[Dumbing Down] BBC, Try Harder…

Just near the end of watching the BBC “documentary” Who Killed Jesus?

I thought the BBC were against conspiraloonacy, but it seems that they fully embrace it when it suits!

This time they’re trying to push the theory that the gospel writers made up the part about the crowd saying “let his blood be upon us, and on our children”, to exonerate Pontius Pilate and stir up anti-semitism.

What a crock of sh*t, seriously! The gospel writers take great pains to document sick being healed, dead people rising from the grave, demons cast out, the resurrection itself? Yet the BBC choose to focus on the bit about Pontius Pilate, because, y’know all that other stuff is pretty believable but the Romans not responsible for Jesus death? – I don’t believe it!

For the record, I don’t think Pontius Pilate exonerated himself, but the problem here is with language used. You see, the majority of people in 1st Century Palestine, apart from the ruling Roman authorities, just so happened to be Jewish, because, Oh I don’t know, that’s where they’d been settled for at least 400 years?

So when the crowds are screaming for Jesus to be executed, unfortunately, most of that crowd are going to be Jews. Just as most of the people sitting in on an execution in Texas are going to be Americans.

But just as many Americans oppose the death penalty, guess what, many Jews at the time would have been opposed or even uninterested in the execution of Jesus.

Here’s the other part of the story that was missed (of course, we’re assuming that you’re happy with the rest of the New Testament, since you’re only questioning a few lines in the book of Matthew). Jesus was a Jew! Yes, way! Not only that, the 12 disciples were Jews! I kid you not!

In fact, at the time many of those disciples originally assumed that Jesus had come only for the Jews, they refused to sit and eat with gentiles! It was only due to Paul (aka Saul), who came along later and instructed the early church that they must also accept gentiles and treat them equally.

Paul himself testified that he came first for the Jews, then for the gentiles.

So BBC, well done for releasing a documentary that not only propogates a half-assed conspiracy theory, but one that is factually incorrect and attempts to spread FUD about anti-semitism in the founding of Christianity.

How can Jews be anti-semetic? Ask the BBC, they seem to know!

Interesting Fact: The last docu-drama the BBC put out about Jesus apparently went some way to exonerate Pontius Pilate of Jesus’ execution. Schizophrenic production team, or attempt at non-bias? You decide.

jews, bbc, biased, anti-semitism, dumbing down, pontius pilate, christians, church, religion, history, gospels

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[Christiania] Church Mafia

Excellent article over at Stuff Christians Like about the church mafia:

The Elderati
Background:
Although they would never admit this, the Elderati is the strongest of the ruling families. Their influence is not often direct and visible, but is instead quietly woven into almost every decision the church makes. Once you make it into the Elderati, you can never really leave. For although your official “term” might end after a year or two, you will constantly be called into conversations and decisions long after you actually attend an Elder’s meeting. It’s rumored that they all have a small letter “E” tattooed on their ankle. But since members of the Elderati never wear shorts, it’s impossible to prove.
Also known as: “The only people the pastor fears.”
Nemesis: The Deaconistas
Signature sentence: “Have you cleared that with the Elders?”

Anyone who’s ever been heavily involved in or shunted from a church ministry at one time should find something to laugh at, and something to think about from this.

I’ve touched on the subject before in the past, in a blog post entitled Successful Christian Leadership. Back then I came from a more personal, more bitter angle but the great thing about SCL is it can teach us really to laugh at those wooden idols that the church sets up for itself.

church mafia, christians, faith, elders, jesus, god, religion

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Ulterior Verse of the Day: Matthew 22:15-21

Gayle writes…

Hi Alex – I thought I should send you an odd article I read in the “Missoulian” (Montana, USA) this morning:

Church of England motion arrives with number 666

London (AP) – The beast of the Book of Revelation intruded into the banter of the House of Commons on Thursday when a motion calling for the disestablishment of the Church of England was numbered 666.

The last book of the Bible says 666 is the number of a beast that “had two horns like a lamb, and . . . spake as a dragon,” and that “doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.”

It is incredible that a motion like this should have, by chance, acquired this significant number,” said Bob Russell, a Liberal Democrat lawmaker.

It looks as though God or the devil have been moving in mysterious ways,” he said.

The motion simply states: “That this house calls for the disestablishment of the Church of England” – in other words ending its status as the country’s legally established, official faith.”

Is this a story there – or just an obscure who-knows-why kind of story someone picked up over here?

I promised Gayle that I would respond in the blog, and thought this would be an excellent tie in with an old regular feature I had on DSotL – Ulterior Verse of the Day:

“Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Don’t you know that my ministry is global and impacts the lives of millions of people everyday?” They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, “Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?”

“Caesar’s,” they replied.
Then he said to them, “Under Caesar the law states charities are tax-exempt, and I since my ministry forms part of a charity then that makes me tax-exempt.” – Matthew 22:15-21

First of all, it’s true that a few MP’s have signed an early day motion (EDM) for the disestablishment of the Church of England and that whether by fate or by mischief that the motion is number 666. You can even view it online.

For my global hangers-on, in America where church and state are seperated (for the protection of the church) and the American government are prevented by the constitution from controlling and influencing the church. Here in the UK however, along with charity status the Church of England is in the enviable position of having a small but inconsequential measure of influence on politics as well as allowing its members to divorce. It has nothing to do with handouts (well not officially anyway) but as I say, the church has charity status.

In return for this highly esteemed position, the government has the right to dictate church policy and elect it’s highest leaders. It is illegal, for example, for an Anglican church to refuse to marry anyone (hetrosexual) who wants to be married (providing they live in the catchment area and attend for 6+ months). Similarly it is also illegal for the Church of England to refuse to baptise or bury anyone who requests it.

Thuto provides a better explanation of this.

This is why, when American anti-theists exult the constitutional “separation of church and state”, they may as well be cheering for the fact that 85-95% of Americans believe in God.

The IRS has recently begun auditing several prominent mega-church leaders. The reason? Not only should charities not be affiliated with any political party, but how many charities do you know where the CEO is driving a Bentley, living in a mansion yet not making any money from other sources of income outside of charity work (I consider writing books and recording videos part of the charity work if it involves the charity).

The truth is, this EDM 666 probably stands little chance of going through, but if it did it could only be good for the Church of England, a church that was established to allow a fat monarch to divorce without resigning as head of it. After all, it would give the Church of England the freedom it needs to be a Church, and not just an.. aging establishment.

Ironically, it is most likely the atheists and agnostics who would protest when they couldn’t get their infants baptised, their beautiful church wedding or their dead rellies buried.

Free from government influence and control, free from public scrutiny and able to self-govern, blunder of the beast more like…

100

So I’ve successfully transferred the blog over to WordPress. The design is one of the custom templates from wordpress gallery, but no less effective. Hopefully this will give me greater motivation to get to grips with php and make my own customisations.

This is also a special post because it’s number 100! I’m still writing for DYL, however you can read the whole backlog for DSotL here. Also, why not join and write for the Dark Side?

Write For The Dark Side

I’m not going to be as active on this blog from now on, but it has long been my desire to attract people of like minds to join the Dark Side (ie write for this blog).

I know out of the small cult following this blog has that there are some who ‘get’ what the Dark Side is all about. You may already have a blog of your own or perhaps you haven’t started yet- this is a perfect opportunity.

Email me: alex (at) abandonallfear.co.uk with your details, a little background info and your journey towards the dark side will be complete!

Technorati Tags: write for a blog, writer, blogging, dark side

From Dark To Dead

As of today I have become a member of the Dead Yet Living community, and for the foreseeable future I am going to be writing for DYL, which means this blog is going to be entering into a part-hiatus.

I may occasionally post something here which which is more dark than dead but if you want to keep up with my satire and exhortations to the church then you can find me on DYL.

In the meantime feel free to browse categories of Dark Side past:

Analogies
Apologetics
Cult-ure
Dumb Christian
I’m A Christian… Get Me Out Of Here
Is The Pope Catholic?
Light Humour
Musings
Name Dropping
Of The World, But Not In It
Pharisees
Philistines
Reflections
Religious Nuts
Smitings
The Purpose Missing Church
Theological Observations
Ulterior Verse of the Day
Video

If you feel my exit from the dark side leaves a hole that desperately needs to be filled, then why write for Dark Side of the Light? More details coming…

Technorati Tags: dead yet living, dark side, blogging, write for a blog, writing, community, writer, hiatus, christian, church

When Life Isn’t Great

Just going over my saved rss feeds and almost missed this item posted by OkieLawyer on his blog Satellite Sky. It pretty much says what this blog is trying to represent.

I have done everything that wealthy and successful people say you are supposed to do to increase your chances of financial success. I have never done any illegal drugs. I have never been drunk on alcohol. I delayed gratification and got my education. I applied the work ethic and when I couldn’t get a job working for someone else, I started my own law business. But what can you do when those who have power literally and figuratively break your legs and pull the rug from underneath you? Isn’t it interesting that they tell you to “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” but then they take steps to knock you off your feet when you try to do just that. – OkieLawyer: Seven Years of Bad Luck

Yes we are called to be overcomers but we are also put here to help and assist others. Why would Jesus place so much emphasis on love for our neighbours, servanthood, helping those in need, if God did not understand that there are some circumstances when we actually depend on someone in power to make the right decisions?!

Some problems are not cured by a smile, a “God bless you” and an “I’ll pray for you”.

HT: Independent Christian Voice

[Murderoch] The Power Of Association

Does your church or ministry have a MySpace page?

Did you know that MySpace has an association with this website:

How? Because MySpace is owned by this man:

Rupert Murdoch. An Australian self-proclaimed born-again Christian who owns, amongst others, these media and entertainment companies:

Murderoch has admitted he tried to use his media outlets to turn public opinion for the Iraq war in this interview below:

Bill Moyer has offered a short analysis of Murderoch’s predatory nature when it comes to forging his media empire here:

Perhaps the only redeeming quality to Murderoch is he allows himself and Fixed News to be lampooned in one of Fox’s primetime comedy shows, The Simpsons:

Perhaps this wouldn’t be the case if The Simpsons wasn’t such a profitable commodity.

I’m not asking you to change your ways, I’m just asking you to look beyond the first layer of public image and recognise who you associate with, enable and ultimately allow yourself to be bought by.

Technorati Tags: murdoch, murderoch, media, iraq, fox news, fixed news, simpsons, bill moyer, myspace, the times, the sun, church, ministry

[Big Bad Wolf] Biblical Indeceny

Reports that the bible had been rated over 18 adults only due to its content were eventually proved false, however it has provoked some thought and debate.

I remember several years ago hearing a pastors wife remark to a youth group that she would not watch an 18 rated movie and would forbid her children from watching one. I remember the time because I had watched many 18+ movies before I reached my 18th birthday, and saw nothing wrong with this.

When I consider the bible, if they ever made a true to the letter film version it would probably get an unclassified rating and be banned. After all the Holy Book is full of detailed accounts of murder, rape, incest, war, cannibalism, bestiality, explicit sexual references, animal sacrifice, human sacrifice, horror, genocide, slavery, death and execution.

So I usually find it ironic when Christians talk about censorship. I found it ironic when people complained about the amount of blood and violence in The Passion.

So why do we try to protect children from the truth? Why do we make up lies like Santa Claus, insulate them with mindless children’s programs and modify true stories by excluding the bad parts?

I think the Victorians had it right with Grimm Fairytales and Nursery Ryhmes. They seemed to strike the balance between having fun, playing safe but also revealing the darker side of an exciting and enchanting world: If you play out in the forest, watchout for the big bad wolf.

Christians need to rethink censorship and what truths and fairytales they choose to spin to their children, if they really want their children to be able to interact with and be a light to a fallen world. By gently exposing them to the truth and the fallen nature of man, they will not be shocked, surprised or seduced later in life by some of the evils they are bound to encounter.

[Asinine] The Dangers of Literal Interpretation of the Bible

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Braaaaaaiiiiiinss…” Matthew 70AD

…Sorry.