What are you smoking? and where can I get some? Where to begin:
Free will is a gift from God that everyone has abused at some time or another, ie SIN. The Bible tells us to go against SIN by using our free will to choose God's path for us. Most Jews have not rejected the teachings of God, and do not see Jesus as Christ. While you may believe this is so they are not inclined to say that it is so. THE FACT THAT THE NEW TESTAMENT EXISTS IS A CHANGE TO THE BIBLE!!!
I would note that it was at least partly politically concieved and entirely radified by a combined political body called the early Christian Church. Whereupon they intentially left out certian books of the "Bible" which were around at the time.
The Political influence of the Bible is that it PREACHED DEATH AND DISMEMBERMENT TO ANYONE THAT WAS NOT JEWISH!!!! how much more political can you get???
(ie. You shall not kill... unless lead from Egypt (or Europe) and need land to live, in which case, hey they're all just gentiles and are ripe for the killing because they don't know God).
And now you're saying that other religions have altered the doctrine to meet their needs, but yet you refuse to admit that early "Jews" did the same. Can I have some of that crack? I have said from the beginning and say to you now that some of the Bible stories have been made up to suit the needs of people who were being influenced by outside forces. I say that they may have come by the knowledge via dreams, visions, or true angels, but in any event NOT all of them are factual or true to life.
I would also note that the two Holidays which you mention regarding the Catholic Church were "inspired" in order to invite Pagans and others to convert to Christianity. Ie. it was a political move by the Catholic Church to get converts and save souls. It was not to allow the Catholics to become pagans or partake in any pagan celebrations. As Christians we are called to reach and save as many souls as we can. NOTE THOUGH: that it WAS a political move by the Catholic Church to gain power and influence by gaining members.
They didn't alter the Bible? I'm guessing my Bible does not have all the books that a King James Bible has. And who added or subtracted different books here. You say it is unable to be changed, yet Jews, Christians, and especially Pagans agree that we as a Christian Community devoted to Christ cannot even agree on what teachings to follow. We have no one true faith, and in fact the only Books that have not been changed are the Old Testament books... which I've already pointed out as having been changed so long ago noone cares to change them now.
I would also state that this in NO WAY alters my belief in what they have taught me, nor who is my God and my Savior. For though I understand that political abuse has affected the Bible, I have read enough of it to understand that the Word is true, even if abused by us sinners.
ps. You quoted only part of the scroll of revelation and if you read carefully, may have damned yourself to hell... oops sorry. Also: I would note that Rev is itself a dream that happened presumably after Christ's lifetime. Hmmm. but wait, we are not to believe in dreams after(or before for that matter) Christ's coming. So why oh why is it in the Bible? ... see above.
your last question - exclusive devotion... Catholic, Episcipalian, Baptist, Christian, Jewish, Seventh Day adventist, Mormom, Shiite, Muslim, Mennonite, Lutheran, etc... yeh, now there's exclusive devotion. Just what He planned. (I would note that almost unarguably the Catholic Christian Church was here first... of course then you have to talk about politics to understand why Lutherans and Episcipalians (SP?) exist.... but I digress). |
