Sunday, May 27, 2018
The Greater Insult
I've had thoughts about any would be God like this video shows. It displays many things I've thought about including the idea that some religious teachings do not fit the reality of living in a universe with billions and billions of galaxies. I once asked here or elsewhere online, if a God existed, wouldn't he want real loving friends instead of bowing and scraping sycophants? Many people too question hell as the product of a crazed sociopath and not a being that is supposed to be more compassionate, knowing and loving then us.
"God" is this video asks, "Why do you worship someone who tortures people?" In my own conscience I was unable to worship a Being who sent most of humanity to suffer for eternity.
Therefore I am troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him. Job 23:15
ReplyDeleteDear Peeps, i am no Bible expert, but i know this Scripture is not the only one that describes being afraid. But even so, just this one Scripture exposes DarkMatter's agenda as being nothing but whack. Us humans are going to fear something - better that fear be the Lord Jesus, instead of some pseudo-intellectual narc.
He brings that up in the video, how we are told to be afraid or are supposed to fear God. I question that idea because how can we love someone we are afraid of?
DeleteYes, I have always believed that the holy books, written by people, reflect more about the people who write them than about any super-being that could create everything we know. All you have to do is look at the beauty of nature, science, creation, and evolution to see that any being that could create that, is a wondrous being and would rather have friends than sycophants. And if I am wrong, if a god wants to be bowed to and worshiped, then that being is not worthy of the bowing and the worship. Those are small, petty emotions of humans. Not gods. I don't worry that my atheism will offend any god that may exist because I live my life the best way I can (more to the teachings of Christ than many Christians) and if a god cannot see that and prefers me to bow and scrape, then he is not worthy and not a god at all. THERE is the god paradox!
DeleteI agree, we see more of these early cultures and their ideas about God then actual truth about any super supreme being. The god of the Bible doesn't seem the same as a God if there is one, that created a trillion galaxies. I talked about this number at one UU church lecture and had the name of the scientist too who estimated the numbers. The universe is far more complex. I would think if there is any kind of divine force or God it would be greater or "better" then what is presented to us in religions where the "gods" presented seem to have all too human traits like petty jealousy, and anger and wrath. It would not send people to eternal burning and it would want FRIENDS instead of a heaven where people just spend eternity telling it/he/she how great and wonderful it is. How boring for both parties if you think about it. A supreme intellect of this scope would never demand such a thing. Nature, Science and Evolution seem to speak of a universe that is far different then the one presented to me in the bible. I agree with you about a God that wants bowing and worship, it made me uncomfortable. It's not that I had narcissistic leanings, and refused to acknowledge those "in charge" but I kept thinking WHY and what purpose does this serve, like I had to keep bowing and scrapping to be worthy. I would think any God would want friends and REAL communication. I don't think your atheism would offend, I find myself thinking if there is a God of any sort, it would want those who think about these things and want people who are living the best they can. I have encountered people online who call themselves "Christian atheists" I found that rather paradoxical but I think they were driving at this idea. Wouldn't a real God who is supreme desire that we want a God if we were to believe in one or surmise at it's existence to be more moral then us? [no hell or other insanities] I realized the god of fundamentalist Christianity was definitely "too small" for me.
DeleteIs it possible that all this mess comes from confusing/equating the word "fear" with "awe"? Falling down on one's metaphorical knees with awe, in a state of rapture, enlightenment, overwhelmed by infinite love and wonder while downloading the mysteries of the universe seems an appropriate response to All That Is. But fear, seriously?! Is this confusion between fear and awe a mistranslation of Aramaic or an intentional misinterpretation to keep the slaves in line?
ReplyDeleteThe Bible says fear multiple times. Even looking up the greek and hebrew it translates to Fear first though awe and respect is mentioned.
DeleteUnchecked Copy Box Deu 5:29
O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!
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Unchecked Copy Box Deu 6:2
That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.
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Unchecked Copy Box Deu 6:13
Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.
The NAS Old Testament Hebrew Lexicon
Strong's Number: 3372 Browse Lexicon
Original Word Word Origin
ary a primitive root
Transliterated Word TDNT Entry
Yare' TWOT - 907,908
Phonetic Spelling Parts of Speech
yaw-ray' Verb
Definition
to fear, revere, be afraid
(Qal)
to fear, be afraid
to stand in awe of, be awed
to fear, reverence, honour, respect
(Niphal)
to be fearful, be dreadful, be feared
to cause astonishment and awe, be held in awe
to inspire reverence or godly fear or awe
(Piel) to make afraid, terrify
(TWOT) to shoot, pour
2Co 7:1
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
ols
Unchecked Copy Box 2Co 7:15
And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.
fear
g5401
φόβος phobos
Strong's Concordance
phobos: panic flight, fear, the causing of fear, terror
Original Word: φόβος, ου, ὁ
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: phobos
Phonetic Spelling: (fob'-os)
Short Definition: fear, terror, reverence
Definition: (a) fear, terror, alarm, (b) the object or cause of fear, (c) reverence, respect.
Interesting there is a Greek god named Phobos....and a moon out there too.
trembling
g5156
τρόμος tromos
Strong's Concordance
tromos: trembling, quaking
Original Word: τρόμος, ου, ὁ
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: tromos
Phonetic Spelling: (trom'-os)
Short Definition: a trembling
Definition: a trembling, quaking, fear.
HELPS Word-studies
Cognate: 5156 trómos – trembling (shaking) caused by great fear. See 5141 (tremō).
The Awe thing in these definitions seems like an after thought. Think about it, isn't it a human construct to want to FEAR a god? Since human authority has been managed by fear and control, the ants don't fear us, and neither are they beholding us with awe.
Thanks for your scholarship, Peep! My theory was incorrect and learning so rips apart the last shred of sentiment I may have had for judeo/christian religion. It helps to see the facts - your research. We were programmed to be cringing slaves from the jump!
ReplyDeleteThanks anon. :) I learned how to look up greek and hebrew on bible websites years ago, I got DEEP into the bible and bible study. Don't forget this same God in the OT orders the killing of endless people. If us humans are afraid of it, well we were programmed to be! I agree about being programmed to be cringing slaves. Look how religion is used now in America, the majority of the evangelical world helps out oppression on multiple levels.
DeleteMarx was not wrong in thinking that religion exists to control the uneducated masses. That whole snake in the Garden of Eden story always struck me, as a little girl who read science fiction, as the action of a manipulating, cruel dictator, not a god. What god would want to put such limitations on its creation? To not want knowledge is to want to be nothing more than an animal. Why create humans with free will, intellect, and a desire to learn, then tell them that the Tree of Knowledge is bad for them?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteHave to add paragraphs, LOL
DeleteWhen I was into conspiracy theory, many conspiracy websites would talk about religion used as a nexus of control, one talked about self-policing among the masses being an easier way to direct society. George Carlin has explored a few of those themes. I knew Christians who had left the "religious system"--I left all churches before I deconverted from the religion as a whole, who saw a fakeness in the evangelical/ conservative churches and with controlling pastors. The other day I was having weird thoughts about how there is such a dark energy with some of those groups now.
One thing that struck me and I kept thinking about was, why would a PERFECT BEING punish creatures it created for being IMPERFECT when it made them that way, with built in programming for competition for resources, a sex drive etc. When I was UU in the earlier years--my first deconvert, I read books that talked about the Garden of Eden being an allegory of the transition of mankind from animal consciousness to SELF AWARE human conciousness---one book I read--sorry can't remember title has discussed a change of human consciousness that has actually changed in just about every epoch.
The Gnostics definitely translated this story to mean that, but it's odd, we are to be punished for becoming more self aware and more conscious? I also have thoughts too that God of the Bible operates too much like man, and a truly enlightened being would operate beyond the "I will punish [crush you. burn you] for eternity you authoritarian system"
I don't understand too why this supposed God would be angry at human beings becoming self aware and becoming "smarter" and desire to learn, that bothers me. The Gnostics actually believed the God of the Old Testament was "evil" [this story, drownings in Genesis, and genocides see Ezekiel 9, and believed Jesus came to save us from him, that's some different religious philosophies I encountered. The whole story is disturbing, also the idea that the tree was put in the middle and humans right there to eat from it, like putting a gun in a room with babies to play with, is a bit off-putting as well.