anaheim-gazette 1942-05-14

Unmasking The Bible And Un-Corruption (The following article is published as a paid advertisement, charged for at regular rates for space in this publication, and the ideas and opinions contained therein, are those of the author.) By PAUL S. MEYER 424 East Adele Street, Anaheim, California. The writer of this article once read a little poem in a newspaper which went something like this: "He always voted at his party's call and never thought of thinking for himself at all." This struck me as being applicable to about 95% of the people who seem to be mere rubber stamps of the other 5% and it is most pronounced among the religious minded. How about you dear reader? All of us have the right to think logically and independently in regard to all phases of life especially in regard to religion. Therefore I ask you to think independently in your search for Truth and not be so ready to accept other peoples' view points as positive truth unless you are convinced in your own mind that you can truthfully agree with them. Remember that we have many people in influential positions that do not want you to think for yourself. If you did, it would make it harder for them to exploit you. In the realm of what you know him in an earth heaven (Garden of Eden) then repent of giving him such pleasant existence. So God (Who tempts no man) plants a tree with tempting juicy fruit and forbids him to touch that fruit for nor other reason than to prevent him from distinguishing good from evil. (In other words keep him in ignorance.) The penalty—Exit from the garden. Was God jealous or did He do this to have an excuse to drive Adam out? Now it seems God repented again as man's lot outside of the garden was a sorry one, so He contrives to different methods to save man from this unhappy lot, the last one (until further notice) being that you believe that Christ died for your sins and on the strength of that belief you are a full-fledged candidate to enter that other garden of Eden called Heaven. Honest rational beings knowing that God never spoke in an audible voice, being a Spirit, are compelled to credit all these Bible stories to the imagination of the writers of these stories. Where is the infallible authority to convince us that these events really happened as they are recorded? We are from Missouri. We all are cognizant of the fact that there is a Spirit of Love, Mercy, Good Will, Tolerance, Justice, Forgiveness, etc., and that Spirit we will give the name "God" manifesting itself in the relationship of one man to another. How anyone can harmonize the Spirit of God with the acts of the The Isralites had to die by thousands for the sin of Davies which was the taking of the cessus. Two thousand babies had die for Herod's sin. What contradiction to Deut. 24, 16. No ration being will find fault with the supposed historical facts if accepted as such, but to teach the God was the author of all the atrocities and that somehow some good will come to us nowadays by merely believing it, is more than some of us can stomach. CONFUSING CONTRADICTION There are many confusing contradictions in the Bible which compels us to refuse to believe the assertion that God had anything to do with these writings. The following are a few samples: There is but one God.—Deut. 4.—1 Cor. 8, 4. There is a plurality of God Gen. 1, 26.—Gen. 3, 22. God is unchangeable.—Jam 1, 17.—Mal. 3, 8.—Ezek. 24, 14. God is changeable:—Gen. 6, 6; Jona 3, 10.—2nd Kings 20, 1, 5, 6. God is seen and heard.—Ex. 23.—Gen. 32, 30.—Isa. 6, 1.—Reb 24, 9, 10, 11. God is invisible and cannot be heard.—John 1, 18. John 5, 37. Ex. 33, 20. 1st Tim. 6, 16. God is not the author of evi Ps. 19.—8, 1. 1. Cor. 14.33.—Dev 32.4, James 1, 13. God is the author of evil La 3, 38.—Jer. 18, 11.—Amos. 3, 6; Ezek 20, 25. God cannot lie Num. 22, In the realm of what you know as positive Truth, you are pretty safe, but when it comes to the question of the "Unknown" you are an easy prey to the exploiter, unless you can do some independent thinking, to which you have as much right as any other man. Remember the "Unknown" is just as unknown to the exploiter as it is to you. The exploiter merely takes advantage of your state of mind because you are honest in admitting that you do not know. This condition is more pronounced in religion than in any other phase of life and makes you an easy victim to the unscrupulous who are only after your dollar. I will admit some are honest in their belief about religion and the supposed life hereafter which only tends to show that being honest in your belief about religious things does not prove you are right. You may prove to others that you are a gullible person and easily taken advantage of. AT THE OUTSET Let me right at the outset state that I am not writing this article to influence you against the church that tries to be helpful to you in experiencing the "Richer Life" which can only be found in "Service and Love to others." If all denominations had this as their only goal, we would soon see harmony instead of competition and I really believe that all wars, all unequality, all poverty, all dissensions would cease and we would experience Heaven here on Earth. I am convinced in my mind that if the different religious bodies would make an honest effort to practice the brotherhood of man in their own ranks and with whom they may come in contact with, we would have a beautiful earth to live on, now and always. How sad that religious bodies set such poor example for the outsider to gloat over. In a conversation with a Minister about people we agreed that the human family may be divided into two groups. "The exploiters and the exploited with some changing writers of these stories. Where is the infallible authority to convince us that these events really happened as they are recorded? We are from Missouri. We all are cognizant of the fact that there is a Spirit of Love, Mercy, Good Will, Tolerance, Justice, Forgiveness, etc., and that Spirit we will give the name "God" manifesting itself in the relationship of one man to another. How anyone can harmonize the Spirit of God with the acts of the Jews as the supposed chosen people of God by their recorded history in the Bible, is beyond the grasp of a rational being. SEEMS INCREDIBLE It seems incredible that God had chosen them for what they really did. Just before they left Egypt they robbed the Egyptians through deceit, borrowing all the valuables they could with the promise of their return, (which we know was not their honest intention.) I just wonder if some of the women of today who borrow things from their neighbors without returning anything, got the idea from this Bible story. Next they go forth on a journey of aggression such as the world has never known. When they came to a country where milk and honey flowed in abundance, they killed all inhabitants except pretty unmarried girls, which they kept for their own immoral satisfaction. (Read Nu. 31, 18.) After these aggressors had settled down and there was nothing further to rob from strangers, the tribe of Levi from which came the Priests got the idea of robbing their ignorant superstitious brethren. Being endowed with a superior degree of intellectual cunning, these priests used the cloak of religion to exploit the others. (Many people of today submit to exploitation on the ruse that God commands it). EXACTED TENTH These priests exacted the tenth of the best that the land produced. No wonder they were rotund, flabby, fat jowelled lazy mollycoddles with more lard in them than muscle. They instituted a system of sacrifices and ceremonies for selfish purposes, making the others believe it was commanded by God. Isaia and Jer. nailed these doings as lies, when they thundered at the priests these words, "To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices and who has required this at your hand? For I spake not unto your fathers nor commanded them con- QUESTION ARISES The question now arises. My book so full of contradictions rightfully called the Word of God. The book contains no verse that claims for it this distinction among verses quoted in support of this claim cannot be used as evidence as the Bible was not true in existence except a small portion of it; therefore the only authority for such claim must be man or men. Not a satisfactory answer for many of us. Religious people however will come to the defense of their claim by asserting that when the Bible is right interpreted there will be no contradictions, but where in the Bible is the statement that it should be interpreted? Suppose a man without any religious teaching gave a copy of the Bible and believed everything as written. Now suppose that same man should go into a conversation with a man who believed not the actual contents but their interpretation, venture to say that in a little while a heated argument would be progress and before long the would make an honest effort to practice the brotherhood of man in their own ranks and with whom they may come in contact with, we would have a beautiful earth to live on, now and always. How sad that religious bodies set such poor example for the outsider to gloat over. In a conversation with a Minister about people we agreed that the human family may be divided into two groups. "The exploiters and the exploited, with some changing sides quite frequently." In expressing my opinion that about 90% of the human family are "Dumbbells" the Minister replied that he thought my estimate was very conservative. VERY AMUSING It is in a sense very amusing to an observer to notice many church members who are endowed with an astounding degree of business acumen, able to draw logical conclusions, have a penetrating mind to the point of shrewdness, etc. However when it comes to the topic of religion their minds do not function as they ordinarily do. They believe anything the shrewd clergy tells them, especially when the Bible is quoted, regardless of sense or logic. Note the following: In the book called the Bible which is supposed to be the revealed Will of God, we find many stories that are queer, illogical, mixed with a spattering of the unethical. Let us take a tour of inspection and report our findings without bias. Calling things and events the way they strike us without the effort of hypocritical interpretation. By the way, have you ever noticed the ambiguity of interpretation? A man will be called "strong willed" by his friends and as "obstinate as a mule," by his enemies. It all depends how you are inclined to interpret things. CANNOT UNDERSTAND The writer cannot understand why God should create man, put flabby, fat jowelled lazy mollycoddles with more lard in them than muscle. They instituted a system of sacrifices and ceremonies for selfish purposes, making the others believe it was commanded by God. Isaia and Jer. nailed these doings as lies, when they thundered at the priests these words, "To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices and who has required this at your hand? For I spake not unto your fathers nor commanded them concerning burnt sacrifices and offerings." Another scheme to ease the conscience of the exploiters and wrong doers was to have a priest lay his hands on a ramm's head. By this act all the sins were supposed to be transferred to the animals head after which act a servant led the animal into the desert to die a cruel death. The sins thus transferred were supposed to die with the animal. It is hard to understand how a sin already committed can be nullified in this way. I venture to say that when the servant returned from the desert, the imp who is said to cause people to sin, was still on the job with an increase of the family. If we thought this trick would work satisfactorily today we ought to adopt it. Remove the cause for sinning and you will not be troubled with the consequences of sin. WE ARE TOLD We are told that in heaven all are pure and sinless; how come that the devil originated there? Something wrong somewhere; well, blame the queer imagination of the writer. Where else will you put the blame? In Deut. 24, 16. we read; "The fathers shall not be put to death for the sins of the children, neither the children for the sins of the father." That's according to our present day conception of Justice, however the Bible tells us that the innocent first-born of the Egyptians had to die for Pharaoh's sin. WHAT REFLECTION What reflection on God Claim, He inspired men to write so unintelligently that He had leave it to ignorant men to interpret His meaning. God's real needs no more interpretation than an architect's blueprint with specifications needs to be interpreted by every hod carrier or ordained laboring man employed in the construction of a building. We admit the Bible contains many beautiful passages that are helpful towards the enrichment of individual's lives, but many also like a fly in the ointment, they are nothing less than repulsive. Other passages are so confusing that they crete enmity among religious people. Following are a few instances: WE READ In Heb. we read:—"It was impossible for God to lie." No And Un-Christian Christianity--An Article The moralites had to die by the hands for the sin of David was the taking of the cen-s two thousand babies had to Herod's sin. What contra- to Deut. 24, 16. No rational will find fault with these and historical facts if acca-s such, but to teach that was the author of all these lies and that somehow some will come to us nowadays likely believing it, is more some of us can stomach. USING CONTRADICTIONS We are many confusing con- tions in the Bible which us to refuse to believe assertion that God had any- do with these writings. Below are a few samples: He is but one God.—Deut. 6. Or. 8, 4. He is a plurality of Gods: 26.—Gen. 3, 22. He is unchangeable. —James Mal. 3, 8.—Ezek. 24, 14. His changeable: —Gen. 6, 6.—10.—2nd Kings 20, 1, 4. His seen and heard.—Ex. 33; Jon. 32, 30.—Isa. 6, 1.—Ex. 10, 11. His invisible and cannot be John 1, 18. John 5, 37.—20.1st Tim. 6, 16. Is not the author of evil.—8, 1.1. Cor. 14.33.—Deut. James 1, 13. Is the author of evil. Lam Jer. 18, 11.—Amos. 3, 6.—25. Notice the contradiction: Jer. 4, 10, "Ah' Lord God Thou hast greatly deceived this people." I, King; 22, 23. "Now therefore behold the Lord hath put a lying spirit in the mouths of all these Thy prophets." Ezek. 14, 19 "And if the prophet be deceived I the Lord have deceived that prophet." Isa. 45, 7. "I make peace and create evil. I the Lord do all things." Amos 3, 6. "Shall there be evil in a city and the Lord hath not done it?" The foregoing are self explanatory. If these writers were inspired by God, then God has placed a stigma on Himself and wrong doing should be tolerated. Why blame people when they follow God's example? I notice all old fashioned fundamentalists pride themselves that they believe the Bible from cover to cover. Do they really believe in a God like that? I emphatically do not. IRRATIONAL BELIEVERS However these credulous irrational believers try to get by these embarrassments by queer ways of interpretations, not realizing that to do so is in itself a confession that the Bible does not say what it means, nor means what it says. One of these old fogles whose hobby is to rattle old scriptural bones, (a sheer waste of valuable time) tells me that biblical years were not always of the same duration as ours. To make their calculations harmonize with their speculations as to some events, they adopt the novel idea of bunching years. In one instance WELL OFF Every body wants to be well off financially. Here is one Minister's advice to become rich by illustration of a story. A certain map could make no headway financially until he practiced tithing. In a short while he became rich. The implication—Go and do likewise. Such stories, if not fabricated, need investigating to ascertain the real facts which brought this about. According to the Bible, God wants us to bring the "Tenth" of our gross income into His storehouse (the Church) and He will shower us with blessings. Now Jesus comes along and tell us to "sell all and give to the poor." This practice would bring us back to the starting place without gaining anything except the adventure—One Minister can see God only in the supernatural (unnatural). I can preceive Him in the natural, (His creation.) In the other instance He would be unreal to me. We hear much speculation about the "Second Coming of Christ." A sheer waste of time. If we believe in the ever present Spirit of God, there would seem to be no necessity of anything to come back that has never been absent. Why should Christ have to come back in a physical body to tell us who is sheep or goat. We determine this by our actions and actions in turn judge us, etc., etc. CRISS-CROSS The result of all this criss-cross foggy teaching divides religious other replied; "The Lawd does answers a lazy nigger's pray When I pray I say 'Lawd me after a turkey' and He and my prayer every time." Friends, it makes a lot of ence how you pray. WE LIBERALS We liberals believe that has always invented religion he wanted. God's religion is man needs. We further believe that obedience to the author fundamental truth will end pate humanity of all its self-ills. We believe God has ensus with abilities to make out of our lives, but with the ability we can clean up our Above all, we believe in faithful to our faith today yesterday and tomorrow cee us little. It is amusing to hear people sing: "I would be Jesus." Really? Jesus went doing good. His passion w help poor humanity in troubles and distress. He praised humility, never trying to a D.D. annexed to His name practiced the personal touch able to be of real service. He shaking peoples hands at church door would not have enough for Him. He went the lost sheep, leaving the nine in the fold. Most Ministers expect the lost shi come to them to be saved would also apply to church bers. Some church men think they are filled with his seen and heard.—Ex. 33, en. 32, 30.—Isa. 6, 1.—Ex. 10, 11. his invisible and cannot be —John 1, 18. John 5, 37.— 20. 1st Tim. 6, 16. is not the author of evil. —8, 1. 1. Cor. 14.33.—Deut. ames 1, 13. is the author of evil. Lam Jer. 18, 11.—Amos. 3, 6.— 25. cannot lie. Num. 23, 19.— 18. allies. Jer. 4, 10 & 15.—18. lesss: 2, 11.—1st King 22, 23. mes 9, 23—Ezek. 14, 9. very commanded, Ex. 21, 22. 22, 35, 36. very forbidden. Lev. 19, 13. 10, 15. works not to be seen of Math. 6, 1. works to be seen of men. 16. tery sanctioned. Num 31, 1, 1, 2, 3. tery forbidden. Ex. 20, 14. 13, 4. e is no unpardonable sin. 39. fruit of Gods Spirit is love aderness. fruit of Gods spirit is venand fury. Jud. 5, 14, 15. 8, 10, 11. relation of all mankind. Job 13, 17, 19, 22. Eccl. 9, 90. ATION ARISES question now arises.—May also full of contradictions be only called the Word of God? look contains no verse that for it this distinction and verses quoted in support of claim cannot be used as be as the Bible was not then sentence except a small perit; therefore the only only for such claim must be men. Not a satisfactory for many of us. Religious however will come to the of their claim by asserting when the Bible is rightly deted there will be no conons, but where in the Bible statement that it should be set? Suppose a man not any religious teaching got of the Bible and believed being as written. Now supthat same man should get conversation with a man believed not the actual conput their interpretation, I do say that in a little while argument would be in and before long the reinterpretations, not realizing that to do so is in itself a confession that the Bible does not say what it means, nor means what it says. One of these old fogies whose hobby is to rattle old scriptural bones, (a sheer waste of valuable time) tells me that biblical years were not always of the same duration as ours. To make their calculus harmonize with their speculations as to some events, they adopt the novel idea of bunching years. In one instance they take seven ordinary years and make it one prophetical year. Then again 30 years are bunched to make a year, etc. In no case do they bring proof as to their authority for these claims. Just repeating what some other dreamer and self styled magician has said before. To me and others one year has always consisted of 12 months or 365-6 days now and in all dispensations. Again—We are told that God is impartial and no respecter of persons or nations. All mankind are God's creatures, therefore entitled to impartiality by God. Does the Bible teach this? Emphatically not. The claim that the Jews were God's chosen people, if true, shows partiality. The story about the sun standing still on one man's command, shows partiality. The other story about the sun going backward is another instance and the adding of fifteen years to a man's life on his petition does not improve the situation. Then again about the Pool of Bethesda shows partiality in favor of those afflicted with minor ailments and I hate to think that God lets a man suffer for 38 years so that he might have the greater glory when the man was healed. Think of a physician letting his child suffer for 38 years and then cure it just for the purpose of self glorification. BORN BLIND The same applies to the man born blind, the story of the man hiring laborers in his vineyard and paying as much for one hour's work as for a full day. It might show generosity on the side of the employer, but also unfairness to part of the workers. I don't like such portrayal of God, and doubt if Jesus really said that. You must remember, Jesus never wrote anything for recording purposes and the writer was human with a prejudiced mind. I will be charitable and state that the writer perhaps meant well, but did not stop to think and realize how disinterested people would interpret it. CRISS-CROSS The result of all this criss-cross foggy teaching divides religious people into two groups:—The self-styled fundamentalists of the old school and the modern fundamentalists or liberals. The first believe in upholding the old testament status quo in certain respects. If some parts make it embarrassing to explain in a sensible way, they get out of the dilemma by their own interpretation, taking it for granted that their interpretation is correct and yours or mine is on the side track. In a talk with one of this class he asked me if I was saved. I said yes, to the extent that I wanted to be saved. My question was: What do you mean by being saved? Ans. The Bible says “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved,” From what? The answer: “from the wrath of God,” continuing he said, “of course we shall always have our filthy bodies until we die.” My next query: “If you keep your filthy body what are you saved from?” No answer. When you hear a fundamentalist pray, it makes you suspect, he embraces the “Let George do it” idea. We liberals think it is bold to dictate to God to do for us what we should do ourselves, but believe the reaction of prayer has a beneficial effect on us. In my conversations with members of this group, I am always reminded of an advertisement which pictures a man with a head as big as a balloon, the body tapering, the feet very small, not much fundamentalism under them. They try to impress you with their superior goodness, holiness and what not.Egotistical in the superlative However when you examine them under the microscope of reason and logic, you will find them suffering from an advanced degree of the “Inferiorty Complex.” In other words—the religious self styled fundamentalist bases his claim for this distinction in his belief of an intolerant valueless ridiculous and limitless imagination which reaches beyond the farthest star. The Product: Egotism Intolerance Bigotry Fanahed humility, never trying to a D. D. annexed to His name practiced the personal touch able to be of real service. He shaking peoples hands at church door would not have enough for Him. He went the lost sheep, leaving the end nine in the fold. Most ministers expect the lost shoppers come to them to be saved would also apply to churchbers. Some church men think they are filled with Spirit in an overflowing morn when they made a lot of “lujah” noise. A bunch of paper boys could probably more noise, that would not that they are filled with them. They sigh, grunt and grow their seats and when the unity is given, they get up testify how much they want what they have to endure. THE OBJECTIVE The objective of all church activity seems to be to get members and the race is on non-church member you lost soul, damned for all ete.To escape this awful door need only to raise your hand revival meeting. Join the e and you are a candidate for en.As proof of your situ you will have to be willing into the church rut, i.e.f in attendance and if possible liberal contributor to the treasury Your reward—I remain in the rut, never o an independent thought or brary to the powers that b might be allowed to hold ar en and when you are dead even will find out how good you Except yourself. If, before you die, you find self in dire circumstances, ye told to have “Faith in God will provide.The Ministers a privileged class say some to this effect—“We have far God, but the church must vide."Some denominations by their vital route, so they kidnake little babies Why not? JJs supposed to have said: “Unleave are converted and become a children, ye cannot enter kingdom of God.” In describe child's characteristics we find it is a little tyrant-selfish, lo knows nothing of service,tolerant, ignorant etc.Even advanced age it is more o ignorant of real values and exploited.Motivated by its only.Its knowledge of the detected there will be no contions, but where in the Bible statement that it should be detected? Suppose a man at any religious teaching got of the Bible and believed being as written. Now suppose same man should get conversation with a man believed not the actual concept their interpretation. I have to say that in a little while died argument would be in mind and before long the reman would have to admit this is in many instances imprecede to believe the Bible version. In other words, don't be the Bible but believe my interpretation. The word consists of His acts facts are His creation which is interpretation. What authuwill convince us which of many interpretations is the one? Or should we believe and confusing interpretations in God? Many of us have all the point where we are need to exclaim, "O' Intervention what camouflaged deceit niced in thy name." REFLECTION He reflected on God to He inspired men to write intelligently that He had to to ignorant men to interpret his meaning. God's real word no more interpretation than nitet's blueprint with specness needs to be interpreted very hod carrier or ordinary man employed in the action of a building. Admit the Bible contains beautiful passages that are towards the enrichment of real lives, but many are busy in the ointment, they are less than repulsive. Other passages are so confusing that entire enmity among religious believers are a few in number. AD Web. we read;—"It was impired for God to lie." Now work as for a full day. It might show generosity on the side of the employer, but also unfairness to part of the workers. I don't like such portrayal of God, and doubt if Jesus really said that. You must remember, Jesus never wrote anything for recording purposes and the writer was human with a prejudiced mind. I will be charitable and state that the writer perhaps meant well, but did not stop to think and realize how disinterested people would interpret it. A few observations about people I know. One wanted to rebuke a member of his S. S. class for being a little too realistic instead of relying on Faith to do the impossible, so he called him a Rationalist. Inference: — if you want to be biblical you must be irrational. Another made the remark in one of his sermons that reason must be subordinated or subservient to Faith. To me that looked like hitching the cart before the horse. All effectual faith is based on rational reasoning and reasoning is based more or less on facts. His kind of Faith is just wishful imagination, an hypothesis based on the authority of others. If Faith, like a mustard seed, can remove mountains, it ought to be able to make sufficient rain fall in the Desert of Sahara to raise bumper crops. It isn't tried because reason says that would be "the bunk." Another tells about a poor widow going without food for three days, so that she might be able to contribute the little amount saved to the Church. According to the story, this sacrifice was accepted. The most irreligious person with a speck of decency would have refused this sacrifice. Very likely it went to a person who never experienced hunger. When listening to the yearly reports of church treasurers you hardly ever hear what percentage of the money collected goes to keep the Church machinery going and how much goes for such purposes as recorded in Math. 25. Egotistical in the superlative. However when you examine them under the microscope of reason and logic, you will find them suffering from an advanced degree of the "Inferiorty Complex." In other words—the religious self styled fundamentalist bases his claim for this distinction in his belief of an intolerant valueless ridiculous and limitless imagination which reaches beyond the farthest star. The Product: Egotism, Intollerance, Bigotry, Fanatisism. A real fundamentalist is one who stands on a foundation of undisputable facts with a limited imagination that stays within the bounds of reason. BIBLE SAYS The Bible says: "The Truth shall make you free." The self styled fundamentalist says: Why bother about finding the Truth, just believe anything that you do not understand in the Bible and that will save you. (Whatever that means. Guess it means to be saved from the effort of finding the truth and remaining in ignorance.) This attitude of mind is aptly illustrated by the conversation I had with a well meaning lady who said, after hearing a discourse by a young student preacher about the prophet Isaia: "I didn't understand what he was talking about, but I think it was just wonderful." Typical of all religious selfstyled fundamentalists. We liberal fundamentalists take the advice given in 1 Thess. 5, 21, which reads: "Prove all things and hold fast to that which is good." We also believe in salvation as Isala 5, 7, puts it: "Let the wicked forsake his ways and the unrighteous man his thoughts and turn to the Lord for He will abundantly pardon." Yes, we believe in prayer as illustrated by the following story: One Negro said to another Negro, "I don't believe in prayer any more. God does not answer my prayer," The vital route, so they kidnapped little babies. Why not? Just supposed to have said: "Uncle are converted and become a childen, ye cannot enter kingdom of God." In describe child's characteristics we find it is a little tyrant-selfish, loathe knows nothing of service, tolerant, ignorant etc. Even advanced age it is more or less ignorant of real values and exploited. Motivated by its only. Its knowledge of the thing of life and God are nil. This infer that we must retrain and become childish again eligible for membership in kingdom? Paul does not think so, for he says: I was a child I acted talked as a child, but when came a man I put away childish things." Have your Paul's idea seems to be moral. Of course our old faded fundamentalists can over that difficulty by their intention, thereby robbing these sages of their natural mea-Yes, interpretation is a work magician. AGAIN TOLD Again you are told to be everything you read in the book to be "Saved" (Whatever means. I suppose one means this being "saved" means saved from the company). Devil, however we are told the Devil believes also, so he joins the company of the book and again you find yours your original position.* One passage reads "Work your salvation with fear trembling." Another contends it by telling us "By works me justified," and again "Life is the free gift of God." foregoing statements will suffice show you the illogical content and confusing statement are asked to believe too heaven. (Whatever that me) TOO BAD Isn't it too bad that Lazarus Article By A Thinking Layman After replied; "The Lawd does not answer a lazy nigger's prayers. When I pray I say 'Lawd send after a turkey' and He answers prayer every time." Yes ends, it makes a lot of difference you pray. LIBERALS We liberals believe that man always invented religions that wanted. God's religion is what men needs. We further believe that obedience to the authority of fundamental truth will emancipate humanity of all its self made beings. We believe God has endowed with abilities to make a mess of our lives, but with the same reality we can clean up our mess. Love all, we believe in being faithful to our faith today. The other days and tomorrow concern little. It is amusing to hear church people sing: "I would be like us." Really? Jesus went about doing good. His passion was to help poor humanity in their troubles and distress. He practiced humility, never trying to have D. D. annexed to His name. He practiced the personal touch to be able to be of real service. Merely taking peoples hands at the church door would not have been tough for Him. He went after lost sheep, leaving the ninety and nine in the fold. Most modern masters expect the lost sheep to come to them to be saved. This should also apply to church members. Some church members ask they are filled with God's was supposed to be in eternity for four days did not tell us of his adventure in the "Great Beyond?" This revelation would certainly convert many from their atheistic views and made devout church members. It is really inexcusable to have let such golden opportunity slip by for the conversion of a certain class of people. The reason why so many people fall for this kind of teaching is because their selfishness is appealed to. Believe this and believe that and you are entitled to a great reward. Who wouldn't believe this and do that for a reward if it is enticing enough. ENTERS KINGDOM I believe a man enters the kingdom of God when he decides to become good for goodness' sake only without any reward in the offing, otherwise their is no proof that he has a changed heart, which seems to be the fundamental requirement for entry into God's kingdom: Another queer aspect of the Christian religion is that great stress is placed on the foregiveness of sin and not on avoiding commitment of sin. The inference being: You will sin, you are expected to sin, and nothing can be done about it, so sin right along, then believe that Christ died for your sins, confess them and all is well again. I think it would be far better to devise a system whereby mankind could be kept from sinning; it would be far better for the sinner and the ones sinned against. Elias, David, St. Paul etc., and ask them about their feelings and experiences they had in their earthly career, implying that we will recognize each other in Heaven. Imagine a mother's feeling if she should miss some of her loved ones there. Would it still be heaven to her? With others we must accept the implication that neither primitive nor civilized man has any innate tendency to form religious ideas. Religious concepts represent a development over a long period of time and are the emotional response to fear of the unknown. The system became intitutionized creating traditions as it went along and used as a means of exploitation by the privileged caste (religious orders) which administered it for the aggrandizement of themselves and the prevailing ruling groups. If this belief makes you better it is O. K. with me, otherwise forget it. ONE MEETING At one meeting of the "Spit and Argue club" in Long Beach, Calif., the writer listened to a man boasting of being an Atheist. After he was through I could not help interrogating him on what he said. My question was: Do you believe in Truth, Righteousness, Love, Mercy? His answer was in the affirmative. I told him if that was so, then he believed in God, as God manifests Himself in these spiritual values in action and he would be a citizen of God's kingdom. Not knowing God in person we humility, never trying to have D. D. annexed to His name. He practiced the personal touch to be near to be of real service. Merely making peoples hands at the church door would not have been eough for Him. He went after the lost sheep, leaving the ninety and nine in the fold. Most modern ministers expect the lost sheep to come to them to be saved. This should also apply to church members. Some church members think they are filled with God's spirit in an overflowing measure when they made a lot of "Hallenah" noise. A bunch of newssayers boys could probably make more noise, that would not prove that they are filled with the Spirit, they sigh, grunt and groan in our seats and when the opportunity is given, they get up and notify how much they enjoy what they have to endure. THE OBJECTIVE The objective of all church activity seems to be to get more members and the race is on. As a non-church member you are a hot soul, damned for all eternity. Escape this awful doom you had only to raise your hand in a dival meeting. Join the church and you are a candidate for heavtery. As proof of your sincerity you will have to be willing to get to the church rut, i.e. faithful attendance and if possible be a heral contributor to the church reasury. Your reward—If you main in the rut, never express independent thought or be contry to the powers that be, you might be allowed to hold an office and when you are dead every body will find out how good you were. Accept yourself. If, before you die, you find yourself in dire circumstances, you are led to have "Faith in God." He will provide. The Ministers being privileged class say something this effect—"We have faith in did, but the church must propose." Some denominations do not enough members by the real route, so they kidnap the little babies. Why not? Jesus is supposed to have said: "Unless you be converted and become as little children, ye cannot enter the kingdom of God." In describing a child's characteristics we find that he is a little tyrant-selfish, loveless, shows nothing of service, is irerant, ignorant etc. Even at an advanced age it is more or less ignorant of real values and easilyoloited. Motivated by instinct. Its knowledge of the mean- Christian religion is that great stress is placed on the foregiveness of sin and not on avoiding commitment of sin. The inference being: You will sin, you are expected to sin, and nothing can be done about it, so sin right along, then believe that Christ died for your sins, confess them and all is well again. I think it would be far better to devise a system whereby mankind could be kept from sinning; it would be far better for the sinner and the ones sinned against. We are told all things are possible with "God." Isn't an ounce of prevention better than a pound of cure? My viewpoint in regard to this question of sinning less is, that by teaching and setting a good example of the so called "saved from sin Class" and by the exercise of your God given "Will Power" and trying to love your neighbor more, you can to a great extent overcome this tendency to sin. No innocent Christ would have to die to accomplish this. It is up to you and you entirely. The Grace of God has already endowed you with the ability to quit sinning. Just make up your mind with determination and it will be possible. Do not fail for the erroneous teaching that God must do all of this. Thereby you blame God and put all responsibility on Him. A FACTOR I am cognizant of the fact that there is a factor in the lives of us humans that we call "Good" and another factor that we call "Evil." Evil is not determined by what a books calls evil, or what our definition might be, nor what our opinion might be, but is fundamentally determined by our actions and the reaction it produces on us and others. This applies to both factors good and evil. If Goodness does not occupy the lofty position in our lives that it should, it is up to us to bring this about. We must make an effort to find out what is good. Second, cultivate a desire to be and do good and then with determination exercise our will power to bring this to pass. Some of us can do this without believing the Bible or the story of the Cross (which after all should be locked upon in a symbolical sense.) If it is necessary for some to have these extra beliefs to reach this goal, we would not gainsay them this right. After all our aim should be to get results and not fuss and quarrel about methods. Any method is good if it produces good results and can be conscientiously called Argue club" in Long Beach, Calif., the writer listened to a man boasting of being an Atheist. After he was through I could not help interrogating him on what he said. My question was: Do you believe in Truth, Righteousness, Love, Mercy? His answer was in the affairative. I told him if that was so, then he believed in God, as God manifests Himself in these spiritual values in action and he would be a citizen of God's kingdom. Not knowing God in person we can only have certain conceptions of Him and the conceptions of God by some people are so distorted and irrational that it is a wonder that there are not more atheists. We heard a story where a Missionary to the heathens described his God in such a way that the heathen replied: We also have a God like that but we call him the Devil. It is indeed sad and detrimental to the church when the crimes and atrocities as recorded in the old testament are ascribed as demanded by God and are O.K. because they were carried out in a different dispensation than ours. Why can't religious people realize that sin and crimes have been wrong in all dispensations and could never have been authorized by a just and loving God. BELIEFS, CREEDS To an outsider the beliefs and creeds of some of the religious groups of today, which in reality are non-essentials, but cause much confusion and ill-will among these groups, appear ridiculous since we all know that that you can fulfill the letter of these creeds without experiencing a change of heart. Following are an example or two: One group believes that you must be baptized by immersion in order to become a member of that group and have the glorious privilege of contributing to the church treasury. We think that if you immerse a poddle dog he will come out a poodle dog. Some got the idea to kidnap little babies and baptize them in a little water, in this way they make members a little faster and will be a jump or two ahead of the immersionists regardless whether the little infant wants to join or not. The Bible teaches that you must believe before you can be baptized. Well, hitching the cart before the horse might work all-right for a little while, but not for long. ANOTHER GROUP Another group emphasizes the keeping of the seventh calendar real route, so they kidnap the little babies. Why not? Jesus is supposed to have said: "Unless you be converted and become as little children, ye cannot enter the kingdom of God." In describing a child's characteristics we find that he has a little tyrant-selfish, loveless, shows nothing of service, is ignorant, ignorant etc. Even at an advanced age it is more or less ignorant of real values and easily exploited. Motivated by instinctity. Its knowledge of the meaning of life and God are nil. Does this infer that we must retrogress and become childish again to be eligible for membership in God's kingdom? Paul does not seem to think so, for he says: "When I was a child I acted and looked as a child, but when I became a man I put away these childish things." Have your choice. Paul's idea seems to be more rational. Of course our old fashioned fundamentalists can overcome it difficulty by their interpretation, thereby robbing these passages of their natural meaning. This interpretation is a wonderful magician. AAIN TOLD Again you are told to believe everything you read in the Bible to be "Saved" (Whatever that means. I suppose one meaning of being "saved" means to be freed from the company of the evil, however we are told that Devil believes also, so he again uses the company of the saved and again you find yourself in our original position.) One passage reads "Work out our salvation with fear and trembling." Another contradicts by telling us "By works no man justified," and again "Eternal is the free gift of God." These ongoing statements will suffice to show you the illogical contradiction and confusing statements you are asked to believe to gain even. (Whatever that means.) NO BAD Can't it too bad that Lazarus who minima exercise our will power to bring this to pass. Some of us can do this without believing the Bible or the story of the Cross, (which after all should be looked upon in a symbolical sense.) If it is necessary for some to have these extra beliefs to reach this goal, we would not gainsay them this right. After all our aim should be to get results and not fuss and quarrel about methods. Any method is good if it produces good results and can be conscientiously called "God's Method." AS FAR AS BIBLE As far as the Bible is concerned, I believe it is simply a collection of the religious literature of the early Hebrew people, similar to that of any other people. To be understood and criticized, cherished or rejected for what it is, a part from any theory as to its origin or nature and the only validity it has is measured by its contribution to the enrichment of life. If it fails, it should be discarded and some other method tried. Neither is it necessary to live forever to make life worth while. It is possible that one can appreciate it all the more because of its brevity. In re, Immortality—In repeating St. Paul's argument derived from the decaying seed as an example of immortality and emphasized in the Christian burial service to a tribal chief of the Latookis, the chief replied:—That I understand, but the original seed does not rise again, it rots like the dead man and is ended. The fruit produced is not the grain that we buried, but the production of that grain. So it is with man, I die and decay and am ended; but my children grow up like the fruit of the grain. Some men have no children and some grains perish without fruit, then all are ended. WAX ELOQUENT Some Ministers wax eloquent when they tell you how they will enjoy shaking hands with Moses, little water, in this way they make members a little faster and will be a jump or two ahead of the immersionists regardless whether the little infant wants to join or not. The Bible teaches that you must believe before you can be baptized. Well, hitching the cart before the horse might work all-right for a little while, but not for long. ANOTHER GROUP Another group emphasizes the keeping of the seventh calendar day as a day of rest. Wonder which one of our days was God's resting day. We know the calendar was made, but that was not proof positive that God designated that particular day as the day of rest. The fact is; there should be no religious significance attached to a certain day. It was adopted and approved by all that a curb should be put on most employers greed who would ignore the health and happiness of their workers, so this law was necessary not only for man but beast also. Some people think they are more pleasing to God by the keeping of the Saturday, but the leaders of this sect realized that by such teaching they would realize an income from the few dupes that would be roped in and to make it a good income they instituted the tithing system. Some get the people's shekels by calling themselves "prophets." We know these prophets are safe from being unmasked as frauds because you cannot prove their phropsies as false until the day of the supposed fulfillment which will not come until they are dead. What do they care? They got your dough. I do not give a hoop what will happen to this earth a thousand years from now. I'll not be there, and besides; Solomon who was supposed to be the mouth piece of God asserted that this earth will stand forever. Other passages contradict this on the authority of God's word. (Turn to Page 7)