One myth leads to another

Myth 5: Mary Is the Mother of God

What is the origin of the myth?

“Veneration of the mother of God received its impetus when . . . the pagan masses streamed into the church. . . . Their piety and religious consciousness [that of pagans converted to Christianity] had been formed for millennia through the cult of the ‘great mother’ goddess and the ‘divine virgin.’”—The New Encyclopædia Britannica (1988), Volume 16, pages 326 and 327.

What does the Bible say?

“You are to conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. . . . And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God.”—Italics ours; Luke 1:31-35, The New Jerusalem Bible.

That passage of Scripture clearly states that Mary was the mother of the “Son of God,” not of God himself. Could she have carried within her the One whom ‘the heavens themselves cannot contain’? (1 Kings 8:27) She never made such a claim. It is the teaching about the Trinity that has sown confusion over the identity of Mary. By proclaiming her Theotokos (a Greek word meaning “God-bearer”), or “Mother of God,” the Council of Ephesus, in 431 C.E., set the stage for Mary worship. The city of Ephesus where this church council was held had for centuries been at the heart of idol worship celebrating the fertility goddess Artemis.

So it was that many aspects of the worship of the image of Artemis that “fell from heaven,” such as processions, were integrated into Mary worship. (Acts 19:35) Another practice that crept into Christian teaching was the use of images of Mary and others in worship.

Compare these Bible verses: Matthew 13:53-56; Mark 3:31-35; Luke 11:27, 28

FACT:

Mary was the mother of the Son of God, not of God himself. The Trinity myth gave birth to the worship of Mary as the Mother of God

originally posted by: queenofswords
a reply to: whereislogic

Calling something a myth because it was "popularized" by some other culture or a person prior to Christianity doesn't mean there isn't truth to it.

I didn't call it a myth because it was popularized by some other culture or a person prior to Christianity, that was not my motive for calling it a myth. My research into the subject (some of which is discussed in this thread), my conclusions based on reasoning on the facts/realities using my "thinking abilities" and my "powers of discernment/perceptive powers" "to distinguish both right and wrong", what is true and what is false (Hebrews 5:14) and my desire to be honest about the subject are some of my main motives for doing so. I find the evidence to be quite substantial that I'm correct about this and can safely conclude that it is a myth and share that information for those who are unaware of how they've been tricked regarding something significant that leads to other myths and deceptions from the same source and origin (which again is not the only or main reason for calling it a myth, there's a lot more to it than just tracing the source and origin of these types of religious philosophies and myths that have a specific pattern and motive to them in relation to what is really true about God and the bible). And keeps people in figurative darkness and ignorance regarding what's really true and important to know and act on.
Religion is a Snare and a Racket

Myth 6: God Approves of the Use of Images and Icons in Worship

What is the origin of the myth?

“Images were unknown in the worship of the primitive Christians . . . The admission of images into the church in the 4th and 5th centuries was justified on the theory that the ignorant people could learn the facts of Christianity from them better than from sermons or books.”— Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature, by McClintock and Strong, Volume 4, pages 503 and 504.

What does the Bible say?

“You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them.” (Exodus 20:4, 5, The Holy Bible—New International Version) The apostle John wrote to first-century Christians: “Little children, guard yourselves from idols.”—1 John 5:21.

Are images, as the churches claim, simply a means of approaching and honoring what they represent? “At first,” states The Encyclopedia of Religion, “images may have served primarily didactic [teaching] and decorative purposes; at least, they were defended on such grounds. But soon they came to fill admittedly devotional functions. This was especially true of the icons that became a prominent feature of Eastern Orthodoxy.” However, the prophet Isaiah rightly asked: “To whom can you compare God? What image can you contrive of him?”—Isaiah 40:18, The New Jerusalem Bible.

Compare these Bible verses: Isaiah 44:13-19; Acts 10:25, 26; 17:29; 2 Corinthians 5:7

FACT:

God does not approve of the use of images and icons

REJECT MYTHS, STICK TO THE TRUTH

What can we conclude from this brief review of myths that are still taught by many churches? These “tales [Greek, myʹthos] artfully spun” cannot rival the simple and comforting truths of the Bible.—2 Peter 1:16, The New English Bible.

Therefore, with an open mind, do not hesitate to compare with God’s Word—the source of truth—what you have been taught. (John 17:17) Then, this promise will prove true in your case: “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”—John 8:32.

The End. Well...at least of this article discussing 6 connected myths. Here's something that is related to this last myth:

Why Christians don't use the Cross and why Christendom and others do - part 1 of 2

originally posted by: whereislogic
So summing it all up and giving the definitions for each of the 3 words mentioned by the Blackwell dictionary that Seede brought up (for easy reference for anyone who's going to read this thread or anyone who has taken their information from similar sources)...

Hebrew: nesha·mahʹ
English: breath

More limited in range of meaning than ruʹach.

Hebrew: ruʹach
English: spirit

Basically means “breath” but has extended meanings beyond that basic sense. (Compare Hab 2:19; Re 13:15.) It can also mean wind; the vital force in living creatures; one’s spirit; spirit persons, including God and his angelic creatures; and God’s active force, or holy spirit. All these meanings have something in common: They all refer to that which is invisible to human sight and which gives evidence of force in motion.

Hebrew: neʹphesh
English: soul

Bible usage shows the soul to be a person or an animal or the life that a person or an animal enjoys. Neʹphesh, as used with reference to earthly creatures, refers to that which is material, tangible, visible, and mortal.

So hopefully I have highlighted the difference sufficiently now.

And all 3 Hebrew words are conflated into the definition of the English word "soul" by the Blackwell Dictionary that Seede used to argue for his Platonic views/philosophies about what "soul" means and what it is. Only 1 of the 3 applies and not in the manner described by Plato, Seede, Samuel Kohn and his Blackwell Dictionary or Babylon the Great (immortal, immaterial, invisible, etc., conflating it with "spirit"), see also preceding commentary on page 3 and 4. It's a dark or black well indeed.

Light in a Darkened World

originally posted by: whereislogic
Evolution—Myths and Facts

If you study that subject a bit more, you may realize some of the same Greek Pagan philosophers being involved and named, allthough not in that article.

A bit more about that connection:

Evolution is an old idea that has been dusted off and doctored up for modern consumption. Though unprovable by the scientific method, it is assumed to be true. Even the clergy embrace it, saying God created by means of evolution. But the Bible disagrees.

THE Bible tells Christians to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, but today the religious fad is to trail off after the scientists who copy Greek philosophers. In the fifth century before Christ the Greek philosopher Empedocles believed in spontaneous generation of life, gradual evolution of organisms and survival of the fittest. In the following century Aristotle taught that “man is the highest point of one long and continuous ascent.” Greek philosophers in general preached the evolution idea.
...
Any who do not agree with them because of the Bible record of creation are gullible ignoramuses. The proud clergy do not want to be classed as gullible ignoramuses. So they fall prey to evolution.
...
The Catholic Encyclopedia says that the idea that God used evolution to produce man’s body “was propounded by St. Augustine.”
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The Roman Catholic Church boasts that she has absorbed much that is related to paganism and demon worship, and she will not choke when swallowing this godless philosophy of the ancient Greeks, as shown on page 172 of the volume Catholic Cabinet: “As Rome absorbed Platonism and Aristotelianism, so will she absorb evolutionary philosophy.”

Source: Evolution Warps Religious Thinking (1957)

Myth: this stuff matters.


Truth: According to scriptures, Jesus gave(from my count) 38 imperative commands. Do those and everything else is child's play.

A2D

Thanks for the demonstration Agree2Disagree.

Still the greatest conspiracy in religions nobody wants to talk about or even hear (consider seriously), not wanting to 'put up with' it, as 2 Timothy 4:3,4 puts it; "not interested", as they say at the door.

3 For there will be a period of time when they will not put up with the wholesome* [Or “healthful; beneficial.”] teaching, but according to their own desires, they will surround themselves with teachers to have their ears tickled.* [Or “to tell them what they want to hear.”] 4 They will turn away from listening to the truth and give attention to false stories.* [Greek, myʹthos]

REJECT MYTHS, STICK TO THE TRUTH:

What can we conclude from this brief review of myths that are still taught by many churches? These “tales [Greek, myʹthos] artfully spun” cannot rival the simple and comforting truths of the Bible.​—2 Peter 1:16, The New English Bible.

Therefore, with an open mind, do not hesitate to compare with God’s Word​—the source of truth—​what you have been taught. (John 17:17) Then, this promise will prove true in your case: “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”​—John 8:32.

Babylon the Great (Reasoning From the Scriptures)

Definition: The world empire of false religion, embracing all religions whose teachings and practices do not conform to the true worship of Jehovah, the only true God. Following the Flood of Noah’s day, false religion had its beginning at Babel (later known as Babylon). (Gen. 10:8-10; 11:4-9) In time, Babylonish religious beliefs and practices spread to many lands. So Babylon the Great became a fitting name for false religion as a whole.

“The lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will do away with.”​—2 THESSALONIANS 2:8.

Identifying “the Man of Lawlessness”

Identifying the Lawless One

7. Why do we conclude that Paul was not talking about one individual, and what does the man of lawlessness stand for?

7 Was Paul speaking of a single individual? No, for he states that this “man” was evident in Paul’s day and would continue in existence until Jehovah destroyed him at this system’s end. Thus, he has existed for many centuries. Obviously, no literal man has lived that long. So the expression “man of lawlessness” must stand for a body, or class, of people.

8. Who is the man of lawlessness, and what are some identifying features?

8 Who are they? The evidence shows that they are the body of proud, ambitious clergymen of Christendom, who over the centuries have set themselves up as a law unto themselves. This can be seen by the fact that there are thousands of different religions and sects in Christendom, each with its clergy, yet each conflicting with the others in some aspect of doctrine or practice. This divided state is a clear evidence that they do not follow God’s law. They cannot be from God. (Compare Micah 2:12; Mark 3:24; Romans 16:17; 1 Corinthians 1:10.) What all these religions have in common is that they do not hold fast to the Bible’s teachings, having violated the rule: “Do not go beyond the things that are written.”​—1 Corinthians 4:6; see also Matthew 15:3, 9, 14.

9. What unscriptural beliefs has the lawless one substituted for Bible truths?

9 Thus, this lawless one is a composite person: the religious clergy of Christendom. All of them, whether popes, priests, patriarchs, or Protestant preachers, share responsibility for the religious sins of Christendom. They have exchanged the truths of God for pagan lies, teaching such unscriptural doctrines as immortality of the human soul, hellfire, purgatory, and Trinity. They are like the religious leaders to whom Jesus said: “You are from your father the Devil, and you wish to do the desires of your father. . . . He is a liar and the father of the lie.” (John 8:44) Their practices also expose them as lawless, for they participate in activities that violate God’s laws. To such ones Jesus says: “Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness.”​—Matthew 7:21-23.

The preaching never ends with this guy.

originally posted by: whereislogic
...
Babylon the Great (Reasoning From the Scriptures)

Definition: The world empire of false religion, embracing all religions whose teachings and practices do not conform to the true worship of Jehovah, the only true God. Following the Flood of Noah’s day, false religion had its beginning at Babel (later known as Babylon). (Gen. 10:8-10; 11:4-9) In time, Babylonish religious beliefs and practices spread to many lands. So Babylon the Great became a fitting name for false religion as a whole.

...

I recently made a comment in another thread* concerning “Myth 5: Mary Is the Mother of God” and how it links to Babylon and Mother-Goddess worship. (*: the thread “Song for a Dark Queen”)

Just a bump for those interested in some more details.

Gnostics, and not in the traditional Christian sense of prayer or church attendance is concerned. It was a mixture of sorts with it major roots tying to Hellenism an Judaism, along with Hindu an Buddhist influences.

It was more of a school of thought then doctrine really, which prized knowledge as a form of worship to a God that ether an arrogant douche, to an ignorant child with magnifying glass over ants.

Which is said to be the God of the O.T, Jesus's dad. There are other schools of thought that have similar methodology regarding a foolish creator like Pythagorists an Plato.

What's difference between a Philosophy or a Religion when both are said to be lived by? As for con jobs an miracle cure, with people offering lots of money...what else is new.

Paul is interesting to an extent that he is considered a Gnostic Christian, all the while a good chunk of Gnostics involving any Christian tones is basically trashed. I'm under the impression that his letters could be forgeries, but I wasn't there.

The first myth is that there is someone in the body doing and thinking.

In this groundbreaking book, Niebauer writes that the latest research in neuropsychology is now confirming a fundamental tenet of Buddhism, what is called Anatta, or the doctrine of "no self." Niebauer writes that our sense of self, or what we commonly refer to as the ego, is an illusion created entirely by the left side of the brain. Niebauer is quick to point out that this doesn't mean that the self doesn't exist but rather that it does so in the same way that a mirage in the middle of the desert exists, as a thought rather than a thing. His conclusions have significant ramifications for much of modern psychological modalities, which he says are spending much of their time trying to fix something that isn't there.
No Self, No Problem: How Neuropsychology is Catching Up to Buddhism: Amazon.co.uk: Chris Niebauer: 9781938289972: Books
www.amazon.co.uk...

Here is an interview with Dr Chris Niebauer.

a reply to: Itisnowagain

Dr Chris Niebauer is one of those "teachers" described at 2 Timothy 4:3,4:

“For there will be a period of time when they will not put up with the wholesome* [Or “healthful; beneficial.”] teaching, but according to their own desires, they will surround themselves with teachers to have their ears tickled.* [Or “to tell them what they want to hear.”] They will turn away from listening to the truth and give attention to false stories.” (2 Timothy 4:3,4)

“So we should no longer be children, tossed about as by waves and carried here and there by every wind of teaching by means of the trickery of men, by means of cunning in deceptive schemes.” (Ephesians 4:14)

“Look out that no one takes you captive by means of the philosophy and empty deception according to human tradition, according to the elementary things of the world and not according to Christ;” “We have much to say about him, and it is difficult to explain, because you have become dull in your hearing. For although by now* [Lit., “in view of the time.”] you should be teachers, you again need someone to teach you from the beginning the elementary things of the sacred pronouncements of God, and you have gone back to needing milk, not solid food. For everyone who continues to feed on milk is unacquainted with the word of righteousness, for he is a young child. But solid food belongs to mature people, to those who through use have their powers of discernment* [Or “their perceptive powers.”] trained to distinguish both right and wrong.” (Col 2:8; Hebrews 5:11-14)

“However, the inspired word clearly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to misleading inspired statements and teachings of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, whose conscience is seared as with a branding iron.”(1 Timothy 4:1,2).

Time to stop taking one's information about reality from these types. Jesus said of these types (the Jewish version of this type):

“They like the most prominent place at evening meals and the front seats in the synagogues and the greetings in the marketplaces and to be called Rabbi by men. But you, do not you be called Rabbi, for one is your Teacher, and all of you are brothers.” (Matthew 23:6-8) (Rabbi is the Hebrew word for teacher, in India, they call them gurus; evolutionary philosophers call themselves scientists, and present their philosophies and myths under the marketingbanner "science", that also counts for types like Stephen Hawking and those into the pseudoscience of string theory, M theory, the multiverse, and the part in the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics that leads to a paradox/contradiction/nonsense, already pointed out by Schrödinger with his illustration involving a cat, which wasn't to say that the scenario he explained as the endresult of that interpretation, was an actual possibility, it was to show that the interpretation was wrong/in error, a mistake; check out the synonyms for paradox on thesaurus.com and you will find 2 of those 3 terms.)

Jesus then said: “After you have lifted up the Son of man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing of my own initiative; but just as the Father taught me, I speak these things.” (John 8:28)

“I, Jehovah, am your God, the One teaching you to benefit yourself,* [Or “for your own good.”] the One guiding you in the way you should walk. If only you would pay attention to my commandments!” (Isaiah 48:17,18)