Clivedurdle

PS By "revealed" I mean as in "revelation". As revelations by definition are holy, they will be protected by priests - they will not necessarily be revealed to all and sundry as we do with a free press now!

If my hypothesis that xianity is a word cult is correct, it should not be long before some xians say that the end of the world should be soon because the internet means that the word is now spread instantaneously around the planet! The internet is the result of the moving of the holy spirit to spread the word to all nations!

Clivedurdle

In fact, xians do not seem to be doing a very good job of spreading the word on the internet. They have the resources to ensure the majority of sites are xian or you get diverted to a xian site easily, - xian spam and xian banner adverts everywhere - aaarghhhh!

I love the Arthur C Clarke story where a group of monks were busily writing down all the names of God. After thousands of years the job was almost done, they were feeling pleased with themselves - and the stars started to go out....

Amlodhi

Hello spin,

I agree that this is correct. In fact, it is my understanding that the composition of the Enuma Elish (formerly thought to have occurred in the Old Babylonian Period; c. early 2nd Millenium), is now thought to be dated to the Kassite period or possibly even somewhat later.

It is also my understanding, however, that the composition of the Enuma Elish is thought to have been derived from earlier Sumerian myths and traditions. I would be interested to know if you are opposed to this viewpoint and, if so, your reasoning.

This is strictly a matter of interest for me and either viewpoint will not alter the purpose of my post to Clivedurdle.

Namaste'

Amlodhi

Clivedurdle

Is it possible that Xianity is two new religious traditions that have been amalgamated?

One tradition is from the gospel of John - the word become flesh or my alphabet cult. The other is from Paul, and his Messiah visionary Christ. In the same way that genesis has traditions = priestly etc, why not the same in New Testament. The alpabet and word worshippers definitely started something.

Marlene Winell "leaving the fold" writes

Although they were familiar already, in writing this book I had to look up the verses I quoted from the Bible to get the wording exact. As I did this, I gradually became aware of interesting feelings. I found myself turning the delicate pages of the Bible with care and affection, the way I did many years ago. the pages felt precious as I smoothed them out. I read whole chapters of the Gospel of John and was moved by the words of Jesus at the last supper.

Suddenly I recognised my experience. it was like reading old letters from a lover I had left. The old bond was still present, the feelings of attachment and love, and a wave of sadness, a strange sense of betrayal.

But it's OK = whover he or she is, teling the truth is important for both of us.



Xianity is very powerful. I thought ideas were often more powerful than people. Xianity introduced a new idea - the alphabet and the word is God, with the normal mystical religious attachments.

The snag is it is not sustainable. If you say the word is holy, you encourage reading and writing - and thinking. It has taken a long time but it was inevitable that we would say goodbye to these beautiful myths.

To conclude, I think my argument makes it more likely that Jesus was mythical - someone, possibly the author of John, was a superb story teller.