Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Muhammad had to know

Without a doubt no false prophet had a greater effect on world history than Muhammad.
On the other hand, one cannot call Jesus a false prophet, because he is the God-man who never was.

In his time Muhammad had to know of Constantine's clever evolution of his sun god worship into a mix of pagan beliefs and of his metamorphosing it into Roman Christianity. Copycat Islam came about much the same way, only with a bit more fear and terror.

Now did Josephus really write about Jesus? I think not.
It is universally agreed by historians and Biblical scholars that the language used in the Josephus writings are entirely different from that used in his proven writings such as "War." There is little doubt that the reference to Jesus was an addendum and that this document was doctored, probably early church priests.

The other references are not contemporary with the time of Jesus and can be discounted because they reflect later traditions, legends and religious tales.

The truth is that there is absolutely NO historic reference to Jesus apart from New Testament writings. The dream of the Christian world is to find a tangible reference but that has not happened. The ossary supposedly containing the bones of the brother of Jesus was proven to be a fraud. The later inscription speaking of the repairs done to the temple of Solomon was also a fraud. The relics held in the Slientum Museum of Constantinople such as the spear used to pierce the side of Jesus are obvious frauds. NO evidence of Jesus exists and in itself, that is suspicious since we have contemporary writings of Herod, Pontius Pilate and even external references to Joseph of Armithea and Nicodemus . . . . but NOTHING of Jesus.

The absence of reference does not, in any way, prove that he did not exist but it becomes perplexing that a man that after the jubilant entrance into Jerusalem on an ass was proclaimed in Scripture to be "known by all of Jerusalem."

Even the Scriptural references to Jesus are suspect. Jesus heals a blind man and orders him to say nothing of the miracle. Jesus has the transfiguration and tells the disciples to say nothing of what they have seen. How then, do these events appear in the Bible? If nothing was said, how were these events known?

One thing we do know . . . . the information contained in Scripture about Jesus matches very closely with Mithraic beliefs that were most popular in Rome after the destruction of Jerusalem in 72 A.D. To control the Hebrew slave population, Christianity proved to be a perfect mixing of the Jesus character and the widely held belief in Mithra.

Religion lends a form of identity.
Identity is defined more by what you 'cannot do' rather than what you 'can do' ..

So, religion is based on restrictions (don't eat this, restrictions on sexuality, on oppression of women's rights etc etc)

Much of which over the years has been built sometimes by force, with the fear of death and terror as primary tools. However one can see as in the story of Abraham, religion has nothing to do with your relationship with your Higher Power. The love of God will prevail no matter what religion you may find yourself entwined. At best religion is only a guide post and teaching tool. At worst it inspires the ultimate fears and evil corruption mankind has ever known. God is the lone actor who can play a part in anyone's religion, simply because he is too big to have a religion, and is free to deal with the soul of every man woman or child who seek Him. To be sure, I have seen God do wonderful things, by playing Jesus to those in need. It is time to give Him full credit.







One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child.
Carl G Jung

4 comments:

Susan Blake said...

Thought provoking post, Walt. I'm happy to have a much cherished relationship with my Higher Power. I agree with you that so many religions seem to come from a place of what NOT to do, almost a negative approach. Guess that's why I don't participate in organized religion!

Walt said...

I love you, and your open heart Susan.

It is a pity there are many god schools of thought to be found in religion yet religion only serves to make God seem smaller than He really is. For all is part of the creator, every atom, every drop of water, every grain of sand, even the air that we breathe. There is nothing on earth, or in heaven that is not holy, and part of the Creator. Your god is in and all about you, so why have a small god that only has allegiance to one sect, one faith, one nation? Can you not see that the Almighty means the unmeasurable omnipotent Almighty. Dear friends, there is no need to have a religion to walk with the Big Guy . Don't get me wrong, social fellowships are a good thing, there is a lot we can learn from each other. I just wish there was a place we could share God's love, all in one spirit. I think that would really please God.

Rana Sinha said...

Very thought provoking. Thanks Walt.

Many brilliant researchers from Wrede, Albert Schweitzer to Dominic Crossian have tried to find the historical Jesus. Most of the information about him in the four synoptic gospels is from a religion building standpoint. This may or may not be of much help to a person who is on the quest and does not want to remain static in the - I believe- stance. But The sayings of Jesus in the Gospel of Thomas and how Jesus joins hands with his disciples in a dance and sings before willingly going to his death give an inkling of a higher kind of transformative message.

As a prophet, Muhammad is a religion builder and a conqueror, so the higher message may not come through in his actions and words as it comes from the Sufi tradition or from the mystics. Mystics typically tend to be outside the paved road of organised religions as they see organised religions creating a personalised God in order to serve their own needs best.

Jesus says in the Gospel of Thomas that the kingdom of God will not come by expectation. It IS spread upon the earth but men do not see it. It seems that most of the people in organised religions do not see it because they only wish to see themselves. Thus there is no room for anything holy or genuine love in them.

The Rainbow Bank said...

An inspired post Walt.After The Council of Nicaea much was doctored or just downright obliterated.
Muhammed had much contact with Jewish and Christian communities both in Mecca and Medina before his contacts with Gabriel and certainly would have been well versed in the local faiths.