Friday, September 10, 2010

Who In the World...

A hypothetical: Assume that (some) Americans were to plan a Bible burning. Who in the world would protest; perhaps even by rioting? Perhaps a better question would be, Who would not protest?
Religion and rioting are bedfellows in many parts of the world these days as are religion and murder...which, after de minimus reflection, makes no sense. But since when has religion, as perceived and practiced by most of the world...over most of its unfortunate history... ever made sense. (It's like trying to make sense of sin: It doesn't; and it never will. If it did; if a defensible reason could be given for its existence, sin would cease to be sin.
Actually, drugs and murder are understood by simple association whereas religion and murder have no association in a rational, spiritual mind. The killing of one's perceived religious enemies is neither rational nor spiritual but since when has religion...as it is demonstrated in The Christ...been normative.
Maybe you recall Demetrius the silversmith in Ephesus [Acts 19:23-27] who was upset because of what Paul was preaching. He rallied his friends and fellow silversmiths and "So the whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed into the theater with one accord...[vs. 29]. Sounds like a riot. But motives were mixed, as they always are when religion is not pure and undefiled. Demetrius tipped his hand when he called together other silversmiths (who made shrines to the goddess Diana) and said, "Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade." [vs. 25.] (As an aside, you may be interested to know that worship of the pagan goddess Diana is alive and well in America. I got this quote from a contemporary, online pagan, goddess worship site: no link included.) e.c.
"One of the earliest feminists, the Greek goddess Artemis was fiercely independent, choosing the wild beauty of the forest and mountains over marriage and the city life. Religion (Christianity) mixed with whatever, particularly politics and political power (exempla gratia, Iran) is corrosive and internally toxic to the religion and the politik. The results are exampled in suicide bombers of one Islamic sect blowing up those of a rival sect...in a mosque, during prayers. Please, if you can, explain that to me so I might understand and be more sympathetic to such (senseless) violence. There is no coherent explanation!

As goddess of the moon and the hunt, she was an accomplished archer with a steady aim . . . always able the reach the goals upon which she set her sights. A courageous and skillful goddess, Artemis was the protector of all those who were vulnerable, especially women and children. Known as the Roman goddess Diana."

So, what is the prosperity of religion and murder, or religion and rioting, or religion and any species of violence...including of course the Office of the Inquisition when millions were sacrificed for worship deemed unacceptable. I suggest a three word answer: It is Power!
Those in control prosper. Those not in control...well...
Most know the Commandment as "Thou shall not kill" [Exodus 20:13]. A better translation would read "Do not murder," and in its simplest form would be "No murder." [Ibidem]. Religion, more accurately, a spiritual relationship with The Christ, gives no way nor pardon to violence done in the name of God or for that matter in the name of any god. To attempt such an equation is to attempt the impossible and to align oneself with the first murderer; Satan.
As Christ put it, "You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it." [John 8:44].
Question: what is the difference between burning and not reading one's Bible? e.c.

1 comment:

Flutterby said...

Interesting thoughts. A friend once told to make a war truly brutal add religion. I pray for peace.