Religions: How To Deal With Tyranny?

[1213]

...Problem is most christians will not accept an atheist knows more about the bible and are able to pick those unsavoury parts that christians ignore and so they make claims like, "I think it would be reasonable to read the whole book and not cherry pick"

Ok, so, if you know the whole Bible, why, in the sword case, it is ignored this:

Behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck the servant of the high priest, and struck off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place, for all those who take the sword will die by the sword.
Matt. 26:51-52

I think no one should ever trust what atheist say, always one should check what is really said.

 

[1213]

I have read the whole book. Jesus is depicted as far from pacifist. He often glorifies violence in his sermons and sometimes inflicts violence himself.

Apparently, you have different Bible than I have.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Apparently, you have different Bible than I have.

If they left John 2:13-16, Matthew 23:32-33, and all the other passages where Jesus practices or praises violence out of your Bible, you should think about getting a refund.

 

[ChristineM]

Ok, so, if you know the whole Bible, why, in the sword case, it is ignored this:

Behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck the servant of the high priest, and struck off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place, for all those who take the sword will die by the sword.
Matt. 26:51-52

I think no one should ever trust what atheist say, always one should check what is really said.

i have ignored nothing. What i did was tell you there are a lot of atheists that are far more knowledgeable than many christians.

But of course what our friendly miracle worker should have done is to magic the servants ear back in place... But no, instead he used his wonderful powers to tell the sword wielder he was a very naughty boy.

That trust issue you have should apply to all human beings. I have found untrustworthy atheist but even more so, untrustworthy christians.

 

[ChristineM]

Apparently, you have different Bible than I have.

There are so many different versions, very few agree with each other

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Ok, so, if you know the whole Bible, why, in the sword case, it is ignored this:

Behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck the servant of the high priest, and struck off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place, for all those who take the sword will die by the sword.
Matt. 26:51-52

I think no one should ever trust what atheist say, always one should check what is really said.

"Animals shouldn't be hunted and nature shouldn't be disturbed, even destroyed, to benefit the whims of mankind." - Charles Manson

No single quote reflects a person's entire character.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

There are so many different versions, very few agree with each other

AFAIK, every version of the Bible includes the story where Jesus attacks the people in the temple with a whip.

 

[ChristineM]

AFAIK, every version of the Bible includes the story where Jesus attacks the people in the temple with a whip.

Certainly every version i have read does.

I see that he made the whip himself as premeditation.

 

[1213]

...But of course what our friendly miracle worker should have done is to magic the servants ear back in place... But no, instead ....

Really, isn’t that just what Jesus did?

…and he touched his ear, and healed him.
Luke 22:51

 

[1213]

If they left John 2:13-16, Matthew 23:32-33, and all the other passages where Jesus practices or praises violence...

It is interesting how you twist straight words for your own purposes. There is no praising of violence.

 

[ChristineM]

Really, isn’t that just what Jesus did?

…and he touched his ear, and healed him.
Luke 22:51

But not in Matthew which is what you were quoting. I would have thought such a miracle would be worthy of note to all who wrote about it

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

It is interesting how you twist straight words for your own purposes. There is no praising of violence.

So you think Jesus is condemning God in Matthew 23?

 

[Hawkins]

Suppose someone like Hitler or Napoleon or Genghis Khan tries to rule everything.

Not just all countries, not just all people, but even controlling cats/dogs/etc, and even which trees are planted where. Businesses are subjected to strict rules on who can enter the store to shop, people are branded, and so on. Basically, some mix of religious apocalyptic scenario.

The question is, how exactly does one respond? There's a bunch of religious advice on this subject, but when you do a comparative study of religion, their approach to the problems of the world are even more contradictory than their beliefs on God/gods/etc or the afterlife.

The Big Religion Chart

Not including Judaism, because one tyrant in particular almost destroyed Judaism. And some of these are crazy extremes, but we are assuming under this ruler, things are hardcore and people need to find an action that won't make things worse.

They are short lived. They reflect the will of their own people. If the Germans don't turn a blind eye on the death of Jews, there won't be a Hitler.

 

[TagliatelliMonster]

Suppose someone like Hitler or Napoleon or Genghis Khan tries to rule everything.

Not just all countries, not just all people, but even controlling cats/dogs/etc, and even which trees are planted where. Businesses are subjected to strict rules on who can enter the store to shop, people are branded, and so on. Basically, some mix of religious apocalyptic scenario.

The question is, how exactly does one respond? There's a bunch of religious advice on this subject, but when you do a comparative study of religion, their approach to the problems of the world are even more contradictory than their beliefs on God/gods/etc or the afterlife.

The Big Religion Chart

Not including Judaism, because one tyrant in particular almost destroyed Judaism. And some of these are crazy extremes, but we are assuming under this ruler, things are hardcore and people need to find an action that won't make things worse.

Be patient, gather support, prepare and when the time is right... revolution and overthrow the regime- and handle it all like "the bigger man" while respecting human rights and observing common decencies.

And while patiently awaiting for the right time to strike, try not to be a hero in vain. Nobody wins anything with a heroic act of apparant altruism while all it results in, is certain death with no particular change to the situation. Although such events can also serve to gather more support for the cause, to raise awareness of the evil and despair and misery. This will play into people's empathy and in the longer run, can also make a difference.

It seems to me also, btw, that most tyrants usually don't reall have a happy ending. There certainly are examples of evil tyrants dieing peacefully of old age.... but it seems the vast majority of them end up being betrayed or revolted against, and killed in rather gruesome or brutal ways.

Unfortunatly, it also seems to be the case quite a lot that the one organising the revolt, is actually just as bad (or turns out just as bad) as the one being overthrown.

 

[1213]

So you think Jesus is condemning God in Matthew 23?

No, why would he?

 

[Friend of Mara]

Suppose someone like Hitler or Napoleon or Genghis Khan tries to rule everything.

Not just all countries, not just all people, but even controlling cats/dogs/etc, and even which trees are planted where. Businesses are subjected to strict rules on who can enter the store to shop, people are branded, and so on. Basically, some mix of religious apocalyptic scenario.

The question is, how exactly does one respond? There's a bunch of religious advice on this subject, but when you do a comparative study of religion, their approach to the problems of the world are even more contradictory than their beliefs on God/gods/etc or the afterlife.

The Big Religion Chart

Not including Judaism, because one tyrant in particular almost destroyed Judaism. And some of these are crazy extremes, but we are assuming under this ruler, things are hardcore and people need to find an action that won't make things worse.

Most organized religions with a hierarchy has a difficult time supplanting those tyrants. Especially religions that have interpretive ways to condone their own violence.

There are other religious groups that are less inclined to generate tyrants. Sikhs for example have never produced a tyrant that I am aware of. Perhaps they are not the best at fighting a tyrant that is over them but most likely that tyrant is not a Sikh.

Then on top of that you can have a religious society that functions in a secular way.