The Passion of the Christ
Reflections on this year's Most Controversial Movie
March 5, 2004
I finally went and saw it last night.
Because mine is a marketing and publicity website, a brief comment about that before we move on: The opposition to this movie, and the public accusations against it, guaranteed its success.
You see, when people are told that they should not go to a movie, or should not read a book because it's “bad,” people will automatically go to it. The exact same thing happened 15 years ago when Martin Scorsese produced his film The Last Temptation of Christ. Christians were angry at his perversion of the story, and their outrage made an ordinary movie producer's name a household word.
The Passion movie has sparked a debate about anti-Semitism, Mel Gibson, Gibson's particular sect of Catholicism, and the extreme violence that it depicts. That's what everyone's arguing about out on all the TV shows and websites.
For me, however, The Passion of the Christ was not about Mel Gibson. It was not about the Jews. Or the Romans. Or the politics of first-century Palestine.
It's about what happens when man meets God, but doesn't recognize him.
Jesus said, “Whatever you do to the least of these, you do also to me.” Meaning that however we treat the poor, the sick, the weak, the homeless, the orphans, the fatherless, those in prison – however we treat them, is how we have chosen to treat God.
So here's the plot: God comes to live among us, but as an ordinary man. A man whose teachings and actions cut straight to the bone. A man whose principles threaten to topple the status quo. A man who does not retaliate, because he has made a decision to not fight back.
Those with political power hate him. Men who claim to represent God and do not, accuse him of being a devil and a God-hater. Because they lack legal authority, they join forces with the State.
In order to keep the peace, Pilate, the State Administrator, obscenely inverts justice, setting a guilty man free and sentencing an innocent man to death. Then he washes his hands of the whole deal. (Is Pilate any different from any other politician in public office?)
So why does this happen?
Because man likes his religion – but he hates God.
Man's hatred is poured out on the innocent, in all its ugly fury.
This film spares no details in depicting their vile hatred. And as I'm watching these men mercilessly beat Jesus, my mind flashes back to a scene in my own life.
It's the spring of 1982. I'm in 7th grade. I hang out with three other guys at school most of the time, and one of them is my locker mate, a guy named Jeremy.
The four of us would eat lunch together every day, but Jeremy was annoying. Gradually we began to dislike Jeremy. We declared that Jeremy was a ‘fag.' And one day when Jeremy was absent, the three of us decided that we didn't want Jeremy to eat lunch with us anymore.
After school, we told Jeremy we were going to beat him up – three on one. Jeremy turned and started to run. I remember his palpable fear and his hot tears. He ran fast. We chased him down the street for three or four blocks.
We finally gave up and he got away.
Had we caught him, in all honesty, we probably would have beaten him up.
Well, we got what we wanted: Jeremy never tried to eat lunch with us again. Nor did Jeremy keep his stuff in our locker after that.
So I'm watching these thugs deriving great pleasure from torturing an innocent man, and this picture of chasing Jeremy down the street in 7th grade, which I hadn't thought of in years, suddenly appears in my mind's eye. And a voice inside my head: This movie isn't about the Jews killing Jesus, Perry. This movie is about YOU. This is YOU beating up Jesus,
just like you tried to beat up Jeremy.
The only difference between Jesus and Jeremy was that Jesus didn't run away.
“Whatever you do to the least of these, you do unto me.”
On Ash Wednesday, the day the Passion movie opened, I put up a website and started asking people's opinions about it. I got thousands of responses.
Now that project is a whole story in and of itself, but nearly all of the comments I have received express one of the two following sentiments:
- “This is the most powerful movie I have ever seen, because I suddenly realize that I did this to Jesus, and that Jesus willingly died for my sin.”
- “Why do we need a movie like this? There's no need to dredge this up, and besides, none of it ever really happened anyway. This film is just a bloodthirsty depiction of senseless violence, and it's only going to breed more violence. It's preposterous!”
I have not spoken to a single person who felt neutral about this movie. It is intensely polarizing.
The cross: A picture of suffering and injustice. Isn't it interesting that the cross, in all its ugliness and terror, is the universal symbol of Christianity? Isn't that a strange way to “brand” your cause or movement? As logos go, isn't it a little bit lacking in aesthetic appeal?
Sure is. But what does it mean?
It means that Jesus is brother to every person who has suffered injustice. It means that he stood in the place of every person who has lived in terror and oppression and slavery. It means that while we grapple life's great questions – why is there evil, why is there suffering, why is there so much pain in the world – instead of writing some kind of “answer” to these questions for us on a chalkboard (as though that would help), God instead came and lived among us, suffered with us, and died for us and with us.
Next to Jesus are two criminals.
One says to Jesus “Hey, if you're the Son of God, why don't you save yourself – and us too! ”
That criminal got himself on that cross by his own doing. But is he accepting responsibility for his actions?
No.
He's just blaming God for all his problems.
But what about the other guy?
At first he joins in with the first guy, but then he stops. He says “We deserve this, because of what we've done. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
Then he says to Jesus: “Please remember me in your kingdom.”
Jesus reply: “Today you'll be with me in Paradise.”
Those two criminals are a snapshot of the entire world. We've all done wrong, to someone. And now we can either blame God for our problems, or accept responsibility for the mess we're in and ask God to be merciful.
Ultimately, everyone responds to God either one way – or the other.
This movie is a mirror. It shows us the unattractive truth of our human condition. And it certainly reminded me that I've committed more than my share of wrongs. If anybody knows a guy named Jeremy who was a 7th grader at Pound Junior High School in Lincoln Nebraska in 1982, pass this along to him, because I owe him a humble apology. What I did to you was wrong, Jeremy.
Jesus' teachings were radical and scandalous. He claimed to be the Son of God. He said he would rise from the dead, and by most historical accounts, he did. He stepped into the world and split time in half: BC and AD. And his words still resonate throughout the earth in 2004.
Still rolls the stone from the grave.
I hope you'll go see this movie. And I hope you'll look beyond the surface-level debate, to the deeper meaning – and ponder the implications it has for me and you.
Thanks for reading.
Perry Marshall
7 Great Lies of Organized Religion – "The Unvarnished Truth about Religion, Christianity and Spirituality
"Where did the Universe Come From?" – Go here to subscribe to my 5 Day Email Series on God, the Big Bang, and the wonders of DNA
Ralph Zuranski Interviews Perry Marshall – Ralph asks very personal questions about faith and ethics; success, freedom, social responsibility and values. Perry talks candidly about his father's death, his philosophy of life, travels in developing countries, racism, and views on spirituality.
I have been reading your articles for a couple of months now. And like
what I have read so far.
I am an older Christian (66) retired aircraft mechanic and still active as a mechanic in American Samoa.
I find your articles good for talking to others (about Christ) and
also for myself.
Ray Fowler dated April 16 2009
Dear Perry Marshal,
Your article,especially the 7 Great Lies of organized Religion,are thought provoking in all sense of it.As a moderate Christian,i had some reservations on my Religion,but you increased the intensity in a positive way.
I would want to share some personal and confidential experiences ( if you wouldn't mind)with you subsequently.
Please keep the good work.
Regards
I am a Muslim, yet I enjoy and appreciate reading your articles. They are thought provoking, to say the least, and keeps my mind pondering..even now.. Thank you very much Perry!
thanks, for you have opened my inner eyes
I am in prison ministry and consider myself above-average read. Still I very much appreciate what I have been getting from you so far. I will continue to read through your articles like these. You are doing well. Keep it up.
You are not only wonderful but your article as well as the seven great lies that often emanate from the pulpits.Iam indeed enriched by your write up. Never will I cease reading anything from your wealth of experience. Thanks a million for being there for me and others like me who are searching for true knowledge.
God is making use of you to touch the life of many as it has done to mine. The God that has started this will perfect you. I just want to encourage you to keep up the good work and it shall be well with you and your family
hi Perry sir,
I've been inolved in your articles for quite a while now. they are thought provoking. I am only 17 years old and i am an INDIAN. in india, we follow HINDUISM.i am a hindu. though i do not worship CHRIST but this article did spark a thought about the existence of christ. I had seen this movie before but did not look at it from this point of view. thanx for the enlightment…..
Prakhar Misra(17), student, INDIA.
Perry, I have found your "Where did the Universe come from" and "Seven Great Lies of Organized Religion" very interesting and info rich. Thanx. Yes, now I would very much like to become aquianted with your "9 Great Lies of Sales and Marketing."
Thanx,
Johann
I have recently finished your 7 great lies….and really enjoyed them. You speak with a real simplicity & obvious truthfullness. Are you a long aged creationist? – I met Dr.Jonathon Sarfati recently and I think he disagrees with your long creationism, can you direct me to where I can get more information on it? I heard on the weekend just past from my Pastor some pearls of wisdom; You either do what you do (work,play,love, talents, gifts, calls e.t.c) with GOD or you do it without GOD – easier & better with GOD blessing all that you do!
Neil,
I have a different email series at http://www.cosmicfingerprints.com/ that talks about astronomy, the origin of the universe and the age of the universe. You might want to hear a specific presentation at http://www.cosmicfingerprints.com/audio/newevidence.htm. I am very strongly of the opinion that the universe is billions of years old; and that in church history, insistence that it's only a few thousand years old is a relatively recent teaching, ie within the last ~200 years. I think this is an over-reaction to secular science. I have books by Rabbis from 500+ years ago estimating the age of the universe to be billions of years old.
dear perry,
I am only 13 years old. When I saw your website I was looking for more information about the universe, and I did ("Where did the Universe Come From?"). I especially agree on how the creation of the universe comes from a Mind (God). After that I saw the 7 Great Lies of Organized religion. And now this one. I am a christian and I love religion and science very much. Thank you very much for joining these two. This has helped me better understand the universe.
Joseph,
13 is by no means too young to be delving into the secrets of the universe, of science, and theology. I am powerfully struck by the passage in the Bible where Jesus disappears for a few days on an out-of-town trip, and his parents eventually find him – debating the fine points of scripture with the teachers in the temple. He was already running with the Big Dogs at a young age and you can too. The love of Wisdom will carry you far.
Perry
Hi Perry, i realy enjoy your write-up. It shows that christianity is the only accepted religion in the world.I can also confidently say that does not involve in suicide bombing or killing in the name of religion.The Lord Jesus will uphold you amen.
Hanafi: May God bless you in your search for the truth. My son-in-law was a Muslim. He has found peace and a new life in Christ. Many, Many muslims around the world are finding new life in Isa the Messiah.
beautiful article, i saw the film and followed the pain of Christ, and am now redeemed in the knowledge that someone who has learnt from His character and teachings, seeks to enlighten me in a new way, a different way and it is certainly inspiring. I like your article, may the Lord bless and reward you for your inspiring and touching article.
SRI Om
SRI Tushar Patel
FOunder of SRI Way of Living
Hi Perry!
I am very new on your mailing list, I have enjoyed reading all the articles that you have sent me , many thanks, God bless you. Perry, I am
a student of comparative religion.I also like to know more about Christianity specially the life of Christ.{I am a catholic, married to a muslim for 36yrs. 3 grown children] Recently I read about the hidden life of Jesus in India] Gutenberg Bible. What are your thoughts about
this belief? Did Jesus really live in India ? Did He follow various Gurus? What are your views on this theory? I would like to know.
Many thanks,
Patricia
Patricia,
There is a very small amount of evidence that Jesus lived in India. I suppose it is possible that Jesus did travel to India, I don't have a big problem with that. In any case, much speculation is made from this small amount of evidence.
There is a much larger amount of evidence concerning what Jesus did do – in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. So in your conclusions about Jesus, evidence that He traveled to India comprises a very small part of the total picture, and the bulk of the picture is still what merits the majority of attention. If we are to take the India stories seriously, we ought to take the gospels even more seriously.
Perry
I have trully enjoyed all your articles but may I comment on the present thread.There is evidence that Jesus, peace be upon him had lived in India. In the book "Jesus in India" written by Mirza Gulam Ahmad,the author produces passages from the Bible and other religious scripture and historical accounts that shows that Jesus, peace be with him had survived cruxifiction and travelled to Kashmir, India, were he will live and die and later be burried. There is a tomb on a street in Srinagar, Kashmir that is bellived by the locals to be the tomb of Jesus, pease be upon him.
Hi Perry, I believe every word you say & I'm with you 110%! GBY for boldly proclaiming the real truth about these issues & exposing lies & misconceptions about religion in general. I'm a missionary in the Philippines & appreciate your ministry & our prayers are with you!
Sincerely in Christ, Nick Weiler
thanks for making straight my direction.
Hi Perry, Great having your kind in this generation when love of christ is waxing cold, christianity of today is prone to divers deception and the essence can no longer be ascertain.
Your perception cut accross all the divers (i.e scientific,phylosophical etc) and streamline it to the reality that Christ is the saviour of the world, My inner mind was enlightend when i read the 7 great lies of organised religion.
I pray for more grace and wisdom to carry on the good work you are doing.
God bless you.
OJEKHIDE, Victor
Dear Perry: Peace and Love!! Very thought provoking articles. But in the hindsight, though there are many "wrongs"with the institutionalized religion, let us say, Catholic Church, It is doing its best to correct the 'wrongs' she has done to the history and to the cultures. How I wish other churches will heed to your call of openness. God bless, Perry
i hope u are not trying to hold brief for the atrocities perpetrated by the catholic church in times past against the faithfuls of old. by the way i am not surprised that she is now trying to right the wrongs she committed but let all the faithfuls of the 21st century keep ALERT! because she is using the same old insidious strategies to ecumenical support to take the whole world into its final captivity but thank GOD for the promise that "He that leads into captivity shall go into captivity" hence the capture of the then pope in 1798 by Napoleon is about to repeat itself on a grand scale however in the final conquest it will not be a mere human being as in the person of Napoleon but JESUS himself.
Perry, thank you for your articles which seem to activate my brain and heart into saying "Jeff you messed up again!" But now I know Jesus paid the price and the accuser is a loser. Thank you for keeping me thinking.
Jeff, Missionary to Guatemala
Dear Perry
I am very happy that there are articles, websites and blogs that opens the mind of the common tao for them to learn their faith and not just inherit them and discover God as revealed in daily living and not inside an empty tabernacle.
However, in response to Christ, I do not believe that he resurrected. He is dead already. And the many arguments and discoveries about his and his' family's tomb is well documented.
However, I have a different personal view of Christ, his Life, his ministry, his Death and his purported Resurrection. It would be a long discussion and hard to arrange my thoughts into words to share my beliefs and principles but in summary:
1. Christ = Love of God. The message of the Christ is Love and that Love gives life and all who are spiritually dead rises from that death (resurrection) and live the gift of life that is struggling the good in him to overcome the evil in him (which is both good and evil inherent in humanity).
2. (The Human Christ is Dead 2000 years ago but his message of Love conquered that death because it gives life to others who believe in him. His death was transformed into a Divine Christ but resurrection never ACTUALLY happened – it happens in every personal journey) Therefore Death = Fear of Love. Christ remains dead and will remain dead to one who fails to Love. When one man Loves he overcomes Fear, Christ is therefore resurrected in him and he has the power to give life to others. If there is a poor child in the street, leaving him starving is the victory of Evil and helping him survive is the Victory of good and that is because of Love who is Christ in you resurrected.
3. Therefore I do not care who Jesus Christ is as far as history, religion, archaeology, doctrines and dogmas are concerned. My concern is about Love that gives life – that is who Jesus is for me. By doing evil is death because I glorify the devil through the fruits of my action. By doing good is resurrection because I glorify God through the fruits of Love who is Christ.
I don't aim for salvation or resurrection after my death. I am aiming it every day in my life since death occurs everyday when we failed to let the good in us overcome the evil in us.
Thank you
@John:
If the resurrection of Jesus is just a figment of our imagination, if it's just symbolic, then how does that not also degrade our notion of what love does for other people, and what it can achieve?
I submit to you that the Gospel writers were absolutely emphatic that the resurrection of Jesus was a real, literal, historical event. Apart from that testimony, Christianity would have gone nowhere. I submit to you that the resurrection of Jesus is important historically, religiously, archaeologically, and theologically.
And that if we are to have a holistic understanding of the world that resurrection is a literal thing and not merely figurative. As St. Paul said, "If the dead are not raised, we are above all people most to be pitied."
Perry
I am an ex-muslim athiest. While not agreeing to most of your contentions I admit that you are good.
I clicked on one of your cosmic ads thinking it was an atheist website. I was curious about what they had to say especially since I've read the books by Lee Strobel and watched Ben Stein's movie "Expelled". I must say that I was pleasantly surprised by what I found. After going through your website and then reading through all 51 pages of thread on the infidels website, I am satisfied that your argument is a compelling induction. I looked for weaknesses and really could find none. I am no supergenius but I found the atheists arguments to ring hollow. I am sure you're a very popular person but I wonder how does one get you to come to our location and speak to a group of people about the "DNA is a code" induction statement?
Mr. Perry Marshall,
I am writing to you from my home in Colombia, S.A. I have read Where did the universe come from, also read proofs of God by St. Thomas Aquinas.
The movie the Passion of Christ was a hard hitting movie. I look at suffering as a Private School, where I am the student, and God is the Teacher. Fantastic that God can spare the time with just one pupil. A complex subject encompassing all of life, and creation. I am 69 years young. My first wife died of cancer, my sister died of cancer, my brother was killed by a bus. I remarried, we have two children, and I have adopted three more, one of which is going to prison for Burglary of a residence, and Grand Theft. I have four grown children from my first marriage. My Son was a United States Marine. He is now a Detective in New York. My three daughters are mothers.
I am Roman Catholic which is a Religion, not a cult. Your writings are intelligent and well written. As you said, there can only be one truth, not a multiplicity of Truths. Therefore their can only be one true church.
Hello Perry,
I'd like to respond to "John Piermont Montilla's" comments on 5 July 2009. Living in present day America with all the efforts to discredit God, Jesus and the Bible I can see the influence it's had on his thinking.(I noticed he didn't refer to the Bible as the basis for any of his beliefs).
It always amazes me that Atheists, Agnostics and those ignorant of Bible prophecy and teachings so often develop opinions and make statements of their opinion which they've conjured up out of the lack of TRUTH…. EVERYONE IS ENTITLED TO HIS OWN OPINION –HE IS NOT ENTITLED TO HIS OWN FACTS………..They come across as having more Intellect than the 40 authors of the Bible and those persons who lived at the time of Jesus, who were EYE Witnesses to His Birth, Life & Miracles, Crucifixion, Death, Burial and RESURRECTION. (Ref:I Corinthians 15:3-8 The Apostle Paul said; I passed on to You what was most important and what had also been passed on to me — that Christ died for our sins, just as the SCRIPTURES SAID. He was buried, and He was raised from the dead on the third day, as the SCRIPTURES SAID. He WAS SEEN by Peter and then by the TWELVE APOSTLES. After that He WAS SEEN BY MORE THAN FIVE HUNDRED OF HIS FOLLOWERS AT ONE TIME, most of who are still alive though some have died by now. Then He WAS SEEN by James and later by all the Apostles. Last of all, I SAW HIM TOO, long after the others, as though I had been born at the wrong time. (Ref: Acts 9:3-19 Paul's encounter w/Jesus.)
John, I also want to caution You about your attitude as You're committing Blasphemy against God. (Ref: Exodus 20:1-3) God is God, Jesus is God and the Holy Spirit is God. All three make up the Trinity and They are who the Bible says They are…. You cannot reinvent them or redesign them. You cannot add to Them or take away from Them for They are the Creator and you are the creation and it all happens according to God's Plan — You can't come up with your own plan. Salvation and Eternal Life are according to His Gospel (Ephesians 2:8-9) Even with your good intentions and good heart toward your fellowman you cannot earn Salvation or inherit Eternal Life….
John, my friend please read John 3:16-18 to be clear about God's
Gospel.
Read Romans 10:5-13 and believe and receive God's free gift of Salvation.
Read I John 5:11-13 for Assurance of Eternal Life with Jesus who was Resurrected.
John, God Loves You and He desires a Relationship with You ("Father and Son." John 1:12-13, But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn! This is not a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan — this rebirth comes from God.)
May the Holy Spirit guide you in your search for the Truth…
Tom.
Dear Perry,
I would like to leave a small not for 'Tom Circk'.
Dear Tom,
I admire your knowledge of the Scriptures. I also am a little amused at the way you have bulldozed our brother "John Piermont Montilla". Although I do not share his beliefs I identify with his thinking. I find that you have just stopped short of calling him foolish. And as Jesus himself said " What-so-ever you do to the least of my people that you do unto me." I like Perry's approach to such matters much better. Trust me when I tell you, it is not scripture-quoting that brought me closer to God. It was the love and understanding and TOLERANCE that complete strangers showed me IN THE FACE of my ignorance. After all isn't that the example that Christ gave us?
Best Regards,
Avinash
To Tom Crick
I understand why you have that kind of thinking, feeling and acting toward my belief.
You are exactly me when I was in my youth (now i am 32). Ever searching for truth and ever reading the Bible to search for "TRUTH"
NOTE: In my discussions below, in my reference to GOD, I do not use a "he" because GOD is not a male or a female
Tom, I never reinvented GOD nor I deny GOD either, and by the way, I have read the Bible all 77 books even those not included in the official canon and have read a little of other scriptures of other religions as well. And I am well aquatinted with your quotes as well the determination to influence others to believe what you believe.
Anyway, I have these equation that for you to ponder:
FAITH = GOD
HOPE = HOLY SPIRIT/HOLY BREATH
LOVE = JESUS
Faith, Hope and Love are the basic building blocks where all other virtues emanates. These are the essence of GOD. GOD, Holy Spirit and Jesus are product of a futile attempt of man to take a grip of who God is. An ambitious but empty attempt called "anthropomorphism" that reduced the divine into a "fable" that anyone can simply misuse, abuse and simply use with out table manners.
The God we believe should be enacted thru these three virtues but what is happening now is the opposite. We try to discredit other beliefs and insisting our own belief of who God is according to our each standards of anthropomorphism. Spirituality is replaced with religiosity. A foul form of politics that replaces the innate nature of man as a spiritual being but a mere follower of a religion inspired by greed dressed in shepherds' clothing.
TRUTH?
What is Truth Tom? The Bible? The Koran? The Catholic Church?, Buddhism?, Islam? Americans?
Its is very amazing and more often entertaining when I sit down in a Plaza, churches and missionary gatherings listening to debates, sermons, preaching, that all claimed that they are telling the TRUTH and each are inspired by the Holy Spirit. What is common to them is they are all holding a Bible and what is uncommon is their interpretations and what is entertaining is that they claim that others are lies and his own is the truth. The experience gave me a very wide grin just like a fox news.
Tom, the truths we had are fragments of a much greater truth. These truths are fragmented in the UNiverse and its up to man to search for these fragments. If we insist that our individual beliefs are the Truth, its actually a LIE because what we had individually had found is just a fragment. But if we unite, Love and understand, these truths we each had is connected to each other to generate a greater Truth.
When the time I was deeply religious and my mind has been injected with religious dogmas and doctrine, I began being very aggressive and to engage in debates. As I am full aquatinted with the scriptures – I began being enlightened and began to question my very own behavior.
I discovered that I have built around me a formidable wall that disempowered me to connect my humanity to others and sees them very differently and seemingly they are moving toward hell and me heaven. HAHAHAHAHAHA! stupid me and my religion. Avinash! your right of me getting close to being foolish but that foolishness is one of the part of me in my youth.
Tom, if you suggest me to search for Truth, I tell you, I am traveling life where I collect many fragments of truth in every experience and the time will come when this truths becomes whole again, that time would redeem me.
I suggest you to Journey life and discover truth in every episodes of you relationships with Man, Woman, plants, trees, rivers, stars, etc. get out from that empty box – your going nowhere but living within the walls you built and that wall is called FEAR.
When you transcend your journey, tears will flow from your eyes because all things will be revealed and right in front of your eyes, you will see beauty of TRUTH fragmented in every people you meet and will see God in unexpected places even in the darkest dwelling places and even in the face of the most notorious criminal.
Tom, God is not in the tabernacles, places of worship, altars or by "raising you hands and yell HALLELUJAH". GOD is out there, crying, weeping, hungry, nothing to lay down to sleep, cold, abused, raped, and DEAD.
YES! Humans are IMAGE-BEARERS of GOD. See the IMAGE around you and stop preaching.
Im not atheist, agnostic or other labels. i am a Deist and i believe that I among other humans are Image-bearers of GOD and duty-bound to LOVE in order for GOD to manifest the Glory of Life.
Peace be with you
JOHN Piermont
PS.
Perry, Avinash term of "bulldozing" is actually appropriate for you. Why did you rejected my previous post about sexuality and spirituality? you are censuring something that is important.
John,
Your deleted post was vulgar.
I am sorry for the vulgarity
Sometimes vulgar is the naked truth we keep on hiding.
Thank you
Tom,
I am fully acquainted with Scriptures and not just the Bible but others as well. and my basis of my faith and beliefs is my personal journey of Life and the simple Truths that is laid bare in me in every episodes of life that has been entrusted to me.
Scriptures are words subject to interpretation that have been the cause of many conflicts. But the Wisdom from the Great Spirit that is alive until today is my Guide in living life of Faith, Hope and Love.
john
Fair point on the film. However I found the fact that you turned on one of your friends and not only gave him the cold shoulder but chased and was going beat him up becuse you thought he was a poof? I think you a problem my friend. I am not gay at all but I do find it disconcerting when supposedly straight men feel threatened by gays and have witnessed three times in my life ( two at work where an obvious gay guy has either been threatened buy a colleague who "felt uncomfortable" or on one occasion I had to talk a friend out of literally smashing his head in with a bottle at a company drinks night out. I guess your "friend" jeremy has really suffered with that and probably has carried that with him all his life and I cant of many things worse than your friends suddenly turning like that. I am no angel but fortunately was popular at school though relativley small until 16(I didnt really he get a growth spurt until 16 now im over 6ft) However I was very funny and so got away with out too many beatings. Why dont you do the decent thing search him out and just say sorry . I bet you he remembers every second of it to this day
Hie Perry
I enjoy reading your articles very much Iam a Muslim convert from Christianity. I found out among the rest of people who despise Islam that they do not have time to study these two religious for fact. The personality of Christ in Islam is so wonderful and the creation of the world as you have discussed in someof your articles is fascinating in in the Koran. The inter twining of science and Religion in Islam has marvelled the scientific community. Why should humanity dwell on compound ignorance of faith and embark of the road to unity in faith.
Knowing God is not about making movies , its about knowing the truth. If that happenes no Christian solder will ever go to muslim land and kill innocent people in the name of Jesus. If Jews and palestinisn know that they come from the same father Abraham then they should strat adopting children from the other side and start living in peace.
When shall we know peace of faith in this world when we faild to understand the other side's story.
Muslims worship the TRUE LIVING GOD TOO.
I share the same sentiments too, and still ask if man was created in the image of God and given dorminion over eeverything isnt he Godly enough to shape his life accordingly.
Hi Jameel
Its good that you have found a God in the Muslim faith and among others who found their God in other religions.
the Universe is like a jigsaw, once we find the fitting place for ourselves, we began to appreciate the comfort of it. But there is too much silence in appreciating that in a larger puzzle – each who found comfort in the places they found in this Universe, are all interconnected – that is the spirituality that manifests the powerful force of the God when all fragments of Truth are united.
As i find pleasure in the new found faith, i am (i should be) connected with others and this connection builds one Body and one Church. But the Body and the Church which is actually a Unified Whole becomes virtually a Broken Whole – because our true spirituality is replaced by religion.
Religion disabled that "interconnectedness" of humanity and the Universe by taking for granted the genuine spirituality and replaced with dogmas and doctrines to describe God that builds a wall of indifference with others and Love is replaced with guilt and fear that we built walls within us to communicate with the True God in us.
We are God's image. A perfect masterpiece and I agree that we are Godly enough to shape our life accordingly but also Evil enough to create discord.
If humans are perfect masterpieces, freewill is also the perfect gift that gives us the power to CHOOSE whether to manifest God or the Devil in our Lives. I believe that we are on the seventh day and God is asleep. All the powers has been entrusted to us to create, recreate, destroy and rebuild and every decisions we do are the ones that will judge us when the time of reckoning comes.
Yes God is asleep on the sixth day, but God awakens (resurrects) in every one of us whenever we choose live in Love (Christ) and overcome Fear (Evil) in us in every day in our lives.
Johnpierre
your articles are very thought provoking…it made me better understand christ,keep up the good work
"God comes to live among us, but as an ordinary man." In just one simple, beautiful sentence you have summarized the whole of the New Testamen. And the Old Testament as well. There is a golden thread that runs through the Jewish Scriptures: that the great God of this great Universe will one day come and make His abode with man. This extraordinary prophecy was fulfilled two thousand years ago when Jesus was born in Bethlehem. "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord." Jesus is God With Us. Jesus is God made manifest. Jesus is God made visible.Jesus is God in human form.Jesus is God in human focus.God finally comes into focus in the man Christ Jesus. This is the grandeur and majesty of the Christian Faith: that God left His abode in eternity and entered the dimensions of space and time to redeem a fallen race. This is the theme of IN A CARPENTER'S OVERALL A CATECHISM FOR THE THIRD MILLENNIUM.I think you would find it interesting. The idea of God is the most powerful, the most beautiful idea to enter the human mind. And it is crucial for mankind to have a true and authentic idea of One God we worship.
To Ishmael Angel
You have a great statement of God. I just hope and dream that we will not get hooked these dogmas and doctrines for man becomes self-righteous and forget that God became man out of Love of the creation that was made out of his overflowing power. This Love gives life. Only LOVE Nothing more nothing less.
Dear Perry,
I fully appreciate your efforts of bringing the true picture of “Christianity” not only to the “lost Christians”, but to the whole world. Whilst I agree with you fully (100%) about the topics of: “The 7 lies” and “Creation vs. Evolution Explanations”, I can`t fully agree with your stand on the movie: “The Passion of the Christ”. Though the horrible movie presentation of the suffering of Jesus Christ may raise some “Anti Semitism” concerns, but the fact remains; that was the real situation and what had actually happened to Jesus. Unless humanity understands of how Jesus suffered and died for our sicknesses, deceases and sins, people would take Jesus for granted. However, the movie should have also shown the other side of Jesus good works e.g. healing, driving out demons and rebuking/correcting the “Religious Leaders” (Pharisees). That would have shown to the world that Jesus did not come to establish “A Religion” or “A Political Power” (as we have some churches today), but “Everlasting Life” to the lost world.
In any case I have quoted some of your links in my book, entitled: Does “Zeitgeist-Movement” or “Barack Obama” Have The Answer To World Peace? I hope you have no objection to it.
Thanks for your understanding!
“Religion can never reform mankind, because religion is slavery.”
Robert G. Ingersoll 1833-1899
A “Zeitgeist” movie quotation
http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com
An excerpt of my book:
Does “Zeitgeist-Movement” or “Barack Obama” Have The Answer To World Peace?
Watch out for the book it will be very soon out!
Follow some of my comments on this web-link!
http://www.perrymarshall.com/articles/passion/
It is true that Religion was, is, and will be slavery to mankind, unless “Man” understands the difference between a Religious organization (which has a hierarchy or runs like a Government) and Jesus Christ. (Is the Kingdom of God – Mark 12:32 and Matt. 6:10 ) Jesus Christ never established a Religious organization. To support my statement, please visit the web link of Perry Marshall http://www.coffeehousetheology.com/ and read the article: “The Seven Great Lies of Organized Religion”, especially Lie #5: which says: “There is no single truth. Everyone needs to explore and find a truth that works for them”. My comment to this statement is as simple as: I have many times experienced when people lack knowledge and understanding they have difficulties to judge and comprehend between natural and supernatural issues. When this happens, they become suspicious or worse they turn into superstition. Simply confused or even getting mad! Furthermore, many people can`t discern spiritual matters between right and wrong. They only follow the “masses” and then accept to be brainwashed. They are brainwashed to stand up to defend for their indoctrinated faith. At the final stage they become fanatics and when they are challenged by other faiths, on doctrinal or theological issues, they become defensive violent, defending “a truth” which they had never searched for, but blindly followed. This happens even to “Christian Religious Organizations”. That’s how a Religious conflict or war triggers off.
Through the adoption of a Christ-like life, not Religion, millions of people have been transformed and liberated from slavery. If such a change would not have happened and continues to happen, one would wonder how much more corrupted the world would be.
In any case the example given by Robert G. Ingersoll is not a good example, because his personal life story like others mentioned personalities in the two “Zeitgeist” movies were extremists, rebellious and radical in characters. Simpson referred to Ingersoll as "this daring blasphemer." Refer to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_G._IngersollNone of these gods mentioned in the “Zeitgeist” movie could proclaim as Jesus Christ did by saying: “I am the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE…: (Jn.14:6) All what these false gods could say and do, just like every other peaceful human being is to advocate/pursue; justice, love, peace, and so on. Where are their followers and scriptural legacies today? Jesus Christ`s scriptural evidences make Him of what He declared: “I am the WAY the TRUTH and the LIFE…:. It is the uncommitted and ignorant Christian and some: “Christian Religious Organizations” who showcase today to the world Christianity (The Church) as follows:
• When Jesus Christ started His Church it was: “A Way Of Life”
• When the Church came to Greece it became a Philosophy
• When the Church came to Rome it became a Government
• When the Church came to Europe it became a Tradition
• When the Church came to the Far East it became a Religion
• When the Church came to America it became a Business
• When the Church came to South America and Africa it became a Entertainment!
….and why?
Because of “Man`s” love for power and fame, which derives from selfishness and over-ambition, of which the movie “Zeitgeist” is also a part, making fame by presenting false doctrines and deceiving the ignorant. The very ignorant ones “Zeitgeist” is accusing for not reading enough of the devilish things that are happening in this world, uses the Bible quotation like: “… and the truth will set you free.” (Jn.8:32- NIV). The Bible has even stronger words like: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6) One of the viewers of the “Zeitgeist” movie has asked this question: “Which sect has given the contract of this movie?” The Bible says in 2 Tim. 4:3-4: “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desire, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”
Again 2 Tim.3:1-7 summarizes all that I have put right with these comments and I quote:
“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
Despite that Christianity has often gone astray, because of false and deceptive acts of institutional doctrines (Religion), it has proved that Christianity has been sustained, not like the Deities mentioned by “Zeitgeist” and groups them as equals to Christianity. The fact is; it is not the Word of God (the Bible) that needs to be reformed, but “Man”. Here are some evidences: In the 15th century Martin Luther http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther opened to Christianity the centuries hidden Word of God (The Bible) In the 19th century “The Azusa Street Revival” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azusa_Street_Revival reawakened Christianity from her orthodox institutionalized rules and behavior (Religion). God will always use “someone” to reform His church when “Man” goes astray. Jesus statement in Matthew 16:18 makes that clear, when He said: “… I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”
Again, it is not Jesus Christ (His Word-the Bible) who is wrong, but the sinful nature (selfishness) of ALL of us. (Ref. human nature page 76-79, starting from last paragraph) Romans 3:23 says: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. We ALL are part (including “Zeitgeist”) of 9/11 and other shameful conflicts of this world, deriving from our sinful nature of which selfishness is the number one offence.
The solution for “Man” is; to reconcile and be at peace with his Creator (Jn.3:3) When “Man” is at peace with his Creator, “Man” will also be at peace with his neighbor. The rider will then know his destiny and not as “Zeitgeist” ends its first movie, suggesting philosophically that:
“Life is just a ride”
My advice towards peace is:
“If we see in every Man God`s Creation, the world will have peace!”
Kurt Merki, Snr,
(Gen.1:26) Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…”
though i just discover your website lately,i appreciate what i have read so far from you,on mel Gibson movie just like you rightly said it promotes violence and hatred,i don't encourage my children to watch that for now maybe when there are a little older they can watch it,but mel gibson would have go further to where Christ ressurect and show how remorseful the soldiers where when he arose,at least it will show the viewers that it bad to do evil and unjustly oppress people,as for the jew am not surprised they never see christ as the messiah they are waiting for,because he came like a lamb not like a warrior which they will have prefer.thank you so much
Regarding the Passion of the Christ :
While watching this movie, I really came to identify with the Christ who was the "Son of Man" … fully human, and while still God incarnate – HAD A CHOICE! Being a Christian is extremely difficult – to live the life of Christ, which we are all called to do – is for each one of us to actually take up the same cross. When I stop to think seriously about that, I am once again awed by the enormity of God's love for mankind. I'll admit that I cried during the flagellation – how could one not cry – for each lash was symbolic of one that I had inflicted. Think about that.
As for violence – those instruments were the ones used to torture criminals – and the Romans seem to have had a great deal of pleasure in inflicting pain.
Regarding "doing to the least of these…" I have chosen to live in Uganda in an area full of "the least of these…" … and I find more Christian love in this community than I ever found in the USA. That is a wonderful statement on one hand, and a sad one on the other.
Thanks for sharing…
Mimi
The best scene in the passion movie was right at the beginning when Jesus brought His sandaled foot down on the snake.
I couldn't help myself, I raised my hands in the air, jumped to my feet and shouted YES!!!
I also read some of your other stuff. Keep demolishing the atheist by your non-vain jangling right in their own back yard.
Behold He has made you a champion among us. Consider yourself bookmarked.
I have lifted you up, please lift me up too.
May God richly bless you and cause your work for Him to prosper greatly.
Tony,
Consider yourself lifted up. Blessings to ya.
Perry
Perry, I hand't thought of “Whatever you do to the least of these, you do also to me” in the same way you did here; very interesting and thought provoking. You just made me look at how I treat people day to day in a whole different way. Thank you for sharing this. God bless and Saludos from Cabo.
i just read your passion of Christ, i own the movie ,i have watched it
two or three times , . each time i cry, when i was very small,( i don't
have a mother,passed away after i was born, ) my granmother read the bible to me , she was very reliious …. she said Christ's last words
before he Died,were " Forgive them My Father , they know not what they
do"…………thank you ,,, a very nice article by the way, i am
Catholic and very proud of it.. gene
Dear Perry,
Your articles are stimulating. I have been a Benedictine monk and a priest in the Catholic Church, but now I am a layperson and engaged in development work in my country – Sri Lanka where all 4 world religions are being practiced.I have a different view about other religions and truth. All religions have truth and beauty and usefulness for man. I come to this conclusion on the following basis. WE believe that God is the Father of us all and of the entire creation. He particularly cares for man. So the ancient Indian Rishis, Guthama the Buddha, Mohamed, Jain, Sun Yat Sen and others – all have been created and "graced" by God. What these teachers have taught mankind about living, about the origins of life and about life after death etc. I believe that Christianity is a comprehensive revelation. But does that warrant that other religions be branded as "not true". I do not think so according to the light that I have at the moment. I am yet questing for the Truth and Augustine of Carthage said our finite minds are not capable of understanding the Infinite Truth.
Henry de Mel
Sri Lanka
Henry,
My thoughts about this: http://www.coffeehousetheology.com/no-single-truth/
perry your mad and i like it ,
Has anyone read Vassula Ryden's book? http://www.tlig.org/
This book has opened my eyes in my early age (9 heading to 10 y/o) that once I was a coward for almost everything (illness, ghost, life, etc) because I have nothing divine to hold on to while fully realize that human has all the limitation to fully keep me safe neither by words nor by actions. Yes, I am that self aware and also was lost soul until I read this (Vassula's books) which obliterate all my fear but to God and divine justice. Submit wholly to God's mercy and also fully believe in Jesus words and salvation.
I strongly suggest you to read at least until book 3 and judge it by yourself.
Now, I'm going 30, born and live Indonesian, rise in Roman Catholic family which I am glad to because it never forbids me to open my mind and eyes. One of Bible's quote I hold in searching knowledge is what Paul has said in 1 Thessalonians 5:21 "prove all things; hold fast that which is good;" So, in spending most of my life studying practically everything from religions (including all of its contradicting point of views), psychology, technology and everything related to popular knowledge, never ever rise any doubt to Jesus' salvation. Why? Because I have felt myself how Jesus touches me (give me miracles–you may say) and leads me to all directions in order to strengthen my faith, even to here.
Even my Roman Catholic religion lecture had taught us (referring to all of my classmates at the time) the deprecating part of the Bible to show us how honest the Bible is in teaching us the truth — which in contrary is being used by some as the faulty of the Bible.
What I'm afraid of in reading all the commentaries or any of so called religions point of view is that we forget as God does exist so does Satan, and Satan holds power as God too but to overrule God. Satan can be so deceivable to make us think it is God's voice.
How do we know whether it is God or Satan? It's easy actually, first of all you have to have mind to do good, now, when you are exposed to any information feel the doubt, when you have chilling doubt it is Satan. When you have heart-warming doubt it is God. But even Satan can create false sense of heart-warming doubt, but, then again, you can recognize the difference when your mind is truly to do good. When you have been really used to feel it, there will be only doubt (Satan) and no doubt at all (God).
Well, another question may arise; how do we train our mind to do good? Read the Bible, don't question it just yet, just read it through. The second time you read it then you can/may begin to questioning it but only after you read it throughly.
I would really like to close this with one more quote from Bible, from Matthew 5:37 "But let your speech be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: and whatsoever is more than these is of the evil 'one'."
My problem with the movie "The Passion of Christ" is not with the violence, but rather with what the producers of the movie are trying to implant in people's subconscious mind. The movie no doubt tries to glorify Mary. Its portrays Jesus looking to Mary for His strength in all His suffering. To me it looks like the producers of the movie had an agenda beyond making money
Nice insight about Mary.
Though I'm spiritualist, in the side of my religious life, I more closely connected with Mary. In short, i am a Marian. I will watch "the Passion" again and will look at the side of Mary that you have observed. If there is credence to your point, I agree to you that Mary was indeed a great source of strength to Jesus, just like our mothers in real life. Their efforts has been silenced by too much heterosexism, patriarchy, and chauvinism. In fact, the Bible always talk about men since the genesis because Men wrote the Bible to the extent that women are just considered a rib of the man and nothing more. Mary is the source of wisdom and strength to anyone who goes to her aide. Just like our Mother, the earth.
johnpierre
Dear Dr. Perry Marshall,
I feel more relieved after read your articles Where did the Universe come from and The Seven lies…. I'm a Christian, and from my experience it was not that easy to explain the Trinity to the non Christian since they also don't wholy believe in Bible, even if they do believe in one God. My answered to that argument (after several nights with out good sleep). Look, we are human beings. We have human brain, human mind beside our five human senses. How can we differ the "one" from others if that "one" we can not sense? The one living God in the form of human being give the answer. Absolutely One.
Keep be blessed Perry, thank you
Cheers,
John Kansil.
PS. I'm waiting for your "9 Great Lies…"
Dear Mr Perry Marshal,
Its good and blessed for me and everyone who have come across your messages its really encourages.I am an SDA church member but i dont go for church services due to the work am doing it has obstructed me from attending church masses. However, my question is;HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE SO CALLED CHRISTMAS EVE AND IS IT TRUE THAT JESUS WAS BORN ON THE 25TH OF DECEMBER.Please i need clarifications over this matter.
Thank you God bless.
I don't really know all that much about the date of the actual birth of Christ. But you can find all kinds of interesting articles about that online.
Was up sir but you seem to be veryy educated just like the greatest we read about,but sir what if you are wrong men ,am in kenya and loving the games you play with spirituality and alot that we call serious on earth ,but what if there is a whip for the lies and a pot of boiling water for the misleading are you safe or will you excuse by saing just like i do alot of time am hopeing for the best after i do my best .anyway ilove your job just a guestion .
All of us could be wrong. The book of James says, "Let not many of you become teachers, knowing that as such you will be held to a higher standard."
Dear Perry,
Your have nice opinions, but, they fail to make the True Spiritual grade. You seem to be getting hung up on the "Jesus" part…You seem to be missing the simple Truth. The Greatest Truths are the simplest! certainly, your opinions are NOT simple!
Here's the simplest Truth, Perry: create Your Relationship with Our Creator and eliminate religion from Your Life. That's what Jesus did. We are Jesus. We are God. We are One, all together.
This creation is 100% proven. It's beyond argument.
God Bless You, I Bless You, Bless Yourself, Perry
once You created Your Relationship, Perry, you'll understand the simplest Truth > You are God !
Peace be with You
Christopher,
I am a child of God and I am made in the image of God.
Still I don't think it could possibly be more obvious that I am not God. If any of us humans has the ability to create an entire universe, none of us seems to have tapped it.
Perry
Dear Christopher
I am with you, and you have the best comment in this thread. You are true spiritual person.
However, there is something wrong with your terminology in the sphere of spirituality. "Creator" – there is no creator, the Universe has no beginning and no end. No one created it, its there ever since. Its the sum of the consciousness of the Universe that manifest God. Its our duty to connect these fragments so that the God can truly manifest in human lives.
I wish to connect with you Christopher. We have many challenges in our Life as spiritual people and our purpose is to connect the fragments of truth. Im happy to see you here at Perry's Blog. Visit me here: http://connectingfragmentsoftruth.blogspot.com/
As to Perry, yes, we are children of the universe, we are the image-bearer of the the manifesting God. And as Christopher noted, we are God, We are Jesus = Love and we are One through Jesus (Love)
JohnPierre
John and Christopher,
Neither one of your posts contains a single verifiable fact.
The universe has no beginning?
I know some Eastern religions teach this, but science and Genesis 1 both strongly attest that it does have a beginning.
Any or all of us are God?
I fail to see convincing evidence. Well, let me restate that. I fail to see any evidence of any kind that any of us are God.
Am I made in the image of God? Yes, I most certainly believe that. To believe that I am God, however, is the original lie. It is not the truth.
Perry,
As I enter the world of internet marketing, I've come to appreciate the value of your insight and counsel, and look forward to calling on you when I can afford it (though it could be argued I can hardly afford NOT to if I want to be successful…lol!)
In addition to this wonderful perspective on The Passion of the Christ, it was a delightful surprise today to discover an entirely new dimension to you, one that started when I read your excellent article of "If You Can Read This, I Can Prove God Exists". Truly epic!!
It reminded me of another tract, one just as compelling, that I hope you will avail yourself of, written by Karl Keating in 1988. Entitled "Catholicism and Fundamentalism", it's impact on non-denominational Christians is every bit as strong as your article is to thinking atheists. It makes just as iron-clad a case for organized religion, and Catholicism in particular, as DNA does for the existence of a Creator. You'll find it at Amazon, used for about $5 if you wish, but since you struck me as someone who truly seeks knowledge for knowledge's sake, and would be willing to find truth wherever it may lead, you're one of the few complete strangers I feel comfortable recommending it to. Since you seemed comfortable with Ann Rice's story of "reversion", I especially thought you would find this interesting.
Interestingly, it details how contemporary non-denominational Christianity got its start in large part due to Darwinian theory (or rather the backlash against it).
Not trying to proselytize here, but you've got the kind of inquisitive and reasoned mind that would find this a great read. I would love to hear you thoughts afterwards, of course, but I know how busy you are, the bane of successful businessmen.
Thank you for this blog, and everything you've done to help me so far, and I wish you much continued success and blessings!
Michael
Michael,
Thanks for your note. I will take a look at your book.
I have an old friend who got his master's degree in theology, went down the conservative protestant road then converted to Eastern Orthodox about 6 years ago. We stayed up all night several nights talking about all this. Absolutely fascinating. His take was, Orthodox was the real mother ship, nearly twin sister to Catholicism. I had great appreciation for his take on Christian unity etc and how Catholics and Orthodox value it so highly while protestants just endlessly splinter every time they disagree.
I was brought up to believe that Catholicism was something close to idolatry or something but I have come to have great respect for the church fathers etc. I suppose I could comfortably be a Catholic if it were necessary, though there would be a lot of things I'd take with a grain of salt.
Generally I think at the core center there's a huge richness within the Catholic church. At the outer edges – ie the typical parish in the typical town in North or South America – they have a very bad quality control problem. It seems to me that as contentious as it was, the Protestant reformation was badly needed to shock the church out of its state of lethargy.
Looking forward to checking out the book.
Perry
Hi Perry
EVIDENCE
I deceitful term. But only true in our material world (not spiritual world). How many men and women out there offered all their resources to find evidence?
Why the trees, plants and mountains does not ask who created them? only man does. Why does man ask? Because his mind is narrow – disconnected with the Universe. Every thing in this material world is created and therefore logically the Universe is created.. created by someone… Someone that is no evidence of existing but because of "logic" and "reason" that someone exist. That is a lie Perry. But I believe that you, me and the sum of the Universe is God and is Truth. We see, touch and commune with them.
We are the EVIDENCE.
Logic and reason is one if the ills of our society. It becomes an ill because it tries to morph and put God in a box, then when some one opened that box – discovered its empty and religion just simply say: BELEIVE and you will see.
Hahaha. Funny – still empty. Only a fool believes.
Yet, the true Wisdom is when you empty your self from the material world, get rid of reason and be illogical. Then Wisdom will guide you the see and feel truth.
Beginning and End?
Another deceitful terms. Science and religion's conspiracy to make them tangible and measurable. Did Science and religion discovered any evidence of the origin of the Universe? never!!!! Scientists, prophets, scholars are like prisoners finding a key for their release despite already having the key in their hands. They refuse to use the key because: When the key is used, men will be enlightened and religion perish and no more profit for the religious establishments.
Its a cycle Perry. the Universe is a cycle of birth, life and death. To question the beginning of the universe is foolishness. It has no beginning and no end. God is infinite – cannot be measured, omnipotent – all powerful, omni present – every where. How could science measure that? There is only one measurable thing in this universe. You
I am the Alpha and the Omega – very spiritual word from Christ. Yet, for a religious it is Christ, for a spiritual "the Self".
If you believe that you are not God Perry, you deny the evidence of God.
The greatest knowledge is "to know thyself" and the greatest wisdom is when God manifests in the self.
JohnPierre
PS: where can I get a smiley Perry? the one Christoper pasted?
Another thing Perry, how much millions, billions or even trillions of dollars has been spent to study the universe and search for clues of its beginning or even its end?
What is spiritual with spending trillions of dollars to foolishness while the earth is being continually destroyed by humans and millions of our brethren starving to death?
How much men and women murdered by Religion in the past because they are attached to mother nature? How many inquisitions were there? and how many were put to death because they were found guilty of witchcraft. What is spiritual with that?
How many Religions fight each other and call their wars "holy" wars. Whats holy with that?
How many women until today whose genitalia removed as well as cover their face and failed to see their beauty and enjoyed life, how many great women never written in history and scriptures? whats spiritual about that? How many women until now believes that they are just a rib of the man and submit to men? how many women bears the mark of the sin of Eve that until now being blamed to women? and how many female and most primitive of all Gods was there thousands of years ago destroyed by the Catholic Church?
Isn't science and religion and their conspiracy a great evil?
Yesterday, I watched Avatar, the theater is full and people around entertained and amazed. But I wept a dozen of times. Though my only critic to the movie is that Spirituality was reduce to fantasy, the opposite of Religion that reduce Spirituality into "super"natural but the message is in line of my core belief. What the Universe has are only two things, material and spiritual and in between the "consciousness"
And look what the Vatican would like to say "The Vatican newspaper and radio station are criticizing James Cameron's 3-D blockbuster for flirting with the idea that worship of nature can replace religion — a notion the pope has warned against. They call the movie a simplistic and sappy tale, despite its awe-inspiring special effects. Qouted from http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100112/ap_en_mo/eu_vatican_avatar
You see Perry, both science and religion are murderers. And their victims are the earth and its inhabitants. They both murder truth. Men and women are slaves. Science use empirical evidence while religion use fear and guilt and their conspiracy is logic and reason to enslave people.
Religion can never reform mankind: because religion is slavery – yes.
Thank you and a happy brand new decade to all
Johnpierre
hello sir perry, thank you for your kind of ministry. it nurtures my 'journey' in this plane of life. the comments above from your subscribers and your responses are very telling of individual uniqueness and experiences which serves as mirrors of myself and serves as my lamp posts in my pilgrimage as i dispense my god-given freedom. from my standpoint, whatever belief-system we subscribe to, the soundness of our lives, as openly or subtly confirmed by other religious or spiritual literatures, are our 'effects' to ourselves as a human beings member of a human family called together in solidarity to make this world a better place to live in that when this earthly life comes to an end, each one will have an awesome experience. thank you.
hi Perry.i really do enjoy your discourses.i am touched especially by the realization that i have to take ownership and blame for things that happen in my life and stop blaming God for not bailing me out as and when i want him to.We have all at some point chased one Jeremy or the other down blocks of buildings and in doing so have treated God badly.i thank you for helping me open my eyes.May God bless you.
Dustin Mbewe
Dustin,
Blessings to you for coming to that realization.
Hey Perry,
I enjoy your work greatly and definitly approve of it but I have a small question. It's about the age of the Earth. Some say it's billions of years old while others say it's thousands? What are your opinions on this because I am utterly confused!!! Fossils point to an "old earth" but the Earths magneticsphere point to a "new earth". I am confused to say the least!? Any help?
I am absolutely, positively on the side of OLD earth. The evidence tilts heavily in that direction. I've got a whole website about this, http://www.cosmicfingerprints.com.
Dear friends
What is Humanity's purpose?
Our Purpose is this "Journey"
Once there lived a village of creatures along the bottom of a great, crystal river. The current of the river swept silently over them all – young and old, rich and poor, good and evil, the current going its own way, knowing only its own crystal self.
Each creature in its own manner clung tightly to the twigs and rocks of the river bottom, for clinging was their way of life, and resisting the current what each had learned from birth. But one creature said at last, “I am tired of clinging. Though I cannot see it with my eyes, I trust that the current knows where it is going. I shall let go and let it take me where it will. Clinging, I shall die of boredom.”
The other creatures laughed and said, “Fool! Let go, and that current you worship will throw you tumbled and smashed across the rocks, and you will die quicker than boredom!”. But the one heeded them not, and taking a breath did let go, and at once was tumbled and smashed by the current across the rocks. Yet in time, as the creature refused to cling again, the current lifted him free from the bottom, and he was bruised and hurt no more. And the creatures downstream to whom he was a stranger cried, “See a miracle! A creature like ourselves, yet he flies! See the Messiah, come to save us all!”
And the one carried in the current said, “I am no more Messiah than you. The river delights to lift us free, if only we dare let go. Our true work is this voyage, this adventure.”
But they cried the more, “Saviour!” all the while clinging to the rocks, and when they looked again he was gone, and they were left alone making legends of a Saviour."
– Richard Bach, Illusion
Perry,
the fact that you ignore that the movie you are talking about made millions of dollars for an outspoken anti-semite (one of the most despicable and non-christian things a person could be), and focus on the story shows a deep hypocritical strain in your thinking. this is very unhealthy, and speaks strongly against the value of thinking in terms of the myth ignoring the facts.
cathal