Lies, Greed, and Fear: The origins of Christianity

Belief in God is seriously just a lazy shortcut for everyone to personally explain the mysteries of the universe they are to ignorant or fearful to try to understand or never will understand.

Life, Death, purpose, reality, the movement of the stars etc. can all be easily explained by the belief that it is all created and controlled by an all powerful, all knowing, and omnipresent being of individual sentience as long as you are relentlessly willing to go as far as possible to lie to yourself and accept stories and fables to be attributed to the fabric of reality.

Things are far easier to understand when you admit you know nothing about them initially and watch them from a distance.

If there is a plane of existence beyond life following our death then it will become more reasonable to understand once we make that transition.

Why do you think there is a look of peace on a dying man's face right before death.
I saw it on my dad's face before he passed on and I know in my heart that it became clear.

That is why I believe that the most important thing a person can do for themselves is to accept their death before and when it happens no matter the circumstance!

reply to post by RothchildRancor

Well, if boymonkey74 isn't saying it, I will.

Chrsitianity doesn't try to exert the control that Islamic countries do, which use Islam as a political and legal tool.

Are you aware that Christian organizations are tax exempt?

Yep, so are all other 501 (c) 3 non-profits. Feel free to change our tax laws.

reply to post by HarryTZ

Lies, Greed, and Fear: The origins of Christianity

Christianity, started with Jesus Christ and His disciples. In your OP you are saying that :

Speaking of Jesus, I'd like to talk a little about him. Jesus was, in fact, an enlightened being. He lived to spread the message of infinite love and oneness to all who would listen.

Based on you title OP the above quote of yours is a contradiction.

He allowed himself to be crucified not to cleanse humanity of its sins, but because he knew he could simply move back into his body if and when he pleased.

In other words you are saying He was just showing of. ?

And, three days later, when nobody was around, he swiftly took back his body and continued his life.

Actually, they were some Guards if i recall correctly. And He didn´t just continued His life, He was ascended after a short period of time.

He did not preach of a jealous, angry vengeful god, but of a joyful and blissful reunion with existence itself.

Actually, this is what Jesus preaching :

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’b 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

You cannot handle the responsibility of your own negative experiences, so you blame all of it on a made up entity external to yourself.

As a Christian, i do not blame anyone for my shortcomings. I blame only my self. The only difference is that i am asking God to help me overcome my shortcomings.

A big issue with Christianity is that Christians spend their entire life trying to 'be good' so they can 'go to heaven', and every time they do something that the bible tells them is 'bad' they get scared that they'll 'go to hell'. All they can think about is the so-called 'afterlife' and what will be in store for them.

As a Christian i can tell you are dead wrong. I am not trying to spend all my life to be good. I am trying to live my life the best i can, with all the positives and negatives that life has in store for me. What will happen to me after i am dead, it´s up to God.

When you live by the bible, you are not channeling Jesus. You are doing exactly that which he, and every other enlightened master which walked the earth before and after him, warned us against. You live your life based on the writings of a book which has been mistranslated, misinterpreted, and most of all, manipulated by greed and fear over thousands of years.

"Enlightened Master" ? "Channeling" ? Why is it that every "Enlightened Master" and New Age persons, trying to tell us that the Bible is wrong and their truth is the truth?

'Hell' and 'Satan' were not originally part of the the bible. The bible in its youngest form spoke only of unity and love, and about that which would bring human beings the most joyful and whole life experience.

Actually, there wasn´t any youngest form of the Bible before. There were only writtings on scrolls. Hell and Satan are part on the Bible, whether you like it or not. To claim otherwise is wrong.

Peace

reply to post by Seed76

Christianity, started with Jesus Christ and His disciples.

Christianity revolves around Jesus, but it didn't start there, it actually has very, very ancient roots. Technically, one could say that Christianity is a sect of Judaism that recognizes Jesus as the Jewish Messiah that was prophesied in the Old Testament. Later, the Catholic Church incorporated some Pagan ideology into its doctrine.

Originally posted by HarryTZ
The so-called 'Ten Commandments' are the foundation for these lies. In the original bible, they were probably closer to something like the following (a quote from a wonderful book called 'Conversations with God' that I recommend EVERYONE read. Also, notice how it says COMMITMENTS and not COMMANDMENTS):

"THE TEN COMMITMENTS
You shall know that you have taken the path to God, and you shall know that you have found God, for there will be these signs, these indications, and these changes in you:

1.
You shall love God with all your heart, all your mind, all your soul. And there shall be no other God set before Me. No longer will you worship human love, or success, money, or power, or any symbol thereof. You will set aside these things as a child sets aside toys. Not because they are unworthy, but because you have outgrown them.
And, you shall know you have taken the path to God because:

2.
You shall not use the name of God in vain. Nor will you call upon Me for frivolous things. You will understand the power of words, and of thoughts, and you would not think of invoking the name of God in an ungodly manner. You shall not use My name in vain because you cannot. For My name---the Great "I Am"---is never used in vain (that is, without result), nor can it ever be. And when you have found God, you shall know this.
And, I shall give you these other signs as well:

3.
You shall remember to keep a day for Me, and you shall call it holy, this, so that you do not long stay in your illusion, but cause yourself to remember who and what you are. And then shall you soon call every day the Sabbath, and every moment holy.

4.
You shall honor your mother and your father---and you will know you are the Son of God when you honor your Father/Mother God in all that you say or do or think. And even as you so honor the Mother/Father God, and your father and mother on Earth (for they have given you life), so, too, will you honor everyone.

5.
You know you have found God when you observe that you will not murder (that is, willfully kill, without cause). For while you will understand that you cannot end another's life in any event (all life is eternal), you will not choose to terminate any particular incarnation, nor change any life energy from one form to another, without the most sacred justification. Your new reverence for life will cause you to honor all life forms---including plants, trees and animals---and to impact them only when it is for the highest good.
And these other signs will I send you also, that you may know you are on the path:

6.
You will not defile the purity of love with dishonesty or deceit, for this is adulterous. I promise you, when you have found God; you shall not commit this adultery.

7.
You will not take a thing that is not your own, nor cheat, nor connive, nor harm another to have any thing, for this would be to steal. I promise you, when you have found God, you shall not steal.
Nor shall you. . .

8.
Say a thing that is not true, and thus bear false witness.
Nor shall you. . .

9.
Covet your neighbor's spouse, for why would you want your neighbor's spouse when you know all others are your spouse?

10.
Covet your neighbor's goods, for why would you want your neighbor's goods when you know that all goods can be yours, and all your goods belong to the world?

Star for your effort, but I prefer these, the Real Ten Commandments.

The man I am talking about is Solon the Athenian. Solon was born, we believe, around 638 B.C.E., and lived until approximately 558, but the date in his life of greatest importance to us is the year he was elected to create a constitution for Athens, 594 B.C.E. How important is this man? Let's examine what we owe to him:

The Ten Commandments of Solon (Diogenes Laertius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers
1. Trust good character more than promises.
2. Do not speak falsely.
3. Do good things.
4. Do not be hasty in making friends, but do not abandon them once made.
5. Learn to obey before you command.
6. When giving advice, do not recommend what is most pleasing, but what is most useful.
7. Make reason your supreme commander.
8. Do not associate with people who do bad things.
9. Honor the gods.
10. Have regard for your parents.

reply to post by HarryTZ


As a Follower of Christ, there is only one way to Heaven...by believing in and receiving Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Good deeds are great, but they have no bearing on whether or not you will eventually end up in Heaven.

Jesus Christ is the Way, the Light, and the Truth.

reply to post by windword

Technically, one could say that Christianity is a sect of Judaism that recognizes Jesus as the Jewish Messiah that was prophesied in the Old Testament

Technically yes. You could say that. But in Judaism Jesus was the exact opposite of what they thought their messiah would be.

The word "mashiach" does not mean "savior." The notion of an innocent, divine or semi-divine being who will sacrifice himself to save us from the consequences of our own sins is a purely Christian concept that has no basis in Jewish thought.

Source

Peace

Originally posted by Seed76
reply to post by windword

 

Technically, one could say that Christianity is a sect of Judaism that recognizes Jesus as the Jewish Messiah that was prophesied in the Old Testament

Technically yes. You could say that. But in Judaism Jesus was the exact opposite of what they thought their messiah would be.

That's debatable.

Isaiah 53:5
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

Psalm 22:16
For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.

reply to post by windword

That's debatable.

Not according to Judaism.

The following passages in the Jewish scriptures are the ones that Jews consider to be messianic in nature or relating to the end of days. These are the ones that we rely upon in developing our messianic concept:

Isaiah 2, 11, 42; 59:20
Jeremiah 23, 30, 33; 48:47; 49:39
Ezekiel 38:16
Hosea 3:4-3:5
Micah 4
Zephaniah 3:9
Zechariah 14:9
Daniel 10:14

Source

Peace

reply to post by Seed76


Christians will tell you that there are hundreds of prophecies in the Old Testament that predict Jesus' coming and prove that Jesus is "The Messiah". However, in my experience, when looking into those prophecies, many of them are referring to Cyrus, who WAS considered to have been a Jewish Messiah. Apparently there are "many" messiahs in Jewish literature.

Me, I'm not a Christian, so I take all biblical prophecies with a grain of salt.

reply to post by windword

However, in my experience, when looking into those prophecies, many of them are referring to Cyrus, who WAS considered to have been a Jewish Messiah.

Yes, there were many and Cyrus might considered to be one of them:

But all of these people died without fulfilling the mission of the mashiach; therefore, none of them were the mashiach.

Source

Peace

Text 'Hell' and 'Satan' were not originally part of the the bible. The bible in its youngest form spoke only of unity and love, and about that which would bring human beings the most joyful and whole life experience. Over the years, however, the greedy and power-hungry saw an opportunity. They created a church and formed the Christian religion. But this religion was not based off the teachings of Christ. It was based off counterfeit varieties of his teachings, laced with fear and hatred. This was the invention of sin. They told people that if they did not attend the holy Church of Christ, they would face eternal damnation. This, as you may guess, did the trick. People started flocking to these churches, trying to save their soul from the 'depths of Hell'. This is just the tip of the ice burg, but I am sure you get the point.

reply to post by HarryTZ


@ HarryTZ

The original Christian church was formed the day of Pentecost after the crucifixion of Jesus by approximately 120 disciples. The church building was built by these Jewish disciples and this is where the preaching and teaching of the Apostles originally took place. This Jerusalem church prospered till the Romans sacked Jerusalem in the era of 67 to 70 AD.

The church was founded upon love for the fellow man and the rich gave to the poor in this early Christian church. The nine gifts of the Holy Spirit were the tools of the church. The liturgy of the Jerusalem Church was Hebrew and the Hellenistic Greeks were adopted into the church at a later date. The entire structure was Hebrew and Roman Gentiles had nothing to do with it for well over forty years. The mindset of the first Christians was not of threat but of love.

This notion that Christianity was formed by a few to control the masses is not true. In fact Christians were persecuted by both the Roman government and the Jewish Sanhedrin. The Jewish Sanhedrin delighted in killing Christians and Rome delighted in keeping the Sanhedrin happy in order to keep the conquered masses controlled and paying tribute. So as history tells, it was not that Christianity was formed to control the masses as so many parrot. After the Jewish Christians were systematically murdered and the Gentiles took control of the church then it became a tool of political control as well as religious control. Both religion and politics are actually hand in glove in many cases.

Now as far as hell and Satan are concerned, It depends upon which factor you are looking into. The first Christian doctrine was that of Jesus while the Jewish Sanhedrin was that of the rabbinical persuasion but both had only the Torah and some prophetic scrolls for scripture. Hell and Satan were taught by both but interpretation differed greatly. Satan was taught from Job who was the oldest of the prophetic scrolls and Hell was referenced in the Psalms while all was accepted as truth by both the Sanhedrin and Jesus. Jesus taught that Satan and a third of the heavenly host were actually thrown down to this universe because of their rebellion towards God while the Sanhedrin taught that Satan was a good angel whose job was to only tempt mankind in the hope that they will overcome that temptation.

In all actuality the Jerusalem church did not look upon the Sanhedrin as contenders but regarded them as misguided brothers. It was the Sanhedrin who looked upon the Christians in contempt from abandoning their national authority. In fact the Sanhedrin used the Roman power to help them in their murdering the Christians at every opportunity. This all culminated in 135 AD with emperor Hadrian sacking Jerusalem once again and destroying the Christians and church almost completely..

Jesus repeatedly taught of sin and hell. In fact that was one of His primary articles of salvation. The primary revelation was the kingdom of heaven and you had to have an alternative to the celestial kingdom which was the terrestrial hell. Heaven had not been established and would not be given to us till after Jesus signed the new covenant with His blood. Sin was established with Adam and not the Christian church. In fact sin was established with Lucifer and it he who is the father of the lie.

As you can see, when you study the first Christian church, it was the gift of love which Jesus established but love is not a one way ticket. You must have rules and regulations to establish a celestial kingdom and that comes by awareness and choice. Choice was established by Adam and sin also comes by choice. No one is compelled to obey a church and a church is not the authority in salvation.

The main point I am trying to make here is that all of these stories should only be taken as that, stories. You have no way of knowing that any of it is true except simply through your faith. I know, I deeply understand, how hard it is to question your structures and beliefs. I know none of you want to hear this, and most of you won't, but it is necessary for you to free yourself from your belief systems. You all say that the only way to enlightenment (liberation, freedom from samsara) is through Jesus. But have you seen any enlightened theologists? They simply do not exist. The enlightened people of the world do not belong to any religion or 'cult'. (Yes, there are those cult members or leaders that claim to be enlightened, but no truly realized being would have any desire to be a part of a cult. To them, the idea is just silly.)
Those seekers who follow these people are treated very intolerantly by many (for lack of a better word) outsiders, who claim they are just blind slaves to the master. And, while many do begin to form a dependent relationship on the master, this is not what the master desires for his disciples. In fact, he is trying to create the exact opposite: complete and utter independence.
Take a few minutes to watch this video. Just be receptive to it. I'm not asking you to abandon your beliefs, but just listen to what this man has to say. And if you like his message, watch some more!

Your posts have been fantastic sir, and very spot on.

The problem is, all of Jesus teachings are being filtered through a control system, to manage it, and use it.

The fact that people have been programmed, and in fact herded into these systems shows the fear of those who are really using it, and harvesting the power from all these misled souls.

The inability to see outside of the paradigm as it has been drawn out for them is the part that must and WILL be broken, for as much good as Christianity can do in people's lives, it also carries a heavy burden of being an all limiting cap on the real goals anyone would wish to achieve.

It actually removes the goal and replaces it with someone else's and convinces and PLEADS, DEMANDS that they give away their power to another, instills doubt and fear to cover its tracks, and uses trickery to contain the free thinking ones that want more, to usually "hang-on" to aspects of the religion that will ultimately stop them from ever coming near the true range of Creation's possible destiny.

Fortunately, these all tying bonds are really being ripped off already, and only the stubborn ego will have to be dealt with, and much will become easier in that.

Continue with these excellent posts, and realize a great army is rising with you, and very proudly and without fear of consequence, smash these systems no matter what the cost !

reply to post by HarryTZ


You do have some valid points, just dont throw the baby with the bath water.

Flexy123 broke it down excellently.

When JC incarnated (with several others...his mother was the last physical incarnation of the Goddess imho), he brought a path and method that was accessible to all....regardless of religious preference.

If you follow the "words in red", you have a pretty sound system for life.

Well, nothing good goes unpunished....enter Rome.

They saw the writing on the wall and figured this would be a good method of pulling together a new power system and so they created "god" in THEIR own image.

You have a demigod (yeah, Jesus was half human ya know) that was made out to be mostly a puss instead of the warrior/priest/king that he was. His mother...jeez. Mary has been neutered to a sexless, mindless, simpering little piece of fluff stuck on a pedestal.

Where did all that power they had go? Hmmmm. oh yeah...

ROME!!!!!!

JC came for all folks and empowered THEM!

Remember the line about the "kindom of God is within you"?

Nope. Cant have the laity running about talking to Divinity without a priest to collect a toll charge fee!

Its been said that the last christian died on the cross....I disagree. Some of us remember why he came, what he gave, and the possibilities that could be. Most of these folks will not be found in church/temple/or synagog on sabath though. Those folks walk about, trying not to draw attention, just being an instrument for the Divine.

.....regardless of the part of the world they hale from.

I find it funny though.

The PTB have so tried to remove all wisdom from the pages of the book and it still eeks out. "Eyes to see and ears to hear". Dump the crap about "YOU DAMN WELL BETTER!!!!! OR ELSE!" stuff. Wanna know why we are here?

Mathew 10.

Its matter of fact and to the point for the most part.

Divinity is growing just as we are. Its a symbiotic relationship. When we improve, it improves. No on has a corner on the "correct method". Just serve Divinity and each other.

Pretty damn simple.

Originally posted by Deetermined
reply to post by boymonkey74

 

I guess you fell for Lucifer's lie.

What is it with everyone using the tiring phrase about "control". Control over what? What power does religion have over anyone?

I have asked the same question since I've been here at ATS? The silly "control" protest. People saying
this do not follow God or the faith. No one is controlling them. tee-hee...

Clarification: There are religions, non-Christian and Christian. Religions are man-made. There is only one "faith." One Lord, one faith, one baptism and for Bilble Alone folks, that is Eph 4:5. The "one faith" is Roman Catholicism.

reply to post by felonius

Divinity is growing just as we are. Its a symbiotic relationship. When we improve, it improves. No on has a corner on the "correct method". Just serve Divinity and each other.

Deuteronomy 18:10

10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch.

11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.

12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee.

2 Kings 17:17

And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger.

Jeremiah 14:14

Then the Lord said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.

Ezekiel 12:24

For there shall be no more any vain vision nor flattering divination within the house of Israel.

Ezekiel 13:6

They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The Lord saith: and the Lord hath not sent them: and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word.

Ezekiel 21:23

And it shall be unto them as a false divination in their sight, to them that have sworn oaths: but he will call to remembrance the iniquity, that they may be taken.

Originally posted by colbe

Clarification: There are religions, non-Christian and Christian. Religions are man-made. There is only one "faith." One Lord, one faith, one baptism and for Bilble Alone folks, that is Eph 4:5. The "one faith" is Roman Catholicism.

Let's look at that verse again...

Ephesians 4:5

5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

Colbe, it has nothing to do with Roman Catholicism.

One Lord = Jesus (who is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit)
One Faith = Faith in Jesus
Baptism = Baptism through the Holy Spirit, not the church

Matthew 28:19

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

reply to post by colbe

Clarification: There are religions, non-Christian and Christian. Religions are man-made. There is only one "faith." One Lord, one faith, one baptism and for Bilble Alone folks, that is Eph 4:5. The "one faith" is Roman Catholicism.

You just contridicted yourself. Apostle Paul defined faith as our hope in Jesus Christ (hebrews 11). Yet catholics pray for faith all the time. Are you folks lacking hope in Jesus? And your faith is roman catholicism?

Let me ask you something. What do you think Jesus, whom being a jew, reaction would be at seeing you all carry around a star shaped idol and worshipping it? He'd be disgusted, just like he was in Exodus 32. The Temple was destroyed so that we would walk by faith and not by sight. Jesus didn't create a physical institution, he created a spiritual brotherhood. Ephesians 4:5 doesn't say the faith is roman catholicism, that is you injecting your own words into scripture, something he forbid and something you are ignorant of.

Proverbs 30:5-6

5 Every word of God is pure;
He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.
6 Do not add to His words,
Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.

Jesus never said roman catholicism was the faith, that is you stuffing words into his mouth.

reply to post by HarryTZ


I see you're into philosophy, this thread is says a lot about the type of person you are.

As for you rejecting the existence of Satan, I wouldn't be so convinced.

Sure I am a skeptic of the existence of a conscious being testing us before God but I am equally unconvinced he is a mere figment of our imaginations.