Loaning Money -- by Ruth E. Towle

I think that I
shall never see
that dollar that
I loaned to thee

A dollar that
I could have spent
In many forms
of merriment

The one I loaned
to thee so gladly
Is now the one
I need so badly

For whose return
I had great hope
Just like an optimistic
dope

For dollars loaned
to folks like thee
Are not returned
to fools like me


Betty Boop Cartoon Banned For Drug Use 1934http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9Tb4TMibk0&NR=1

An Elegy For Grandma -- by Richard C. Speaks

Ruth Ellen Towle

Your pain is finally over
And now it’s time to let you go
We all know that’s how you wanted it
Because you told us so

You were love and strength to everyone
You fed the poor and helped the weak
You were the one that Christ referred to
When he said, “Blessed are the meek”

It’s hard to imagine life without you
You were always there for me
And if there really is a Heaven
I have no doubt that’s where you’ll be

Rest in peace. Your memory lives on.

Grandma & me

I read this poem at Grandma's memorial service in the Calvinist Meeting Hall of my youth. It went over like a wet fart on a pew. From the pulpit I could see all those true believers murmuring to each other, "What did he mean: 'IF?'" Talk about choking on a gnat! I'm so glad I'll never have to go back there again! It was a bad flashback I won't repete, no matter who kicks off next. I won't be attending. Write that in stone.

Many of the 65th street lambs remembered me, and were polite enough. They had little to say to me, except, "That was a nice poem, Richard." I knew they all hated it. Not that I really cared. I didn't want to read it to them anyway, but if I didn't read it some old fart was more than happy to read it aloud for me. I gave him the elegy that Grandma wrote in 1971. It was better received than mine. It was very uncomfortable for me.

A few familiar faces shunned me all-together. And made a point of demonstrating that they were doing this. In case I hadn't noticed. I was actually fine with that. Grateful even. They all knew about me from the wagging tongues of some of my less than loving family members. Even though I weighed my every word, seeking to avoid offence, my efforts were in vain. They were offended anyway. They all knew that I was an apostate. An infidel. They all knew why "IF" was as far as I can go without smirking, or rolling my eyes.

One of Grandpa's preacher pals actually tried to get me to pray with him for my grandmother's soul. As if she needed any praying over! I looked him straight in the eye and lied to him, saying: "I did, Mr. Adams. Earlier. Before I got here." He was shaking his head and trying to retort, but I pressed on. "Besides, didn't Jesus tell us to do our praying in the closet, and not publicly for peer approval? I prayed in my closet, before coming here. I've got to go. Got to get ready for work. Thanks for your concern." I was on bereavement leave at the time, but I needed to get away from him without causing a scene, and embarrassing my mom and sister's family. He just stared at me with a befuddled grin while I beat a hasty retreat.

Now that it's all over, I'm glad I was able to show my respect for my grandmother without offending anybody too much. At least they didn't pull an intervention on me this time. That's been tried before. I'll have to save that story for another time. I do run on.

Anyway.

Here's the elegy Grandma wrote for her mother-in-law, Great Grandma Lizzy Abagail Spooner.

GRANDMA'S GONE -- by Ruth E. Towle

(Sept. 7th 1972)

Is this a dream that I dreamed?
This rushing here and there
With many different things to do
attending Grandma's care

The many trips with plants and flowers
And letters, cards, and things
Have made the days of summer fly
on swift and silent wings

And now our Grandma's gone away
Up to her home above
To rest and praise her Saviour dear
for His eternal love

And I am glad that she's at rest
With loved ones gone before
And know that it will not be long
till we too reach that shore

But what an emptiness is left
That nothing can replace
Since we'll not hear her voice again
on earth, or see her face

But what is life? A testing place
And what of joy or sorrow?
We'll fill each moment as it comes
And trust Him for tomorrow

THE END

GRANDPA & ME -- by Richard C. Speaks

My Mother's dad
is wise with age
And he swears by every
Holy Page

His days are spent
lost in the past
He's ready for Gabriel's
trumpet blast

He's set his sights
on opal cloud
He sees death slowly
shrink his crowd

He preaches that the world
is plagued with sin
That Christian soldiers
must fight to win

With all my heart
I love the man
I just don't share
his pious plan

Blind faith through fear
I find insane
Still I bite my tongue
And hide my pain

He sees me as
a lamb astray
Doomed by pride
come JUDGEMENT DAY

To him, I'm lost
in doubt's abyss
Unfit to share
in HEAVEN's bliss

My search for truth
is an uphill climb
To seek the reason
in the rhyme

To liberate my mind
from fear
And to learn that life
is brief, but dear

He loves me
though he finds me strange
For Grandpa's mind
will never change

My Mother's dad
is wise and kind
Perhaps, like faith
love must be blind

I miss you Grandpa.

R. I. P.

Were Jesus & John, The Baptist, Really Cousins? -- by Richard C. Speaks

Luke is the only gospel that claims John The Baptist (JTB) and JC (Jesus Christ) were cousins. Luke is also the only gospel to claim that JTB was born miraculously (1:5-25). The other Gospels did their best to downplay JTB, but Luke had done his homework. He had read every available history, so he knew that JTB was a big-deal to all of the historians, and JC wasn't. Each of the gospels make sure to hitch JC's ministry to JTB's, but JTB is merely a gateway prophet in each version. The opening act to a divine tragedy.

Luke decided to outdo the others by claiming that JC and JTB were blood relatives. That's how Luke operated as a pseudo-biographer of JC and later of Paul. Where Matthew distorted OT prophecy to sell his story, Luke distorted history to add an authentic aroma to cover up that fishy odor. Fact and fiction are often combined that way even today. The Civil War was historic. Scarlet O'Hara wasn't. In a thousand years GONE WITH THE WIND might be thought to be a true story because of its authentic backdrop and references to historic persons. Just like the gospel of Luke and Acts are to believers. Luke was a historic novelist and didn't even know it!

When Mary went to tell her cousin, Elizabeth, about her own miraculous pregnancy according to Luke, the five month-old fetus of JTB “leapt in her womb”, recognizing the hours-old fetus of JC within Mary (1:39-45). The funny thing is, they seemed to be unable to recognize each other afterwards in Luke's account. How novel of Luke! And nobody ever recognizes Superman when he puts on his specs and combs his hair back. Anything is possible in fiction. Even historic fiction.

Luke stated JTB was arrested (3:19,20) two verses before JC’s baptism (3:21,22)! Luke simply states that JC was baptized. There are no details given in the narrative. JC could have been dunked by one of JTB's acolytes according to Luke. No family reunion there.

Later, apparently from Herod’s dungeon, JTB learns about JC from his own disciples, and sends two of them to ask him if he was the Messiah (LUKE 7:18-30). JC sends them back to tell JTB that he was. I guess JTB forgot to ask, "S'up, cuz?"

Then JC goes on to talk to his disciples about how terrific JTB was. Not just a prophet. More than a prophet. Yet JTB had to send messengers. JC never mentions this alleged genetic link to JTB in Luke, or anyplace else. I think he would have brought it up at least once if Luke's claim was true. Wouldn't you?

The other three gospels show JC and JTB meeting as strangers, and the gospel of John even used JTB’s own words to refute Luke's claim of a family tie between these holy men.

The next day he saw Jesus coming towards him and said, "Look, there is the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. It was him that I said, ‘Behind me comes one who has passed ahead of me, because he existed before me,’ I did not know him myself, and yet my purpose in coming to baptize with water was so that he might be revealed to Israel.’ And John declared, ‘I saw the Spirit come down on him like a dove from heaven and rest on him. I did not know him myself, but he who sent me to baptize with water had said to me, "The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and rest is the one who is to baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and I testify that he is the Chosen One of God."
JOHN 1:29-34

Why did Luke make up such a lie? Was it because JTB was historical and JC wasn't? Was it because they were both historical, but JTB used to be a much bigger draw in his time? JC had arrived on the scene at the end of JTB's career, much like Elisha had with Elijah. Was JC a JTB disciple before becoming the next Messianic hopeful? This possibility seemed to bother the gospel authors. That's why they put so many self-deprecating remarks about his own unworthiness into JTB's mouth; that he was there on earth at that time only to usher in the true Messiah. They were eager to get JTB out of the story as fast as they could. Except for Luke, who attempts to use JTB's fame to build up JC as JTB's equal pre-baptism, and his superior afterward.

Consider what Josephus had to say about the fallout after JTB's execution.

Now, some of the Jews thought that the destruction of Herod’s army came from God, and that very justly, as a punishment of what he did against John, that was called the Baptist; for Herod slew him, who was a good man, both as to righteousness towards one another, and piety towards God, and so to come to baptism; for that the washing (with water) would be acceptable to him, if they made use of it, not in order to the putting away, (or the remission) of some sins (only,) but for their purification of the body: supposing still that the soul was thoroughly purified beforehand by righteousness.


Now when (many) others came to crowd about him, for they were greatly moved (or pleased) by hearing his words, Herod, who feared lest the great influence John had over the people might put it into his power and inclination to raise a rebellion, (for they seemed ready to do anything he should advise,) thought it best, by putting him to death, to prevent any mischief he might cause, and not bring himself into difficulties, by sparing a man who might make him repent of it when it should be too late. Accordingly he was sent a prisoner, out of Herod’s suspicious temper, to Macherus, the castle I before mentioned, and was there put to death.


Now the Jews had an opinion that the destruction of this army was sent as a punishment upon Herod, and a mark of God’s displeasure against him.


FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS, THE ANTIQUITIES OF THE JEWS: Book 18, Chapter 5, Verse 2


Yes. JTB was very big news in his day. He wasn't a Christian, and had no desire to invent his own religion. He was a devout Jew. His followers came to him for purification, not conversion. 


The gospel writers needed to bring JC out from under JTB's shadow, but they couldn't omit him, so they reduced JTB to the role of a mere torch-passer. Kind'a like Obi Wan Kenobi was in Star Wars.


Just like Muhammad tried to do with JC about 600 years later. According to Muhammad, JC had only come to serve Allah, and to foretell the coming of a greater prophet (himself) and the real true faith (Islam, of course). At least until the coming of Joseph Smith, the Rev. Moon, Jim Jones, David Karesh, and a host of other false prophets and control freaks who continue to find lost sheep in search of somebody to tell them how to live their lives for them. Sheep aren't known for their smarts.


And (remember) when Isa (Jesus), the son of Maryam (Mary), said: “O Children of Israel! I am a messenger of Allah (sent) to you, reaffirming Taurat (the Torah, that came) before me, and giving the good news of a Messenger (reference to the Prophet Muhammad) to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmad.” But when he (the Prophet) came to them with clear proofs, they said, “This is clearly magic (aimed at deception)!”
SURA 61:6

Don't bother looking for this "prophecy" of JC's outside the Quran. We're just gonna have to take Muhammad's word that JC actually said what he said he said. I guess we've got to have faith in the Prophet's truthfulness in order to buy this specious quotation attributed to the son of man by the founder of the rival faith. It's so easy to put your own words into the mouth of a dead man. Shakespeare did it all the time. At least he wasn't trying to deceive anybody into abandoning their families, giving away all they owned, and following him around like a bunch of lemmings!
It's just like Aesop's fable about the emperor's new clothes. He only appeared to be naked to those lacking in faith.
Lies beget more lies. And all lies are called the truth. Faith can fool you into believing practically anything, if you want it to bad enough. What's really the truth? Open your eyes, and your mind first. Think for yourself. Go figure.
 Happy April Fools Day, dear readers! The joke's on all of us!

Peace....


5 Question Challenge to Muslimshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtbbDx5ys9Y&feature=related

PAGAN PARADOX -- by Richard C. Speaks

O, harlot of Zion
Painted Jezebel
Are you burning
down in hell?

They dragged you screaming
from your throne
Dogs lapped your blood
And gnawed your bones

Enigmatic Ba'al
uttered not a sound
As the vengeful mob
pulled His altars down

The god of old
prevailed again
The love of flesh
replaced by sin

THE END

MATTHEW vs LUKE On The Nativity -- by Richard C. Speaks

Was Jesus really born of a virgin in King David's hometown of Bethlehem? The Gospels of Mark and John are silent on the subject of JC's immaculate birth. They both suggest that JC's birthplace wasn't Bethlehem, but Nazareth (Mark 6:1-5, 14:67, & John 1:37-46, 7:40-52, 19:19). Matthew and Luke both agree that JC was born in Bethlehem of the virgin Mary, but they tell conflicting accounts about all the details and incidents surrounding that divine event.

In a court of law such contradictory evidence would be catastrophic to the case for JC's Bethlehemic birth, as well as His Davidic linage. But blind faith is disdainful of any truth that questions, or conflicts with dogma. The believers just blur this disunity into a unified Xmas card tradition that borrows imagery from both versions; with three wise men following the Xmas star to Bethlehem, and baby Jesus in a manger, surrounded by bowing shepherds, and a choir of euphoric angels.

This is not gospel. This is a hybrid. A Christian crazy-quilt constructed, out of necessity, to cover up all the contradictions of Matthew and Luke. I think that's why the New Testament compilers stuck Mark's gospel between the two, when chronologically it should have come first, not Matthew. It was a put there to help obscure these glaring contradictions about JC's origins.

Matthew was the most dramatic, and had to be read first to imprint specific details (that exist no where else) upon the willing minds of believers, so they can harmonize the whole mess for themselves in their minds, and disregard the things that don't fit. People often see what they want to see. Even when it's not really there.

The only way to see through this smokescreen of dogmatic tradition is to examine both gospels individually with open eyes and an open mind.

Matthew begins with JC’s genealogy from Abraham down to Joseph. "...and Jacob fathered Joseph, the husband of Mary." (1:1-17) Luke waits until the last half of chapter 3 (3:23-38). Luke’s contradicts Matthew's from the branch of King David all the way down to JC, "being the son, as it was thought, of Joseph, son of Heli." Luke’s genealogy was written in reverse order, starting with JC’s non-biological father, Joseph, and working all the way down to “Adam, the first son of God.” Matthew claimed that JC's Davidic branch was Solomon. Luke said it was Nathan. They couldn't even get the name of JC's paternal grandfather right. Some apologists have attempted to explain this away by claiming that Luke's genealogy is actually Mary's linage, but the text makes is quite clear that this was Joseph's family tree, not his wife's.

Let’s take a closer look at these miraculous birth stories.

*****************************************

MATTHEW 1:18-2:23

In Matthew's gospel, Joseph lives in Bethlehem. He doesn’t have to travel to get there. He's already there! The star of Bethlehem shines down upon Joseph’s house in Matthew(1:20, 24/ 2:9-11). The wise men come to Joseph's house, were Jesus was born.

The sight of the star filled them with delight, and going into the house they saw the child with his mother, Mary, and falling to their knees they did him homage.
MATTHEW 2:10,11

Matthew doesn't mention any Augustus ordered taxation, and/or census. Matthew also neglects to report the miraculous birth of John the Baptist, which preceded JC's miraculous birth according to Luke. In Matthew, JC meets JTB for the very first time at JC's baptism. Luke claims the two were first cousins, and even precedes JC's miraculous birth with a miraculous birth story for cousin JTB. They don't appear to have any family connection in Matthew's version.

In Matthew's gospel the angels speak to Joseph, clearing up the matter of his blushing bride's suspicious pregnancy, and other important information, but Mary is left out of the heavenly loop (1:20-24, 2:13, 2:22). King Herod hears about the birth of JC, the Messiah and future king from Matthew's traveling wise man (How wise was that?), and he orders the murder of all they baby boys in the land (2:16-18). Being forewarned of this atrocity by a angel in a dream, Joseph flees Bethlehem with his family, and sojourns in Egypt to fulfill ancient prophecies (2:13-15). Too bad the angels neglected to warn everybody else! Sometime later, Joseph departs from Egypt, upon hearing of Herod's unlamented demise in another dream, and he moves his family to Nazareth (To fulfill another prophecy)(2:19-23). After that Matthew never mentions JC's un-dad again.

************************************************

LUKE 1:26-2:21

In Luke, Joseph lives in Nazareth, and must travel with his pregnant wife, Mary, to Bethlehem to pay taxes, and be counted by Augustus’ census. (2:1-6). There is no room at the Inn, and JC is born in a manger (2:7). No wise men come lavishing gifts, but a bunch of scruffy shepherds abandon their flocks just to come into town, and fawn over cute little baby Jesus. They don't bring any gifts, and they don't stick around long, lest their flocks go astray (2:8-20).

In Luke's gospel Joseph and Mary stayed eight days in Bethlehem, and they were never in any danger. They even took the baby Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem for His (oddly necessary) circumcision, along with the ritual blood sacrifice of 2 turtledoves (2:21-38). After that they return home, in Nazareth, without further incident (2:39). No star of Bethlehem. No wise men. No jealous Herod. No mass-murdered baby boys. No flight into Egypt. No drama.

In Luke's account the angels talk to almost everybody, but poor, confused Joseph (Zacharias: 1:11-22, Mary: 1:28-38, shepherds: 2:9-15). Luke's Joseph gets the silent treatment from on high, just like the rest of us.

**********************************************

The Apocryphal Gospels THE PROTEVANGELION (13:1-12) and I INFANCY (1:4-21) both claim that Jesus was born in a cave on the outskirts of Bethlehem. God was even kind enough to pause time itself, so Joseph could run and fetch a midwife. The book of MARY also states that Joseph resided in Bethlehem.

And now the ninth month from her conception drew near, when Joseph took his wife and what other things were necessary to Bethlehem, the city from whence he came.

MARY 8:13

In the QURAN (Suras 3:45-59 & 19:16-36) we get yet another version of JC's immaculate birth that never mentions Joseph, or the town of Bethlehem. As a matter of fact, Muhammad referred to JC as the "son of Mary" almost every time. And that's quite a bit. "Isa, the son of Maryam." There's something fishy about Muhammad's overuse of this title. If JC wasn't the son of Allah, and he wasn't the son of Joseph...? Was Muhammad implying that the son of man was a bastard? Mary was a single mother, according to the Prophet. And she gave birth to JC alone, and in secret under a date tree. Very fishy.

In the Book (Quran), tell (the story of) Maryam (Mary), when she went away from her family (for prayer) to a place in the East (her chamber). She placed a screen (to hide herself) from them. Then We sent to her Our angel, and he appeared before her in the form of a man of respect in every way.

She said: “Verily, I ask for shelter from you with (Allah) Most Gracious: (Do not come near me) if you guard (yourself) against evil.”

He said: “I am a messenger from your Lord, (only to announce to) you, the gift of a righteous son.”

She said: “How shall I have a son, when no man has touched me, and I am not immodest (or indecent)?”

He said: “(It will still be) so. Your Lord says: ‘That is easy for Me. And (We wish) to appoint him as a Sign to men and a Mercy from Us.’ It is a matter (already) ordered.”

So she started to carry him (baby Jesus in her womb), and she went (to rest) with him to a far place. And the pains of childbirth took her to the trunk of a palm-tree: She cried (in her pain): "Oh! If I had died before this! If I was a thing forgotten and not (even) seen!"

Then (a voice) cried to her from under (the tree): “Do not feel sad! Because your Lord has made (for you) a stream underneath you. And shake towards yourself the trunk of the palm-tree. It will drop fresh ripe dates (fruits) upon you. So eat and drink and cool (wet your) eye. And if you see any man, say, ‘I have promised solemnly to (Allah) the Most Gracious, and this day I will not enter into talk with any human being.’”

At the end she brought the baby to her people, carrying him (baby Jesus in her arms). They said: “O Maryam (Mary)! Truly an amazing thing have you brought! O sister of Haroon (Arron)! Your father was not an evil (adulterous) man, and your mother was not an immoral woman!”

Then she pointed to the baby (Jesus). They said: “How can we talk to one who is only a child in the cradle?”

He (the baby Isa) said: “Indeed I am a servant of Allah. He has given me the Scripture and made me a prophet. And He (Allah) has made me blessed where ever I be, and has commanded for me prayer and charity as long as I live. He(Allah) has made me kind to my mother, and not arrogant or miserable. And peace is on me the day I was born, the day I die, and the day I will be raised (again) to life!”

Isa (Jesus), the son of Maryam (Mary) was like this. (It is) a statement of truth, about which they dispute (without any use). It is not suited for (Almighty) Allah that He should father a son. Glory to Him (Allah)! When He determines anything, He only says to it, “Be”, and it is.

(Isa said:) “And surely Allah is my Lord and your Lord. His (Alone) you therefore worship (and serve). This is the Straight Path.”
SURA 19:16-36

In the Apocrypha, and the Quran, JC was born with the power of speech. Just like the Buddha. Matthew and Luke wisely kept all of JC's miracles post-baptism.

Which version of the Nativity is true? Probably none of them. I'm not saying that there wasn't a real human being named some Aramaic version of Jesus bar Joseph behind all this mythology. The Jesus tomb, found at the foot of the Mount of Olives in 1980, proves that much. There might have even been a real human being, from some forgotten long ago, upon which the legendary Hercules was based. A remarkable person, or persons, who's exceptional qualities and deeds inspired repetitions, as well as inventions from the traveling bards of old. Time, and countless re-tellings have a way of turning men into demi-gods. That's probably how Paul Bunyan got so damn tall! Like JC, Hercules was also said to be the son of the god of gods. People used to worship Hercules too. They had faith in him long ago. Today Hercules is just a myth. A fictional character found in comic books and bad B-movies. Lot's of fictional characters are based upon real people. But fact is fact, and fiction ain't.

I should know. The Buddha and I have the same birthday! If they got the date right, that is. We all know they didn't get JC's birthday right. It wasn't during the Winter Solstice. Unless Luke was also wrong about the shepherds in the fields tending their sheep. Who can say?

The inconsistencies of the Gospels is reason enough cast doubt on their claims that JC was in fact: God sacrificing Himself to Himself. Even Muhammad had problems buying into such non-sense. The suicidal avatar of the Almighty God? What a downer! 

O People of the Book! Do not commit excesses in your religion: Nor say anything except the truth about Allah. Messiah Isa (Christ Jesus), the son of Maryam (Mary) was (no more than) a messenger of Allah, and His Word, which He sent down to Maryam (Mary), and a Spirit created by Him: So believe in Allah and His messengers. Do not say ‘Trinity’: Stop (saying so): It will be better for you: Because Allah is One Allah: Glory be to Him: (Far Supreme and Glorious is He) above having a son. To Him belong all things in the heavens and on earth. And, Enough is Allah as a Disposer of affairs. Messiah (Christ) does not find it unworthy to serve and worship Allah, nor do the angels (find it unworthy), those (angels) nearest (to Allah): Those who find His (Allah’s) worship unworthy and (those who) are arrogant -- He will collect them all together to Himself (to answer for their actions).

SURA 4:171,172

Truly, in blasphemy are those who say that Allah is Messiah (Christ), the son of Maryam (Mary). Say (to them): “Who then has (even) the least power against Allah, if His Will was to destroy Messiah (Christ), the son of Maryam (Mary), his mother, and all -- Every one that is on the earth? And to Allah belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between. He (Allah) creates whatever He pleases. For Allah is able to do all things.”(Both) the Jews and the Christians say: “We are sons of God, and His beloved.” Say: “Why then does He punish you for your sins? No, you are only men (mere human beings) -- Of the (other) men He has created. He forgives whom He pleases, and He punishes whom He pleases. And to Allah belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between. And to Him is the final goal (of all).”

SURA 5:17,18

And remember! Allah will say (on the Day of Judgment): “O Isa (Jesus) the son of Maryam (Mary)! Did you say to men, ‘Worship me and my mother as gods in derogation of Allah’? He (Isa) will say: “Glory be to You! It was not for me to say what I had no right to say. If I had said such a thing You would indeed have known it. You know what is in my heart, even though I do not know what is in Yours. Truly, You fully know all that is hidden and unseen. Never did I say to them anything except what You did command me to say, which is, worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord. And I was a witness over them while I lived among them. When You did take me up, You were the Watcher over them, and You are a Witness to all things.

SURA 5:116,117

And the Jews say Uzir (Ezra) is a son of God, and the Christians say Messiah (Christ) is the son of God. That is a saying from their mouth; (In this) they tell what the disbelievers of the old (days) used to say. Let Allah’s curse be on them. How they are deceived away from the truth! They hold their priests and their monks to be their lords besides Allah, and (they hold as Lord) Messiah (Christ), the son of Maryam (Mary); yet they were ordered to worship only One Allah. There is no god but He. Praise and glory to Him. (Far is He) from having the partners they associate (with Him).

SURA 9:30,31

They say, “Allah has fathered a son!” -- Glory be to Him! He (Allah) is Self-Sufficient! His are all things in the heavens and on earth! No reason do you have for this (lie about Allah)! Do you say about Allah what you do not know?

SURA 10:68

The Christians have faith that JC was God made flesh. The Muslims and Jews have faith that he was not. As for me, I require proof. Faith is belief without proof. A placebo.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

HEBREWS 11:1

Pre-programmed blinders and circular logic are what faith is all about. That's why Christians are so concerned about their children's early religious indocturnation, and in limiting their educational parameters. Too much objective thinking might spoil their brain-washing.



Skeptic Bible Study: The Jesus Timelinehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBufxLab5ns&feature=related

Nit-Picking Matthew's Prophetic Claims -- by Richard C. Speaks

In my last post I dismissed the author(s) of Matthew's gospel as less than truthful. I thought I'd better show you why by researching Matthew's use of the Old Testament (OT) to show that Jesus' short life was foretold centuries before. These are unique to Matthew. Lots of things are. Let's see how well these OT connections hold up under scrutiny. I think you'll be surprised.


The first Christmas according to Matthew
***************************************
This is how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they came to live together she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being an upright man and wanting to spare her disgrace, decided to divorce her informally. He had made up his mind to do this when suddenly the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins.' Now all this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: ‘Look! The virgin is with child and will give birth to a son whom they will call Immanuel.’ A name which means ‘God is with us.’
MATTHEW 1:18-23

This verse establishes that Joseph was of the royal bloodline. But it also establishes that JC wasn’t his biological son!

The Bible doesn’t tell us about Mary’s family tree. I suspect it might have been included if royal blood ran in her veins, but maybe not. The Good Book didn't put very much stock in female bloodlines, or mitochondrial DNA.

The son of man might have bled Port for all we know.

Here’s the OT passage the author(s) of Matthew were referring to. Does it really foretell the coming of JC?

Yahweh spoke to Ahaz again and said, ‘Ask Yahweh your God for a sign, either in the depths of Sheol or in the heights above. But Ahaz said, ‘I will not ask. I will not put Yahweh to the test.‘ He then said: ‘Listen now, House of David: are you not satisfied with trying human patience that you should try my God’s patience too? The Lord will give you a sign in any case. It is this: the young woman is with child and will give birth to a son whom she will call Immanuel. On curds and honey will he feed until he knows how to refuse the bad and choose the good. Before the child knows how to refuse the bad and choose the good, the lands, whose 2 kings are frightening you, will be deserted. Yahweh will bring times for you, your people, and your ancestral House, such as have not been seen since Ephraim broke away from Judah (the king of Assyria).’
ISAIAH. 7:10-17

Was this holy child, promised to king Ahaz, really JC?

I seriously doubt that Ahaz would have cared about what was going to happen a thousand years after he was dead. I think he would be far more concerned with his near future. Wouldn't you?
I think this prophecy was really about King Ahaz’s unborn son, Hezekiah; who did bring about a renaissance to the often troubled throne of David's progeny.

Consider the following:

In the 3rd year of Hoshea son of Elah, king of Israel, Hezekiah son of Ahaz became king of Judah. He was 25 years old when he came to the throne, and he reigned for 29 years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Abijah daughter of Zechariah. He did what Yahweh regards as right, just as his ancestor David had done. He abolished the high places, broke the pillars, cut down the sacred poles and smashed the bronze serpent which Moses had made (Numbers 21:6-9); for up to that time the Israelites had offered sacrifices to it; it was called Nehushtan. He put his trust in Yahweh, God of Israel. No king of Judah after him could be compared with him-- nor any of those before him.
II KINGS 18:1-5

The part about the child being born of a virgin was just a mistranslation from Hebrew into Greek.

The “young woman" spoken of by Isaiah was probably Queen Abijah. The Israelites were often referred to metaphorically as a virtuous maiden in the Bible. Perhaps Abijah, daughter of the prophet Zechariah, mother of good King Hezekiah, may have been that paradigm of virtue they were referring to. The divine Mother of the just king.


The Good Shepherd cometh
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After Jesus had been born in Bethlehem in Judea during the reign of King Herod, suddenly some wise men came to Jerusalem from the east asking, ‘Where is the infant king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose and have come to do him homage.’ When King Herod heard this he was perturbed, and so was the whole of Jerusalem. He called together all his chief priests and the scribes of the people, and enquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, ‘At Bethlehem in Judea, for this is what the people wrote: “And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, you are by no means the least among the leaders of Judah, for from you will come a leader who will shepherd my people Israel.
MATTHEW 2:1-6

Here is the OT passage they were talking about. Does it really predict JC’s birth? You be the judge.

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, the least of the clans of Judah, from you will come for me a future ruler of Israel, whose origins go back to the distant past, to the days of old. Hence Yahweh will abandon them only until she who is in labor gives birth, and then those who survive of his race will be reunited to the Israelites. He will take his stand and he will shepherd them with the power of Yahweh, with the majesty of the name of his God, and they will be secure, for his greatness will extend henceforth to the most distant parts of the country. He himself will be peace! Should the Assyrian invade our country, should he set foot in our land, we shall raise 7 shepherds against him, 8 leaders of men; they will shepherd Assyria with the sword, the country of Nimrod with naked blade. He will save us from the Assyrian, should he invade our country, should he set foot inside our frontiers.
MICAH 5:1-5

This Messiah was coming to save his people from the Assyrians, not their sins.

Micah seemed to be hoping for a great warrior-king like David, who had been a good shepherd himself in his youth. Bethlehem was David's home town after all. A town whose origins go back to per-kingdom Israel, as depicted in the book of Judges.

I don’t think this has anything to do with JC.


Out of Egypt I have called my Son
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So Joseph got up and, taking the child and his mother with him, left that night for Egypt, where he stayed until Herod was dead. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: ‘I called my Son out of Egypt.’
MATTHEW 2:14,15

"When Israel was a child I loved him, and I called my son out of Egypt. But the more I called, the further they went from me; they offered sacrifice to Baal and burnt incense to idols."
HOSEA 11:1,2

Hosea was talking about back-sliders, apostates, and idolatry. Not JC. This wasn't even a prophecy! Matthew was just fishing for "My son" references anywhere he could find them. This is the fishiest one of all!

BTW. I'm amused by the Christian fish icons glued to so many bumpers. I have another take on the meaning of the JC fish. I see it as an admission that the NT is a very fishy book. Especially Mathew. Sorry for the digression. My mind works in mysterious ways.


The Slaughter of the Innocents
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Herod was furious on realizing that he had been fooled by the wise men, and in Bethlehem and its surrounding district he had all the male children killed who were 2 years old or less, reckoning by the date he had been careful to ask the wise men. Then were fulfilled the words spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: A voice is heard in Ramah, laminating and weeping bitterly. It is Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted because they are no more.
MATTHEW 2:16-18

Does the OT really foretell the slaughter of the innocents? A story uncorroborated by Mark, Luke, John, or by any historian. Let’s see for ourselves.

Yahweh says this: A voice is heard in Ramah, lamenting and weeping bitterly: it is Rachel weeping for her children, because they are no more. Yahweh says this: Stop your lamenting. Dry your eyes. For your labor will be rewarded, Yahweh declares, and they will return from the enemy’s country. There is hope for your future after all. Yahweh declares, your children will return to their homeland.
JEREMIAH 31:15-17

There is nothing in Jeremiah about King Herod, JC, or the slaughter of the innocents. Jeremiah was predicting the return of the captive Hebrews in Babylon.

Jeeze!

Nazarene or Nazirite?
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So Joseph got up and, taking the child and his mother with him, went back to the land of Israel. But when he learnt that Archelaus had succeeded his father, Herod, as ruler of Judaea he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream, he withdrew to the region of Galilee. There he settled in a town called Nazareth. In this way the words spoken through the prophets were to be fulfilled: He will be called a Nazarene.
MATTHEW 2:21-23

Here is the only passage in the OT that comes close, but it doesn’t mention the town of Nazareth. This is about another "Chosen One" -- Samson the Nazirite hero -- A Herculean Hebrew who kicked some serious Philistine ass back in his day.

Was this another Hebrew into Greek error, or more pious fraud? See for yourself.

There was a man of Zorah of the tribe of Dan, called Manoah. His wife was barren; she had borne no children. The Angel of Yahweh appeared to this woman and said to her, ‘You are barren and have had no child, but you are going to conceive and give birth to a son. From now on, take great care. Drink no wine or fermented liquor, and eat nothing unclean. For you are going to conceive and give birth to a son. No razor is to touch his head, for the boy is to be God’s Nazirite from his mother’s womb; and he will start rescuing Israel from the power of the Philistines.
JUDGES 13:2-5

The Philistines were long gone before JC's time. The Babylonians had put the Philistines out of business centuries before then. Matthew was such a fibber!

What is a Nazirite? I'm glad you asked. Here's what Moses has to say:

Yahweh spoke to Moses and said, ‘Speak to the Israelites and say: “If a man or woman wishes to make a vow, the nazirite vow, to vow himself to Yahweh, he will abstain from wine and fermented liquor, he will not drink vinegar derived from one or the other, he will not drink grape juice or eat grapes, be they fresh or dried. For the duration of his vow he will eat nothing that comes from the vine, not even juice of unripe grapes or skins of grapes. As long as he is bound by his vow, no razor will touch his head; until the time for which he has vowed himself to Yahweh is completed, he remains consecrated and will let his hair grow freely. For the entire period of his vow to Yahweh, he will not go near a corpse....
(ect. ect. ect.)
NUMBERS 6:1-21

The word Nazirite means set apart unto God. Ultra-kosher. Pure. Which didn't fit ol' Samson very well either. This sure doesn't fit JC. Perhaps the prophets of old were talking about John, The Baptist, or maybe JC’s brother, James, the vegetarian. Definitely not JC, who didn't seem to sweat Levitical law. Consider the following passage:

"For John came, neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He is possessed.' The Son of man came, eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look, a glutton and a drunkard, A friend of tax collectors and sinners.' Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds."
MATTHEW 11:18,19

The word Nazarene is'nt in the OT. As you can plainly see, Matthew was willing to take anything out of context to prove his gospel was backed up by the OT Prophets. Very fishy. Just like George Washington never telling a lie, chopping down a cherry tree before they were introduced to the New World, and chucking a silver dollar across the Delaware. So much for the truth. Fables are far more comforting.

As Paul once said:

You might as well say that if my untruthfulness makes God demonstrate His truthfulness, to His greater glory, then I should not be judged to be a sinner at all.
ROMANS 3:7

I'm not done with Matthew, but I think this is a good start. Stay tuned.

Betty Bowers Explains Prayer to Everyone Else
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5QqEmBi8iw&feature=related

WAS SAINT PETER A SERIAL KILLER? -- by Richard C. Speaks

Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. Jesus said to Peter. "Put your sword back in its scabbard; am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me?"
JOHN 18:10,11

Peter was JC's right hand man. His strong arm. His rock. He kept order for JC. And Judas kept the books (JOHN 13:29). JC sure knew how to pick friends. I guess he wasn't much of a judge of character. Then again, maybe we've misjudged JC's character. After all, he did say....

"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace on earth: it is not peace I have come to bring, but a sword. For I have come to set son against father, daughter against mother, daughter-in-law against mother-in-law; a person's enemies will be the members of his own household. No one who prefers father or mother to me is worthy of me. No one who prefers son or daughter to me is worthy of me. Anyone who does not take his cross and follow in my footsteps is not worthy of me. Anyone who finds his life will lose it. Anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it."
MATTHEW 10:34-39
(also LUKE 12:51-53)

"As for my enemies who did not want me for their KING, bring them here and execute them in my presence."
LUKE 19:27

He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and the same with a haversack; if you have no sword, sell your cloak and buy one, because I tell you these words of scripture are destined to be fulfilled in me: 'He was counted as one of the rebellious.' Yes, what it says about me is even now reaching its fulfillment." They said, "Lord, here are two swords." He said to them, "That is enough!"
LUKE 22:36-38

And that's the prince of peace speaking! The same guy who overturned the tables of the money-changers (MATTHEW 21:12,13, MARK 11:15-18, LUKE 19:45-48, JOHN 2:13-16). The same guy who referred the Gentiles as dogs (MATTHEW 7:6, 10:5-7 & 15:22-28, MARK 7:24-30). The same guy who turned his back on his own family, and often spoke disrespectfully to his mother (MATTHEW 12:46-50 & 13:54-58, MARK 3:31-35 & 6:1-6, LUKE 8:19-21, JOHN 2:3,4). Maybe these are just some of JC's Satanic verses!

The cult of Christ was much like the People's Temple, and the Branch Davidians, and so many others when you look at it objectively. JC, like all cult-leaders, needed to separate his converts from their non-believing family members. JC would also need a bodyguard, an enforcer, a major-domo, a Sergent-at-arms. JC needed a guy like Peter to keep order, and to take care of His dirty work for Him. Peter was perfect for the job. He was a violent guy. He had a sword, and didn't seem to mind using it. JC needed men-at-arms, just like David Koresh needed automatic weapons and explosives. Faith must be very fragile armor against the dangers of the real world if even JC required an honor guard!

I think Judas' death smells awfully fishy too. What if Peter tracked Judas down after the Crucifixion and made him pay for selling out the Savior? Think about it. That's why the other three Gospels are silent about the fate of Judas. He just vanished from Luke, Mark, and John after the arrest of JC. They either didn't know what really happened to Judas after he received his blood money, or they knew, but chose to omit the facts because the truth was just too ugly to admit. That's why the hanging death of Judas, found only in Matthew, became the official story.

When he found that Jesus had been condemned, then Judas, His betrayer, was filled with remorse and took the thirty silver pieces back to the chief priests and elders saying, "I have sinned. I have betrayed innocent blood."

They replied, "What is that to us? That is your concern."

And flinging down the silver pieces in the sanctuary he made off, and went and hanged himself. The chief priests picked up the silver pieces and said, "It is against the Law to put this into the treasury; it is blood money."

So they discussed the matter and with it bought the Potter's Field as a graveyard for foreigners, and this is why the field is still called the Field of Blood.
MATTHEW 27:3-8

Matthew's poetic, and unique account of Judas hanging himself was a cover story. Much better than remaining mum about it, like Mark, Luke, and John. Much, much better than the bloody murder of Judas hinted at in the book of Acts.

Matthew gave the readers just what they wanted. Poetic justice. Judas hanged himself in shame. All suicides are damned to eternal torment. A just and fitting fiction. Matthew's gospel has a lot of inventions that don't appear in the other gospels. Why let the truth ruin a good story? Matthew wasn't really a historian. Matthew was a myth-maker. A propagandist and a proselytiser. Matthew was a pious BS'er.

In ACTS (Luke's sequel) Peter described Judas’ blood-spattered demise as if he had witnessed it himself, and he thought it was a righteous thing. Peter even attempted to use the scriptures to justify his act. He didn't do a very good job of it, as far as I'm concerned. The following passage has both the ring of truth as well as a hint of foul play to it.

One day Peter stood up to speak to the brothers – there were about a hundred and twenty people in the congregation, "Brothers," he said, "the passage of scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit through David, foretells the fate of Judas, who acted as guide to the men who arrested Jesus – after being one of our number and sharing our ministry. As you know, he bought a plot of land with the money he was paid for his crime. He fell headlong and burst open, and all his entrails poured out. Everybody in Jerusalem heard about it and the plot came to be called BLOODY ACRE, in their language, Hakeldama. Now in the Book of Psalms it says: Reduce his encampment in ruin and leave his tent unoccupied. And again: Let someone take over his office."
ACTS 1:15-20

No hanging for Judas in Peter's account. Judas falls to his death and splatters on the rocks below. Peter didn't say how Judas fell. If he'd jumped, or even fallen by accident, I'm sure Peter wouldn't have neglected to mention it. Peter seemed reluctant to provide a reason for Judas' fatal fall, yet he didn't spare us the guts and gore. Very, very fishy, folks.

"Bloody Acre", or the "Field of Blood", are fitting names for the spot where a ghastly murder was committed. Names that remind everybody that blood was spilled on this location. These names don't suggest a hanging. They suggest a violent death.

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Here's a description of how the early Christian community, under Peter's iron hand, brought freedom to the world.

None of their members was ever in want, as all those who owned land or houses would sell them, and bring the money from the sale of them, to present it to the apostles; it was then distributed to any who might be in need.
ACTS 4:34

Sounds like a brainwashing cult to me. Sweet setup, if you're in charge. The rest just had their faith, and a get out of hell free card. Pretty damn handy. If you're dead, and God doesn't turn out to be Odin, instead of the other guy.

Peter was running the show until James, 'The Just', quietly took over. Peter was demoted without any stated reason. What happened? Luke and Paul were reluctant to write of it in the N.T. A scandal perhaps? The book of Acts shows us the probable reason. In Acts, Luke tried like hell to clean this story up. How do you clean up a double homicide?

There was also a man called Ananias. He and his wife, Sapphira, agreed to sell a property, but with his wife’s connivance he kept back part of the price and brought the rest and presented it to the apostles. Peter said, "Ananias, how can Satan have so possessed you that you should lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land? While you still owned the land, wasn’t it yours to keep,and after you had sold it wasn’t the money yours to do with as you liked? What put this scheme into your mind? You have been lying not to men, but to God."

When he heard this Ananias fell down dead. And a great fear came upon everyone present. The younger men got up, wrapped up the body, carried it out and buried it.

About 3 hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had taken place. Peter challenged her, "Tell me, was this the price you sold the land for?"

"Yes," she said, "That was the price." Peter then asked, "Why did you and your husband agree to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Listen! At the door are the footsteps of those who have buried your husband. They will carry you out too."

Instantly she dropped dead at his feet. When the young men came in they found she was dead, and they carried her out and buried her by the side of her husband. And a great fear came upon the whole church and on all who heard it.
ACTS 5:1-11

People who pissed off Peter had a way of dropping dead.

But these people speak evil of what they do not understand; they are like brute beasts, born only to be caught and killed, and like beasts they will be destroyed, being injured in return for the injuries they have inflicted.
II PETER 2:12

Was Peter a multiple murderer? You be the judge.

Peter & Paul & The Christian Revolutionhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hh2ztwD4s4A&feature=related