Was Jesus Good? The Charlotte's Web connection...

Louis_Cypher's picture

About  Charlotte's Web, from Wikipedia "The novel tells the story of a pig named Wilbur and his friendship with a barn spider named Charlotte. When Wilbur is in danger of being slaughtered by the farmer, Charlotte writes messages praising Wilbur (such as "Some Pig" ) in her web in order to persuade the farmer to let him live."

We've been told all our lives about how 'good', 'perfect' and 'without sin' jesus was said to be. The truth is, we don't know because the four pamphlets that comprise his only biography are at best sketchy about his personal life and decidedly slanted for the public view. He may have been (if he existed at all) a pretty good guy. Or, he may have been given to banging two shekel hookers by the dozen while swilling his own miraculous wine and performing the epic 'pull my finger' miracle for the boys... we just don't know.

Let's see how 'good' Jesus was.
"Luke (2:43-49) When Jesus' parents begin the long trip back to Nazareth, the twelve year old Jesus stays behind, without asking their permission. Mary and Joseph search for him for three days and when they finally find him, Jesus doesn't apologize. Rather, he blames them for not knowing that he was doing his father's business."

I don't know about you guys, but if one of my kids, at 12 had disappeared for 3 days, 'good boy' wouldn't have been one of my descriptives. Thoughtless, arrogant, and narcissistic all come to mind.

And how about this?

"Matt 21:17-19 And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there. Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered. And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away."

Is this the 1st century equivalent of kicking the candy machine that didn't give you what you wanted? It would be more like torching the machine, so NO ONE would ever get use out of it... a bit self centered.

Let's examine my favorite example of the prince of peace in action. First, a little set up. 1st Century Jews had to attend Temple, and, they had to make animal sacrifices, Oxen, Doves, Lambs etc. And like every church since the beginning of time, they had to give cash because god needs money. This could cause problems in a cosmopolitan multicultural society, as the coinage available was often literally not kosher. Remember, 'no graven image'... no coins could be offered that had a human or animal depicted, which meant almost all Greek and Roman currency. Thus, Money Changers were essential to keeping the Temple running along smoothly, as were those people who hawked small creatures for ritual slaughter.

John 2:11-16 "...and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise. "

The man had issues... being 'good', 'sinless'.... 'perfect'... wasn't one of them.

Christianity: A disgusting middle eastern blood cult, based in human sacrifice, with sacraments of cannibalism and vampirism, whose highest icon is of a near naked man hanging in torment from a device of torture.

Brian37's picture

Interesting that you should

Interesting that you should talk about Jesus and Charlotte's Web. I wrote a poem about the two on Infidel Guy. Max Factor's Sow, By Brian37 in the entertainment and media section.

The story of Charlotte to me has far better morals. She didn't ask for anything and didn't expect to get famous, she just did it because she wanted to save a friend.

Jesus/God pull the fake suicide for attention. And on top of that take away the autonomy of humans by saying forgiveness was not their choice.

That would be like like if Super Man came accross a rapist and said, "I'll stop him if you you become my promoter"

Would anyone find the story of Charlotte moral if she said, "Sure, I'll save you if you spend the rest of your life selling my story".

The truth of that plot is that the author wanted money, But the character Charlotte wasn't in that deal for fame or attention. The aftermath of her death in the story was volunteered thanks, not forced thanks.

It is the better morality of doing the right thing, even when no one is looking and not out of bribery or fear of punishment.

 

 

 

 

"We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus -- and nonbelievers."Obama
Check out my poetry here on Rational Responders Like my poetry thread on Facebook under Brian James Rational Poet, @Brianrrs37 on Twitter and my blog at www.brianjamesrationalpoet.blog

EXC's picture

Since in Christian theology,

Since in Christian theology, God is the 'first cause'. God aka Jesus for trinitarians is the cause of all human misery and suffering. Jesus has the power to end all suffering forever, but he just can't bring himself to do it. So yes, it would seem that by human moral standards, he's a pretty bad bloke.

But that's the advantage of being God, you get to make up your own morality. After all, Christian morality is really just that 'might makes right'.

Taxation is the price we pay for failing to build a civilized society. The higher the tax level, the greater the failure. A centrally planned totalitarian state represents a complete defeat for the civilized world, while a totally voluntary society represents its ultimate success. --Mark Skousen

Louis_Cypher's picture

Sorry I didn't respond sooner.

Might makes right. Absolutely. I don't think I've ever had a discussion of morality with a christian that didn't eventually disolve into "God made everything, so he can do what he wants..."

And they never seem to understand that this is a morally bankrupt position.

LC >;-}>

 

Christianity: A disgusting middle eastern blood cult, based in human sacrifice, with sacraments of cannibalism and vampirism, whose highest icon is of a near naked man hanging in torment from a device of torture.