General Discussion

I'm not posting this to be critical of historical figures or groups, instead I'm posting it to pose a question.

After viewing this clip a question that comes to my mind is this.  Are there other texts out there of the teachings of Jesus Christ that someone intentionally withheld from me?  And if so, how can I get access to these?  Wouldn't every Christian want to know everything that Christ taught?  Not just what was selected for us to see?  Having these texts could put what we are familiar with into completely new and more realistic contexts for us to study and understand.

Secret Quest: The Path of the Christian Gnostics

 Oh, I'm sure there is a lot of material withheld by the Vatican, and others, which may cast a less than perfect light on xianity in general if ever made public.

Originally posted by Wharmaster

 Oh, I'm sure there is a lot of material withheld by the Vatican, and others, which may cast a less than perfect light on xianity in general if ever made public.

Actually, I was thinking it might show an even more inclusive nature of Jesus and free some people from their preconceived notions that Christianity is so restrictive and authoritative.  It's really hard to find God with the fear of approaching him that so many feel, whether it be blatant fear felt by Christians or subliminal fear that shows itself in hatred and rejection of the religion or its teachings by others.

I have a feeling that Jesus wanted to free all men and women to approach God with the burdens of the confusion of their lives lifted so that they could experience only the love.  The love that can only be understood by experiencing the pain of this world and knowing that hope is there.  The pain of life hurts, but it hurts even more if you think there is no hope.

God creates man, God gives word to man, Man decides what word to spread. Interesting...

Politics influencing religion, you don't say...

Originally posted by upallnight

Originally posted by Wharmaster

 Oh, I'm sure there is a lot of material withheld by the Vatican, and others, which may cast a less than perfect light on xianity in general if ever made public.

Actually, I was thinking it might show an even more inclusive nature of Jesus and free some people from their preconceived notions that Christianity is so restrictive and authoritative.  It's really hard to find God with the fear of approaching him that so many feel, whether it be blatant fear felt by Christians or subliminal fear that shows itself in hatred and rejection of the religion or its teachings by others.

I have a feeling that Jesus wanted to free all men and women to approach God with the burdens of the confusion of their lives lifted so that they could experience only the love.  The love that can only be understood by experiencing the pain of this world and knowing that hope is there.  The pain of life hurts, but it hurts even more if you think there is no hope.

well, TBH, I typically stay out of religious discussions, since I have nothing but disgust for xianity in any form.

However, some of the recent discoveries in archaeology and what-not have revealed some ancient texts that are quite facinating...and one wonders how fast the Vatican will attempt to cover them up...and how many other bits of text, and lost scripture they have concealed in their vaults.

If people got the notion that they didn't NEED a formal, organized church, and that goD was everywhere, especially within themselves, things might go badly for the church.

And it might be interesting to see what happened when all the different sects, and churches realised they all have a very profound common ground...and that they were all "right"...and "wrong" at once.

Although I pray to a different goD than they do...I think there's a universal truth in all worship:

What matters is the relationship you hold with your deity of choice. Not some rules, or church, or book. Your personal, intimate connection with your goD.

In fact, I go so far as to say...we each are our own, private church, and that these bloated, power-hungery, hate-mongering organizations are an insult to the goD they claim to worship.

There are sevaral texts that have a date composition of ~50 - 100 AD that weren't marked at canon. It is an interesting study if you look into it. However, what is in the Bible today is sufficient for the purpose of the Bible - experience salvation (its three fold - justification, santification and glorification). Also, in order for something to be canonized, that text must have some very special things to it, ie, did an Apostle write it? Was it written in the generation of Jesus? Was it someone who was with Jesus?

So, if you were wondering, what is in the Scripture is sufficient. You may not believe me, and that is your choice and I respect that, but if you were to disagree, please study hard why exactly you disagree. Just to say, "the church changed it" is ignorant - because that isn't true. There are so many ancient manuscripts that, when compared to the ones we have today in our laps, are not changed at all - minus the language difference.

I do not want to get into a religion debate because I don't have time, but for the heck of it, praying to 'your own' god will get nothing done because a god made up from an imaginiation is not a god but an imaginiation. It will not answer nor satisfy you.

Blessings,

Originally posted by MarleVVLL

There are sevaral texts that have a date composition of ~50 - 100 AD that weren't marked at canon. It is an interesting study if you look into it. However, what is in the Bible today is sufficient for the purpose of the Bible - experience salvation (its three fold - justification, santification and glorification). Also, in order for something to be canonized, that text must have some very special things to it, ie, did an Apostle write it? Was it written in the generation of Jesus? Was it someone who was with Jesus?

So, if you were wondering, what is in the Scripture is sufficient. You may not believe me, and that is your choice and I respect that, but if you were to disagree, please study hard why exactly you disagree. Just to say, "the church changed it" is ignorant - because that isn't true. There are so many ancient manuscripts that, when compared to the ones we have today in our laps, are not changed at all - minus the language difference.

I do not want to get into a religion debate because I don't have time, but for the heck of it, praying to 'your own' god will get nothing done because a god made up from an imaginiation is not a god but an imaginiation. It will not answer nor satisfy you.

Blessings,

It's sort of hard to study texts that are being kept hidden from us.

Originally posted by MarleVVLL

 

I do not want to get into a religion debate because I don't have time, but for the heck of it, praying to 'your own' god will get nothing done because a god made up from an imaginiation is not a god but an imaginiation. It will not answer nor satisfy you.

Blessings,

Since you are obviously referring to me here, I will enlighten you. I am a Luciferian Satanist. Yes, my prayers DO serve a purpose, thank you very much.

My faith is stronger than nearly anyone I've met in my life. The existance and love of my Lord is confirmed to me on a daily basis, and to those near to me who share my faith.

It may confuse you to know that I encourage each and every person to find their own goD, and reason to worship. I do not lay claim that my Lord is the "only goD", and that our way is the "only way".

Each person is different, in flesh, mind, and spirit. To each their own, specially in matters of faith.