Almost saved- so near and yet so far

[Socialite]

Originally Posted by NotforSale

As I have gotten older, many things which were told to me as a young man have come full circle. Promises didn't take place, people fell, ideas or prophecies disappeared, and prayers weren't answered.

I see more clearly than ever, an idea or concept can captivate an audience today, only to fall by the wayside many years from now. I have learned that absolutes in realms we can't see are a dangerous way to manipulate people.

I remember years ago seeing a painting of Jesus. Soon, whenever people would talk about Jesus I would see this picture in my mind. After time I found out that the picture in my mind was most likely, wrong. But I've asked myself; where did this picture come from? A man. It came from a person's perspective, a perspective subject to culture, upbringing, and a dogma in Faith.

Today, we have a Book called the Bible. This Book is based upon Texts that carry no originals. We don't even know who the Authors are. The New Testament, which is nothing but a series of copies, is written in Greek (language of the Romans and the birthing place of the Catholic Church), and, we MUST consider the picture which is being painted by whoever wrote these words down.

Who is responsible, who is the one portraying the idea, and from what era do these writings appear?

I am told by Men that I am to accept this Book as a Fact, and if I don't, I will pay the consequences. The picture which this Book paints is troubling. God throwing souls into Hell Fire is atrocious! It's beyond my comprehension, and is the best way to keep me in "Check" by those trying to control me in Faith. If I dare question this Book, my very soul will burn forever.

God never gave Man a Book in the beginning. He gave him a Garden and a wife. In this environment, a man was able to comprehend and adore His Creator. Today, I see the wisdom and beauty of such a simple existence, and I also see that Religion has destroyed this World with confusion, fear, and murder. The very first killing was over Faith, and this sad prelude has never stopped.

I don't want to disrespect anyone here; I only want to be honest. I'm weary in trying to convince myself that something is real, when it's not.

I could begin an entire thread on the fidelity of manuscripts, and how they stack up as chief among any other ancient writings in terms of earliest witnesses from the original manuscript, to the # of copies, etc. I could also go into how the preservation of the message is in the form of a holistic story and not necessarily nook and cranny details.

Without a Bible, we have of Jesus only what some historians wrote -- that is, if we want to accept their work as legitimate as well. So that leaves us not only without a painting of Jesus, but with no Jesus at all.

The Bible is not a religious idol -- at least it's not supposed to be. It's recordings by mortals of God's intervening in our world and life. It's continuing the story that began in Eden. Flawed men, inspired by their experience, writing and sharing. We too get to live in that Story.