Most if not all Christians fall into one of two groups:
1) those who have read their bibles vertically, from cover to cover.
2) those who have not read their bibles vertically, from cover to cover.
For the time being, I'm going to talk about the former group.
Okay, for those who have read their bibles as delineated in 1, I contend that one of two things will invariably happen when these people encounter scripture that creates cognitive dissonance..i.e..ideas that don't make sense; ideas that raise an eyebrow.
Since many Christians like to extol Jesus, and while at the same time, they attempt to "divorce" or distance him and their relationship with him from "religion", let's go ahead and look directly at some of Jesus' own advice, advice that we should all be able to agree is crappy advice if anyone else were to give it:
- Do not plan for the future:
34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
(Matthew 6:34)
- Do not save money:
19 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
(Matthew 6:19-20)
- Sell everything and give it to the poor:
33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.
(Luke 12:33)
- Don't work to obtain food:
27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.
(John 6:27)
- If someone hits you, invite them to do it again.
39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.
(Matthew 5:39)
So, again, I would wager that we would all agree that this is some pretty horrible advice. But yet, people who remain in group 1, above, will look for ways to defend the above-quoted verses.
This brings me to my point from above:
When people from group 1 encounter these verses(and more verses like them), one of two things will take place. Either, a) they will be forced to look for ways to defend/reconcile these verses, aka, employ apologetics, or b) they will deconvert from Christianity. IOW, these people will be faced with a decision.
*It should be noted at this point that there could be Christians from group 2 reading this right now who didn't know that the bible contained such passages(I contend that there are Christians out there who have not seen such verses). In this case, these people are perfectly within reason should they rethink and change their minds about Christianity. IOW, should they come to an understanding with themselves that they can no longer honestly sustain their belief that Christianity is true, and/or, something that they need, they are being reasonable to discard/dismiss it. We can throw the proverbial "baby" out, right along with the dirty bath water.
2 comments:
To kind of tie your previous post and this one together - the modern day Christian basically believes that the "New Testament" basically supersedes the "Old Testament" and it's teachings/justice. I actually heard this in a congressional hearing where a congressman (or senator)flat out stated, in an argument about abortion, gay marriage or women's rights or some such ... that the scripture referred to by his opponent was, "that's from the Old testament" (Implying that it no longer applies) since the revelation of the new testament!
religion cannot be taken seriously in any form when they regard or disregard the word of God at their convenience. I find his immensely amusing yet deeply troubling when they basically throw away everything in the OT yet STILL cling to it and quote it to deny rights!
"the modern day Christian basically believes that the 'New Testament' basically supersedes the 'Old Testament' and it's teachings/justice"
If "Truth" can be improved upon, especially where the progression of time is concerned, then we can hardly think of it as "Objective Truth..i.e..."true" in all places at all times.
"I find his immensely amusing yet deeply troubling when they basically throw away everything in the OT yet STILL cling to it and quote it to deny rights!"
Yes! The OT applies when it applies, and it doesn't apply when it doesn't. 'Funny how that works.
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