Monday, April 17, 2006
The Zahir
Submitted by Lee from South Carolina
Thought this was interesting...its from a book titled "The Zahir" by Paulo Coelho. He wrote about what a terrible punishment crucifixion was. People suffered very much before they died. And yet today, people use the cross as a charm on a necklace and put it on walls as a decoration. They see it as a religious symbol instead of an instrument of torture....
"For two thousand years we have kept Jesus on the cross by emulating and reenacting his crucifixion in our lives -- a practice entirely in contradiction of his teachings. I think the 2000 year point would be a perfect opportunity to finally take Jesus down from the cross, and ourselves along with him. We do not have to create a drama of suffering to earn salvation; we need simply to acknowledge the perfection within and around us."
Thought this was interesting...its from a book titled "The Zahir" by Paulo Coelho. He wrote about what a terrible punishment crucifixion was. People suffered very much before they died. And yet today, people use the cross as a charm on a necklace and put it on walls as a decoration. They see it as a religious symbol instead of an instrument of torture....
"For two thousand years we have kept Jesus on the cross by emulating and reenacting his crucifixion in our lives -- a practice entirely in contradiction of his teachings. I think the 2000 year point would be a perfect opportunity to finally take Jesus down from the cross, and ourselves along with him. We do not have to create a drama of suffering to earn salvation; we need simply to acknowledge the perfection within and around us."
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Ok, us Christians are not "reenacting" or "emulating" Jesus on the cross. We are not creating a "drama of suffering". The whole core of Christianity revolves around the cross, though. Jesus VOLUNTARILY suffered an EXCRUCIATING death so that all of humanity can go to Heaven and not be eternally damned to hell. Yes, the cross was a torture device. But, the cross IS a religious symbol. You have to understand the meaning and story BEHIND Jesus dying on the cross. I don't know about some, but when I see the cross I see what a beautiful gift Jesus gave to me and what a tremendous sacrifice He made. And He made this sacrifice for EVERYONE.
Who is this Paulo guy and what kind of book is "The Zahir"? And what on earth is this "acknowledging the perfection within and around us"? New-age, everything-is-harmonious, I'll-go-to-Heaven-cause-I'm-a-good-person belief. The only way to have perfection INSIDE you, is through Jesus. And have you looked aroud the world today--not exactly what I would term perfection.
Granted, the cross has become a fashionable ornament and it breaks my heart to see it disrespected that way. Personally, I am proud to wear a cross around my neck to show that I believe in Jesus and am not ashamed of it.
Who is this Paulo guy and what kind of book is "The Zahir"? And what on earth is this "acknowledging the perfection within and around us"? New-age, everything-is-harmonious, I'll-go-to-Heaven-cause-I'm-a-good-person belief. The only way to have perfection INSIDE you, is through Jesus. And have you looked aroud the world today--not exactly what I would term perfection.
Granted, the cross has become a fashionable ornament and it breaks my heart to see it disrespected that way. Personally, I am proud to wear a cross around my neck to show that I believe in Jesus and am not ashamed of it.
Barging right into this debate with no tact whatsoever....
Yes, (in the minds of Christians), Jesus died for us and we should never forget how he died and how lucky we are...BUT, what does he really want from us now? Does he want us to remember the crusifixion? How he was tortured FOR US? Does he want us to feel the guilt about the it so that we will do the right thing and lead moral lives?
ORRRRR....Would/Does he simply want us to lead good and moral lives because it is the right thing to do?
He WANTS us all to go to heaven, but shouldn't we DESERVE to go to heaven instead of having it handed to us? Shouldn't we WORK to be able to get into heaven instead of just remembering how he died? Isn't that the main goal?
So many people talk about jesus all the time and wear and display the cross so much...I am just saying, maybe the focus should change to OUR ACTIONS instead of rehashing and remembering(a debatable) history.
((Although..I have to say, it is nice to have some sort of symbol of one's religion to focus on...I think it just sucks that it has to be such a violent symbol))
P.S.
I LOVE YOU STACY!!! YOU MAKE ME A BETTER PERSON BY DISCUSSING THIS STUFF INTELLIGENTLY AND PASSIONATELY AND LOVINGLY ALTHOUGH USUALLY DIFFERENTLY....BRING IT ON!!...Whatchoogot?
Yes, (in the minds of Christians), Jesus died for us and we should never forget how he died and how lucky we are...BUT, what does he really want from us now? Does he want us to remember the crusifixion? How he was tortured FOR US? Does he want us to feel the guilt about the it so that we will do the right thing and lead moral lives?
ORRRRR....Would/Does he simply want us to lead good and moral lives because it is the right thing to do?
He WANTS us all to go to heaven, but shouldn't we DESERVE to go to heaven instead of having it handed to us? Shouldn't we WORK to be able to get into heaven instead of just remembering how he died? Isn't that the main goal?
So many people talk about jesus all the time and wear and display the cross so much...I am just saying, maybe the focus should change to OUR ACTIONS instead of rehashing and remembering(a debatable) history.
((Although..I have to say, it is nice to have some sort of symbol of one's religion to focus on...I think it just sucks that it has to be such a violent symbol))
P.S.
I LOVE YOU STACY!!! YOU MAKE ME A BETTER PERSON BY DISCUSSING THIS STUFF INTELLIGENTLY AND PASSIONATELY AND LOVINGLY ALTHOUGH USUALLY DIFFERENTLY....BRING IT ON!!...Whatchoogot?
Lee, it seems to me that by saying that Jesus would want us to work to get into heaven you have seemed to miss the point of the what He did one the cross. The reason Jesus had to die on the cross was because we can not work our way to heaven. We can not be good enough to go to heaven. We can not deserve heaven. God loves us and wants us to go to heaven, but because we are imperfect we can't get to heaven. The standard for heaven is perfection and we don't measure up. In fact, the punishment for sin or imperfection is nothing less than death. But, God made a way for us and that way was Jesus. By dying on the cross He took the punishment for our sins. If Jesus hadn't died on the cross, we would have no hope of ever getting to heaven. However, because He did, all we have to do is accept that gift of salvation He gives us and that's it. That's what it means to be a Christian.
The symbol of the cross is something that serves to remind us of what Jesus did for us on the cross. It isn't something God decided we needed to do to haunt us. It is a reminder of the gift God gave us by sending Jesus to die on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins.
The symbol of the cross is something that serves to remind us of what Jesus did for us on the cross. It isn't something God decided we needed to do to haunt us. It is a reminder of the gift God gave us by sending Jesus to die on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins.
Doh!! Once again, Nikki has completely read my mind and stolen my thoughts...
Oh Lee, are YOU challenging ME?! Would I EVER turn down something like that?!?
Lee, YES, Jesus wants us to remember what HE did for us. But I (and Christians) don't "do the right thing" and lead moral lives out of guilt. If Jesus gave His life for me, paid the price of sin for me, then I CHOOSE to life my life for Him by living a life staying true to His word and the life He's directed for me (in the bible). When Jesus lives inside you, you have perfection within you and so everything in your mind, soul and spirit WANTS to do what is right and moral because you want to honor Jesus.
The greatest thing Jesus ever did for us is dying for our sins. That way we DON'T have to WORK to get into Heaven nor do we have to DESERVE to get into Heaven. That's a misconception many people believe. If we had to work to get into Heaven that would nullify the sacrifice Jesus made. And it isn't just a case of REMEMBERING how He died that "gets you into Heaven." It's the belief that Jesus IS the Son of God, that He died on the cross for the sins of the world and that He is resurrected and ascended to Heaven. Like Nikki said, that's IT!! It's not some obscure, difficult scheme. You simply accept Him as Savior. (It still amazes me that that is all He wants from me. Only to BELIEVE in Him.)
I guess it amazes me that when others see the cross that they see violence. When I really focus on what HAPPENED on the cross. How an innocent man gave His life so that I could go to Heaven and spend eternity with Him, I am rocked to the core in thanksgiving and humbleness. I LOVE the cross.
Lee, I know you have a very analytical mind that loves to comtemplate the universe and question EVERYTHING (I know because I used to be just like that, too) and the thought of all these Christians being "brainwashed" like they're in some sort of cult just astounds you (said with all sarcasm and love although there are no smiley faces to put emotion on that in this space). But the teachings of Jesus and the bible are not debatable (at least not for me). God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Time doesn't change the interpretation of what Jesus expects out of us nor of what He did for us.
Oh Lee, are YOU challenging ME?! Would I EVER turn down something like that?!?
Lee, YES, Jesus wants us to remember what HE did for us. But I (and Christians) don't "do the right thing" and lead moral lives out of guilt. If Jesus gave His life for me, paid the price of sin for me, then I CHOOSE to life my life for Him by living a life staying true to His word and the life He's directed for me (in the bible). When Jesus lives inside you, you have perfection within you and so everything in your mind, soul and spirit WANTS to do what is right and moral because you want to honor Jesus.
The greatest thing Jesus ever did for us is dying for our sins. That way we DON'T have to WORK to get into Heaven nor do we have to DESERVE to get into Heaven. That's a misconception many people believe. If we had to work to get into Heaven that would nullify the sacrifice Jesus made. And it isn't just a case of REMEMBERING how He died that "gets you into Heaven." It's the belief that Jesus IS the Son of God, that He died on the cross for the sins of the world and that He is resurrected and ascended to Heaven. Like Nikki said, that's IT!! It's not some obscure, difficult scheme. You simply accept Him as Savior. (It still amazes me that that is all He wants from me. Only to BELIEVE in Him.)
I guess it amazes me that when others see the cross that they see violence. When I really focus on what HAPPENED on the cross. How an innocent man gave His life so that I could go to Heaven and spend eternity with Him, I am rocked to the core in thanksgiving and humbleness. I LOVE the cross.
Lee, I know you have a very analytical mind that loves to comtemplate the universe and question EVERYTHING (I know because I used to be just like that, too) and the thought of all these Christians being "brainwashed" like they're in some sort of cult just astounds you (said with all sarcasm and love although there are no smiley faces to put emotion on that in this space). But the teachings of Jesus and the bible are not debatable (at least not for me). God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Time doesn't change the interpretation of what Jesus expects out of us nor of what He did for us.
Hmm....that IS where I run into problems...the simplicity of it. I really am trying to understand your beliefs, but maybe I'm reading too much into it and making it too complicated.
Essentially, anyone who does not believe that Jesus was the actual son of God and died on the cross as payment for OUR sins, isn't going to heaven.
It's hard for me to believe that God gave us free will and this great potential for inquisitve thought if he doesn't expect us to use them. Maybe that is the challenge. We have all of this capability, but all we have to do is have faith...weird.
Essentially, anyone who does not believe that Jesus was the actual son of God and died on the cross as payment for OUR sins, isn't going to heaven.
It's hard for me to believe that God gave us free will and this great potential for inquisitve thought if he doesn't expect us to use them. Maybe that is the challenge. We have all of this capability, but all we have to do is have faith...weird.
Ok, I typed this on another computer and I forgot my password...so, just to say this is Stacy in case it screws up when I post.
Weird, but true. It just cracks me up how similar we are, Lee. I did the EXACT same thing you are doing. Questioning and analyzing for years and years. But the funny thing is, God knows exactly how I am. He knew I would question, He knew I would try to find some complicated mantra that should lead my life instead of this simple, seemingly-blind, believe-by-faith "method". It's not that God is asking you to give up your unique sense of inquisitive thought. But when it comes to eternity and salvation, my inquisitive thought led me right back to Him. (And trust me, ask my husband, I still am inquisitive to the point of annoying)
But that's the beauty of it. He isn't trying to trick you, He isn't manipulating. God sent His son for YOU, it's an open invitation to accept it. You are not a surprise to God. He knows your thoughts, words, actions--you can't hide from Him. And despite our downfalls, insecurities, our "buts", HE loves us and wants us to see us in Heaven with Him and to live full and wonderful lives while we're here as well. The ONLY way to do that is by believing by faith.
Do you have a bible? Read John 3:16 (Chapter 3, Verse 16) and John 5:24. Those are scriptures talking about believing. Any more questions? (You got me started on one of my two favorite topics--the other being my my little 10 month stinker, of course)
Weird, but true. It just cracks me up how similar we are, Lee. I did the EXACT same thing you are doing. Questioning and analyzing for years and years. But the funny thing is, God knows exactly how I am. He knew I would question, He knew I would try to find some complicated mantra that should lead my life instead of this simple, seemingly-blind, believe-by-faith "method". It's not that God is asking you to give up your unique sense of inquisitive thought. But when it comes to eternity and salvation, my inquisitive thought led me right back to Him. (And trust me, ask my husband, I still am inquisitive to the point of annoying)
But that's the beauty of it. He isn't trying to trick you, He isn't manipulating. God sent His son for YOU, it's an open invitation to accept it. You are not a surprise to God. He knows your thoughts, words, actions--you can't hide from Him. And despite our downfalls, insecurities, our "buts", HE loves us and wants us to see us in Heaven with Him and to live full and wonderful lives while we're here as well. The ONLY way to do that is by believing by faith.
Do you have a bible? Read John 3:16 (Chapter 3, Verse 16) and John 5:24. Those are scriptures talking about believing. Any more questions? (You got me started on one of my two favorite topics--the other being my my little 10 month stinker, of course)
I DO have a bible and I'm in the middle of reading Genesis right now, as a matter of fact. I'll check out your passages.
I'm sure I'll have more questions later. :)
LOVE YOU!!!!
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I'm sure I'll have more questions later. :)
LOVE YOU!!!!
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