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As a Christian I find it disturbing that religious leaders can sometimes adapt the Bible's teachings to suit their own selfish agendas. It also happens in other religions where texts are quoted out of context to sow hatred or to justify their own sin. This also happens because of customs or pure superstition.
The Catholic fathers still cling to Genesis 1:28 "God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it". But God spoke to Adam and Eve. They were 2 people, not the 7 billion we now have!
Allow me to illustrate how the Bible can be misquoted by selective reading:
The bible calls for revenge in Exodus 21:24 "Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot; Deuteronomy 19:21 Show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot."
This is "lex talionis", the law of retaliation as it later became part of Roman law.
Exodus is in the beginning of the Bible, when people were still fighting for existence. When Jesus came, he gave them new laws and he preached love and forgiveness. Worth reading is the Sermon on the Mount:
Matthew 5:38“You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’p 39 But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.
and then; 43 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven."
Unfortunately our religious and political leaders can not always be trusted to teach the truth! Everybody claims to be right until they face the Truth.
The Catholic fathers still cling to Genesis 1:28 "God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it". But God spoke to Adam and Eve. They were 2 people, not the 7 billion we now have!
Allow me to illustrate how the Bible can be misquoted by selective reading:
The bible calls for revenge in Exodus 21:24 "Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot; Deuteronomy 19:21 Show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot."
This is "lex talionis", the law of retaliation as it later became part of Roman law.
Exodus is in the beginning of the Bible, when people were still fighting for existence. When Jesus came, he gave them new laws and he preached love and forgiveness. Worth reading is the Sermon on the Mount:
Matthew 5:38“You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’p 39 But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.
and then; 43 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven."
Unfortunately our religious and political leaders can not always be trusted to teach the truth! Everybody claims to be right until they face the Truth.
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