The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: “If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?”; But… the good Samaritan reversed the question: “;If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?” -Martin Luther King Jr.
The daily stories of police brutality have detailed more than 2.2 million American citizens behind bars and untold numbers of murders by police officers. All this is alongside worldwide conflict, 1,800 Palestinians dead and 65 Israelis dead during this latest episode of daily bloodbath, majority of whom are children or civilians. Not to mention the recent airplane crash, possibly killing 298 passengers on MH 17. Let us not forget the missing Nigerian girls. Revelations that child molestation thrives on a multi-billion-dollar child pornography industry had my mind abuzz.
The thought of global warming, the air we breathe, the particles we do not see, and the sun’s descending path toward the earth only confirm my bizarre suspicions.
The U.S. and Israel are taking us to Sodom and Gomorrah. Nothing good emanates from a culture that embraces inhospitality and punishes compassion.
Today, one percent of the world enjoys untold freedom as those above the law and accountable only to their consciences. That one percent enjoys all its rights while trampling on other people’s.
Biblical times and God ***
Islam is interesting, and it complements Judaism. Jews believe in the Torah, and Muslims believe in the Qur’an. Judaism values customs, while Islam values the spirituality of God.
The sharia makes living and making decisions simple if you are a Muslim man or you interpret the sharia, a qadi. The sharia are religious laws that govern non-religious life of Muslims. No aspect of a person’slife is not covered in rule books. The Qur’an is as vague as any other Biblical book, making it open to interpretation. However it is the infrastructure that is the source of disagreements and problems within Islam. Islam is divisive creating sects, and more factions, and extremists–ALL from the same religion. Naturally, the Quran guide those who interpret the sharia
Religions are nuanced most often at first glance. Digging deeper, we see that religions hold divergent or opposing interpretations on seemingly similar Biblical doctrines. There are probably as many Bibles as there are religions.
Ironically, I think the number of canonical Bibles represents distinctly different Gods and this continued. New religions adopt different bibles or portions of biblical books that are suitable for that religion’s purposes, customs, beliefs, and values.
Canonical Bibles are scriptures of God delivered by different prophets. In ancient times, each tribe or descendent of Noah decided to adopt a different book or apply different interpretations.
Bibles are beautiful works that tell of the past and the future. For us, there is no difference. In contrast to Sodom and Gomorrah, we will not need God to destroy the earth. We will freely destroy each other in our lust and greed.
Come on share your thoughts on Biblical works and religion.
Scripture is quaint and trite.
The basis for its truth, and the truths themselves ought be set on some rational concensus.
Some of it is trite, some of it is where juicy rumors originate. What I find fascinating is some of the similarities today.
I believe many Gods exist. God of Christianity, the God of Judaism and the God of Islam are different Gods. At one time I thought they were all the same.
Some gods are overbearing and egocentric, loving to control. Other Gods are kind and allow humans freedom of expression and freedom to be a human. Ancient Egyptians were right in many ways.
Exist? In what sense?
Ancient mythology provides clues. Is there ever just one? I also believe there were many Adams and Eves…The Gods liked to experiment. For instance, Allah and the Christian God have much in common, very controlling, jealous and prone to outbursts of rage that result in human suffering.
Now is that God or our limited ability to understand God’s actions’ in any other context so we create explanations based on our limited experiences and range of emotions.
There are too many religions to believe in one God…. the vastness of the universe says otherwise. By letting go, the mind connects easier to the collective: that concept of unity with many different minds tapping the energies of our Gods, awakening our awareness and understanding purpose of harmony with nature.
That is my heuristic opinion, and I hope I answered your question.
Your answer presumes existence. So is what is god, that it exists, has its own distinct sentience, has its own palpable substance.
Good questions….the light is another clue as to the nature of God…..What do you think? Are Gods ( or singular God) palpable?
As far as the Abrahamic notion goes, I am a nonbeliever.
Why? And what is your belief?
“The basis for its truth, and the truths themselves ought be set on some rational concensus.” Aren’t Bibles and religions set in some “rational concensus?” The each have their truths,
There is only ONE GOD.