Category Archives: Belief Systems

Certainty

Belief Systems, Just for Fun

What do we really know for certain? Thinking about it critically my view is that most of what we take for certain is a result of our environment. As young people we tend to accept what we are told our parents as reality. During our school years we are “taught” and so our sense of reality continues. Eventually we are influenced by friends and mentors that we respect. However, how often do we take the time to research and learn about other perspectives. What do we know for sure? What we know for certain is that much of the historical record has changed as we get more information. This portends that what we know today about history will likely change in the future. The same goes for science. Another thing we know is that there are many, many events that are yet to be explained. Among them are persons that suddenly become “savants” after a head injury, thousands of alien abductions, UFOs that make 90 degree turns at thousands of MPH, How was Sacsayhuaman built, who built Göbekli Tepe, the Kailasa (Kaliash) temple, Lalibela’s amazing temples and hundreds of others.

One other factor that tends to form what we think we know occurs when we submit to a belief system that only requires “faith” and no evidence. In that regard we can learn a lot from reading “The Age of Reason by Thomas Paine is a philosophical work that explores religious criticism, written during the late 18th century. This volume delves into Paine’s views on theology, particularly addressing Christianity and the nature of religious beliefs, advocating for reason over faith. At the start of “The Age of Reason,” the author articulates his intentions to discuss religion candidly, prompted by societal changes in revolutionary France, where religious institutions faced upheaval. Paine presents a clear profession of faith in one God while vehemently rejecting established dogmas of all major religions, viewing them as human constructs designed to control and deceive people. He emphasizes the importance of using reason to guide beliefs about divinity, asserting that true revelation can be found in nature rather than in scripture. It establishes a foundation for a critical examination of the Bible, its teachings, and the theological principles that stem from religious traditions.

The Truth about Christianity

Belief Systems, Education, Perspectives

The Truth about Christianity

Most people think that Jesus or Paul or perhaps Peter founded the religion called Christianity. This is not true. Yeah, but isn’t Christianity a religion? Yes, it is, but the founders of Christianity were not Jesus, Paul, or Peter. Christianity as a religion wasn’t really born until a very gradual process started in the mid-second century CE ending in the mid-third century CE. This is when the following things took place: (1) hierarchy was slowly introduced, e.g. bishops were appointed in some regions and later priests became recognized (2) more and more Gentile influence came into the community and the faith became patterned after Roman social and political structures, and (3) Christian dogma and specific doctrines were created. As historians Vearnecombe, Scott, and Taussig tell us (in their excellent book, After Jesus Before Christianity), “…in the first two centuries after Jesus, what we think of as ‘Christianity’ did not exist.” Christianity was not part of the original Jesus Movement.an

The above is an excerpt from the Internet. See the complete article at: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/thespiritualbrewpub/2023/04/5-facts-about-the-original-jesus-movement-that-debunk-the-origins-of-christianity/

Jesus

Belief Systems, Perspectives

Jesus

While I’m not a religious person I am admirer of the reported teachings and admirable life of Jesus. Most people know of his life through the four gospels. What many people are not aware of is that these were written between 40 and 80 years after his death and by people who did not know him. Their narratives while not duplicates are fairly consistent. They are obviously comprised of oral histories which may or may not be entirely accurate. Regardless they represent a life we can all respect. It is ironic that much of what he aspired to in life is ignored by many of those who call them selves Christians.

Jesus Christ is not the man’s name. It is more a title like saying Jesus the Savior. He likely had a surname. I like Jesus Josephson. His mother was definitely a virgin early on but not after siring his brothers and sisters. While here is little about his siblings in the “Good Book” there are copious details in the Urantia Book. It narrates a detailed biography of Jesus that includes his childhood, teenage years, family life, and public ministry, as well as the events that led to his crucifixion, death, and resurrection. Its papers continue with appearances after he rose, Pentecost and, finally, “The Faith of Jesus.”

Another good source on the life of Jesus is contained in the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Nag Hammadi Scriptures. One thing that Jesus displayed was that a “Church” need not be one of bricks and mortar. His was a traveling show that required very little financing. What is most important is his stance on morality and love of his fellow man. How great would the world be if we were all to treat others as we which to be treated.