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If God is a reality He is the God of reality and not the God of religion.
There is no factor which is not known and sanctioned - that is what Omniscient means. This includes cultures and politics. One of the big misconceptions is that the spiritual realm transcends the physical: exactly the reverse applies. By spiritual, I refer to the realm of angels and spiritual beings: these look at this physical realm with awe and wonder, for they could not survive where there is death and temptation hovering every instance. The word of God unto humans incurred a great battle [debate] on Sinai - the reason Moses tarried 40 days and 40 nights.
The Angels wanted the word, and denounced it's giving to humans, who they claimed would sin and desecrate the word. Moses won this battle, argueing there was no place for the scriptures with angels, and that it applied only to humans: angels have no temptations or desires such as thirst, hunger or sexual cravings - thus they cannot steal, murder or commit adultry. Moses won. This physical realm is the lowest abode - because it fell from the highest treshold. One can only go up by how he does down here.
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I mean, sure the nations are separated. But Adam was placed before the tree of life. So God intended that He would have imparted His divine life to the forefather of all peoples on the earth.
And His reason for blessing Abraham had not Israel as its limited intention but that through Israel He might reach the whole of mankind with His blessing.
How did we leap to such a conclusion? The OT gives no immunity or preferance to any nation, race or person: ONLY THE SINNER PAYS. This is varied in kind than degree from exlcusive salvation keys to the kingdom. If anything, here, the Hebrews are merely as postmen, with funny looking uniforms - and the VIPs become the recipients. But there can be no confusion the OT stands out from all scriptures by its fastedious laws which act equally for all - poor or rich, stranger or inhabitant. Democrasy comes from two OT laws - not from Greece, which distorted this premise.
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And if ever there was a disconnect between and ethnic culture and their national deity, the Jews would be the most striking example. No nation would write book like the Bible about their nation and their national deity.
That is true in one sense: far from being a candy-coated scripture which ups its adherants - the OT is harshest of the Hebrews and Israelites. This gives credence to the law NOT TO ADD OR SUBTRACT, which has obviously been observed - and the reason for numerous instances of unacceptability from newly emerging religious groups. The dead sea scrolls add much credence to this premise - the same for at least 2300 years, which is the longest period of any document not altered. Reality says, not to trust a candy-coated document: such reality does not exist.
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The Bible is far too candid, frank, and exposing too be dismissed as propoganda for the national deity of a certain ethnic group.
I understand this view, because it is very understandable, most so by strong believers. But in the end, to make it real, a real people has to be selected, not necessarilly the best, largest or mightiest, nor the one best loved - and whoever represents it becomes the bad guy. It is compensated by factors such as no oil, no great substance and no lands as the others, but with such formidable premises of 'I SHALL TURN THE HEARTS AND THE MINDS OF THE NATIONS AGAINST YOU'; 'I WILL PUNISH YOU SEVEN FOLD'; 'THIS NATION SHALL STAND ALONE'; 'KNOW FOR A SURETY YOUR SEED SHALL BE IN BONDAGE' - why would one be allocated to bondage before being born [this was said to Abraham before he had any sons]: how can one sin before they are born? I think another reasoning applies. How do you like them apples - it can be very formidable - because you cannot choose your criteria selectively.
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Anyway, it is a curious opinion to me. For on one hand you seem to argue for the Hebrew Bible. But on the other hand your underlying philosophy as stated above seems so contrary to it. What you say contradicts the Old Testament.
"Turn to Me and be saved, ALL THE ENDS OF THE EARTH, For I am God and there is no one else." (Isaiah 45:22 my emphasis)
So we leave it here for now, I guess - that is that Yahweh is just one of many not too real national deities of a nation which is meant to be seperated from others.
I am saying the OT declares many paths as bona fide and legitimate - but mandates ONE God for all path's conclusion. That is the Meaning of MANY NATIONS and ONY THE ONE WHO SINS IS WRONG. Its very logical.
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One nation's God has nothing to do with another nation's God. And they are all meant to be separated and the more walls the better.
I will watch to see how long you will commit to this belief before you go back to some sense of universality of one God for all mankind.
Universality is only inacted when there is no exclusivity of any one group, or the enforcement of others as excluded. Its like going to see a movie - but one can go there via their own chosen paths. Here, it is not the pathway selected but how one acts on their path, which becomes the applicable and accountable factor. Here, a good muslim is better than a bad jew, and a good buddhist is better than a bad christian. This is real unversality.
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Jesus would not sanction a single verse of the NT
This sounds to me like an unbeliever's wishful thinking.
Who says so - is that not an incoherent and bad exclusive factor? It is one which must be rejected as did Abraham when told even the most evil city was to be destroyed - it is certainly not a reason to be smug with? Christianity is quite a new kid on the block - and is post-Judaism, Buddhism and Hinduism. Does it mean all the Hebrews, including one Isaiah and David - were disbelievers - or are they believers only if you can connect some verses to the NT? Does it mean you were an unbeliever before JC emerged - or that you are now an unbeliever because you don't believe in Islam? I think it better the OT laws be the measuring rod here. If one had to nominate the greatest believers, proven so by period of time and impact, it most certainly would not be christianity. Try this for size:
"WHEN FREEDOM OF BELIEF - BECAME MIGHTY ROME'S GREATEST WAR"
1.1 Mllion sacrificed their lives at this time - which is like 12 million today. Where were the christians then?
Edited by IamJoseph, : No reason given.
Edited by IamJoseph, : No reason given.
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