Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!genrad!decvax!harpo!seismo!hao!hplabs!sri-unix!sjk From: sjk@sri-unix.UUCP Newsgroups: net.religion Subject: Re: Resurrection and the Burden of Proof Message-ID: <5576@sri-unix.UUCP> Date: Sat, 4-Jun-83 10:50:36 EDT Article-I.D.: sri-unix.5576 Posted: Sat Jun 4 10:50:36 1983 Date-Received: Tue, 7-Jun-83 01:44:27 EDT Lines: 41 Now, just "what-if" the resurrection of Christ didn't really occur? I fail to see the significance that this event has other than to instill hope in those who accept it in the canonical form. What is hope anyway? Well, it's a fascinating projection device used to keep people from the present by promising a future that doesn't exist! Christianity in general provides all sorts of nifty hooks for clinging to the past or hoping for the future; "Christ did this", "Christ promised that". Fine! But let's LIVE in the PRESENT, otherwise we're victims of the "divine illusion". I'd love to hear (publically or privately) why those of you who've accepted Christ did so. Serious contemplation on this question can often be revealing. I was once so humbled as to have been told "when you believed in Christ you believed for the wrong reasons" and you know, by God, he was right! How many of us have been guilt-tripped into our belief systems? You'd be surprised! Something I've been wondering about is the existence of "thought-forms" of Christ which disguise themselves as the essence of Christ. The majority of faith-healers and other such "miracle" workers appear to be channels for these thought forms and are not in communion with the living Christ. Those who claim to know Christ surely must know the difference ("test the spirits ..."), tho' I don't think many do. What's all the fuss about a purpose for life? Again, this distracts from the present and is a clever trap. Culture is the parent of this goal-oriented, gotta-live-for-something mentality. Religions are also by-products of culture, think twice before you deny this. If there's interest, I'd like to see more discussion concerning death. Is it not the concept of death most fear rather than death itself? Lastly, a few words on religion in schools. It was mentioned that in the classic separation of church and state that schools are of "state" (I don't know the actual legalities involved). It's yet another example of fragmented minds trying to put all the pieces where they belong. I find it both sad and laughable. Joy to All! scott kramer