The false ‘Gospel of Jesus’ Wife’ has returned.
In the latest effort to uncover some historical document to discredit the Bible. The Harvard Theological Seminary has attempted to revive interest in the “Gospel of Jesus’ Wife” fragment – an ‘ancient’ Coptic document that allegedly quoted Jesus as referring to “my wife” – first publicized by Professor Karen King in 2012. After a press conference and much fanfare, academics and antiquities experts roundly wrote off the papyrus fragment as a hoax. But now, thanks to results of dating analysis, the Professor is once again attempting to prove the fragment’s credibility. This article will show that despite the testing of the papyrus, it is very clear that this document is fraudulent and does not in any way challenge the Biblical account of the life of Jesus Christ.
Beginning and End covered the first run of the fragment in 2012 in our article: The Gospel of Jesus’ Wife Debunked: A Critical Analysis. In that article we detailed the immediate critique and doubts by academics and those in the antiquities industry regarding Professor’s King’s supposed ancient text.
Numerous experts in ancient Copt questioned the writing style and the formation of the characters in the text, pointing out errors that implied the document was written in modern times. Additionally:
- the fragment had no provenance – a term in antiquities which denotes who the chain of ownership of an ancient document or article. This is critical information as it is a way to prove that a document is not a forgery. King, in a very unusual move, held a press conference to reveal the fragment and stated that she received it from “an anonymous donor.” This was also a major red flag.
- King is not an expert in ancient Coptic and proved her incompetence with major errors she made in translating the Gnostic Gospel of Judas. Her errors were so blatant, that the National Geographic Network had to revise and edit their documentary based on her work.
- In our follow up article, we quoted an essay from Professor Thomas Watson from Durham University in the United Kingdom. The article, entitled, ‘The Gospel Of Jesus Wife: How a Fake-Gospel Fragment Was Composed’, showed conclusively, that the text of the Jesus Wife fragment was composed using excerpts from the Gnostic Gospel of Thomas. Professor Watson’s clear conclusion was that the fragment was a hoax made by a modern-day forger.
What Has Changed Since 2012?
Professor King apparently is still not looking close enough.
So what has brought renewed interest in the fragment? The Harvard Theological Seminary published an update on the Jesus Wife fragment in their Review stating that independent scientific testing of the fragment revealed:
• The papyrus material is ancient, and can be dated to the seventh to eighth c.c.e.
• The carbon composition of the ink, too, is consistent with ancient inks. (source).
In short, Harvard is now trying to validate the fragment based on the papyrus and ink being centuries old. The New York Times, who originally led the publicity charge for the fragment in 2012, ran a long article in their science section promoting that the fragment is “more likely ancient than fake.” (source). And soon, the fragment was once again on the global media radar as casting doubt on the Biblical account of Jesus Christ. The Smithsonian Institute Network, which had planned and then cancelled a documentary on the document back in 2012, after the fragment received a heap of academic criticism – has now decided to air the documentary in light of the these new developments. Going back to the original dubious claims from 2012, the cable network’s description of the documentary states:
“Damaged and fragile, a fragment of ancient papyrus has unleashed a new interpretation of a religious story we thought we knew. In one of the most startling discoveries in recent memory, scholars confirm that a codex written in the ancient Coptic language refers to the wife of Jesus. Dr. Karen King, a Harvard professor, reveals that the papyrus bears the line “Jesus said to them, my wife…” It doesn’t prove Jesus was married, but it raises questions about that possibility–and how some early Christians viewed the role of women in the church.” (source).
The problem for Professor King and Harvard is that old paper is commonly used in forgeries. In a scathing rebuttal to the latest announcement, Professor Leo Depudyt, of Brown University, a Professor of Egyptian and Ancient Western Societies with a chief focus in Coptic manuscripts, explained:
At the beginning of February 2014, the editors of the Harvard Theological Review allowed me to view all the other documents relevant to the Wife of Jesus Fragment that will appear in the April 2014 issue of the journal. I am grateful to them for this opportunity.
I find nothing in these documents that could change in any way the fact that I am personally 100% certain that the Wife of Jesus Fragment is a forgery. I have otherwise never deemed ink or papyrus tests necessary or relevant in light of the evidence set forth below. I will make three brief observations, however.
First, the ink tests show chemical composition, in this case carbon-based “lamp black,” not age. Carbon-based ink is exactly the type that I would have used if I had been the forger. Second, as for the papyrus, nothing is more common than for forged paintings to be painted on an old piece of wood. And third, in a letter of July 19, 2013, accompanying his report, the principal investigator of theradiocarbon dating test, Professor Greg Hodgins, states that certain stable isotope measurements “[cast] doubt upon the validity of the radiocarbon date.” (source).
Additionally, Live Science news website conducted its own investigation into the provenance of the fragment. As a part of its updated announcement, Professor King revealed information from the “anonymous donor” – a contract from the donor, who stated they purchased the fragment from a man named Hans Ulrich Laukamp in November 1999 and that Laukamp had purchased the fragment in 1963 in then-East Germany. The Live Science news website conducted its own investigation into this claim and reported that Laukamp, who died in 2002, was not an antiquities collector and there is no record of him owning any ancient manuscripts. Additionally, the head of his estate has no knowledge of the fragment and confirmed that Laukamp could not have possibly been in East Germany in 1963 when King alleged he made the purchase.
One Fragment vs. 26,000
There is more manuscript evidence of the Gospels than any other ancient text.
With over 26,000 texts, there is more ancient manuscript evidence of the life of Jesus Christ than any figure in antiquity. The amount of ancient, verified manuscripts of the Gospels, still in existence today, dwarf the amount of manuscript evidence for historical figures such as Julius Caesar, Alexander the Great and Plato, combined. Despite this, many still view the New Testament accounts with skepticism but will readily jump on any single fragment that states anything that contradicts the Bible. Why is this? What such a rush and desire to discredit the Bible? It is because of our sinful nature. Human beings are born with a spirit that is hostile to God. The notion that a perfect and Holy God will one day judge us for all of our sinful actions, words and thoughts is not a comfortable idea. Because we all know that we are sinners who violate God’s commands daily. And thus it is far easier to “debunk” God and live one’s own terms than face the truth of our sin.
Jesus Christ said:
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. – John 3:16-20.
Staying away from the light of God is what the human flesh desires. Doubting the Bible as being the authentic Word of God is an easy way to not think or worry about sin or God’s judgment. But God is real and all people will be judged. And if a person is a sinner, they will suffer damnation. This is scary but true. But the good news, as stated in over 26,000 ancient fragments is that God, in His love for humanity, sent Jesus Christ to die on the cross in the place of every sinner, and take their punishment. Jesus Christ, by living a perfect life, as a single man, never sinning, became the perfect sacrifice to satisfy God’s judgment for our sins. And all it takes is faith to receive free forgiveness and eternal life. Jesus Christ said: “And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:39).
This is God’s will – for all people to believe in Jesus. So they can truly be forgiven and live. There is nothing wrong with researching ancient documents to verify the Bible or any other text. But the same respect given to a fragment should be given to the mountain of evidence in support of the Bible and the truth of Jesus Christ. God’s Word has withstood thousands of these challenges and stands the test of time. But most importantly it offers the only way to eternal life. And no forged fragment will ever change that.
So many idiots out there want to rewrite the life Jesus to fit their own agenda. Such imbeciles! Epic fail!
The whole Jesus was married appeals to so many people, especially certain women unfortunately, who want to have a woman placed by his side at the head of the church.
I once saw an excellent 6 hour lecture on youtube by Dr Michael Heiser that put this whole mythology; the myth of the gnostics being women friendly, the myth of Paul being a hateful mysogenist, the myth of Council of Nicaea chosing from 60 gospels, and the utter rubbish that is spouted in Dan Brown’s work, completely to bed. He also does actually show how the church at some point has undermined the role of Mary Magdelain, and confused her with being a prostitute when in fact it isn’t in the bible texts. He also shows how the early church had female leaders It is very refreshing watching an actual academic, who knows the actual original bible languages (he was also rsponsible for outing Sitchin’s work as nonsense) showing this stuff up for the wishful thinking it is.
Prynhawn Da/Good afternoon and Hi
Hi B&E
Reference to the ‘Gospel of Jesus Wife.’ As you say, the saga is upon us yet again, and you (B&E) are still passing judgements before the full investigation is completed, in which academia has not come out fully to support or against this fragment of ‘The Gospel Jesus Wife.’ CNN news is unsure too! It is in the throes of hailing it a forgery or is it authentic, or authentic or is it a forgery! Carbon testing has proved that the papyrus is ancient and is not modern, as well as the ink being made-up of ancient chemicals. However, if in the end academia says it is NOT a modern forgery, then that in itself does not authenticate it either!
As I said when you first brought out this post on the ‘Gospel of Jesus Wife,’ an year or more ago, that it may be genuine ancient fragment, and that you (B&E) claimed it a fake, etc. I still stand by my decision that it is an ancient fragment, however, that does not authenticate its provenance, that it is the work of god!
I am constantly being lambasted as an anti-Christian on this site, and I have always defended myself with citation, and that my comment are NOT my own, but sources from either the ancient world, academia, biblical scholarship (Jewish and Christian), which including New Testament (NT) scholars and historians, as well as ancient Pagan scholars, etc. What is fact is that Christianity, from its creation in 380 CE as the main religion of the western Roman Empire, was built on deception and a vast forgery mill, and that at one time over 200 gospel were in circulation in 2nd and 3rd centuries. I mean no malice or disrespect, but the very majority of the books of the Bible were written pseudonymous, by zealots Christian who wanted to put their view of what Christianity should be, and claimed their writings were the work of disciples or the brothers of Jesus, etc.[Forged, pp 8-9, by Dr Bart Ehrman] In addition, NT scholars are mostly in agreement that the disciples were illiterate. [Ibid, ch II] So if the ‘Gospel of Jesus Wife’ is a 7th or 8th century forgery, it is still an ancient textual treasure, albeit the work of a Christian forger.
Cofion (regards)
Jero Jones, Mab Cymru
Hi Jero
Here’s an article on why at least one academic thinks the frgment is a forgery.
http://ntweblog.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/illustrating-forgery-of-jesus-wifes.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
Here’s an excellent lecutre that addresses some of the concerns you have regardong the validity of the the NT and it’s gospals. The lecture covers quite a wide area, mainly around the Gnostic gospals and the early church but is well worth watching.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PTW20uv0Tg
Christ be with you
Prynhawn da/Good afternoon and Hi.
Hi popsquabble
Sorry for the delay in responding, I have been incapacitated for several week, and have just found a window in which to reply to your post. First, thanks for your links.
Before I start I will reiterate that I am not anti-Christian, I come from a Christian family, it is only the truth through knowledge that has change my view of Christianity, a subject matter that I love, and have been researching for well over five decades.
On the subject of the ‘Jesus wife gospel,’ I myself think it is a fake, however, I also believe it is a 7th century textual treasure, if not the forger is a genius, who has used materials from the period stated, if the evidence I have to hand is correct.
What do I think of the 27 books of the New Testament, again I think that everyone of them are textual treasures from antiquity. Do I think they are genuine and are the words of God! No, not at all, they are copies of manuscripts, which are copies of manuscripts, which are copies of manuscripts, etc. With NO original manuscripts in existence anywhere (who knows, one day someone might find a genuine 1st edition manuscript, which scholars have been searching for nearly two millennia). Scholars are unanimous that the 2nd and 3rd centuries had several gospels circulating, each one a fake, but, a treasure nonetheless. These were manufactured by mainly anonymous and highly skilled gentile Greek scholar. Some of their work eventually got into the New Testament, however, that is another story.
Over the last two hundred years several scholars have attested to several fakes and forgeries within the Bible, three of which wrote about their discoveries. They are classics now and are mainly used as reference books by academics.
For your attention they are:
Rev. Robert Taylor (1784-1844), who wrote: ‘Diegesis’ published in 1828, while he was in prison on blaspheming laws, which I am proud to say that I have a first edition copy of in my personal library. I believe it can be read online.
Joseph Wheless (1868-1950), a remarkable American lawyer how in 1930 wrote: ‘Forgery in Christianity,’ again I have a copy (209) in my library via the Library of Congress. May be on-line.
Bart D. Ehrman, who is an American New Testament scholar, and the James A. Gray Distinguished Professor of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina, at Chapel Hill.
Who in 2011 published his book ‘Forged.’ I doubt that this book is online, but should be in any library or bookshop.
Cofion (Regards)
Jero Jones, Mab Cymru
PS Rev. Robert Taylor died probably not more than an year before the rediscovery in c. 1845, of Codex Sinaiticus (Sinai Bible), which exonerated him and his work.
Hi Jero,
You said,
What do I think of the 27 books of the New Testament, again I think that everyone of them are textual treasures from antiquity. Do I think they are genuine and are the words of God! No, not at all, they are copies of manuscripts, which are copies of manuscripts, which are copies of manuscripts, etc. With NO original manuscripts in existence anywhere (who knows, one day someone might find a genuine 1st edition manuscript, which scholars have been searching for nearly two millennia).
So with no original manuscripts available, that makes it not real or accurate? [email protected] has a great article about non-biblical evidence and proof for the existence of Jesus Christ. In that article, he makes a very good point. There are absolutely no original manuscripts or texts that relate to the existence of Julius Caesar or Plato, but I’m sure there’s no doubt in your mind those men existed. Is that fair to say? Here’s a quote about those men from that article. Please read!
Plato- Plato wrote his works from 427-347 BC. The earliest manuscript copy of Plato’s writing in existence today was written in 900 AD. That is 1,200 years after Plato’s death! And there are only 2 copies of these manuscripts in existence.
Julius Caesar — One of the most celebrated and trusted historical figures. Caesar lived from 100-44 BC and the earliest manuscript copy of his writings dates back to 900 AD, putting our best evidence of Caesar ever existing 1,000 years after his death. And there are 10 copies of ancient manuscripts of Caesar’s Gallic Wars. So if you question the Bible based on when it was written, being “translated so many times” (it was not – we still have the same Greek manuscripts today) and still question whether Jesus existed, then you must also be really sure that Julius Caesar and Plato were completely fictional characters and never really existed.
Now of course, you can believe whatever you want brother. But I LOVE YOU like a brother and don’t want you to be deceived. Jesus Christ is God (John 1:1, 1Timothy 3:16) . He died a death we all deserve, and one he didn’t deserve (Isaiah 53:3-6). I’m sure you’ve heard it before, but while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). Do you think its possible, that you choose to shut God out because, when you think of God you think of your sins? And instead of confessing your sins and repenting, you find any information possible to justify not believing! Maybe when you think of God you start feeling conviction, and responsibility for the sins you’ve committed? I’m not saying that’s the case for you brother, thats why i said maybe, but it is for a lot of people. Heck, I surely did! But the good news is, that the blood of Jesus can wash all those away if we choose to walk in the light and acknowledge those sins (1John 1:7-9). In Christ your a new creature, all those old sins and feelings pass away and all things become new (2 Corinthians 5:17). Gods outstretched arms and mercy endure forever (Psalms 136:12). Brother, I love you, and want nothing more than to see you in heaven with me. Please look up the scriptures I referenced, and continue to read the word of the Lord our God. Grace and peace be multiplied to you, through the acknowledging of God, and of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen and God bless brother!
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the acknowledging of him that hath called us unto glory and virtue.
Whereby most great and precious promises are given unto us, that by them ye should be partakers of the divine nature, in that ye flee the corruption, which is in the world through lust.
2 Peter 1:3-4 1599 Geneva Bible
Here is a video debunking the Roman creation of the gopels as well for you.
http://caesarsmessiahdebunked.com/
Hopefully these thing will help point you away from deception and towards a relationship with Christ Jero.
Christ be with you
I want a data analysis on the shroud of turin becayse some say its real while others say its a fake and its locked away someone so no one can do testing on it which makes me suspicious. If the shroud of turin is real then there should be nothing to fear from testing
Hi ChildofRA,
Let me start by saying that I’ve looked at your blogs on this website and haven’t repsonded in the past as others more capable have done so. Having stated that, I just had one question, and please pardon if it sounds accusatory. I’m just curious what it would take to make you believe in the possibility of GOD, let alone believe in HIS existence. If you require unrefutable proof, without even a whisp (we’re not giving a shadow’s chance) of doubt, then you will never get it on this side of eternity. And that’s not a “cop-out.” There are some things you will never get to know, be it purely scientific, social/historical aspects of people’s lives or regarding what the human eye is unable to see and the human mind is unable to comprehend (1 Corinthians 2:9; 1 Corinthians 13:12). I pray that if your desire is to find real truth, it allows for faith until there is unrefutable evidence that you faith is misplaced. Although I am loathe to quote this man, “The absence of evidence is not the evidence of absence.” – Rumsfeld
I pray that you will at least allow for that. It’s not asking for much, since we believe that when we walk out doors that people aren’t waiting to ambush us, or rather I go outside because I don’t fear imminent death and danger around every corner. This is done in love, not the emotional/erotic love played-out and overdone in movies/Hollywood, but the love that causes you to warn someone of impending doom/danger. Be blessed and feel free to respond, but remember that I’m only asking if there is any possibility that you are willing to concede that there is the possibility that GOD exists and whether or not there is intangible and irrefutable proof. For me, alas, I trust in faith and the mountain of evidence that leans toward GOD’s presence rather than HIS absence. Bye 4 now.
Hi Ben,
I guess the answer to your question would be for me to believe in God would be for him to speak to me or appear before me I guess. I actually grew up in the church everyone on both my fathers side and mothers side are christians-bible believing christians. Now as child i realized that something about this faith made me uncomfortable , then when i was about 9 my mother changed faiths to islam and growing up in that faith i felt uncomfortable with that one as well. So in high school i began reading about various religions since every friend i have made since 1st grade have all come from different belief systems.
Now i am 23 years old and despite having no belief system im a good person with strong morals and values. Im still learning a lot about religions especially the history and how religion affects our society and how we as human beings intereact with each other. So again for me to believe in god,satan,thor,hades,mithra etc i would like to hear from them personally or have them appear before me if not at least see a demon or angel.
The reason i say that is because i constantly hear that god spoke to me or heaven looks like this or hell is fire and other things along that nature but how does a christian or any other truly no of the voice that they are hearing is god? for all you know it could be satan after all he is considered a deciever.
I hope this answers your question if not i can explain again and hopefully give you a shorter response
ChildofRA,
So how would you know if GOD is talking to you or if it’s Satan? Or better yet, how would you know it wasn’t your own mind playing tricks on you? What would be your go to reference to determine if it were mental illness or a discussion with a spiritual being? For Christians, we trust the accounts of the Bible (as well as science to help differentiate mental disease) to help us filter out what is GOD and what is not. Case in point, if I were, today, told to start killing all those who were Pentecostals because there worship of GOD isn’t biblical, but clearly JESUS teaches turning the other cheek and demonstrating dying for his enemies (Matthew 5:39, 5:44-45; Romans 5:6-8). By holding ourselves to a standard as Christians, we make sure that our witness, to the best of our ability, isn’t tainted and seek to demonstrate a difference between schizophrenia and hearing GOD speak.
So again, If you’re waiting for the clouds to be parted or to hear a clear voice, but are unwilling to consider the possibility that GOD’s voice can only be recognized to those who are willing to trust in faith and test it against the WORD of GOD (with more than 26,000 manuscripts in existence consistently agreeing with one another and more than any other historical figure like Augustus Cesar, whose existence isn’t questioned), it seems as though you will never receive the confirmation you seek.
Consider Abraham’s response to the rich man:
Luke 16:19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
Luke 16:20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
Luke 16:21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
Luke 16:22 And it came to pass that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
Luke 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
Luke 16:24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
Luke 16:25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
Luke 16:26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
Luke 16:27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:
Luke 16:28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, least they also come into this place of torment.
Luke 16:29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
Luke 16:30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
Luke 16:31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
Just something to consider in your search for irrefutable proof. If your proof is HIM or someone speaking to you, most of us today would agree that we’d need some way to verify that it was a credible source and not a hallucination. If you can’t use the Bible, the book that says more about GOD, HIS nature, HIS plan for humanity, HIS love as well as required judgment (the two aren’t contradictory) of humanity for sin, HIS standards for righteousness and what determines if someone is a good person (10 Commandments), then how can you say that this same GOD spoke to you? Furthermore, who says that GOD cannot talk to you using your family, a television program, or even a stranger on the other side of the planet via the internet? Again, how do you confirm it’s GOD talking and not a random voice/thought in your head? I pray that you don’t allow some of the uncomfortable things in the Bible that are said (and sometimes truth hurts if you’re not inclined to change, like I eat too much and don’t exercise enough, or spend money on things that won’t bring lasting pleasure, etc.) to deter you from using it as a reliable source.
I can’t speak for the Koran or the other religions because they don’t worship the same GOD and either believe all is truth or constantly contradict themselves and the sources they reference (such as the Koran believing that Ishmael, and not Isaac, as the promised son or denying the deity of JESUS, a book which was written 6 centuries after JESUS’ death, burial and resurrection but still stating that Allah is the GOD of the Old and New Testament). I don’t believe that everyone speaking to me heard from GOD (i.e., “GOD told me to tell you . . . ). If GOD is speaking to me, or any Christian, HE will confirm it according to how HE’s worked in the past/in consistency with his nature as outlined in the Bible. Let me know your thoughts. I’m not saying that you are a terrible person, just trying to understand your thought process and whether there’s a possibility that you will ever give faith a chance again (assuming that you believed what you were told as a child in church or if you were skeptical at that time as well).
Last question, what is your worldviews regarding right and wrong, justice, good and evil? Where do you derive these values and how do you know that they’re really right or wrong? Do you believe in universal truth, or is all of life and reality for that matter relative?
Again, as always, I appreciate your responses as GOD made us as new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17 – Christians) to be in this world but not of it (1 John 2:15-16). Be blessed to come to faith and the soul-saving/life-changing Grace that only comes from the Throne of GOD (YHWH) through the precious blood shed on the Cross by JESUS (real person, even in regards to history) and confession of sin (failing to keep ALL of the 10 Commandments form Exodus 20:2-17) with commitment to JESUS as LORD of your life (seeking to keep HIS commandment which is to love others and love GOD with all you have/all you are, which will keep you from lusting, killing/murdering, taking GOD’s name in vain, disobeying/disrespecting parents, stealing, lying, worshipping education/money/possessions/personal achievements above GOD, etc). Please consider and give it another look, while today is still today because tomorrow isn’t promised and yesterday is gone.
Bye 4 now and best regards,
Ben
Hi Ben,
My go to refrence to determine whether i was mentally ill or actually hearing god or satan -now that is tough to answer and I guess i would read upon mental illness or go to a doctor.
my worldwide views I would said in terms of right and wrong, we are taught the difference from baby to adulthood just like we are taught everything else. Nobody in this world is born knowing God,children are taught about God from their parents. Now in case of murder we are taught that it is wrong to take life ,however there are cases were we as human beings do make exceptions like in cases of self-defense and of course war.Now there are some people who are born i guess you can say murders not because of sin but because these people as we discover have some sort of mental illness that they have literally no humanity or compassion.
Also i do believe in that for every action that there is a reaction. If you do something wrong you will be punished for it,some say its god judgement some call it karma. A person who rapes may not be caught today but they eventually will be or i believe their guilt will begin to eat at them over the wrong that they have done.
Yes, as a child i was skeptical of church and the bible. As for me having faith in god or any deity is unlikely. To me the bible along with many others are stories that our ancestors used to explain the world around them.egyptian,greek and other cultures have stories explaining how the universe was created all of them have a two forces that are constantly battling each other (good and evil) but mythology is just that myths that we as society automatically dismiss as stories but for religion we taken as truths based on faith and i find that highly interesting that we are quick to dismiss the pagan gods of our ancestors as false abd these new god as truth. The 3 big faiths judaism,christianity & islam we as mankind believe as truth for all three believe in God however is just goes by a different name in all three books and of course there are differences that to me don’t necessarilyreflect the word of god but how it affected that society at the time it was written after all.
“It goes on and on, its heaven and hell”- black sabbath. In other words, the battle of light and dark, day and night, good and evil, will NEVER end. You will always have christians coming up with ways and saying “scientists” discovered that blah blah blah and christians will believe it because it confirms their belief but, if a scientist comes up with something that works against christianity, “oh no its all wrong, the bible says blah blah blah”. There is no way possible that science can confirm magic. Science is in your face evidence and magic is, poof, there it is without explaination and christians eat it up like their favorite meal. As i’ve said before “science is religions, natural enemy”
get. up. and. dance.
atheist & childofra, you guys rock!
evryone else, go eat a ebola pie with your precious ‘lamb’,—