Originally posted by halfoldman
Now, for Biblical literalism, or people who argue that the Bible is so wonderful and just, I'm wondering: Jesus said the laws of Moses stay.
So why have you stopped killing witches and gays?
It only stopped fairly recently, but what made those verses suddenly metaphorical, rather than literal?
Was it a sudden insight?
Jesus did not say the Laws of Moses stay. He fulfilled them.
Fulfill - to bring to an end; finish or complete.
He did not destroy them, but rather made them stricter.
Have you even read his sermon on the mount?
19Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Then he goes on to list and expound upon HIS commandments.
20For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
His followers must be more righteous than the scribes and Pharisees.
21Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment:
Not only not kill, but don't even be angry with another!
27Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. 29And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 30And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
Not only do not commit adultery, but don't even look at woman lustfully. Can one do this? If you cannot, then do not consider it an offense! For it is considering it an offence that leads one to judge harshly.
31It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: 32But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
Again, pointing out the flaws in the logic of the old. We cause each other to sin when we do not love one another. Then we judge each other for sinning! Silly people stop the madness.
33Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: 34But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: 35Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. 36Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. 37But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
Don't make oaths for no man or woman knows what the next second will bring. It may bring something that goes against your own conscience and thus you will be unable to perform the oath, or perform contrary to your conscience.
There is much more in the Sermon on the mount, but you can go see for yourself. It is a masterful display of logic and love entwined.
Those Christians who go back to the laws of the Old Testament to justify their hate and bitterness at the world know nothing about Jesus and what he taught. They are the blind who have been lead astray by other men or even their own hearts.
Let them have their judgement as they are judged in like manner.
Do not judge Christ because of his followers. Read what he said and learn yourself.
With Love,
Your Brother
