'Paradise' - Sunday Scribblings - 13/1/2013

Paradise

When it comes to Paradise,

I am content to wait and see,

which we all must do - perforce,

of course.

Meanwhile it would be nice,

in fact a kind of earthly Paradise,

and not wishing to appear uncouth,

if we could get a little closer to

the truth.

................................................

At the graveside, we are subjected to having to

listen to one of religion's greatest ambiguities:

"In the sure and certain hope of resurrection"

Why is it not?  

"In the sure and certain knowledge of resurrection"

If resurrection is 'sure and certain', then we do not have

to hope for it; and if hope is required, then nothing

is sure and certain!

This is just one example of religious 'double-speak', of which

there are too many to show here.

......................................................

Representations of Jesus:

This is the normal, standard, Westernised idea of how Jesus looked.

Blonde, blue-eyed, neatly trimmed beard - a regular

'pin-up boy'.

Gentle Jesus, meek and mild.   How do we square away that image

with what he is reported to have told his followers when

entering Jerusalem?

"If you haven't got swords - get them!"

Recent research has shown us what Jesus most probably really

looked like; bearing in mind where he came from, and drawing

from the physical traits of those who lived in the area:

He would have been fairly short and stocky, and almost

certainly dressed in rough, brown, homespun.

If he was a Rabbi, he would be married, because

single men could not hold that position.

..................................................................

What has this got to do with the prompt?

Well, if we could get at the truth of everything that

has been, and is being, suppressed - we could all

enjoy a religious Paradise on earth, before

entering the Heavenly one.

.....................................................................