Christians... and I say this as a Christian... often let fear close their minds. I think it comes from being guided too long by supposed experts telling us Bible interpretations when instead we need to look at the verses and historical context ourselves.
For example, the belief that Jesus turned the other cheek as an anti-violence lesson. I had a professor once point out that turning your face aside in that way to a Roman was actually an insult. (Haha! I love that)
And the long-held belief that Jesus said money is evil and poverty is a virtue. No. He said greed is evil, and he did not live in poverty. Many Bible stories tell of the riches God provided his followers. Generous giving is encouraged. How can you give if you have nothing?
Indeed, with the best of intentions translations have been made.
Yet, what I found, when comparing words and phrases and sentences with the breadth of meaning of these Greek, Aramaic and Hebrew words, these translations do not even begin to convey these, let alone that in many cases translators have chosen meaning based on their own bias or the bias of their employer.
Then on top we.have the ideas of certain organisations who insist on certain exegesis.
By hanging on to these people, yes, it is nice for a start, but eventually, one grows beyond them when knowledge and wisdom are attained.
This is a universal process of learning. Of being a child.fed with.milk but now grown into a fine young of mind man or woman, being capable of thought, discerent and questioning.
Christians... and I say this as a Christian... often let fear close their minds. I think it comes from being guided too long by supposed experts telling us Bible interpretations when instead we need to look at the verses and historical context ourselves.
For example, the belief that Jesus turned the other cheek as an anti-violence lesson. I had a professor once point out that turning your face aside in that way to a Roman was actually an insult. (Haha! I love that)
And the long-held belief that Jesus said money is evil and poverty is a virtue. No. He said greed is evil, and he did not live in poverty. Many Bible stories tell of the riches God provided his followers. Generous giving is encouraged. How can you give if you have nothing?
It was and is the "love" of money that God condemns.
Indeed, with the best of intentions translations have been made.
Yet, what I found, when comparing words and phrases and sentences with the breadth of meaning of these Greek, Aramaic and Hebrew words, these translations do not even begin to convey these, let alone that in many cases translators have chosen meaning based on their own bias or the bias of their employer.
Then on top we.have the ideas of certain organisations who insist on certain exegesis.
By hanging on to these people, yes, it is nice for a start, but eventually, one grows beyond them when knowledge and wisdom are attained.
This is a universal process of learning. Of being a child.fed with.milk but now grown into a fine young of mind man or woman, being capable of thought, discerent and questioning.
It reminds me of what Q wrote about free thought.
https://qagg.news/?q=Free+thought
Read carefully. It is interesting to contemplate it.