and then the LORD will turn from his fierce anger and show you mercy. He will be merciful to you and make you a numerous people, as he promised your ancestors, -Deuteronomy 13:13-17

This quote reflects how intolerant the Bible is towards those that do not believe in it — it instructs Believers to commit complete annihilation on those that do not. I'm sure these verses have been used in the past to justify nasty behavior. I suppose the mindset of Believers is: "if it's in the Bible it must be moral". Those that look for morality in an old book, will tune out the real source of morality — which comes from within. Those that are truly moral do not need a holy-book to know not to rape and murder. They know not to steal, not because they were told so in church — if this was not the case, prisons would be full of nonbelievers (tends to be the opposite). 

The real motivation here for the religious is: "and then the LORD will turn from his fierce anger and show you mercy. He will be merciful to you and make you a numerous people, as he promised your ancestors,". The religious moral is: if you completely destroy people that are "different", God will be nice to you. People love to get rewarded, for some, they will commit disgusting acts, for personal benefit (it's a shame empathy isn't a commandment). This is sort of like a father not liking one of his sons, and wanting his favorite son to kill this brother (but remember, this father is all-loving). The 'favorite son' kills his brother. Who is worse: the 'favorite son'? or the father?