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Bea

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  1. I just finished watching a National Geographic Documentary on the Gospel of Judas. The gospel of Judas was found in 1979 in Egypt, sold twice. The second time being sold to someone who then took it to Yale where she discovered what she was truly in possession of. Fast forward to 2006, it had been pieced together and scholars from all over (the States, England, Germany, to name a few) came to authenticate this ancient writing. 13 pages front and back on Paparus paper. They all agreed that this was authenicate. Okay - essentially, when the Bible was being put together, the Gospel of Judas was rejected from being included along with about 30 other gospels, per this documentary. Judas was a discipline of Jesus, as we know, and has been labeled a Heretic. Judas tells a different story of his betrayal of Jesus. Essentially, it alleges that Jesus told him to do it. Jesus death goes rather quickly in this writing and there is no mention of a resurrection because the point was - the body dies, but the spirit lives on. Some religious leaders and scholars do not believe Judas holds any merit and they disbelieve what it contains, while others believe it gives a different take on what we believe today in terms of Christianity. I bring up this topic to see what others think. Is it possible that there is another version to the story we are familiar? When I read about Jesus, I read about a man who was/is loving and kind. In present terms, this was a man who went to places no one else would dream of going and helped them, He gave people hope, fed them, clothed them. Teachings were held outside in (on) the home (Mother Earth) that God gave us, not inside a building of brick and mortar. Jesus taught us how to live, how to treat one another and other living things. I do not believe that Jesus is a myth, but I have struggled with the almost magical story telling that comes of his storys taken literally. I see some of the Bible as allegorical in nature - such as walking on water. I believe Jesus was a man who taught us how to teach others. He loved God so much, "he took it to the streets" (early evangilism maybe?) to teach us to be a person we all needed to be. Is it possible, that Jesus really did tell Judas to betray him, to teach yet another lesson? And if so - would it have been as simple as "the body dies, but the spirit lives on"? Here are 2 sites to look at: http://www.nationalg...spel/index.html http://ngm.nationalg...cockburn-text/6 And I'm just reading this one myself but here you go - http://www.nationalg...spelofJudas.pdf I look forward to hearing everyone's thoughts!
  2. George, That actually makes quite a bit of sense given the times.
  3. I did not see you're last post (as I was multitasking with other things while writing a response) - but I plan to follow up more on that. I have heard of this theory before.
  4. Good Point George! The argument I have gotten is that when the Bible designates "males" "men" "he" it is an assumption that it also applies to "females" "She" because women of that time did not have the same standing as men. Men being regarded on a much higher level, considered more intelligent then females. Essentially, whatever applied to men, applied to women and the Bible did not have to specify because it was a given. My retort has often been that if they read Bible so literally, there is no room for assumption. Which has backed them in a corner to having to admit it's a matter of how the person reading the passage interprets the information. Which is precisely my point and why there is discrepancy in specific translations when it comes to the words - Malakos and Arsenkoites. As was thoroughly discussed already, these are often misinterpreted to mean homosexual. However, if Paul meant "men having sex men" he could have used the word "paiderasste" which he did not use and never does it appear in the Bible from what I understand.
  5. George - I appreciate your points and it's refreshing for me to hear someone say (or type) it out loud. In my introduction to this forum I stated that I turned from my faith because of all the contradictions and hypocrisy. I have come realize my faith is just fine, it's organized/legalized religion I have an issue with. All that you list is exactly what I'm talking about. Identifying as lesbian with a strong history with the Presbyterian Church from childhood, my church was telling me that I could not be lesbian and follow thier faith. Going to a Catholic College, I was met with the same attitude. In my study, I found there is alot of things we do in this society that Old Testament specifically prohibits and encouraged. We no longer require women to marry thier deceased husbands brother if she were childless when her husband died in an attempt to bare a child in that bloodline, nor do we require the men to marry thier deceased brothers wife and take care of her and all the children. We don't give away our daughters as a trade for cattle. You pointed out the prohibitions - divorce and remarriage for example. Christian Fundamentalist claim to follow the Bible for what it says, but if they did truly, I think they'd find they have alot to repent for! Thank you for your most valuable input and Steve - Thank you for the article!
  6. I'm just joining, but you folks are discussing the very topic I struggle with. I have read in other texts such as by Dr. Mel White, that the Bible does not mean "homosexuality" as we mean it today. What does that mean? Is there a good book I can read on the subject?
  7. Hi everyone. I'm Bea. I'm new to this forum and Progressive Christianity. I'm 38yo, and I've been in a committed relationship with my partner for 9yrs. My stepson from a previous relationship has served 2 tours in Afganistan. In short, I grew up and was baptized in a Presbyterian Church. My mother gave me a firm religious foundation. As a teen, I had my bible next to me at all times, even when sleeping it rested right beside my pillow or the next stand. When I hit College, I attended a Catholic College. That is when I turned away from my faith. It all become confusing, contradictory, full of hypocrisy, oppressive, repressive, lacked diversity and I was "Coming Out". I have been a "lost soul" for many years trying to find something that made sense. I studied and studied, and decided, My problem was not with my faith at all or with Jesus, it was with organized/legalized Religion. I felt a calling, Jesus just tugging at me. I feel like I'm back or on the way. I just found this forum a few days ago and I found the United Church of Christ with the Cathedral of Hope. It seems to fit and I hope to use this forum for good discussion and a supportive environment. I look forward to getting to know those who post in this forum.
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