Can a Religion be Sold Without a "No Death" Deal
A recent blog claims that not all religions are sold with a promise of avoiding death. Reading the blog, but not knowing personally much about what religions across the globe have said about death, I'm skeptical about some things the author claims.
First, we have to remember that all religions take place in the heads of people. So, when famous religious works are considered the "voice" of the faiths they may not actually be what followers think or talk about. As Professor Stephen Prothero points out in his book "God is Not One", any religion can be thought of either as what its leaders claim or what its followers think it is about.
In ancient Greek paganism souls continued but had a lower status than in life. Homer's Odyssey discussed a place where there is no joy. Ancient Shintoism viewed death as a dark underground place.
The link author claims these latter religions are not the glorified versions of death adopted by Christians. While they are not about a glorious "heaven" they are about a life after death. Maybe individual people thought they themselves would bargain for the better deal.
The only group he mentioned that thought when you were dead you were really dead were the Jewish Sadducees. A religious group that honest was sure to be outrun by another that made false promises, Christianity.
All this illustrates, in my view, a religion has to promise a pretty good deal in the afterlife to be successful. Those who invented Christianity understood this better than their competitors and they prospered.
If I were starting a new religion today I would simply one up Christianity by promising an even better afterlife. Would I get caught and jailed for false advertising? No one has caught so far.
One must notice the attachment is by Deseret News, The LDS.
ReplyDeleteSome sects within Christianity also have an element of bypassing death, most notably the millinalists pre-mid-post tribulation, with the rapture of the living, which bypasses physical death. The JW's, and Adventists also have an element of this too, with many predictions that have fallen flat.
PS; False prophets all. We are reminded how to tell a false prophet, (THEIR PROPHECIES (PREDICTIONS) DON'T COME TRUE).
DeleteHelper "We are reminded how to tell a false prophet, (THEIR PROPHECIES DON'T COME TRUE)"
DeleteWasn't there this guy, Jesus, who said the end before those in the room or place with him at that moment themselves died. (Mark 9:1) Seems like a false prophet to me. (No one claims to have been there when he said it--a made up quote by some ancient goat herder)
Yes Jon; Good verse. Guess pig herders can't see what goat herders could.
DeleteIt's quite interesting how multi layered this verse is with the combined tenses and contexts with the Greek provided, revealing "The already, but not yet." (The period of time leading up to the resurrection, and the fulfillment after. Which includes the destruction of Jerusalem. the dispersion, and the growth of Christianity
You must be reminded that for each of us, and for practical purposes, this world as we know it, ends at our death.
For practical purposes, that is all you need to know,
For a more complete explanation, and your convenience, on this one verse, see (available on line) Lenski commentary on the new Test. 12 volumes, Vol 2, three pages 356-358. including key Greek I choose to provide the source, rather than type three pages to satisfy your question. In addition, my keypad won't type the Greek.
Yes Jon, correct. And it came. and stayed. Final completion pending. No time frame provided.
Helper "Final completion pending. No time frame provided."
DeleteThat's the great thing about the Bible. In one place it says the end would come during the lifetime of Jesus. In other places it says no one knows when it will come. Every believer is free to choose whatever he/she prefers. Then, every year there are a few to quote the Bible as saying the end will come on a specific date "this year."
Jon; See above. The answers to your 7;55 are there.
DeleteUnless you can't see it with your pig herder eyes.
Re your; "Then every year -------come on a specific date "this year", see my 2;53, and the PS.
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
Deletelittle helper December 8, 2019 @ 9:11, Thanks for the reply. As often happens with biblical stuff I was barking up the wrong tree.
DeleteHelper--I'm happy to host the various versions of Christianity here on my blog. One group has appeared which takes what the Bible actually says as the basis for the faith. Another group adds context and restates what the Bible says as "what it means." Then a third group takes what it thinks the Bible says even though it does not say what they think it says.
ReplyDeleteI have no problem with any of the above. That is, until any or all of them start claiming there is moral superiority provided in the Bible and that it should be put into our secular laws. There is plenty of that--not by you fortunately.
Lenski available at Amazon. 12 volumes new $699.00. used starting at $299.00. Free download on internet. Three pages including the Greek, on one single verse is pretty comprehensive. I've had mine for many years and have found it totally reliable. Not an ounce of anything , "that should be put into our secular laws". That is the 4th option.
DeleteOther verses I have found have as many as eight pages on one single verse. eliminating any question as to "What does this mean". Considering and eliminating the agendas and speculation you refer to above. Including yours.
Not porn.
Not relevant to this discussion (or anything else) is the statistics I receive about viewership here. The last few days viewership has skyrocketed. The huge numbers come from a site that ends in "sophy/diva." I don't want to investigate the site because I'm afraid it's porn and I don't want a record of me peaking at such stuff. So, if any readers are on a porn site, welcome. But keep your comments here for family reading. :)
ReplyDelete