‘If He Were Here, It Would Be Different’

Why do trained theologians differ? Why do educated translators disagree over Greek and Hebrew meanings? Why all the confusion? Shouldn't a "divinely inspired" document be as clear as possible?

The problem is not with human limitations, as some claim. the problem is the bible itself. People who are free of theological bias and whose minds have not turned cultish in their blind belief notice that the Bible contains hundreds of discrepancies. Should it surprise us that such a literary and moral mishmash taken seriously causes so much discord?

One verse out of hundreds that do not make sense:
Jesus: But those who are my enemies, which would not have me rule over them, bring them here and slay them before me. Luke 19: Verse 27
Does this sound like the "Prince of Peace" and loving Jesus we were taught from childhood?

Are we really supposed to believe that Jesus was born of a virgin impregnated by a ghost? I find it incredible that we are asked to believe that the earth was created in 6 literal days, that women came form a man's rib, and that same man was created from mud, that a snake, a donkey and a burning bush spoke human language, that the entire world was flooded with 40 days of rain (do you know how many times the number 40 is used in the bible? The answer is at least 4. How about the numbers 3, 6, and 7?) The writers used numerology.) Are we supposed to believe that language variations stem from the tower of Babel, that the sun stood still to help Joshua win a battle and it went backward for King Hezekiah? Would any self respecting physician believe that mental illness and epilepsy are caused by demons (there was no word for these things thousands of years ago, that those born with a homosexual orientation are possessed by the same demons, (again, no DNA studies or Biology 5,000 years ago). Finally do we believe that that there is life after death in a city which is 1,500 miles cubed, with mansions and food for Christians only. Has anyone noticed the similarity in the names Christ and Krishna? How many know that there were other pagan gods and a=saviors that have the same hallmarks that "jesus" had? Does anyone care to research evolution as much as they do the Bible? If they did they would find there are skeletons which are half human and yes, half ape. They are called Hominids. Dozens and dozens have been found, and yes, so has the infamous "missing link".

Well, like Christopher Hitchens says, the world is a better place ( and roomier) without him. And I'm glad also to see that he 'skipped' the Rapture .. Instead, having his dead swollen carcas discovered in the obscurity of his back office .. He and his ilk have done Enormous amounts of damage to the psyche of this country and have NOT helped Israeli and palstinian relations AT ALL .. He even blamed 9-11 on our own fellow citizens .. nope, can't hide it and I won't .. I'm glad he's dead ..

The world is better off with her husband dead! In his head, love your fellow American IF there like us. But its ok to be hateful towards them if there not! What I just said sounds cold, but no colder than him.

He only tried to preach the truth... You must be Baptist. Shame on you. Don't you know that Jesus and St. Peter taught the only TRUE religion.

you tell them cathy78! I know where your coming from!! you are just like me.

How can you say there is no compatibility between religion and politics when that is exactly what this country was founded on? I understand that it may not be for everyone and it is a delicate subject not to be pushed however it IS a part of this country's history and why any of us have this country to begin with so to write it off all together is plain ignorant. I'm tired of walking on eggshells while my beliefs are continously sidelined so that some libral's can dominate. We all need to speak up to be heard before we're drowned out.

I think you called it right Texas2...Im not sure Jerry is going to heaven or hell as he provided nothing of subtance on this earth that I could see but hate and intolerance. He was filled with the same hate that Usama is filled with just executed his hate in a different way.

Jerry Falwell was the best advertisement for ATHEISM there ever was! :)

The moral majority was neither the majority nor moral. Read Mel White's {the ghostwriter} of Falwell's (Strength for the Journey and If I Should Die Before I Wake) book Stranger at the Gate: To Be Gay And Christian In America. Falwell was an embarrasment to any thinking person.

No disrespect to Macel of goodness. However, "GOD MAKES THINGS DIFFERENT." Not Jerry, George, or any other bible breeder that forgets that GOD is before, during, and after thr Bible. As you seen, The Bible did not save Jerry, GOD did! With all my humankind respect to imperfect children of GOD as we ALL happen to be born that way, I pray Jerry rests in peace.

Just a an observation..according to the rhetoric I'm reading, the Religious Right (i.e., Evangelicals) apparently is the only religion in this country that is the Land of the Free! (?) HELLO!! There are the Jewish, the Catholic, the Buddhist, and many more religions that make this country Great...Gee, I sure hope I won't be witnessing a religious war in our country in my lifetime; some of this stuff I'm reading is pretty scarry!