In Reply to: Serious Defect in Jesus' Moral Character posted by Bertrand Russell on June 14, 2007 at 13:44:30:
Well, it's good that you're open about your "doubts" about scriptural dogmas...but first you really have it wrong to say, that there is basically no difference in Jesus' attitude/lifestyle while being on earth & those, who are n o w chopping people's heads off for disagreeing.I think you can immagine, whom I mean & that includes - by the way - atheists as well, think of it a bit.But may be you lean towards Buddhism?Complete pascifism?Jainism (not to hurt any creature)
Well,you can try to be "good" out of the abundance of your own "well"...but one day your well be dry & may be you have looked in the meantime into the "mirror" & discovered, you're not so wonderful either....There are some very deep things/matters, like selection/election of the "just" (Romans 8/9),
something I doubt I'll fully understand while still here...though I try....that means, I know it's all by grace & all have sinned, yet I don't know, why some choose to ignore God's gift & grace
In the end it's only consequent, if you blame God for everything...also, that you're smart enough to judge God & His son...furthermore you & your like are good & smart & strong enough...to not needing Him anymore...say...where can the world "worship"
those kind of people...excuse my intended sarcasm...but that's ultimately what it's all about....selfworship & letting yourself be worshipped....even if it amounts to little in the daily life...may be???....still it's wrong...the wrong way.
I can't help it, Jesus had to spell out the "calamities" involved on walking the one way(the final end/destination...though it seems right to man) & the blessings(including suffering!!!!!)of the other...meanwhile the Christians shouldn't make the others suffer for not being on their way...did Jesus do that, while on earth....apart from driving the moneychangers out of an templearea....part of prophecy also...Jesus only desired to fulfill the will of His father...I guess you intend to ultimately blame God...who doesn't exist for you...but for which you have no proof....strange enough, ethnologist tell us, that a faith in a God is prevalent in most ancient or
present civilisation/tribe...but sure, atheists are the few who woke up to "facts", who aren't provable either.
Sure, I am very sad & displeased about all the times and incidents where power(& lust for it)& religion mingled for the worst in world history...
but that way, wrong religion becomes obvious (by it's bad fruit)