JC gave wiggle room on marriage issue (Matthew 19); Freeps read & weep.

The JeebusFreaks like to quote Matthew 19:4-6 (which, of course is nebulous and varies with translations - see CNN photo above). However, they don't like to quote Matthew 19:10-12, a few verses down, where Jesus instructs his disciples that all men cannot receive this saying .., meaning heterosexual, child-producing marriage ain't every bloke's stroke. Jesus, according to St. Mark, elucidates Christ's lessons with a parable of eunuchs (a metaphor for those who can't or won't fuck a woman, of which humanity throughout the ages has had a high percentage). He ends that short parable stating that whomever is able to receive the blessings of the Kingdom of Heaven, should be allowed to receive such blessings and grace.

Sanctity of hetero-marriage shot down by the big guy Himself. I really love the Bible. Shakespeare said it best in The Merchant of Venice, "The devil can cite scripture for his own purpose." Those MoFos certainly do. So do I, heh-heh-heh.

Preacher Mac: The word of the Lord and of the Bard.
DU Congregation: Thanks be to God and to Shakespeare.

Nice! :thumbsup:

Bottom line: They really don't like what Jesus Christ had to say and they damned sure don't want to live the life he espoused (Love the Lord? Then give up your shit. Over 99.9% of "Christians" disregard this aspect of Christ's teachings).

BTW: I am not a theologian. Nor am I a rabid Cristian. I am just a very liberal Presbyterian looking for some sense and rightness in the Christian community.

Mac

I'm the same. Presbyterian by marriage. ;-)

One thing I can never reconcile myself to is Christianity by Hate. :-(

in extreme cases, castration. Origen took it that way: "According to some traditions, he carried this to such an extent that, fearing that his position as a teacher of women as well as men might give ground for scandal to the heathen, he followed Matthew 19:12 literally and castrated himself; this action, if accurately reported, was likely partly influenced, too, by his belief that the Christian must follow the words of his Master without reserve." Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Origen

On Edit: Skeptic's Annotated Bible has this to say: "(19:10-12) After Jesus denounces divorce, his disciples say that if divorce isn't allowed, then "it is good not to marry." Jesus agrees by saying that it is better to make yourself a eunuch "for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it." Many have castrated themselves attempting to follow Jesus' advice in this verse." http://skepticsannotatedbible.com/mt/19.html

Your interpretation is pretty loose. If we treat everything as a parable, any interpretation is possible. In this case, Jesus didn't say he was speaking figuratively. His parables are prefaced as such.

" .. there be enuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake." (Matthew 19:17) Castration is merely a literal, and modern interpretation. But the FreepTards would love to snip some balls. Mark my word!

Mac

See my Origen link.

That's why I think it is so hilarious. Lotsa self-serving stuff there. I read the KJV almost every night, to improve my English. Then I laugh, or cry, myself to sleep.

Mac

I was forced to read KJV until I was 17. I don't read it anymore. I gained such an intimate knowledge of it that I've actually tried to purge it from my mind. As much as moderate and liberal Christians would like to believe otherwise, the Bible is a genocidal, hateful, disgusting book with a very few "good" passages.

My understanding is that eunuchs, while infertile, were not necessarily impotent or undesirous of bedding women. (And that this was a secret that harem women, understandably, often kept to themselves.)

That thing jumps up when he is really excited (ride-in-car, go-for-walk, hump-submissive dog of either sex, etc.).