Paul was a Roman agent. He told us so himself. He could not have done his job for Rome better if he had had another lifetime.
The slaves needed to be happy with an afterlife and serve their masters and I also wonder if there is an interpolation in Jesus saying to pay your taxes. But…
Paul took the beautiful spirituality of G-d-worship and made it into a hellfire-breathing agony. What had been “love thy neighbor as thyself” became “hate anyone who does not believe like you.”
Even trans, even black or white, or black from another tribe, or white from another religion – even anything.
“Women keep silent in the churches.” Ha!
Reminds me of the Facebook GIF where a woman brandishing a rolling pin asks, “You did what with my fabric scissors?”
There is/was a writer in Australia — I must find the book; was it from the 1990s or before? — who reread the scriptures and grasped more depth than some read.
The good book has been reread and countless versions accepted and used by most believers.
In genealogy, I had a lady who had well documented paper records back to early Quebec and well documented paper back to France. All those people were Roman Catholic.
Never! Never in a million years could any of her ancestors have been catholic.
It is just that lame.
Keep silent? I am too old now. Us girls have been diddled and dumped and degraded and Paul’s legacy is responsible for so much of this abuse.
Do not blame Jesus, or Abraham or Isaac.
The animals may have to serve man, but women and “others” are not animals.
There are many cultures, ancient and beyond with multiple genders – not just two.
Jesus was not white.
Paul was a Roman agent and from his own description of his job for Rome – he performed his job wonderfully. Subjugated hysterical morons whose lives in no way resemble that which Jesus believed and taught.
Turning away women, turning away gays and trans and all, turning away enslaving blacks and blacks of blacks and browns of whites and who will be next?
I believe Jesus wept when the Southern Baptist Convention voted this week. I believe that Jesus rejoiced when Pope Frances stood up somewhat for gays.
Brooklyn_Museum_-Jesus_Wept(Jésus_pleura)_-_James_Tissot
_-_James_Tissot.jpg)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_wept
Sources and thoughts:
Barbara Thiering Remembered
I had written about modern-day slavery and had never shared the works. At the beginning of the Obama presidency, First Lady Michelle Robinson Obama mentioned this could be a project for her. She was slapped down in the reaction immediately – by the Black community.
Missed opportunity. Especially since time has shown us that many closet bigots used this time to come out of the hateful closets and besides being holier than thou bible thumping but now projecting a resurgence of violence.
Not like it hasn’t always been there. I am from Birmingham and I never thought it went away or subsided.
Barbara Thiering’s assertion that there was not a virgin birth has become accepted in many circles. I still do not believe it detracts from the story of Jesus for him to not be born of a virgin, that also is an interpolation, I believe.
Just because the much beloved eastern G-d Mithra was also said to be born of a Virgin, as was the Buddha, I didn’t think Jesus should be disqualified for a G-dhead if he was not born of a virgin. But many “believers” had to be appeased if they were to leave Mithra and his December 25th birthday behind and keep only Jesus for the 25th.
Today all the far right wing bigoted goofs must be appeased.
For Ms Thiering – I think she should not have confused her works on the New Testament and Jesus with her reading of the scrolls. In her memory, those works from her early life are not even mentioned in her bio.
St Augustine and the man who came after everything, Paul, both wrote words that grated on my heart, and I believe their words are almost demonic to steal away so much grace and love and kindness from Jesus.
Really Incomplete page
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_Thiering
Also:
Stock Image
Jesus & the Riddle of the Dead Sea Scrolls: Unlocking the Secrets of His Life Story
Published by HarperCollins, 1992
ISBN 10: 0060677821ISBN 13: 9780060677824
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Jesus the Man: New Interpretation from the Dead Sea Scrolls
Published by Transworld Publishers, 1994
Marionetta Strung-Out 