April 10, 2009
Pity followers of the alleged Jesus Christ who manage to live 2,000 years. They would have trouble with historical facts, times and symbols associated with their faith.
Man keeps changing them or adjusting them to accommodate his current interpretations of the Christian myth. Some of the practices would appear strange, especially since they were introduced from 300 to 1500 years later.
Some claim the changes are a case of revelation while others say it is evolution, but because many of the Christian faith treat evolution as a dirty word, they account for these additions or changes as an application of their faith.
Perhaps the most outlandish I have encountered is a fair-haired, blue-eyed Jesus Christ, the painting of which was allegedly inspired by God.
Needless to say, their have been a number of ecumenical councils convened to decide what God said, or meant. These started 1700 years ago when Emperor Constantine felt there was a need to consolidate the various religious faiths and interpretations that existed in his kingdom. There were so many it made it difficult to reign over so many versions of Christianity, plus the great number of other religions that existed at that time.
He settled on the Holy Trinity version and introduced the Nicene Creed. He picked December Solstice as Christ's birth date. Up until that time, Christ's birthday was not a big deal although the birth was widely promoted in what eventually emerged as the Holy Bible.
For many, especially the born again versions of Christianity, specific examples of scripture or symbolic designs escape critical debate with the claim that the important thing is what a person's spirit tells them what is right. It really doesn't matter how many versions of their Bible are created, or the more than 4,000 versions of the Christian cross that exist.
A search on the internet will provide a number of descriptions for crucifixion. The common practice of the time was that a crucifixion took place on one of three configurations. There was the stake “ I ”, the cross “ T ” or another version of the cross, the “ X ”. There is no valid historical evidence for the “  ”. This redesign took place about 300 years later with further embellishments added over the next 1,700 years.
Those being “nailed to the cross” were impaled between the two bones of the forearm near the wrist; not through the palms as often portrayed. Subjects impaled through their palms would quickly tear away from their cross.
This is Good Friday, a special day observed by Christians. The pagan origins of the Easter celebration observed more than a few hundred years earlier included a virgin birth, a death, and a resurrection three days later. On which Friday it is observed, however, is determined by a formula which is based on the Jewish Passover. I invite you to explain this one! If the Jews are the source of most things Christian, wouldn't the Jewish Sabbath also be the Christian Sabbath? There are many controversies surrounding Easter. You can explore them at this site.
For many people, the spring Equinox was the start of their New Year — when the flowers and trees bloomed and crops were planted. If any religion was to find favour with the people, it had to be at this time of year. There are more celebrations by the world's various religions that occur around the Equinox than any other time of the year. The difference in dates can be attributed to primitive calendars.
I had to design a cross
Early in my career, I received what appeared to be a lucrative contract to design a new cross for a Christian denomination to use on their television show (Crossroads). My design had to stand up to the scrutiny of never having been used by any other group. It took me several weeks. (We didn't have the internet to do research in those days). After viewing more than 4,000 crosses I came up with a unique design. It was, in my humble opinion, quite good. Proudly, I presented it to the client who took one look and announced that it reminded him of a Catholic cross and he rejected it. He also felt he didn't want to pay for the design. With a lot of trouble, I eventually collected. I now consider myself an expert on Christian crosses although, as an atheist, I don't know where I would ever use the knowledge except to write this post.
|
The entire concept of gods, crosses, sabbaths and the various myths can be very confusing. If I were to devote a posting to all the different Christian beliefs, I would need a heck of a bigger account with my Internet Provider.
I am glad I have chosen to live . . . without gods!
Anton Kozlik
Home Comment Policy Contact Us
|
I give money for church organs in the hope the organ music will distract the congregation’s attention from the rest of the service.
