BN66/S58 update

[ZARDOZ]

What an arrogant statement to make. I've spent over a decade learning about this stuff, which is agreed on by theologians (many non-believers) across the world. You flick through a few verses and from utter ignorance think you know more about it.

It's like a physicist who knocks up little FORTRAN apps thinking they know better about best practices for software development, if that is a clearer analogy for you.

Your entire nasty, offensive argument is just wrong on every level. None of the 'religious' people I know (several hundred) are like that - at worst they are as spiteful and self-interested as everyone else. It's like Americans thinking all Muslims are suicide bombers and terrorists because of 9/11.

It is very well understood that Jesus did not care about political upheaval or overthrowing the Romans. That's what the Jews were expecting, but not what they got.

I would say I run my life closer to the teachings of Jesus than you do and I'm agnostic.

[AtW]

Whilst on the subject of ancient history (made up or real), one can only wonder how would Solomon judge BN66ers?

[Gibbon]

It is very well understood that Jesus did not care about political upheaval or overthrowing the Romans. That's what the Jews were expecting, but not what they got.

But the acceptance of Roman rule was in itself political in the context of 1st cen Judea. Also for Jews religion and politics were inextricably linked, their politics and law were defined by their religion. Given that Christ was in the business of preaching a new law in the religious sense it seems nonsensical not to extrapolate the effect on Jewish politics, which had he been successful in converting all the Jews would have been profound.

[AtW]

But the acceptance of Roman rule was in itself political in the context of 1st cen Judea.

Political as in you have a choice, or practical - if you don't accept Roman rule then you'll die?

[d000hg]

I would say I run my life closer to the teachings of Jesus than you do and I'm agnostic.

I would say since you never met me, and you don't know what his teachings were, that you're talking the most embarrassing kind of rubbish.

I wonder, what did Jesus say the greatest commandment was again?

Maybe you live closer to your sanitised PC "it's just a moral teaching not a religious one" version of what you think Jesus taught. You're welcome to it.

[DodgyAgent]

It really is quite beyond belief that you lot are quibbling about morality and taxation

what a bunch of non business losers you lot are

[d000hg]

But the acceptance of Roman rule was in itself political in the context of 1st cen Judea. Also for Jews religion and politics were inextricably linked, their politics and law were defined by their religion. Given that Christ was in the business of preaching a new law in the religious sense it seems nonsensical not to extrapolate the effect on Jewish politics, which had he been successful in converting all the Jews would have been profound.

But nothing about Jesus' teaching, or the early church's behaviour, was about which rulers were best, or national identity, or protesting Roman oppression?

I suppose NOT being a Jew anymore has a bigger effect on your politics than becoming a Christian, if that was your point? I'd have thought the Romans would have found Christians MORE manageable since they were interested in spreading the gospel rather than freeing themselves from tyranny, since they were in their minds already free...

Anyway this is supposed to be a thread about tax, not a 3-a-penny religious discussion.

[Gibbon]

But nothing about Jesus' teaching, or the early church's behaviour, was about which rulers were best, or national identity, or protesting Roman oppression?

I suppose NOT being a Jew anymore has a bigger effect on your politics than becoming a Christian, if that was your point? I'd have thought the Romans would have found Christians MORE manageable since they were interested in spreading the gospel rather than freeing themselves from tyranny, since they were in their minds already free...

Anyway this is supposed to be a thread about tax, not a 3-a-penny religious discussion.

You started it by replying to Z. You're knowledge of Roman - Christian - Jewish relations is dire though.

[ZARDOZ]

But nothing about Jesus' teaching, or the early church's behaviour, was about which rulers were best, or national identity, or protesting Roman oppression?

I suppose NOT being a Jew anymore has a bigger effect on your politics than becoming a Christian, if that was your point? I'd have thought the Romans would have found Christians MORE manageable since they were interested in spreading the gospel rather than freeing themselves from tyranny, since they were in their minds already free...

Anyway this is supposed to be a thread about tax, not a 3-a-penny religious discussion.

Erm hang on you made this a discussion about morality and your religeon is based on morality.

[sasguru]

You're knowledge of Roman - Christian - Jewish relations is dire though.