The error in bible interpretation is not fully realizing that the words and moral social directions were from an ancient civilization. Trying to emulate those expressed moral standards like the WTS/JWS is redundantly harmful in these modern times.
Of course religionists usually try and suppress knowledge outside of their own formulated knowledge, such as what is obtainable in Universities and Colleges, for outside knowledge has the potential of being dangerous to their own acquired power and control.
Here's a synopsis of how and why Christians who adhere to the bible are indeed in reality quite hypocritical by virtue of what is written in the bible.
Christians are hypocrites
Christians, they love to
talk about how loving, dutiful and compassionate they are, yet I have yet
to meet ONE who does not practice hypocrisy to the highest degree. Their
willful ignorance of the Bible combined with their two faced idealism to preach
it, has made us sick, hasn’t it? For nearly two thousand years Biblicists have
been lecturing people on the importance of adhering to the Bible’s teachings on
ethics, manners, and morality. They quote Jesus and Paul profusely, with a
liberal sprinkling of Old Testament moralism. The problem with their approach
lies not only in an oft- noted failure to practice what they preach, but an
equally pronounced tendency to ignore what the Bible itself, preaches.
Christians practice what can only be described as “selective morality”. What
they like, they cling to and shove down other’s throats; what they don’t like,
they ignore vehemently. That which is palatable and acceptable is supposedly
applicable to all; while that which is obnoxious, inconvenient, or self-denying
is only applicable to those addressed 2,000 years ago. Their hypocrisy is so
rampant that even the validity of calling oneself “Christian” is in question. I
see so many people enjoy quoting the Ten Commandments, the Sermon on the Mount,
and some of Paul’s sermons, but don’t even PRETEND to heed other, equally valid,
maxims. I’ve mentioned pro-life and conservatism in other sermons. This one is
going to sum up the rest of my beefs.
Hypocrisy of Marital Relationships: So
many Christians try to rationalize this but it is clear that a true follower of
Jesus can neither divorce someone nor marry someone who is divorced. There is
an exception to the rule, however. If spouse commits adultery, divorce is
permissible. On the same token, the Bible also says that anyone who obtains a
divorce and marries another is in adulterer. Remember that 80% of this country
is Christian yet we have a 50% divorce rate. A majority of divorces are a
result of irreconcilable differences, not adultery, which implies that
Christians are again practicing selective morality. How many Christians are
working on a second, third or fourth marriage?
1) “So they are no longer two
but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man put asunder”
(Matthew 19:6 & Mark 10:9).
2) “Whosoever shall marry her
that is divorced committeth adultery” (Matthew 5:32, 19:9 & Luke 16:18).
3) "Whosoever shall put away
his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery"
(Matthew 5:32).
4) "...whosoever shall put away
his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her" (Mark 10:11 & Luke
16:18), which applies to women as well (Mark 10:12).
On to another beef: The Christian
attempts to put prayer into schools run directly counter to biblical teachings.
Jesus said prayer should be a private affair devoid of public display:
"And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand
and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by
men. Truly, I say to you they have received their reward. But when you pray, go
into your room (or closet.) and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in
secret..." (Matthew 6:5-6 RSV). Biblicists violate this on a regular
basis and have no intention of correcting their behavior. They demand that
evolution be taken out of the curriculum. They demand parochial school receive
voucher programs so that they may collect public funding. Christians
continuously pray in public, IE: churches, street corners, schools, courts, etc.
yet all the while they never stop to think this is in direct violation to the
god they pray to.
I, of
course, know why this is voluntarily ignored. Public prayer forces the peers of
school children to jump on the band wagon and pray. We are all aware that the
church is simply a business which employs tactics similar to that of tobacco
industries in recruiting consumers. Get the kids while they are young and
vulnerable so that they become donating members of the church when they reach
adulthood. I find it humorous that other businesses warn their consumers on the
package that it is dangerous to one’s health while Churches don’t put warning
labels on the bible for the pornography and immorality it contains. The
psychological damage organized religion causes is notably prevalent.
Cancer from smoking and cirrhosis from drinking is JUST AS HARMFUL as the
psychosis believers develop concerning reality. The “I see demons” complex is
more rampant in Christians then it is in acid dropping space cadets. I am
not saying this as a joke. There are literal studies done on this topic and
they are in accordance to what I am conveying here.
Christians always use the
excuse that the above mentioned verse is some how “metaphorical” yet they take
Paul’s maxim that men should pray with their heads uncovered very seriously. I
assume this is generally followed because removing one’s hat isn’t particularly
inconvenient. "Any man who prays or prophecies with his head covered
dishonors his head…" (1 Corinthians 11:4 RSV). On the other hand, Paul’s tenet that women
must keep their heads covered with a veil during prayer is quite inconvenient
and, for this reason, has either been rationalized away or ignored, although it
is no less binding than any other moral law in the New Testament: “…but any
woman who prays or prophecies with her head unveiled dishonors her head… For if
a woman will not veil herself, then we should cut off her hair: but if it be
disgraceful for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her wear a veil… Judge for
yourself; is it proper for a woman to pray to God with head uncovered?” (1
Corinthians 11:5-13 RSV) The selectivity in which these verses are followed
SCREAMS hypocrisy.
More Commonly Ignored Teachings:
1) "Doth not even nature itself
teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?" (l
Corinthians 11:14). How many freaked out long-haired, bible thumping Jesus
freaks do you know? Perhaps this is just my experience, but I can name 12 such
individuals off the top of my head. Surely, you can recall at least ONE
LONG-HAIRED CHRISTIAN. The stereotypical version of CHRIST HIMSELF! Think of
the numerous statues and pictures Christians adore depicting the lord appearing
as that which he detests. One can not stop and wonder at the absurdity of this.
2) Another tenet clearly
prohibits women from being ministers or otherwise speaking in church (“Let your
women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to
speak”-- 1 Corinthians 14:34). It’s difficult to see how Paul could support the
current movement to ordain women. Why, Jesus would shit himself knowing that
even I, an ATHEIST WOMAN, has managed to get herself legally ordained.
3) A third tenet prohibits men
and women from wearing each other’s clothing (“The woman shall not wear that
which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for
all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God”--Deuteronomy 22:5). Funny
thing, two female Jehovah Witnesses came over this morning, they coffee clutched
with my neighbor Jenny, a fellow Christian and ALL THREE of these women were
wearing pant suits!
4) Ever watch these Christians
on television and notice how their bowed heads uniformly shake amen while some
evangelist goes on and on in prayer for a fucking hour? Well, repetitious and
monotonous praying is in violation of Matthew 6:7. “But when ye pray, use not
vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for
their much speaking.”
5) Christians are not supposed
to take their disputes before non-Christian courts or judges. (“If any of you
has a dispute with another, dare he take it before the ungodly for judgment
instead of before the saints?” -- 1 Corinthians 6:1 NIV) How interesting!
Considering that state is separate from church all courts are supposedly
“ungodly”. Does this stop Christians from tying up the supreme court with law
suits concerning school prayer, abortion, or numerous other absurdities? Hell
no it doesn’t, and my taxes are paying the fucking bill for their hypocrisy!
6) Christian women are supposed
to dress discreetly (“...that women should adorn themselves modestly and
sensibly in seemly apparel, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly
attire”--l Timothy 2:9 RSV; and “Let not yours be the outward adorning of
braiding of hair, decoration of gold, and wearing of fine clothing”-- 1 Peter 3
:3). Violations of these rules are too numerous to mention. Just visualize
Tammy Faye Baker’s mascara laden eyes and gold encrusted wrists.
7) Here is perhaps the mother
of verses ignored: “Judge not, that ye be not judged” (Matthew 7:1) and
“Judge
not, and ye shall not be judged, condemn not and ye shall not be condemned:
forgive, and ye shall be forgiven” (Luke 6:37). I have yet to meet a Christian
who has not judged my atheism. The whole world is chalk full of judges,
juries, voters, employers, teachers, etc. which are all constantly judging
others.
8) Believers are supposed to
hate their parents when they follow Jesus (“If any man come to me, and not hate
his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sister, yet,
and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26). Well,
considering that Christians do not abandon their families but usually attempt to
brainwash them they are all guilty of not following this verse. “It’s symbolic”,
yeah, I know your lame ass defense to this one already.
9) They are not to oppose evil
(“But I say unto you, that ye resist not evil; but whosoever shall smite thee on
the right cheek, turn to him the other also”-- Matthew 5:39). If this were
followed one might just as well abolish law enforcement.
10) Biblicists are not allowed
to call anyone “father” (“And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is
your Father, which is in heaven” (Matthew 23:9). Not only is this rule ignored
on a DAILY BASIS, but Catholicism uses “father”
as a specific title.
11) Christians are not supposed
to plan or prepare. God will provide (“Take no thought for your life, what ye
shall eat, or that ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put
on... Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, not
gather into barns; yet your heavenly father feedth them. Are ye not much better
than they?” --Matthew 6:25-34 & Luke 12:22-31 inclusive). I see Christian
conservatives plot on a daily basis how to screw their employees so they can
reap more profits.
12) Lastly, Jesus, who clearly
is of greater importance than Paul, said the Old Law was to remain in force
until heaven and earth passed away and all is accomplished (“For truly, I say to
you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass the law
until all is accomplished. Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these
commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven;
but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of
heaven”-Matthew 5:18-19 RSV). Heaven and earth still exist and many prophecies
are not yet fulfilled. How many times have you heard some lame ass Christian
say “the Old testament doesn’t matter, Jesus was the lamb and abolished it”?
Don’t let them get away with this shit for even the bible says that they should
still be following the Old Law.
This verse leads me into an
observation of how clear their selective morality can be exposed. Take for
instance how Biblicists approach the Old Testament. They leap in and out of the
Old Law like a porpoise in a ship’s wake. If they like it, they quote it; if
they don’t, they won’t. Among the scores of verses they enjoy and employ are
those which teach the following:
13) Contact with mediums or
wizards is forbidden (“Do not turn to mediums or wizards; do not seek them out
to be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God”-- Leviticus 19:3 1 RSV, see
also: Leviticus 20:6 & Deuteronomy 18: 10-12). Here’s an interesting little
stat; Christians more then any other faith consult mystics and self-proclaimed
oracles.
14) People should give
one-tenth of their income to the Lord, which Biblicists equate with church (“And
all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of
the tree, is the Lord’s...And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock,
even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the
Lord”--Leviticus 27:30-32)
15) Tattoos are anathema: (“You
shall not make any cuttings in your flesh on account of the dead or tattoo any
marks upon you. I am the Lord”--Leviticus 19:28) Despite this teaching I manage
to see Mexican Catholics daily with tattoos of the Virgin Mary, Jesus or a set
of praying hands on their forearms and shoulder blades.
16) Money cannot be lent at
interest to your brother, only to foreigners (Deuteronomy 23: 19-20) Ahhh, I’m
recalling all the Christian banking corporations....
17) Eating pork is forbidden
(Deuteronomy 14:8). Hmm, I’ve never met a Christian who DIDN’T enjoy bacon and
eggs.
18) A man must marry and have
relations with his dead brother’s wife (Deuteronomy 25:5-6). This goes without
explaining of course.
19) A seducer must marry an
unengaged virgin whom he seduces (Exodus 22:16-17)
20) A raped, unengaged virgin
must marry her rapist and they can never divorce (Deuteronomy 22:28-29). What
justice the “moral majority” advocates!
21) There are several petty and
silly little verses in the O.T., but none the less, they are to be followed. I
guess it’s okay to disobey the lord for fashion’s sake. Beards can’t be rounded
(Leviticus 19:27); A garment composed of wool and linen can’t be worn
(Deuteronomy 22:11); Note: this explains why you will commonly see orthodox Jews
with the long beards and black clothing. I say Christians should do this too so
we can identify their stupidity upon first impression.
22) Bastards can’t enter the
Lord’s congregation. (Deuteronomy 23:2) Hey, I know this is harsh, but God
commands it, hence it must be “just”.
All of these rules are part
of the Old Covenant and of equal import. Why quote the Ten Commandments and
ignore other tenets? A believer’s obligation to one is no less than his
obligation to all. In fact, if under the New Covenant Christians have stepped
into the shoes of the Israelites and become, in effect, the new Chosen People,
then they should inherit all the privileges and duties of that office. They
seem to want the former but not the latter. Biblicists teach, preach, and
attempt to reach others with moralism, but are not averse to selectively using
that which suits their interests.
I’d like to close this
essay with how to catch a Christian in the act. When you see them expounding a
verse and ignoring another, call them on it. I know what you’ll hear. They’ll
say, “that’s from the Old Law and we aren’t under the Old Law anymore”. Trip
them with this: “But aren’t the Ten Commandments part of the Old Law?” “Yes,
but we are obligated to follow them because they are reported in the NT”
(Matthew 19:16-18, Mark 10:17-19 & Luke 18:18-22). Immediately point out to
them that Jesus omitted half of the Ten Commandments and invented a new one,
“though shall not defraud” ! Before they can get a word in edge wise finish
them off with: “According to scripture it is easier for heaven and earth to
pass, than one tittle of law to fail” (Luke 16:17 & Matthew 5:18-19). If sin is
transgression of the law, as 1 John 3:4 says, then you should be following all
of the Old Law. This, from experience, is the best way to shoot down these
idiots and bar them from getting away with their hypocrisy.
