Fact or Fantasy: The Mythic Past and Present Day Reality
(As a break from working on my forth coming post on human sacrifice in the Bible (which is well under way) I decided to post this topic.)
When a myth is set in the past it is protected by the passing of time, but often present day reality is infected with this world of fantasy which, inturn, creates the illogical . Thus, even today, many people who make a promise will Knock on Wood to ward off the bad Karma that might bring the Evil Eye or ill will.
Now lets look at some ways the Bible and its religions make statements to similarly inspire hope and faith, but are unfounded or un-provable claims that have more in common with nationalistic and team sport ideals than scientific fact. Here are a few:
A. George Washington threw a silver dollar across the Potomac River.
Jesus rose from the death and ascended into Heaven.
B. George Washington never told a lie. Want proof: The story about George cutting down his father’s Cherry Tree. George would rather take his punishment than to tell a lie.
C. Jesus Christ was 100% God and 100% man who never sinned.
D. There existed at one time (but are now extinct) Hoop Snakes which could bit their tails, thus forming a hoop or circle and roll down a hill at speeds up to 30 miles per hour.
Jesus walked on water and healed the sick.
E. There was a Fountain of Youth from which if one was to drink, they would never die. Proof: Ponce De Leon tried to locate it, but it must have either dried up are is still yet to be found.
Jesus said: Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; (John 6 54)
Apart from the above, both religion and folklore get themselves into trouble when, what they claims as factual truth, is placed in the here and now or present time. Again, lets look at some:
A. A Milk Snake will locate a cow full of milk (usually in a barn) and drink her dry. Need proof: Farmers have always had to deal with cows who suddenly quit producing milk and many have seen Milk Snakes in their barns.
Jesus said: Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. (John 14:12)
B. There is a Pot of Gold at the end of the Rainbow. (If you have not been at the end of a rainbow, how do you know this is not true? Give me your proof as I accept it by faith!)
Jesus said: In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (John 14:2)
C. If you cut the head off a snake, it will not died until the sun goes down.
Jesus said: Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. (Matt. 18: 8-9)
E. Bad Blood can make you sick. George Washington was bleed to remove this Bad Blood. This “Bleeding” did not kill George Washington, but the fact they were unable to drain enough “Bad Blood” from him did.
Jesus: "said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing." (John 9 :7)
Finally:
F. If you break a mirror, you’ll have seven years of bad luck.
John the Revelator said about the book of Revelation: For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book. And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. (Rev. 22: 18 - 19)
When a myth is set in the past it is protected by the passing of time, but often present day reality is infected with this world of fantasy which, inturn, creates the illogical . Thus, even today, many people who make a promise will Knock on Wood to ward off the bad Karma that might bring the Evil Eye or ill will.
Now lets look at some ways the Bible and its religions make statements to similarly inspire hope and faith, but are unfounded or un-provable claims that have more in common with nationalistic and team sport ideals than scientific fact. Here are a few:
A. George Washington threw a silver dollar across the Potomac River.
Jesus rose from the death and ascended into Heaven.
B. George Washington never told a lie. Want proof: The story about George cutting down his father’s Cherry Tree. George would rather take his punishment than to tell a lie.
C. Jesus Christ was 100% God and 100% man who never sinned.
D. There existed at one time (but are now extinct) Hoop Snakes which could bit their tails, thus forming a hoop or circle and roll down a hill at speeds up to 30 miles per hour.
Jesus walked on water and healed the sick.
E. There was a Fountain of Youth from which if one was to drink, they would never die. Proof: Ponce De Leon tried to locate it, but it must have either dried up are is still yet to be found.
Jesus said: Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; (John 6 54)
Apart from the above, both religion and folklore get themselves into trouble when, what they claims as factual truth, is placed in the here and now or present time. Again, lets look at some:
A. A Milk Snake will locate a cow full of milk (usually in a barn) and drink her dry. Need proof: Farmers have always had to deal with cows who suddenly quit producing milk and many have seen Milk Snakes in their barns.
Jesus said: Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. (John 14:12)
B. There is a Pot of Gold at the end of the Rainbow. (If you have not been at the end of a rainbow, how do you know this is not true? Give me your proof as I accept it by faith!)
Jesus said: In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (John 14:2)
C. If you cut the head off a snake, it will not died until the sun goes down.
Jesus said: Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. (Matt. 18: 8-9)
E. Bad Blood can make you sick. George Washington was bleed to remove this Bad Blood. This “Bleeding” did not kill George Washington, but the fact they were unable to drain enough “Bad Blood” from him did.
Jesus: "said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing." (John 9 :7)
Finally:
F. If you break a mirror, you’ll have seven years of bad luck.
John the Revelator said about the book of Revelation: For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book. And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. (Rev. 22: 18 - 19)