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 Tim Tebow’s penchant for kneeling in prayer has birthed a new word: Tebowing.
November 29th, 2011
12:01 PM ET
My Take: Is Tim Tebow performing miracles?
By Stephen Prothero, Special to CNN (CNN)–In 1966, John Lennon famously claimed that The Beatles were "more popular than Jesus." Today that title may belong to Tim Tebow, the Denver Broncos quarterback more famous for praising Jesus than for throwing touchdowns. As anyone who has visited Dallas or Atlanta on any recent weekend can attest, America’s two great religions are Christianity and football. In recent weeks, these two great faiths have come together in Tim Tebow, the new starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos and America’s latest merger of faith in Jesus and faith in the Almighty Touchdown. When viewed from the perspective of “the world,” Tebow is, at best, a mediocre NFL quarterback. When viewed through the eyes of faith, however, he is something like the Second Coming of Joe Montana. And maybe Something More. On this burning question of Tim Tebow, I must confess to being an agnostic. But I understand the fervor on both sides. Skeptics generally concede that Tebow, an outspoken Christian, was an extraordinary high school and college football player. After all, he won the Heisman Trophy as a sophomore, and led his University of Florida team to two NCAA football titles. But those who refuse to bow down before Tebow insist that NFL football is another game altogether, and when it comes to that game Tebow is a passing fancy. They attribute Denver’s near miraculous 5-1 run during his reign as a starter not to his offense but to the Broncos defense. They point out that he throws about as well as Peppermint Patty, and that in one of his wins he completed only two passes more than Charlie Brown (which is to say two). His completion percentage (45.5%) is last in the league. Skeptics are also turned off by Tebow’s public displays of religion. Tebow used to cite Bible verses on his eye black. And his tendency to be found praying while his teammates are strutting has added a new word—“Tebowing”—to the lexicon. True believers say to hell with all that. What matters are the intangibles. Tebow is a winner. He may allow his team to fall behind, but in the end he leads the Broncos to victory, often in a fashion that can only be termed miraculous. Which is to say, when it comes to the Almighty TT, you gotta have faith (or not). In his book “Faith and Belief,” the Religious Studies scholar Wilfred Cantwell Smith describes how the notion of “faith” changed over the centuries from something like “trust” to its modern-day meaning of “belief in the unbelievable.” And that, it seems to me, is what we are witnessing with Tebow. It is simply not believable that a quarterback who cannot throw would turn a team from a 1-4 also-ran to a 6-5 playoff contender. But Tebow has done that, in part by running and in part, well, by faith. There is, to be sure, Tebow's faith in Jesus. But perhaps more importantly, there is the faith of his teammates in him. Not to mention the adoration of legions of University of Florida alums, and of fans in Denver and beyond. As a scholar of religion, I have little expertise in football, NFL or otherwise. But I cannot help weighing in on a few comparisons between TT and JC: Jesus: turned a ragtag band of 12 apostles into the number one religion in the world Tebow: turned a ragtag squad of 11 football players into an NFL juggernaut Jesus: prayed a lot (to God) Tebow: prays a lot (to Jesus) Jesus: ran the money changers out of the temple Tebow: runs the spread option Jesus: miraculously saved a wedding at Cana by turning water into wine Tebow: miraculously led the Broncos to last-second victories against the Dolphins, the Jets and the Chargers. Coincidence? You be the judge. As for me, I'm sitting back and waiting for Tebow to do something truly miraculous. Like winning a game without completing a single pass, or running back a punt for a touchdown, or kicking a 50-yard field goal to win a game. Meanwhile, I am happy to report that Jesus is still more famous than Tebow. At least for now. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Stephen Prothero.
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The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
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Editor's Note: Stephen Prothero, a Boston University religion scholar and author of "God is Not One: The Eight Rival Religions that Run the World," is a regular CNN Belief Blog contributor.
Yet another attempt to tear down a man of God.
which god? there's quite a few to choose from
The one you're going to answer to, buddy.
which one though?
there are a lot of religions so how do you know which stupid one of them is right?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_religions_and_spiritual_traditions
there have been around 3000 man-made gods
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_many_gods_and_goddesses_are_there
some religions existed long before christianity
since they existed first, christianity can't be the one
so which one is it? lol
I refuse to take the bait of an atheist. You are lost, and I can't make you believe. However, I'm afraid that you will know the TRUTH, but only when it's too late.
@christian soldier, you refuse to open your eyes and mind. You are ignorant. If you do not move into the 21st century before you die it is you who would be disappointed to learn that your tribal cult mythologies are bullshit except that the dead are but worm food with no ability to say "oops!"
bait? i'm just posting factual information. i haven't seen you do that yet.
http://www.afrol.com/articles/23093
something to take note of in that article.... they weren't worshiping that jesus character so those people from 70,000 years ago must be burning in hell for not believing in jesus
i mean after all the bible says that no one can get to heaven without jesus
you can answer to jesus
but i think the python came first so you should be worshiping the snake god or whatever it was they were worshiping
believers are so stupid
"some religions existed long before christianity
since they existed first, christianity can't be the one"
Why do you say that since Christiantiy came after the others that Christianity can't be the one? Baal worshipers were around as long as Yaweh, and in fact, God ordered them slain because they were worshiping a false god.
You atheists use the same tired, old arguments in support of your religion. Oh, and way to go, using Wikipedia as a reference.
@christian soldier Why would it ever be "too late"? Too late for what?
wikipedia is more accurate than the bible you use as a reference
@John R
Once you're dead, the book is closed, and you will be subject to judgment. You can no longer say "oops, I'm sorry. I was wrong." No, it is too late. You get a lifetime to make your bed. After that, you have to lie in it.
@Christian Soldier Nonsense. According to Hindus, Jains, Buddhists and even some ancient Jewish sects apparently, the soul continues to learn over the course of multiple lifetimes.
See how easy it is to spout unsubstantiated BS about what happens after death?
Whether you believe in god or not has no bearing on his existence.
Atheists will only know when it's too late.
"the chaff will be burned in unquenchable fire"
But while you are alive there is still hope for you!
Repent and believe the Gospel!
@God will not be mocked: Your first sentence was spot on accurate. Your belief in this stuff doesn't make it true.
some of you people that believe in jesus should try reading the bible. it's amazing how screwed up that book is.
The bible is the perfect and sufficient word of God. I'd die for that truth.
When God puts his holy spirit in you you can see this truth. Yes, God wrote a book.
I believe it with every fiber of my being. I've read philosophy, Buddhism, Taoism.
But the bible spoke to me as something that could not have been written by humans.
God breathed.
god should have tried breathing a decent editor into the mix because the bible is screwed up, real bad.
And your imaginary god's math is pretty bad too – I defy you to do any real math or build something using his value for pi.
"The bible is the perfect and sufficient word of God. I'd die for that truth."
No, the bible is the supposed word of god, written by men who claim they were under the influence of god. It is far from perfect and contradicts itself numerous times throughout the book. If you'd "die for that truth" then so be it, however, I particularly don't put my trust into fallible human beings.
To Reality and the other athiests flooding this board:
Whether you believe in God or not has no bearing on his existence. You will still have to face him. You want to ignore the revelation of himself in creation and blaspheme him when it was he who gave you life, go ahead. God will not be mocked. "He will one day come to judge both the living and the dead" and it wont matter how good you were, he will
judge you on whether or not his son knew you. You don't like this God you say? He seems too mean? Take a step back and realize that YOU are not God and HE is. Your finite mind cannot begin to fathom his sense of justice and holiness.
Accept his written word as the truth that it says it is, believe in Jesus Christ and Repent and you can have everlasting life.
I used to be skeptically also but Jesus has change my life and many others that I know in profound ways.
This god you speak of doesn't exist. The end.
Francis-How do you know? The Beginning...
And just so we're clear... you speak of the "finite mind..." How is it that your finite mind can tell us with certainty that an infinite god exists when your finite mind has no comprehension of what it is you're regurgitating? What makes you so special that this god exists and the rest of us are supposedly in the dark? Has god personally been to your home to have a beer with you? Do you have any photos of this "god?" If so, I'd like to see them. Otherwise, there is no logical way you can state with any certainty that "god" exists. It has not once shown itself to anyone, ever. One cannot say that the bible or any other religious text is proof. None of the miracles claimed in religious texts happen today ANYWHERE.
You're an idiot if you can actually read every word in the bible and still think it's true. The bible proves itself wrong for jesus' stupid sake. And speaking of jesus, he LIED about when he'd return. How can you be so stupid to justify or spin it any other way? Are that that full of fear and stupidity that you simply can't accept that when you die, nothing happens? Keep living in fear, pansies. The rest of us will enjoy the only lives we've got here on Earth.
By the way, hell doesn't exist either. Just so you know, the term "hell" came from a mistranslation of the Hebrew word "pit" or "grave" in the old testament. In the new testament, Greek mythology was introduced and wouldn't you know it, Hades and Tarturus (two DIFFERENT terms, look them up) appeared magically in the bible. Chew on that, nimrods.
Until you get god down here for a meet and greet at the bowling alley or nearest bar for all to see and snap photos of, IT DOES NOT EXIST. If you think it does, PROVE IT. Otherwise, cram it.
Unless you have the knowledge that transcends all of nature you have no authority to make a negative assertion on a absolute statement. Hate to say that , but you FAILED!
Until proven that it exists, then it does not. Period.
Not at the top of your game today I see. Try, try again princess.
Root post by 'Seek...' is an instance of the fallacy known as Pascal's Wager.
http://www.iep.utm.edu/pasc-wag/
Which part of the earlier statement are you unable to understand? no wonder you FAIL! FAIL! FAIL!
I see we have another bonehead continuing the painfully overcooked "fail" meme.
Stop.
Saying.
Fail.
Dot.
Com.
Dan, I've read your statement, and frankly it does not hold water. A negative assertion on an absolute statement is one-hundred percent viable when that absolute statement itself is made with zero proof. If a believer were to state, "I believe in the theory of god," or "The theory of god is true," then one could not argue. Just as science presents theories, absolute statements are not made until that theory is proven to be completely infallible. Hence the continued use of the term "Theory of relativity." Although having been widely accepted, it has always been referred to a theory because there's always a possibility that it could be proven incorrect.
Believers of religious faiths often speak of their beliefs as absolutes. The difference between the theory of religion and a theory in science is that in science, theories are introduced using logic and evidence. Religious has neither. One simply cannot state a personal mental experience as evidence or proof of god. Science has proven that the human mind has evolved to believe in some higher power. This answers the question as to why multiple believers across multiple religious faiths all experience the same feeling of god's "presence. If god did exist, then it is not restricted to one of thousands of religions. But it is more likely that the "spiritual" experiences people have are nothing more significant than simple chemical reactions in the brain.
In short, Dan, you have made a fool of yourself.
Using empty words and sentences does not support the negative assertion you have been making on an absolute. Fools often convince themselves about the non existence of God.
lol
fools are easily convinced that there is a god
it's called the sheep effect
Oh, look. Here's little Danny telling us that since his puny little god might be hidden under a rock on some moon in a distant galaxy, we can't KNOW it doesn't exist. Look, Dan, if your God Almighty has fallen behind someone's sofa cushions on some planet 6 billion light years away, no one need sweat its utterly unexalted existence anyway, eh?
@Dan There is no largest prime. There's a "negative assertion on an absolute" to use the quirky language of Christian apologists that was proven true in ancient times. Go back to school.
Francis: who are you
God: I'm god
Francis: you don't exist
God: depart from me you worker of iniquity, I never knew you.
This is your existence one nanosecond after you die.
But you can still be saved if you will only repent and believe in Jesus.
He will forgive you and wipe away your sin
@God will not be mocked: When you die, you will see an elephant with six arms. At that point, you will know that it's back to being a dung beetle. But that's okay. It suits your type well.
Johnny boy, you can choose to live in the falsehood that you have created for yourself based on your puny mind denying God.
jesus told his followers he'd come back before they died. it's in your stupid bible.
that was 2000 years ago.
i don't have anything to worry about.
When rational people deride the "god of the gaps", they mean invocations of god to cover gaps in our knowledge. When sad little fellows like Danny believe in a god of the gaps, they mean a god whose existence has not been disproven until you look under every dog turd. My. how the almighty have fallen in the halfwitted rhetoric of the increasing desperate Christian apologists!
Johnny: I see you're a betting man. Go ahead and roll the dice.
Um let me see: zero upside if you're right, infinite pain if your wrong.
bad decision. Always remember this: you can turn to Jesus at any time and be forgiven, even the
moment before you die. But if you die denying god, he will deny you also.....
when we die, nothing happens. you can roll the dice all you want, but i have no interest in playing dungeons and dragons in the dirt with a bunch of idiots that ignore the fact that the bible contradicts itself; to the point where it completely voids itself.
i used to be a believer until i read the bible.
the part that finally turned me to atheism is when jesus said he'd return before his followers died. they all died. he didn't come back.
it blows my mind that people can read this and somehow justify believing in it still. bunch of idiots.
You speak as a man who has proof. Show us. We have gods word.
He has obviously hardened your heart
who hardened my heart? bahahahaha
god's word? oh christ, here we go. you're more than welcome to prove that pile of crap called the bible is actually god's word.
and if this god ever shows up, i'd like to ask it why the hell it couldn't hire an editor to fix all of the mistakes
"Unless you have the knowledge that transcends all of nature you have no authority to make a negative assertion on a absolute statement. Hate to say that , but you FAILED!"
And unless you have knowledge that transcends all of nature you have no authority to make a positive assertion on an absolute statement.
"You speak as a man who has proof. Show us. We have gods word."
sorry but you do not have gods word. you have words written by man supposedly under the influence of god, according to them.
the author is an idiot
As he was and always be.
Jesus Christ couldn't go 2-8 passing and still win an NFL game.
Just sayin
Why is this discussion so heavily focused on religion? I don't care how many times a day Tim Tebow prays. I don't care how many times a week he goes to church. I don't care if he prays on the sidelines or in the huddle. These things are none of my business.
I don't think Tebow is a NFL caliber quarterback. I do think he is an outstanding football player and a good leader. If he doesn't make it as a quarterback he would make a great tailback or tightend.
Very well said, Sir!
Oh, I don't know genius. Maybe because it's in the religion blog section?
Ooopppss!!! I hit the wrong (reply) button, my bad! Hence, I would partially retract my reply above for the reason that; i found the first paragraph as being honest while the second is too personal.
I've been a Broncos fan for as long as I can remember. I love that they're on a winning streak, and hope it continues. I like Tebow, have since watching him at Florida (not a Florida fan though). His work ethic and ethics in general are refreshing in a sport that is quickly devolving due to so many athletes violating rules and simply being bad citizens. I do not like, or dislike, Tebow for his faith. We all have faith of some sort, whether it be a religion or science. The media continues to run these stories because they know it attracts viewers/clickers. I personally read them because I just like to see it in print that the Broncos are winning again. Why does he (Tebow) have to be lifted up or bashed because of his religion, when we're supposed to be talking football. He won a Heisman for a reason; his team won 2 NCAA championships while he was QB for a reason; he was drafted to the NFL for a reason. He is a man of faith and he plays football. Many athletes pray...you can search Kurt Warner praising Jesus, I'm sure there's a Youtube clip. He's young and still inexperienced at the NFL level. It seems the reason for Tebow's inaccuracy right now is the meddling with his throwing mechanics when coaches were trying to make him a 'prototype' quarterback. That was their mistake, they should have accepted he's not a conventional QB. He is improving, albeit a marginal improvement, and only time will tell the end result. In the meantime...can we just play the d@mn game?!
Very well said, Sir!!
If these prancing princesses wanted to earn their money, then they should replace those cute little grass fields they all like to touch each other on with solid concrete covered in broken glass. If a player gets injured and tries to walk off the field, he is immediately shot in the leg and forced back out onto the field.
Ey Francs! What's your on with?
Athletes are notoriously superst-itious...
"Michael Jordan used to wear North Carolina shorts underneath his Bulls shorts for every game. Nomar Garciaparra used to step out of the batter's box, adjust his wristbands, and kick his feet after every pitch. Basketball players have consistent routines before taking a free throw. Golfers have routines before addressing the ball. Interested to hear about the weirdest habits of professional athletes."
http://www.quora.com/What-are-the-weirdest-habits-of-pro-athletes
When I played baseball in college, I had my socks marked with an "R" and an "L" to make sure I put them on the correct feet each game. If I went into a slump, I'd get a new pair.
I can think of a new routine for these overpaid fairies. It's called get real a job, and go to work every day.
Now say, 10 hail Aaron Rodgers' and 10 hail tom bradys'
Tebow is a tool. Top 165 NFL career passer rating leaders for regular season, Tebow isn't on the list. Says alot about what prayers will get ya. ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NFL_career_passer_rating_leaders
Tebow doesn't have enough passing attempts to qualify for the league lead in passer rating. According to ESPN, a qb would need 14 attempts for every game his team has played.
Dont forget the "Immaculate Reception", I caused that you know.
you know where skeptics are going.....TT's riches are being stored in Heaven. He is blessed and by proclaiming his faith, Angels go to work
we need more athletes like him
someone should tell all the greedy NBA players
Psst... your racism is showing...
@Chaz,
"TT's riches are being stored in Heaven."
I thought he had a bank account for the millions he is being paid.
@Godless,
Racism? How so?
Shut up Chaz. You dont know it you are man or woman you twisted freak.
About that... doesn't the bible talk a little trash about idiots that pray and worship publicly?
Tebow only LED UF to ONE NCAA Championship. He was backup during the first, to Chris Leak. Funny how everyone forgets that...
Thou shalt not lie.
I never knew that. Because I don't care. There's more to life than sports. You know, sports that other people play, that you aren't playing. I'm an avid believer of living my own life, and not trying to live vicariously through the jock strap of some moron professional athletes that don't work for a living.
This is an incredibly ridiculous article. Tim Tebow is a great young man, but to tie his current success on a football field to his Christianity is irresponsible. I am certain there are many Christian football players, current and past, who do / did not have stellar careers on the field. This is silly.
Ever hear the phrase, "tongue in cheek"?
Jen, learn to spell and you might gain credibility. Tim is a fine young man who is open about his personal relationship w/ Jesus. To heck w/ football, it is refeshing to see someone who unashamedly sticks to his guns. On or off the field, win or lose, Tim Tebow is a BIG winner!
He is no better than those athletes who do a ritualized dance every time they score a touchdown or sack a quarter back. Football is a team sport. Every time a player focuses the spotlight on himself, he takes it away from the real reason for his success: His teammates. From what I've read, Tebow should be thanking his team's defense, because they're the ones who are winning games in Denver.
Tebow is so typical of his black race. All flash and no substance. Their arrogance is superseded only by their ignorance. No humility. All bark no bite.
Oh yeah...all the rappers thanking Gawd for their grammy. Just nig ger hypocrits everyone of them.
And what supercedes your ignorance? Perhaps its founded on your inability to discern whether your mother IS your mother or your aunt.
detada. That the best you got? Typical black community lack of imagination, AGAIN.
Ummm.... OK. Better check the color settings on your TV. (Hint: He's white.)
So you think that you're superior to black people, and yet you complain that this footbal player is arrogant? Look in the mirror.
@Who Dat – details details. now leave him alone, he's busy planning his next Klan rally.
Lol this made me laugh
I wish more Christians would pay more attention to Matthew 6:6: "But you, when you pray, enter into your inner chamber, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly."
But I also know a lot of "Christians" who don't read the Bible and don't live by its tenets, so maybe I shouldn't be surprised.
I get your point and agree if its not genuine- but its also written “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand. And it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)
As well as “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32)
And “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season … do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:2)
As well as a lot of other particular verses talking about how we are to proclaim the Lord publicly. The verse you are mentioning was in particular used for the hypocrites who prayers in public were to gain fame and was before the command to Spread the Gospel to the whole world so that none may be lost. Once the Acts Church hit after the scripture you speak of, it was a new thing all the way around in how we are to behave once we're saved.
God Bless you and yours and may the peace of the Lord go in front of you, behind and cover your household.
It's not uncommon for those who want to ridicule Christians to take a selective verse and use it to emphasize perceived hypocritical practices of believers. I can't quote Scripture like I want to, but I understand that intent of Matt 6:6: In those solitary moments that are afforded, we are to seek Him in that fasion. But in the public arena, or in times of desperate expediancy, believers can't run to their quiet places or prayer closets to get with in touch with the Lord. We want to talk to Him whenever we can and want. After all, RDCL, don't YOU use a cell phone?! May He Bless you. In His Love, John.
Great response Tekshepherd!
So, how many angels can dance on the head of a pin?
@Tekshepherd: ‘The verse you are mentioning was in particular used for the hypocrites who prayers in public were to gain fame “
Exactly!
@Juanito: “It's not uncommon for those who want to ridicule Christians to take a selective verse and use it to emphasize perceived hypocritical practices of believers”
Yes, the bible contradicts itself in many many places
THE ONLY MIRACLE HE PERFORM IS HOW TO NOT GETTING MARRY TO SOON. THIS BRAIN DAMAGE TEBOW NEED TO PRACTICE HOW TO PLAY FOOTBALL SO THEY CAN GO TO SUPERBOWL. HAVE YOU NOTICE NOBODY LIKE TEBOW NEVER MENTION GOD WHEN THEY LOOSE A GAME. THEY RUSH BACK INTO THE LOCKER ROOM AND CRY. HOW SAD IS THAT
Jen, there's a little button just above your Shift key, that says "Caps Lock". Press it and see what it does.
I trust in Breesus
This is a reading from the book of Madden: Chapter 3, verse 16." And thou shall not pass and run thy option. Even though thy score shall not exceed 20, thy defense will dominate and thy Tebow shall be given credit for special teams and defensive play. When thy running back breaks loose up the middle for 30 yards, though was because Tebow made it so. Thy offensive linemen don't exist. There is only the Tebow.
Amen
How give me 14 HAIL TEBOWS and make sure you make a big show of it, because if people don't notice you praying, God doesn't care.
How dare you mock God. You are going to burn in eternal hellfire for your callous words. The LORD doesn't forgive pieces of heathen crap like you.
@ Tea Party Express
Umm according to like every bible, the lord actually does forgive. Idiot.
The lord forgives all who repent and ask for forgiveness. Question of the day :What Bible are you reading?
@ tea party
Judge ye not least ye be judged in thy name of the father, son, and the holy Fonz.
@Tea Party Express,
Love thy neighbor as thyself... you piece "of heathen crap".
mock mock mock. your fictional god and jesus can blow me.
"mock mock mock. your fictional god and jesus can blow me."
'fictional' or 'can blow me', make up your mind.
Only for the those interested in a religious update:
1. origin: http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F20E1EFE35540C7A8CDDAA0894DA404482
“New Torah For Modern Minds
Abraham, the Jewish patriarch, probably never existed. Nor did Moses. The entire Exodus story as recounted in the Bible probably never occurred. The same is true of the tumbling of the walls of Jericho. And David, far from being the fearless king who built Jerusalem into a mighty capital, was more likely a provincial leader whose reputation was later magnified to provide a rallying point for a fledgling nation.
Such startling propositions – the product of findings by archaeologists digging in Israel and its environs over the last 25 years – have gained wide acceptance among non-Orthodox rabbis. But there has been no attempt to disseminate these ideas or to discuss them with the laity – until now.
The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, which represents the 1.5 million Conservative Jews in the United States, has just issued a new Torah and commentary, the first for Conservatives in more than 60 years. Called "Etz Hayim" ("Tree of Life" in Hebrew), it offers an interpretation that incorporates the latest findings from archaeology, philology, anthropology and the study of ancient cultures. To the editors who worked on the book, it represents one of the boldest efforts ever to introduce into the religious mainstream a view of the Bible as a human rather than divine docu-ment. “
2. Jesus was an illiterate Jewish peasant/carpenter/simple preacher man who suffered from hallucinations (or “mythicizing” from P, M, M, L and J) and who has been characterized anywhere from the Messiah from Nazareth to a mythical character from mythical Nazareth to a ma-mzer from Nazareth (Professor Bruce Chilton, in his book Rabbi Jesus). An-alyses of Jesus’ life by many contemporary NT scholars (e.g. Professors Ludemann, Crossan, Borg and Fredriksen, ) via the NT and related doc-uments have concluded that only about 30% of Jesus' sayings and ways noted in the NT were authentic. The rest being embellishments (e.g. miracles)/hallucinations made/had by the NT authors to impress various Christian, Jewish and Pagan sects.
The 30% of the NT that is "authentic Jesus" like everything in life was borrowed/plagiarized and/or improved from those who came before. In Jesus' case, it was the ways and sayings of the Babylonians, Greeks, Persians, Egyptians, Hitt-ites, Canaanites, OT, John the Baptizer and possibly the ways and sayings of traveling Greek Cynics.
earlychristianwritings.com/theories.html
For added "pizzazz", Catholic theologians divided god the singularity into three persons and invented atonement as an added guilt trip for the "pew people" to go along with this trinity of overseers. By doing so, they made god the padre into god the "filicider".
Current RCC problems:
Pedophiliac priests, an all-male, mostly white hierarchy, atonement theology and original sin!!!!
2 b., Luther, Calvin, Joe Smith, Henry VIII, Wesley, Roger Williams, the Great “Babs” et al, founders of Christian-based religions or combination religions also suffered from the belief in/hallucinations of "pretty wingie thingie" visits and "prophecies" for profits analogous to the myths of Catholicism (resurrections, apparitions, ascensions and immacu-late co-nceptions).
Current problems:
Adulterous preachers, pedophiliac clerics, "propheteering/ profiteering" evangelicals and atonement theology,
3. Mohammed was an illiterate, womanizing, lust and greed-driven, warmongering, hallucinating Arab, who also had embellishing/hallucinating/plagiarizing scribal biographers who not only added "angels" and flying chariots to the koran but also a militaristic agenda to support the plundering and looting of the lands of non-believers.
This agenda continues as shown by the ma-ssacre in Mumbai, the as-sas-sinations of Bhutto and Theo Van Gogh, the conduct of the seven Muslim doctors in the UK, the 9/11 terrorists, the 24/7 Sunni suicide/roadside/market/mosque bombers, the 24/7 Shiite suicide/roadside/market/mosque bombers, the Islamic bombers of the trains in the UK and Spain, the Bali crazies, the Kenya crazies, the Pakistani “koranics”, the Palestine suicide bombers/rocketeers, the Lebanese nutcases, the Taliban nut jobs, the Ft. Hood follower of the koran, and the Filipino “koranics”.
And who funds this muck and stench of terror? The warmongering, Islamic, Shiite terror and torture theocracy of Iran aka the Third Axis of Evil and also the Sunni "Wannabees" of Saudi Arabia.
Current crises:
The Sunni-Shiite blood feud and the warmongering, womanizing (11 wives), hallucinating founder.
5. Hinduism (from an online Hindu site) – "Hinduism cannot be described as an organized religion. It is not founded by any individual. Hinduism is God centered and therefore one can call Hinduism as founded by God, because the answer to the question ‘Who is behind the eternal principles and who makes them work?’ will have to be ‘Cosmic power, Divine power, God’."
The caste/laborer system, reincarnation and cow worship/reverence are problems when saying a fair and rational God founded Hinduism."
Current problems:
The caste system, reincarnation and cow worship/reverence.
6. Buddhism- "Buddhism began in India about 500 years before the birth of Christ. The people living at that time had become disillusioned with certain beliefs of Hinduism including the caste system, which had grown extremely complex. The number of outcasts (those who did not belong to any particular caste) was continuing to grow."
"However, in Buddhism, like so many other religions, fanciful stories arose concerning events in the life of the founder, Siddhartha Gautama (fifth century B.C.):"
Archaeological discoveries have proved, beyond a doubt, his historical character, but apart from the legends we know very little about the circu-mstances of his life. e.g. Buddha by one legend was supposedly talking when he came out of his mother's womb.
Bottom line: There are many good ways of living but be aware of the hallucinations, embellishments, lies, and myths surrounding the founders and foundations of said rules of life.
Then, apply the Five F rule: "First Find the Flaws, then Fix the Foundations". And finally there will be religious peace and religious awareness in the world!!!!!
TL; DR
For those who are "reading challenged":
• There probably was no Abraham i.e. the foundations of Judaism, Christianity and Islam are non-existent.
• There probably was no Moses i.e the pillars of Judaism, Christianity and Islam have no strength of purpose.
• There was no Gabriel i.e. Islam fails as a religion. Christianity partially fails.
• There was no Easter i.e. Christianity completely fails as a religion.
• There was no Moroni i.e. Mormonism is nothing more than a business cult.
• Sacred/revered cows, monkey gods, castes, reincarnations and therefore Hinduism fails as a religion.
• Fat Buddhas here, skinny Buddhas there, reincarnated Buddhas everywhere makes for a no on Buddhism.