For Part One, go to http://www.yourpausebutton.com/blogs/inspirational-articles/item/96-would-jesus-be-a-christian-today?

Thanks to my friend, Andrew, for this.  You may have seen this bouncing around the Internet over the last year.  Probably a year after I first read it, it is still both funny and sad.

The sad thing is that so many have pledged allegiance to to all kinds of institutions that send us destructive and confusing messages that, when we believe them, weaken us.  So many call the Christian bible the word of God when, in fact, it is loaded with contradictions and very unloving content overlaid on that which has value.  It amazes me that so  many can be so dedicated to holding in such high regard that which is a convoluted mess.  The reason they do so is that they have heard the lies about the bible so often that they have taken these lies for truth.

If, after reading the article below, you maintain a belief in the bible as the word of God, then you have chosen to be blind.  That is a function of the human ego, to protect the ego from the love of the heart.  Will you listen to your heart or are you married to the ego that resists  loving change?

The article below is not written by me. Credit at the bottom.

Jesus would have laughed at the absurdity of this.

It is truly amazing that so many can call the Christian bible the word of God.  I do trust that any true god would never pick up a pen and write the passages noted here.  Or dictate this kind of garbage to Moses or anyone else.

More evidence that strict constructionists of the Christian bible are deliberately blind or seriously disturbed...or both.  Let's bless them rather than judge them.  But this is funny: ______________

On her radio show, Dr Laura Schlesinger said that, as an observant Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination according to Leviticus 18:22, and cannot be condoned under any circumstance. The following response is an open letter to Dr. Laura, penned by a US resident, which was posted on the Internet. It's funny, as well as informative: -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Dr. Laura:

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination .... End of debate. I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of God's Laws and how to follow them.

1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of Menstrual uncleanliness - Lev15: 19-24. The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?

6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination, Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there 'degrees' of abomination?

7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle-room here?

8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?

9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, so I'm confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.

Your adoring fan,

James M Kauffman, Ed.D. Professor Emeritus, Dept. Of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education University of Virginia (It would be a damn shame if we couldn't own a Canadian)..