$21.95
ISBN: 0-9762924-2-4
440 pages
5.5" x 8.5"
Trade Paperback
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The following information
is pertinent for anyone
who considers reading this book:
• Dare To Question objectively examines the many concepts of
Christianity that defy common sense or lead to paradoxical conclusions.
It scrutinizes myths and miraculous claims that are based, not on
solid evidence or sound reasoning, but on assertions of divine inspiration,
and whose sources are accounts that have undergone numerous translations,
transcriptions and interpretations.
• The author, in no way, demeans the moral teachings of Jesus.
I consider his ethical messages above reproach, and to be the true
essence and value of the Christian religion.
• Dare To Question was written to illustrate the problems involved
in assuming that there is only one valid interpretation of any biblical
scripture. The book identifies problems involving classical interpretations
and offers alternative points of view. The primary objective is not
to prove or disprove, but to encourage objective thinking. Single-minded
worldviews are replaced by pluralistic concepts. Relativism is prioritized
and absolutism discouraged. The “middle ground” worldview
replaces the fundamentalist’s “right-or-wrong” approach.
• It is important for the reader to understand that Dare To
Question is not intended as a narrative. It is a compilation of over
one hundred topics each of which can be read and examined out of context.
Therefore, the topics can be read in any order. And since the topics
are self-contained, they will necessarily include certain information
found in other topics. This required the incorporation of a degree
of redundancy that might be disturbing to the reader, if he chooses
to read the book from beginning to end, rather than selecting and
evaluating each topic on a stand-alone bases
• A word of warning: If the reader is completely satisfied with
the validity of all he or she has been taught regarding religious
dogmas and doctrines—do not read this book. Place it back on
the shelf and select one that is less challenging. If absolute faith
in all Christian concepts works for you, then why become disturbed
by alternative viewpoints? Thinking “outside the box”
is not for everyone.
Selections:
The Paradox of Eternal Damnation
“The way of transgressors is
hard.”
Proverbs 13:15
Many Christians profess a belief in eternal
damnation; that certain actions taken by man can result in
God’s inflicting endless suffering. This horrible divine
threat may provide some incentive for believers not to deviate
from the path of righteousness, but has it any merit in reality?
What would be the justification for condemning anyone to total,
endless suffering?
One reason given for this vengeful act is that it teaches
a lesson to all mortals regarding the violation of God’s
laws. But how can this affect the actions of others? If one
is condemned to eternal damnation, we here on earth will not
experience the fact that this punishment is actually occurring.
We will not see or feel the condemned person’s agonies.
Without such an experience there is no impact on mankind,
and the lesson is lost.
Secondly, when a sinful act has been committed it can’t
be reversed by torture, however intense or prolonged.
Thirdly, if the perpetrator is a threat to mankind, death
alone would be sufficient to remove that individual as a danger
to society.
Fourth, eternal damnation cannot be intended to rehabilitate
the offender. What incentive would there be for rehabilitation
if one were to be punished forever? Eternal torture would
make repentance a useless action since the endless suffering
would continue whether or not a true repentance was forthcoming.
And finally, the endless torture of any individual, for any
reason, should not be expected of a benevolent and forgiving
God. This idea of eternal torture as punishment for a mortal
sin appears to be the creation of man, for only he is capable
of such vindictiveness. We must trust that our God is not
that cruel.
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Worship
“’Tis not necessary to light a candle
to the sun.”
Algernon Sidney
The concept of worship is one of great interest
because it constitutes the most basic activity of the religious
faithful. Worship is the ritualistic means by which the believer
demonstrates his belief in, fear of, and admiration for, his
god.
Worship, while generally including prayer, is not the same
thing as the latter. Worship is the extravagant respect or
admiration for, or devotion to, an object of esteem. It is
the process of flattering one’s deity. Praying is the
act of entreating or imploring a deity for help or a favor.
According to Freud, in order for man to control nature he
must first humanize it. Man’s initial step in this direction
was naming his deities. This personalization allows him to
begin the process of worship. The implicit value of worship
arose from man’s success in flattering his fellow man
in order to pacify him or to secure favors. Throughout history
man has humbled himself before the rich and powerful. Gifts
and offerings to leaders or conquerors often produced favorable
results. If it works on humans, why shouldn’t it work
on the gods? It is, of course, fallacious reasoning to assume
that because humans have egos, gods do also. There is no reason
to assume that a god is subject to human weaknesses such as
egotism.
Man’s attempts to influence or appease his gods have
ranged from simple prayers and offerings to sacrificing human
life. Primitive cultures were known to throw virgins into
volcanoes or babies into raging rivers to persuade their gods
to put an end to the ravages of various natural phenomena.
The Old Testament mentions the use of human sacrifice to appease
God. And modern man also makes use of human sacrifice for
religious purposes. Some present-day religious groups have
little difficulty in recruiting the faithful for suicidal,
religion-oriented missions, which is, for them, the ultimate
form of worship.
But a perfect God should not require worship. He has no ego
problem. He already knows what is in your mind. He knows whether
or not you are truly sincere. In the final analysis, we participate
in acts of worship because it makes us feel that we are doing
something to improve our lives.
Most of today’s human beings are engaged in some form
of worship. The teenager that follows a rock star with the
objective of touching his clothing is not unlike the biblical
stories of believers attempting to touch Jesus’ robe.
Both constitute attempts to obtain emotional or other vicarious
benefits from someone they idolize. The sycophants that accompany
the rich and famous are participating in acts of worship.
Fans that idolize sports figures, movie stars, or political
personalities are also engaging in worship. They derive vicarious
pleasure from being in the presence of people they envy and
admire.
Because worship is the very essence of religion, it will always
play an essential role in man’s interaction with the
divine aspects of his world.
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