What about the angle that there were something like 82 different Gospels, and Constantine the Great picked and chose which ones would make the Bible, changed Christ from a mortal man to God himself in an effort to maintain political control due to rising tensions between the Pagans and Christians?
This would explain some of the merging of the religions. Easter, Yule, etc..... It is obvious that there was some intentional merger or effort to overwrite the Pagan holidays and make it as painless as possible. We still put up Christmas trees, make easter eggs, etc... All of these are traditions of the original Pagan holidays.
I am not saying I believe in a mass conspiracy. It is a matter of faith, but there is a lot of historical evidence saying the Bible is nothing more than a book designed specifically to use what met an agenda, discard what did not and produced a consistent means of control. Even the author of the Da Vinci Code claims to be a Christian.
Again, I am not saying I believe this. But.... What if? What is Jesus was a great leader, righteous and an amazing prophet teaching us how to live yet still a man?
Pardon me if I offend anyone. I tend to look at things from all angles. I am a Christian but I question everything and tend to try and find the truth for myself. That may be arrogant, but unfortunately that is the way I was created by God. I like to believe Christ was God.
I am big on conspiracy theories, and religion in general scares me mostly due to the fact that most people step into it with blind obedience. I think what this site is all about is fantastic! It is a site that THINKS for itself.
When it comes down to it, anything is possible. We really won't know until we die although I have made it my life's quest to know all I can while I am still living. We could all be wrong and we could all be right. I read a series of books called Conversations with God by Neil Walsh. Now again it is an interesting perspective on God, but what can a person believe? Can there not be a modern day prophet? Is it not possible? Prophets of old were mocked too. Look at what Jesus went through! I believe God personally speaks to us every day. Not necessarily in words, but when you pay attention, signs are all around us. You just have to pay attention. I pay attention and listen to these signs, and yes I have had signs about Jesus as God. I also believe your inner highest voice you might call your conscience is God speaking to you. Unfortunately we often do not listen to it. I have also had bad omens and feelings that I believe are from the adversary.
God is not invisible. He is active and is with us all of the time. All we have to do is open our eyes to see, pay attention, and open our hearts to God and that communion with the Divine that is God the Almighty.
One certainty in my opinion? There IS ONE GOD and he is a LOVING GOD. And you can take that to the bank. This I question not at all. And maybe that is all that matters. Unfortunately that is not enough for me. I have an obsessive desire to know the truth, and I am sure I will die not knowing it all. But it sure is fun trying and what a worth-while way to spend your time. Focus on God.
I trust God. I have total faith in God. I may question doctrine, scripture and religion in general, but my faith in God is unshakable. He can do what he wishes with me and I submit totally willingly. God has always taken care of me in so many ways. My life is not perfect. I suffer often. I still sin, but that trust I have given God has brought many rewards. God is at the wheel and I am just along for the ride. All Glory to God! I am nothing without God.
God bless!