Christians follow the story whereby God miraculously impregnated the virgin known as Mary. We all know how the story goes, nine months later Mary gives birth in a barn after struggling to find room in an Inn. Of course this is not the first “Virgin Birth” on record, but it is the only one Christians reference.
Some time later all the boys under the age of two years old are ordered to be killed by a king jealous of a prophesy. The slaughter begins, lots of kids are killed, but Jesus is hidden and lives.
He goes on to have a life of preaching and spreading the word of God. Until the fateful day he is captured…and eventually nailed to a cross and left to die.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wellington_grey/3790810323/
Now, of course, good Christians are told that Jesus died for their sins. But wait, he did no such thing. He did not jump up and down calling out to be nailed to the cross so he could die for peoples sins. He did not just lay down and die. He was reportedly nailed to a cross and in such a manner, was killed. Apparently he even took longer to die on the cross than most did (Jesus was not the first or only person to be killed this way). And then, to make matters worse, some say he rose from the grave afterwards, so didn’t really die at all.
Notwithstanding, this was more of a “he was murdered” than “he died”. And who was his killer?
Were his killers those who nailed him to the cross or ordered his execution, or where the murders everyone of us who has sinned, after all if the reason for his death was to take our sin, are we not to blame? Was God himself the killer?
Yes, I ask if God was the killer. According to the legend, because Adam and Eve, who were basically new children to the earth, disobeyed and sinned, we are all now born with sin. God decided the crime and the punishment at his/her whim. Supposedly being all powerful, God had the ultimate choice to forgive or not. Supposedly being all knowing, God theoretically knew the outcome.
Jesus did not die for your sins, he was murdered for them. Jesus was put here to be raised as a cow is raised for the slaughter. A knowing God would have also foreseen the murder of the other children, so they too were put forth as sacrificial lambs, yet given no credit through history. If Jesus was to die for our sins, why wasn’t he just allowed to be killed then too, as a toddler?
Now all this might seem like I am mad at God, I am not, I personally do not believe the story myself, and only ask that you look at it through open eyes as a farce, or a tale, not as a true lesson of history. If God could start a flood, killing 99.9% of all life on earth, could turn people to salt, and for that matter could create all of earth and its living creatures in a week, surely this story could have had a different ending.
Brenda, I have to believe in something. This works for me.
I believe the whole virgin idea was a mistranslation from ancient Hebrew, and actually refers to a spirit believed to be present at all conceptions. Who knows how many other errors there? You might be interested in a book called Keys to The Kingdom by Gonzalez-Wippler.
P.S. I’m not a Christian. Do check it out, it’s sure to get you thinking…
I don’t believe in any of this religious stuff. It’s caused more pain and suffering than any other reason. And for what?
One of the fascinating aspects of the Christian faith, and the Bible in particular, is that there are indeed loose ends that aren’t neatly tied together. It’s this facet, among others, that has inspired much of my writing as well.
Very interesting article with genuinely valid questions and perspectives.
This is very deep. Very interesting insight.
You make some very interesting points. I too have wondered why God allowed all those children to be killed because they were looking for Jesus. I have often wondered about many of the things my mother taught me, she was a minister. I have to believe there is a higher power that loves us all and maybe an angel or two watching over us. I have seen what I believe are miracles but I also believe in the paranormal. Many would say these two do not mix. You have asked some valid questions but I don’t think you will ever find a good answer for them. This in my opinion was one of your best articles.
Dear Friend,
As much as I respect your views, I respectfully disagree with you. Of course I can go on about why but in order to answer the title of your article, “Yes.” I do believe Jesus did really die for my sins.
Quite recently, someone asked me 50 questions they wanted Christians to answer so I answered them in a article. The link is: http://relijournal.com/christianity/a-christian-response-to-50-misunderstood-questions/
I believe you should take a look at it as that article also answers some of the questions you posed in your article.
With Thanks,
Ebey S.
Well… debating over religion on Triond is really difficult issue. So I’m keeping my words to myself. All I can say that I got your point and it is well said. But definitely there remains some scopes for argument.
Your article was very interesting. It brought up some good questions. I wonder if it is possible.
You are right, Jesus did not die for our sins. God will not say “Thou shalt not kill” and willingly condone the killing of His son. That would be a contradiction. I know people would want to believe that they can sin all they want and not be responsible for it because Jesus died for our sins, but I’m sorry, it doesn’t work that way. You cannot trade a sin for a sin. Obviously, Jesus was MURDERED. Not only murdered but tortured. Murder is a sin. You cannot commit sin to wash away sin.