Jonathan H. B. Lobl

In my opinion, there is not enough evidence for a historic Jesus, to take the proposition seriously. That's not the point. If Someone insists that such evidence exists -- I'm prepared to consider it. We do want to be fair, don't we? I don't think the author made a good case for his position -- but we want to be fair. For me, it's the Atheist way. There is no good reason to believe -- but if someone comes up with a good reason -- I'm willing to reconsider. After all. It's not faith. It's fairness.

My personal bias aside, a lot of people believe there was a historic Jesus. In the interests of fairness....... https://www.patheos.com/blogs/standingonmyhead/2018/12/yes-jesus-really-existed-and-he-was-born-on-december-25.html?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Best+of+Patheos&utm_content=57

In my opinion, this greatly distorts Taoism. In real Taoism, there is no war between Light and Dark -- Hard and Soft -- Wet and Dry -- Hot and Cold, etc. Jediism creates a conflict, where Taoism understands the process of change, harmony and balance. By it's mythology, Jediism calls the Sith into existence. Every atom has both a positive charge and a negative charge. Without positive and negative, nothing could exist. There is no war. IMO

So far as I can tell, this is a declaration of spiritual equality. Spiritual equality, does not mean that any sub-set has been forbidden or removed. The distinctions between Jew and Gentile have not been removed. Some people are Jewish. Others are not Jews. Nothing in Scripture forbids the distinction between Jews and Gentiles. Jews and Gentiles both continue to exist. Try and find a passage in Scripture, that outlaws Jews or Judaism. This is the passage you chose, as proof that Scripture outlaws slavery. For this to be true, it would also have to outlaw Jews or Judaism. The distinctions between Male and Female continue to exist. Some people are male. Some people are female. At no point did Scripture forbid the distinction between men and women -- or boys and girls. This is your proof that Scripture outlaws slavery. For this to be so, it would have to outlaw gender identity. That leaves one final sub-set of people. Slaves. At the time of the American Civil War -- or The War Between the States -- The clergy of the Slave owning States, made use of Christian Scripture, in order to justify their Slave owning. It was an interpretation that Southern clergy hotly held. Hot enough to fight a disastrous war over. Nothing in Christian Scripture -- or Jewish -- explicitly forbids slavery. Is all your theology that faulty? Your history certainly is. If we want to know how people in the past understood Scripture -- we are using the same methodology as used by lawyers and judges to understand law. The process of precedent. Distinct from going to one individual -- such as your own highly esteemed self -- to find out what YOU think.

Don't you wish. I read the Book for myself. I read the context for myself. It is shameful. No. This was not indentured servitude. This was slavery in it's worst aspects. What a shame that with all the "Thou shalt nots" -- there was never a prohibition of owning human beings, as property. One more detail. No, I just understand the bible Everything you just said, proves that you do not understand the Bible. Sadly for you, it speaks for itself. Your assertions to the contrary count for nothing.

Just because Christianity is central to your life -- does not make it central to Jews or Judaism. You insist on projecting your thoughts onto others. Your issue. Not theirs. Not mine.

I congratulate you. Just like Atheists, you have outgrown the Bible.

The depth of your antisemitism is astonishing.

Such a shame -- when you can't make Jewish instruments play Christian music.

Of course. A Christian without State backed power to be a bully -- is being oppressed. Of course. Fundamentalists maintain the right to regulate slavery -- instead of forbidding slavery -- in accordance with Scripture. So much for Godly morals.

https://apnews.com/99016849cddb4b99a048b863b52c28cb

Humor aside, Jediism looks harmless enough. In the world of religion, there are worse choices a person could make. Whether it's a good choice, is a matter I leave to future history. We have to wait and see how it develops. What it becomes.

The future is not knowable. Still, history repeats. The early Jesus movement was corrupted by the Roman Empire. In similar manner, the Star Wars mythos is being influenced by the Evil Empire. I do mean Disney. 😄

And yet, President Trump ran on that issue. That under his administration, people would say "Merry Christmas". This is something that we need to understand about Christian Dominionists. It's not about piety. The goal is power over the rest of us. Religious power, backed up by the Civil Authorities, is a potent intoxicant. This is why they want their Ten Commandment Monuments -- and their Nativity scenes -- on Public spaces. It's about power. The rest of us need to learn our place -- at the bottom. Isaiah 45:23 I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations Romans 14:11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations King James Version (KJV) Something to keep in mind, next time you are challenged about the message of the Bible. Psalm 14:1 & 53:1 -- "The Fool says in his heart, there is no God." It's about power. Real power in this world. Of course, Atheists don't get respect.

You are confused by the Fundamentalist mindset. Possibly, because you expect rational thought. When the Fundamentalist is not allowed to oppress others -- that's them being persecuted. When Gay people engage their Human Rights -- and wed -- that's Christians being persecuted. When we have rule of law -- and witches can't be persecuted -- that's Christians being persecuted. When Atheists take their rightful place in society -- that's Christians being persecuted. There is real persecution of Christians in the world. The Copts of Egypt are facing genocide. The Christians of Iraq and Afghanistan are being murdered. The Government of China is relentless in the crushing of "Unauthorized" Christians and "House Churches". None of this concerns American crybaby Christians. They would much rather get hysterical about the War on Christmas. You know. When people say, Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas. Oh, the horror. The Horror.

Exactly my point.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzY2NlGPe3A

I'm amazed. I didn't think that my opinion of you, could possibly be worse than it already was. I stand corrected. Now, I do think even less of you. With a little effort on your part, My opinion of you might drop again. Care to try?

I didn't think that my opinion of you could get any worse. I was mistaken. My opinion of you just got much worse. I'm done here. Proverbs 26:11 [Full Chapter] As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly. Do not be confused. That was me, insulting you, with Scripture.

What can I say? He gets to me. I must do a better job of letting go.