Thomas Jefferson's Bible

[cindykimlisa]

Re: Thomas Jefferson's Bible

The Bible is more about a human understanding of Theology.

Clearly, according to Jeffereson he was not writing a Bible or about Theioigy when he crafted this document. He was trying to craft together a bit of Philosophy for comparative purposes to Greek and other philosphers who wrote about ethics and moral values

This IS very applicable to this board as a number of folks here could tidy up some of their remarks to others and the general public herein.

[Spartacus]

Re: Thomas Jefferson's Bible

I'll have to look up Deschner - any good links?

Another recent work that looks very close to your point -

Wright compares Rome (Constantine) becoming Christian to Asoka's conversion to buddhism.

http://www.amazon.ca/Evolution-God-R...6645855&sr=1-1

Chritianity was the religion that best supported the political aspirations of Rome.

A religion that borrows the name of a dead Jewish rabbi (who demanded strict Torah observance, all 617 laws), but does away with all his teachings, a religion stripped down to an emperor's pragmatic needs.

There are REASONS (all political, IMHO) Constantine converted to Christianity.

Deschner's works show nicely (fully documented and that is why he won in court) how the Church evolved into what it is today. A "government", not a Spiritual organization.

The Bible has been "shaped" and anything that did not fit was burned or in some way destroyed. The best part is to read how this was done which for me was an eye opener.

That Jefferson whittled down the Bible to 46 pages is not surprising to me. Jesus's message was simple and not something the "business" people at the temple wanted to hear. It wouldn't make them money. Money and power was the motivation behind the struggle all the time

[flintlock]

Re: Thomas Jefferson's Bible

I'll have to look up Deschner - any good links?

Another recent work that looks very close to your point -

Wright compares Rome (Constantine) becoming Christian to Asoka's conversion to buddhism.

http://www.amazon.ca/Evolution-God-R...6645855&sr=1-1

Chritianity was the religion that best supported the political aspirations of Rome.

A religion that borrows the name of a dead Jewish rabbi (who demanded strict Torah observance, all 617 laws), but does away with all his teachings, a religion stripped down to an emperor's pragmatic needs.

There are REASONS (all political, IMHO) Constantine converted to Christianity.

Is that even in question about Constantine? Pretty much everything I've read about him says it was purely political. Having your son and wife executed usually means you aren't too serious about getting into heaven.

[Spartacus]

Re: Thomas Jefferson's Bible

"God changed Constantine's mind"

was the standard refrain when I used to argue the point (when I still thought debate with completely closed minds was still a good idea)

Another interesting document in this vein is the 2 year old "documentary " or "edu - torial" (educational editorial) called "The God that Wasn't There" came VERY close to the point of the new book, "How Jesus Became Christian".

Too bad the movie's director didn't have access to Mr. Wilson's thesis.

Is that even in question about Constantine? Pretty much everything I've read about him says it was purely political. Having your son and wife executed usually means you aren't too serious about getting into heaven.