tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559910.post7001711735220556329..comments2024-02-17T19:58:47.311-05:00Comments on Textuality: Jesus the DisagreeableLarry Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14642725101009530480noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559910.post-30312213159669669952010-10-04T11:23:23.844-04:002010-10-04T11:23:23.844-04:00The founders, prophets, and saints of all religion...The founders, prophets, and saints of all religions tend to be obnoxious and intolerable characters.<br /><br />I would in no way like to spend time with an asshole like Muhammed or his fucked up family. Abraham seems like a jerk, too, if you believe the stories. Saul/Paul? A HUGE prick. The Greek gods? Total schmucks and horny to boot. The Norse gods? Vi-o-lent. Dinner with Buddha? No, thanks. High fives with Ganesh? Could be interesting.<br /><br />I wouldn't mind taking tea with L. Ron Hubbard, I guess. That's about it.Larry Tannerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14642725101009530480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559910.post-41527466578880046232010-10-03T01:38:38.640-04:002010-10-03T01:38:38.640-04:00The parable of the fig tree in particular is astou...The parable of the fig tree in particular is astounding.<br /><br />read Mark 11:12-21. Mark's account makes Jesus look deranged. It was clearly stated that it was not the season for figs. The story was set just before the Passover, around the end of March or early April, when figs are never ripe during that time in Palestine. Any native of the land would not have expected to find fruit on a fig tree at that time. To curse a fig tree for not bearing fruit out of its season is, to say the least, not an act of a sane person.<br /><br />If we look at the same story told in the gospel of Matthew we will note that this evangelists had changed some elements of the story to make it both more credible and more incredible at the same time. Read Matthew 21:18-20. Note the changes Matthew had made to the Markan account. He had omitted the line where Mark noted that it was not the season for figs. This will make Jesus' reaction after not finding fruit on the tree more credible. Note also how Matthew had sensationalized the miracle. He made the fig tree wither at once. And made the disciples notice that fact. In Mark's account, the tree was found to be withered by the disciples only on the next morning. <br /><br />Regardless, I do not think you can fault the New Testament much. Particularly when you see the background its coming from. Consider the ghastly jewish books of the Old Testamant where ethnocentrism and genocide compose half the literature. The most crazy passage being Isaiah 60 which promises the Jews future domination is nearly mini-gods before the nations.<br /><br />Given such a background, one can appreciate the innovations of the Jesus movement. Turn thy cheek and Love your enemies are a much needed improvement over the Old Testament bloodletting. And pauline christianity's universal message also being a much needed improvement over Judaism's ethnocentrism, a problem that exists today.Shalmonoreply@blogger.com