The poor widow who gives her last 2 cents. If you read the paragraphs in the “chapters” divided up after the author had written the story as one whole, Joshua/Jesus is talking about how bad it is that the Temple Jews took “even the deed to the house” of old widows to sell them prayers, yet the Temple is very rich it is hurting the poor and deserves to be destroyed.
Idk if it’s really misused but 1 Peter 5:7 because it’s so sad that people can’t deal with their own problems they need to put their problems on someone else rather than working to fix whatever is wrong in their life. It leads to years of stagnation and waiting till when “god” wants lol.
A weed is just a beautiful flower growing in the wrong place, and as an atheist I believe we are all weeds but the bible makes great manure in some places.
I generally hate the entire concept of quoting the bible because 99% of verses are so generic that you can bend them to apply to whatever you want and the people that actually take the bible as an authority will *never* question whether you got it right or not. And if they do they receive a barrage of quotes that make it clear that to doubt the word of god is to be a very very evil person who deserves hell. To quote various youtube atheists: "I don't care what your bible says".
As a Christian the first verse blew my mind 😭😭😭 there’s sooo many questionable things within Christianity. I get upset at times, I question things and my family gets mad “you’re not supposed to question God” like what ? 😩 I’m not deconstructing or anything, but I’m definitely open minded to other possibilities that things are not what they seem. Your content is very interesting and I’m always learning new things. This video made so much sense!
@@subscape lmaooo yes! I believe in God and everything, but some stuff just don’t make sense, some stuff ain’t adding up and I don’t like certain things. So I’m going to be who I am and have my concerns 😂💁🏽♀️ and if I don’t like something or agree I will not go along with it.
@@Johnmhatheist I don’t doubt that at all 😂😂😂 I’m now at a point where I’m like yea there’s definitely a higher power, a creator or whatever .. but most definitely not in the way Christians want to portray it 😂😂😂
@subscape For a while, I was agnostic, believing that there has to be some sort of creator. I couldn't convince myself, and I refused to become an atheist. Well, now I am an atheist. I no longer believe in a creator nor in a higher power. If there were truly a creator, I don't think the world would be as fucked up as it is. If there were a higher power, I believe that the world would be fairer, children wouldn't die of cancer, a righteous higher power wouldn't have allowed slavery to happen, and I would think that a creator would love his creation so much that he would want to see his creation prosper and be happy without oppressing each other.
My partner and I have been watching since your first video and we never miss an upload, so I just wanted to offer a little encouragement as a dedicated viewer: I can only imagine how much time, energy and discipline it takes to create high-quality content with this kind of consistency and frequency. Your dedication to excellence in both the technical and creative aspects of your videos and how seriously you take it is apparent and extremely appreciated. We watch pretty much… every atheist and deconstructionist on this platform, and you’ve become one of our favorites both in your execution and the topics you cover. Keep on keeping on, Brandon. You’re making a difference in people’s lives and adding something unique to the deconstructionist space.
Thank you so much. This is for sure the most encouraging and supportive comment I’ve gotten. It is highly motivating for me so thank you sincerely for taking the time to write it! Wishing you both well!
@@Mar-dk3mp I was never able to play pretend as a child. I was not able to play make believe and use my imagination to live in self created delusion. That God you have a relationship with definitely exists. You are worshipping an idol that is only in your mind. You are playing both roles. Everyone creates their own God out of the good things they find about their religion and ignore the bad. The nice little God you have in your head is nothing like Monster found in the pages of your Holy Book
When a Christian tells you that you are taking the text out of context, what they are really saying is that your interpretation of the text is not their interpretation of the text. When you invite them to read the text and discuss the meaning, here is when their brains shots dawn. They know it doesn’t say what they claim it says. But the simple possibility that they can be wrong in front of a nonbeliever is traumatic for them. This is why my first problem with all religions is the dishonesty. You are forced to be dishonest if you are willing to keep the belief. There is no other way.
Only discovered your channel a few days ago. You are a breath of fresh air. Different themes to what I'm accustomed to with a lot of atheist RUclipsrs. Thank you.
If i was going to make up a fake religion, I already know that some people are going to be sceptical about the claims of my fake religion. So i would get ahead of the sceptics by including passages in my holy book to account for their scepticism. I might even flatly insult them by saying that people who don't believe in my fake god are stupid. But I would word it better than that , something like " the fool has said in his heart there is no god" Yeah that sounds better , almost poetry 😂😂
What makes you think God cares one way or the other. He collects the good fruit and plows the field. Only a few are saved because of what they get from the book. None are punished for not reading the book, they are punished for their real sins.: Isa:42:9: Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.
Brandon, as someone who was a Christian for over 30 years before deconstructing/reconstructing, I just want to say thank you for your content. I’ve really been enjoying it.
I'm convinced that these folktales, which were spread verbally, primordially, were never meant to be utilized by people across the world thousands of years later as Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.
That's fine, not everyone is supposed to believe the doubting Thomas story. You will be doing the building in Isa:65, rather than living in New Jerusalem. On a scale of 0-10 how severe is that as far as it being a punishment.
One that has bothered me a lot recently is Galatians 3:28: 'There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.' It's often used as proof-positive of some kind of radical egalitarianism early Christianity was promoting (often as a response to people who'll bring up biblical slavery) but the emphasis on 'you are all one' betrays its context. This Epistle to the church in Galatia had Paul constantly stressing why faith was of primary importance to being a Christian, in contrast to how the Galatians were requiring their Gentile converts to follow aspects of Mosaic Law which Paul found not only unnecessary, but offensive, and in verse 10 of that chapter states that anyone who relies on the works of the law are cursed because it's basically impossible to follow, and continues with his supersessionist idea that the Law was just a placeholder for Jews specifically until Jesus came along, and now anyone regardless of their culture can receive salvation in the same way. One can admire his cosmopolitan thinking, but this was hardly radical, and didn't seem to have much to do with social status - if it were the early church would have been full of fanatical abolitionists and feminists, and it wasn't - and churches today, particularly regarding gender, are still nearly as bad. The references to slave/free and male/female seem to be little more than rhetorical flourishes to emphasize Paul's main point, which, throughout that chapter, is all about how salvation offered to the Gentiles shouldn't be any different to how Jews are offered it, and the very next verse reinforces that: 'And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.'
Galatians 3:28: 'There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.’ Thank you for bringing it about, great findings for me and what a clear message and follow up in deed in Acts . In the context that was preached to Galatians and whoever was attending that Church community (Gentiles , Jews ) makes it universal through the sample representative: Jews and non Jews alike. Even if that words would be addresses to one person, the content or semantic speaks by itsleves: all are equal, no segregation, no class supperority since all are equal in face of God and Jesus. Furthermore we know from Acts that the first Christians shared their possesions and leaved their lives in a shared community of good and deeds, following the Galatians 3:28 Acts 4:32-35 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.
Total stranger, nobody here, but I thoroughly enjoyed your manner of speaking and the facts involved. Hope you go places with your endeavors. You deserve it
Well done. Context changes the whole meaning. Amazing how the Bible has always been used as justification when convenient and weaponized when it suits people’s needs.
It's amazing how "spot on" this discussion is..several months ago when I was reading the Bible from cover to cover, I remember thinking to myself, so many Christians take clearly out of context a variety of popular Scriptures. Especially, Jeremiah 29:11. The moment I read that verse, I was like- "Wow. This scripture is referring to the Jews in exile thousands of years ago. It is not a direct promise to us now." I started to realize how so many Christians are taught false info.
yes indeed, ands what more, id be fine if they really left the OT alone, but you cant have it both ways. you cannot say that verse in Jeremiah is lovely and speaks for gods care for all, and then tell me that all the stuff in Leviticus and exodus about slavery is a context issue. Anyways, thanks for the kind words here!
@@MindShift-Brandon EXACTLY! The Bible, especially the OT talks about God's character in varied ways. Narratives shift and contradict one another all over the place. It's because all those anonymous authors wrote things down without consulting each other so that there would be some sort of continuity. Because there isn't. I enjoy your videos! 😊
growing up as an autistic kid the golden rule failed me _constantly._ Attempting to treat others as I would have them treat me led to a lot of rudeness from me and hurt feelings from them
That just shows you never attempted to live the right way. You wanting to be a bad person just led you to being the same person as those who taunted you. How pitiful.
Even as an X-Fundie Christian I still attend church every Sunday morning…I attend The Church Of The Holy Mattress LOL🤣🤣🤣🤣 I don’t remember where this scripture is in the New Testament but it was one I use to always misuse and never understood why because I was walking by faith and believed wholeheartedly that my prayer would be answered…”Say unto this mountain be thou removed and be thou cast into the sea and it will be removed.” So I use to talk to mountains but nothing ever happened! LMAO 🤣🤣🤣🤣 The same went for the rest of my prayer life because nothing ever happened! Lol 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Oh yeah when my 2 kid’s died I had people saying to me that “god works in mysterious ways” and I looked at them straight in the face and gave them the bird🖕….. Happy Sunday Brandon and fam! 🌹🌹🌹🌹
i cant even imagine how much more harmful and ridiculous this would all be, if I was hearing it in response to losing a child. I am so sorry for your loss and how you were treated. Though, i understand why they said what they said. After all this whole thing is used in large part to comfort us from lost and the unknown. But still, yuck! I too use to take the verse about even faith the size of a mustard see could move mountains. I had so much faith so surely think of how great the things i could do would be.
I have to say I've experienced some interesting comment replies from Christians who believe I should be convinced by religious word salad as actual argument.
I haven't watched your video on free will yet but you keep me so damn busy with your new content that I don't have time explore the old! If I didn't live in a society that was so absent of critical thought then I wouldn't spend my precious time hear on this earth formulating arguments in defense of my atheism. I care about my Christian friends, I love them all, but I fear having to address the topic of belief. Having a polished calm response to the question of belief in God becomes a response instead to questioning how we attain beliefs.
I love the misuse of scriptures in the vein of what people commonly think is scripture. But the reference is from Dante, or Poor Richard's Almanac, etc. Any old homily will do for the authoritarian. ❤ the video.
My personal favorite when it comes to Christians taking Bible verses out of context is Psalms 22:16: "they pierced my hands and my feet." Christians take this as a prophecy of Jesus' hands and feet being pierced on the cross. In context, it seems more likely to refer to a person being bitten by dogs. Note that the whole verse reads: "For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet." Verse 20 also refers to being delivered from the "the power of the dog." Verses 12-13 talk about "Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round. They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion." Verse 21 says "Save me from the lion's mouth". This leaves being attacked by bulls or by a lion as additional possibilities for how this person's hands and feet might get pierced. Christians saying this refers to crucifixion is reading something into this chapter, that probably was not originally there.
I am forever and always reminded of the wise words of one of my old Bible professors. Thank you, Harvey Hartman. I shall now share these words. He called it Hartman 1:1-2. "1)All means all and that's all all means... 2)Within its context."
Subscribed to a lot of channels regarding this subject. But I really enjoy your approach, that is your delivery. I know how to scoff at those verses, but I enjoy your refutation so much I will rewind and write them down for when,(That day comes) with my family
@@MindShift-Brandon, man, I do love your channel. Maybe one day we can collaborate. I cover mythology and mythic reinvention, but through the lens of Marvel & comics. My focus is how comics have become America’s main form of mythological contribution and how our own ideals have been expressed through these characters adopting other mythic figures along the way.
“For thou lovest all things that are, and hatest none of the things which thou hast made: for thou didst not appoint, or make any thing hating it. And how could any thing endure, if thou wouldst not? or be preserved, if not called by thee? But thou sparest all: because they are thine, O Lord, lover of souls” (Wisdom 11)
So well said and so very true. This was the single most frustrating thing I saw at a Christian university. It became clear that it was all self-serving. Whatever the need or goal of the moment determined whether context mattered or consistency mattered or accuracy mattered, etc.
2 Chronicles 7:14 is also a popular one …if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”.. Purportedly showing a merciful god. Verse 13 say this, though "If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people"
Good morning my bald headed brother!! This is off topic of todays video, but I would love to you explore the idea that we chose our beliefs. Why would a moral God judge one on his or her belief when one is limited to the environment and its contents from which to extract a worldview from. One does not get chose the experiences that inform their worldview. One Christian might have a wonderful home and church life while another is abused both at home and by the clergy, would it be reasonable for each experience to lead to the same conclusions. MAN I LOVE YOU!!! Keep it up and thanks for the new bible series as I have committed to it and was thrilled that you are undertaking it.
Mine is Proverbs 27:17. Iron doesn't sharpen iron. One of those has to be steel. The verse is actually saying that you canNOT be sharpened by your peers, but they put it as, oh, Christians help each others' faith, yada-yada.
Isaiah 61! The one Jesus himself quotes from incorrectly. Dont let the negative comments worry you, bro. A bunch of us are anxious to go through your new series.!
@ColinWrubleski-eq5sh I was surprised to find it too, I assure you! When i say 'in error', i refer to how Isaiah speaks about the current day and situation. He makes no prophecy that would be clearly fulfilled by Jesus in the future. Jesus (Luke4:16) then reads his words and concludes for everyone that it was about him and fulfilled that day. It isnt at all clear or obvious, and seems alot like when Matthew just kinda attributes Old Testament things to Jesus with flimsy reasoning. Its so hard to believe Jesus would even say things like that, if he were actually trying to prove himself to people who might study his references and weigh them with reason and logic for consistency.
@ColinWrubleski-eq5sh Isaiah goes on to further state several things which shall happen, such as 'all the waste cities be restored' or ' all people will recognize the seed of the (Hebrew) people, and that they are God's people' and other things that were not fulfilled in the day that Jesus read at the synagogue- or ever after that at all. Also, the new testament reading that is recorded doesnt align well with any script of the actual Isaiah verse from the Torah (but that could just be a translation error of whoever wrote Luke or whatever scroll that synagogue had that day)
When I was a Christian, I moved to Mexico to preach the gospel. I travalled all around Mexico and stayed in humble peoples' homes. While I was there, I only made 100 dollars a month, and even though I was poor and struggling, I was proud of it in the Lord's name to further his word. Even though now I'm an atheist and am anti-religion, I still reflect on my experiences in Mexico that weren't religious and look back at them with nostalgia. I loved being there.
@@Johnmhatheist I too went to Mexico to build houses during the summer with YWAM. It was life changing. But not necessarily aligning with the pro-capitalist fundamentalist faith of my parents. Little did they know!
@denisep9497 awesome. I still love Mexico to this day. I still go and visit every chance I get, I have many friends there, I love Mexican culture, food, music, people, cinema, and everything about Mexico. It's like a second country to me. But, I have lost a lot of friends here in the USA and Mexico now that I am an atheist, but I have also gained so many friends in the USA and Mexico ever since I became an atheist. Quite frankly, the new friends I have in Mexico and here in the USA are better than the ones I had as a Christian.
"Misused" most, IMO, is "the Bible ". Which of the ~100-odd versions of Bible is being referenced? This is not a question of translations of of one version, such as KJV, RC, Copic, into different languages, this is the problem of different versions. They pretend that there is one preferred, one official, one original version. Which one is that, and why that one? Maybe you might do a video about this issue?
Your summary at the the beginning about context is so true and I never put my finger on it. Christians are happy to use contextual misunderstanding as a reason to dismiss non-Christian arguments, yet that vigor does not exist at all towards correct other Christians and the misappropriation. Imagine if Christians had the 'acthsully' attitude of star wars fans for instance, haha.
i can't even imagine. It would probably just destroy the religion. This bible does not hold up to scrutiny well. i think theres afar more plot holes than what George Lucas was working with.
Please it's the predestined verse for me. I decided to read the bible cover to cover myself in 2021 and when I saw that text, I felt special. (Typical Christian feeling) I felt good cos i'd been predestined to be a Christian, to be saved. But then i thought of my muslim friends, my amazing muslim friends who I knew it would be disrespectful to preach to since they already had a religion so I never tried to convert them. I thought of how they've been destined by god to not be saved, how I was somehow just destined for the opposite. And I knew there was something was up about religion
Yup. Vessels of wrath. That was my turning point. To create people specifically to go to hell is so wrong, so immoral. The God I was taught about would never do that, yet the God I learned by reading myself totally would.
Very well articulated, Brandon, as always. Another few nails in the coffin of a dressed-up mythology! It's encouraging to reflect on how far we've come already as a species, thanks to the march of science and the spread of knowledge. We don't always appreciate how privileged we are in being able to access material of this nature, and of this caliber, at virtually any place on earth (or even in space), literally within seconds of its publication, and without any fear of being hunted down as heretics and burned at the stake. It has not always been so. Consider the fate of the Italian scholar Giordano Bruno, who on 17 Feb 1600 was burned alive in the town square for refusing to retract his belief that there are an infinity of worlds, many of which may be inhabited (and for sundry other statements relating to theology and philosophy, that were likewise unacceptable to the church). The progress is slow, but it is inexorable. The dissemination of enlightened positions (not of Absolute Truth - science doesn't provision this), against the perpetuation of patently untenable belief systems, must surely, at the end of the day, be just so many avalanches and tsunamis bearing down on just so many houses of cards. So much can be said on this topic. Perhaps you'd like to do a video one day on the role of science and the internet, as arguably the prime facilitators for the decline and inevitable demise of a thoroughly worn out and discredited world view. We appear, as homines sapientes, at least to be moving in the right direction.
these are excellent points! I am also certain that if I was born 50 years earlier, (everything else being the same) id still be a christian. That would make a lovely video, thank you!
Isaiah 55:8-9. If you listen to Garth Brooks sing Unanswered Prayers (Sometimes I Thank God for Unanswered Prayers), it sounds great, but if you think about it for a few minutes, it only illustrates the futility of prayer. The song clearly illustrates that the practice is a waste of effort.
Brandon-great work. When I was a Christian, I noticed Jesus never said he came for non-Jews-ever. Only Paul made that up. Wasn’t it one of your videos where you actually stated the verse that says it is God’s hope that Gentiles be wiped off the earth? I can’t find the passage, but I know it’s somewhere.
10:55 There's a character in _Danganronpa_ Junko Enoshima, who LOVES to suffer despair and emotional pain, and she states at one point that she's tormenting her classmates _because_ they were her friends and she wants to "Show them the wonder of despair". Whether she was being truthful or not, THAT would be consistent with the "treat others how you would want to be treated". I feel like that's a really good example of the flaw in that.
The question is, are they ignoring the context on purpose, since it inconveniently doesn't fit their narrative? It certainly appears so, and that makes you wonder if they believe their scriptures (and god) are insufficient, and therefore they feel the need to twist new meanings out of them. It clearly demonstrates how man makes god in _his own_ image. Just like the various authors of the biblical books, who consistently contradict one another, did. Why would a single, all-powerful god allow this to happen? Either he doesn't care or doesn't exist. Take your pick.
In one of your other videos, I introduced myself as an investigator, whose policy is to "treat others as I would want to be treated." I need to clarify that my "policy" is NOT from the *library of writings called "the Bible,* but simply from the standpoint of respect for my fellow human beings. It was a choice that *I* made, NOT "commanded to do by any deity." Except for interactions with Christians who treated me like crap, for the most part, it worked well with even gang members who afterward "had my six (i.e. back)" if I was in trouble. My "policy" outside of my work is a different story, to be brutally honest. Being kind often leaves me stranded, alone, used up, and practically agoraphobic. I just needed to clear that up. Thank you. As always, Brandon, excellent contextual analysis.
I get irritated by verses that get quoted out of context, but I would say that verses that are purposefully misquoted get me even more. In fairness, the specific wording can depend on the version used, but sometimes, the change is so brazen as to be flippant. The one that seems to always anger me is when Christians, especially fundies, try to insist that I need to be born-again in order to properly accept Jesus or know God, and they "cite" John 3:3 for that. Well, the versions I have read have the verse as this: Jesus answered and said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Nothing about being born-again, but it strongly suggests that only those who come from heaven can see heaven, making being born-again a futile attempt. Maybe there is a version out there with the verse saying what fundies claim it says, but not the ones I know. I wondee how many other verses seem to be purposefully misquoted. Who knows, maybe there is a version that could end up like that Family Guy joke where Brian reads the verse Chris has for the sign he made for the Red Sox game they are going to, and according to Brian's reading, it says, "And the Good Lord said, 'Go Sox.'"
This is a great addition. I cover this verse in an up coming video on salvation doctrine so ill save my comments for that but thanks for watching and adding in!
@@Mar-dk3mp Still gonna run away from any sort of challenge? Afraid that you might be shown what a complete hack you are? Either way, keep these posts up. Your presence helps sustains this channel, so your "efforts" to combat atheism only serve to keep atheism going. Now, how about you critique that "Book of Atheism" you talked about the last time you replied to me? After all, we can never have too many critiques about the Bible.
I like Sam Harris' take on the Christian God's "promise" and how modern day Christians see it. "God is good. He helped us find a low interest 2nd mortgage." But then another family member loses their job and their house is repossessed by the bank, after praying to God for help, and they say, "God works in mysterious ways. Who can possibly know the mind of God?" Nobody gave me a clearer vision of the reality of Christianity than did Sam Harris.
In my many years of looking into the Christian faith, reading scriptures, I find that Christians are wholly inconsistent about what they believe and their accountability is absolutely SUBJECTIVE though they deny it. I am convinced that most Christians don't know much about context. Most have been "coached" as to how to read the bible. Some even "when", believe it or not. I don't know a Christian who hasn't bought some guide to help them read the scriptures but this makes sense as the bible is a tome of confusion and mystery that would make many cringe and raise their brows with doubt if read earnestly with an open mind. Great vid. As for the scriptures that require its followers to give up their material belongings, does it not begin with a rich man asking what he needs to do? Jesus, in my mind, is responding with an answer that seems universal to me. At least I believed this. In any case, even as a believer, I reject this proposition having been thoroughly raised in a materialistic society and valued my things much too much to give up. The prosperity gospel is a fine example of Christianity incorporating capitalistic and materialistic ideas to help soothe their clearly worldly ways. I used to refer to such Christians as Mammonites! Lol! They were secretly worshipping Mammon or deceptively following him/it. Anyhoo, long time ago. I enjoy your content. Keep it up!
The good version of The Golden Rule isn't do not do unto others what you would not want done unto yourself, it is do unto others what they would have you do unto them
Excellent job. The one that used to really drive me nuts when I had changed to a conditionalist / soul sleep perspective was when people would say "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." First, it doesn't say that. 2nd, It is in context of contrasting the current mortal body with the immortal body we would supposedly be getting at the resurrection. This is not a verse saying our spirit / soul goes to be with Jesus and gramma when we die. Paul elsewhere in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 says to not grieve over those who have died, because our hope is in the resurrection. He doesn't say our soul/spirit goes to be with Jesus. The Bible is such a basket of contradictory garbage. Christians need to study and use their brains. Sad what Christianity has done to otherwise potentially intelligent rational people. Brains destroyed by the Jesus virus.
Matthew 12:48-50 New Living Translation (NLT) Jesus asked, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” Then he pointed to his disciples and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!” When Jesus talks about loving your neighbor in Matt 22:39, the verse above in Matt 12 shows that he did not have a very inclusive view of who constituted his brother, sister or mother.
The first verse says it all for me. When I read the Bible it is ALL just Israel and nobody else. Not even Paul, if you consider the context. He always quotes the Tenach when he talks about 'gentiles'. Those were the 'lost sheep of the house of Israel' scattered among the gentiles.
Here are seven connections between Yama from Hinduism, Yam (who gets renamed Yaw) from the Baal Cycle, and YHW (Yahweh) from the Mt Ebal curse tablet: 1. Role as a deity of death: Yama is the Hindu god of death and the underworld, while Yam is a god of death and lord of the underworld in the Canaanite Baal Cycle. In the Mt Ebal curse tablet, YHW is also associated with death and the underworld. 2. Associated with judgment: Yama is often depicted as the judge of the dead in Hindu mythology, while Yam is said to preside over a court of the dead in the Baal Cycle. The Mt Ebal curse tablet also includes references to judgment and punishment. 3. Connection to kingship: In Hinduism, Yama is sometimes depicted as a royal figure, and is sometimes associated with the king of the gods, Indra. Yam, too, is sometimes associated with kingship, as he is said to have been the first Canaanite king. YHW is associated with the "lord of the covenant," which may have been a title for a Canaanite or Israelite king. 4. Symbolism of a bull: In the Baal Cycle, Yam is often depicted as a bull, and is sometimes referred to as "the Bull." In Hinduism, Yama is also associated with bulls, as he is often depicted riding a black buffalo. Bulls also feature prominently in the Mt Ebal curse tablet. 5. Connection to creation: In Hindu mythology, Yama is said to have been one of the first beings created by the god Brahma. Yam, too, is said to have been created by the god El in the Baal Cycle. The Mt Ebal curse tablet also includes references to creation. 6. Linked to the afterlife: Yama is closely associated with the afterlife in Hinduism, as he is said to preside over the souls of the dead. Yam is similarly associated with the underworld in the Baal Cycle. The Mt Ebal curse tablet also references the dead and the afterlife. 7. Symbolism of darkness: Yama is often depicted as a dark, ominous figure, and is sometimes associated with the dark half of the year. Similarly, Yam is associated with darkness and the underworld in the Baal Cycle. The Mt Ebal curse tablet also includes references to darkness and curses.
Great video. Another example is Nahum 1:7 "The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him." That sounds like a pretty good verse. Oh wait... verse 8: "But with an overflowing flood He will make an utter end of its place, and darkness will pursue His enemies." (For a second there I was worried that God had forgotten His trademark action of flooding wickedness, but no, God still remembered)
When someone quotes a Psalm, ask them to read the whole Psalm (or offer to read it yourself). Most of them are pretty short (they're poetry and songs, after all), the whole thing might be enjoyable on a purely aesthetic level, you get to hear someone else reading verse (which is always interesting, and may give insight into how well they know poetry or have an ear for meter), and it's easier to analyze it that way. I would say the same when quoting most poems that aren't Paradise Lost-tier epics: Read the whole thing, why pick out just a slice of it? Same could be said of TV or movie clips: Can we at least see the whole scene? Point out the part you like afterward and discuss it in its context. That can be hard with a full film or a novel, but it should be no problem for just one Psalm! And yes, I'm one of those people who will see something quoted as an epigraph or something and go look up the whole thing. *SCRIPTURAL CHERRY-PICKING...* ...Is as old as Christianity itself. Older, even; it's a Jewish tradition at the very least, and for all I know it could be a feature of other ancient religions. This is part of what bothers me about people who talk up people like Justin Martyr or Augustine or Thomas Aquinas as brilliant writers. Even if I were to accept their reasoning processes and the facts they relied upon, these writers LOVE to quote scripture out of context, as if singular lines devoid of the verses around them make independent points which can be used as the anchor for an entire argument. Even working from the concession that the Bible is somehow 100% true, the notion that each individual sentence is also true in an isolated context is untenable and simply cannot work. This is also seen quite a bit in the epistles. Paul and the other writers are trying to make a point, and they use Old Testament scriptural quotes (but curiously, usually no quotes or examples from a once-living human Jesus) to support that point. That's fair enough, but ought we not ask when we read these epistles whether that scriptural support has been employed correctly, and if it hasn't, what impact that may have on the overarching point being advanced? It's not like people can't disagree with Paul and yet remain Christians; people IN PAUL'S OWN TIME were disagreeing with him and remaining Christians, that's part of why he wrote the letters! It might even be the case that very persuasive responses to Paul's points were written that we'll never see because they weren't preserved. Perhaps we would have agreed more with those people's takes on the scripture, and Paul never claimed to be infallible, so he could've been wrong on something. He even says himself that sometimes he's just offering his personal opinion. *"JUST BECAUSE YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND..."* I always liked this one with respect to the Trinity because it sure seems like nobody gets that one. The most confident people usually offer an analogy that's considered heretical without realizing they're doing so. If there exists an idea or concept that NO human understands and can explain, saying God gets it (but hasn't bothered to explain it properly) seems like cold comfort. (Unrelated, but the other question I like to ask about the Trinity is whether they can point to anything at all which is triune in the way God is triune *other than God*. I always wondered why, if I'm made in God's image, I'm not somehow triune in nature. Lot of duality in Christian thought with respect to human nature, but not a lot of triunity. If nothing in creation reflects the Trinity, why is that? If nothing other than God is triune, how can we even know what that means?) *ON THE GOLDEN RULE* In addition to your point about the "proper" formulation, I always thought Kant's Categorical Imperative was an interesting extension of the idea: To badly paraphase, "Act only in the way you would have everyone act." In other words, don't merely treat people how you would or would not want to be treated, but do EVERYTHING you do keeping in mind the thought "If it were a universal law that everything had to act the way I'm about to act, would that be a good idea?" Kant's imperative can help with situations where there's no other person to be treated but oneself (e.g. instances of "harmless" cheating that only you will know about). I'm not personally a deontologist, but it's an interesting retooling of an age-old principle, and it might've been more impressive and a sign of some kind of divine influence (or just good moral insight) if Jesus had offered some version of the Categorical Imperative instead of misstating the rule.
Pretty sure Jesus was illiterate. Which is a shame. It would have been really fucking useful if he had actually written things down himself. Could have cleared up a lot of things, provided some actual evidence.
Often, believers will use verses out of context. Someone used Isa 28's "line by line, precept by precept" on me, and I pointed out that was actually said to Isaiah to mock him.
@@MindShift-Brandon "The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good." Psalm 14:1 Person who rejects God is a fool, are you?
While I understand the annoyance, the negatively phrased "don't treat people how you don't want to be treated" poses the exact same issue as the positively phrased Golden Rule, yes? I would NOT want people to decline warning me about impending eternal torment if they thought it was true!
Yes im only pointing out that this is a small way to improve on the golden rule which so many point to as the height of Jesus’ wisdom and morality and what others of the day had already done. We can absolutely improve further.
I hope I don't get bashed in the comments here. But I appreciate you making this video. As a Christian, I noticed prosperity and self centered behaviors have taken over the church. Though you may not be Christian, I still appreciate your time making this video
Christianity is not even true at all. That person up top probably just wants to belong somewhere or maybe make a label for himself which could be that so many of these lite Christians stay within the religion or community.
Hey, everyone! Happy Sunday and thanks for watching. Whats your favorite misused verse?
Just had to say that I loved the analogy at the beginning of a beautiful garden also being full of weeds. I think that's a great way to describe it.
The poor widow who gives her last 2 cents. If you read the paragraphs in the “chapters” divided up after the author had written the story as one whole, Joshua/Jesus is talking about how bad it is that the Temple Jews took “even the deed to the house” of old widows to sell them prayers, yet the Temple is very rich it is hurting the poor and deserves to be destroyed.
Idk if it’s really misused but 1 Peter 5:7 because it’s so sad that people can’t deal with their own problems they need to put their problems on someone else rather than working to fix whatever is wrong in their life. It leads to years of stagnation and waiting till when “god” wants lol.
Jeremiah 1:5 when used to defend anti abortion positions. It's addressing Jeremiah only, not everyone that's ever been born.
@@nickbrasing8786 Thanks, Nick!
To me, instead of the Bible being compared to a beautiful garden with a lot of weeds, the bible is a huge patch of weeds with a few flowers in it.
Ha thats probably a better description
Pilat: “Nailed it!”😀
Christians: *😑
A weed is just a beautiful flower growing in the wrong place, and as an atheist I believe we are all weeds but the bible makes great manure in some places.
Agreed
Don't knock weeds, some of my favorite plants are weed.
If there is a god we can’t understand or judge, then we can’t understand it or judge it to be good.
this is such a simple and perfect point. Can't have it both ways.
I generally hate the entire concept of quoting the bible because 99% of verses are so generic that you can bend them to apply to whatever you want and the people that actually take the bible as an authority will *never* question whether you got it right or not. And if they do they receive a barrage of quotes that make it clear that to doubt the word of god is to be a very very evil person who deserves hell.
To quote various youtube atheists: "I don't care what your bible says".
Lol yup! 800,000 words that say everything under the sun. Grab a basket and pick some cherries.
My favourite is "he that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone." Christians have used this verse to whitewash horrible people.
@Scartoons The late Christopher Hitchens used to issue a similar challenge.
"I don't care what your holy book says"**
As a Christian the first verse blew my mind 😭😭😭 there’s sooo many questionable things within Christianity. I get upset at times, I question things and my family gets mad “you’re not supposed to question God” like what ? 😩 I’m not deconstructing or anything, but I’m definitely open minded to other possibilities that things are not what they seem. Your content is very interesting and I’m always learning new things. This video made so much sense!
You are me 😂 I am literally in the exact same situation
@@subscape lmaooo yes! I believe in God and everything, but some stuff just don’t make sense, some stuff ain’t adding up and I don’t like certain things. So I’m going to be who I am and have my concerns 😂💁🏽♀️ and if I don’t like something or agree I will not go along with it.
Y'all are future atheists. I was a Christian once and had the same questions.
@@Johnmhatheist I don’t doubt that at all 😂😂😂 I’m now at a point where I’m like yea there’s definitely a higher power, a creator or whatever .. but most definitely not in the way Christians want to portray it 😂😂😂
@subscape For a while, I was agnostic, believing that there has to be some sort of creator.
I couldn't convince myself, and I refused to become an atheist. Well, now I am an atheist. I no longer believe in a creator nor in a higher power. If there were truly a creator, I don't think the world would be as fucked up as it is. If there were a higher power, I believe that the world would be fairer, children wouldn't die of cancer, a righteous higher power wouldn't have allowed slavery to happen, and I would think that a creator would love his creation so much that he would want to see his creation prosper and be happy without oppressing each other.
"Your taking it out of context" means that your use of the verse disagrees with their use of the verse.
precisely!
It means you shouldn't try to interpret the Bible from a Satanic viewpoint.
Bless
Wtong again.
And what is a satanic viewpoint?@@Kenneth-ts7bp
My partner and I have been watching since your first video and we never miss an upload, so I just wanted to offer a little encouragement as a dedicated viewer: I can only imagine how much time, energy and discipline it takes to create high-quality content with this kind of consistency and frequency. Your dedication to excellence in both the technical and creative aspects of your videos and how seriously you take it is apparent and extremely appreciated. We watch pretty much… every atheist and deconstructionist on this platform, and you’ve become one of our favorites both in your execution and the topics you cover. Keep on keeping on, Brandon. You’re making a difference in people’s lives and adding something unique to the deconstructionist space.
Thank you so much. This is for sure the most encouraging and supportive comment I’ve gotten. It is highly motivating for me so thank you sincerely for taking the time to write it! Wishing you both well!
@@Mar-dk3mpDrivel.
@@Mar-dk3mp Better to face reality than play pretend.
@@Mar-dk3mp Well why don't you find a nice quiet place to pray for all of souls. Please let God know my door is open.
@@Mar-dk3mp I was never able to play pretend as a child. I was not able to play make believe and use my imagination to live in self created delusion. That God you have a relationship with definitely exists. You are worshipping an idol that is only in your mind. You are playing both roles. Everyone creates their own God out of the good things they find about their religion and ignore the bad. The nice little God you have in your head is nothing like Monster found in the pages of your Holy Book
When a Christian tells you that you are taking the text out of context, what they are really saying is that your interpretation of the text is not their interpretation of the text. When you invite them to read the text and discuss the meaning, here is when their brains shots dawn. They know it doesn’t say what they claim it says. But the simple possibility that they can be wrong in front of a nonbeliever is traumatic for them. This is why my first problem with all religions is the dishonesty. You are forced to be dishonest if you are willing to keep the belief. There is no other way.
Only discovered your channel a few days ago.
You are a breath of fresh air. Different themes to what I'm accustomed to with a lot of atheist RUclipsrs.
Thank you.
Thank you very much, Frank!
If i was going to make up a fake religion, I already know that some people are going to be sceptical about the claims of my fake religion.
So i would get ahead of the sceptics by including passages in my holy book to account for their scepticism.
I might even flatly insult them by saying that people who don't believe in my fake god are stupid.
But I would word it better than that , something like " the fool has said in his heart there is no god"
Yeah that sounds better , almost poetry 😂😂
ha, love this comment!
If only I could give multiple thumbs up to this comment!
I'm dying of laughter 😂😂😂
I can't 😂😂😂😂 u have no idea how funny your comment is
What makes you think God cares one way or the other. He collects the good fruit and plows the field.
Only a few are saved because of what they get from the book. None are punished for not reading the book, they are punished for their real sins.:
Isa:42:9:
Behold,
the former things are come to pass,
and new things do I declare:
before they spring forth I tell you of them.
Brandon, as someone who was a Christian for over 30 years before deconstructing/reconstructing, I just want to say thank you for your content. I’ve really been enjoying it.
I really appreciate that. And its my pleasure!
I love the term reconstruction.
If god works in mysterious ways, how do we know god works in mysterious ways? They are mysterious!
I'm convinced that these folktales, which were spread verbally, primordially, were never meant to be utilized by people across the world thousands of years later as Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.
That's fine, not everyone is supposed to believe the doubting Thomas story. You will be doing the building in Isa:65, rather than living in New Jerusalem.
On a scale of 0-10 how severe is that as far as it being a punishment.
@@waynegabler6570It seems a bit like telling me that if I'm not good, Santa won't bring me any presents.
One that has bothered me a lot recently is Galatians 3:28: 'There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.' It's often used as proof-positive of some kind of radical egalitarianism early Christianity was promoting (often as a response to people who'll bring up biblical slavery) but the emphasis on 'you are all one' betrays its context. This Epistle to the church in Galatia had Paul constantly stressing why faith was of primary importance to being a Christian, in contrast to how the Galatians were requiring their Gentile converts to follow aspects of Mosaic Law which Paul found not only unnecessary, but offensive, and in verse 10 of that chapter states that anyone who relies on the works of the law are cursed because it's basically impossible to follow, and continues with his supersessionist idea that the Law was just a placeholder for Jews specifically until Jesus came along, and now anyone regardless of their culture can receive salvation in the same way. One can admire his cosmopolitan thinking, but this was hardly radical, and didn't seem to have much to do with social status - if it were the early church would have been full of fanatical abolitionists and feminists, and it wasn't - and churches today, particularly regarding gender, are still nearly as bad. The references to slave/free and male/female seem to be little more than rhetorical flourishes to emphasize Paul's main point, which, throughout that chapter, is all about how salvation offered to the Gentiles shouldn't be any different to how Jews are offered it, and the very next verse reinforces that: 'And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.'
Great addition! Thansk
Galatians 3:28: 'There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.’
Thank you for bringing it about, great findings for me and what a clear message and follow up in deed in Acts .
In the context that was preached to Galatians and whoever was attending that Church community (Gentiles , Jews ) makes it universal through the sample representative: Jews and non Jews alike. Even if that words would be addresses to one person, the content or semantic speaks by itsleves: all are equal, no segregation, no class supperority since all are equal in face of God and Jesus.
Furthermore we know from Acts that the first Christians shared their possesions and leaved their lives in a shared community of good and deeds, following the Galatians 3:28
Acts 4:32-35
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.
Total stranger, nobody here, but I thoroughly enjoyed your manner of speaking and the facts involved. Hope you go places with your endeavors. You deserve it
Thanks Jeff, super kind. Appreciate you being here.
Well done. Context changes the whole meaning. Amazing how the Bible has always been used as justification when convenient and weaponized when it suits people’s needs.
Yes exactly. So big and diverse you can create as you want and as you go.
It's amazing how "spot on" this discussion is..several months ago when I was reading the Bible from cover to cover, I remember thinking to myself, so many Christians take clearly out of context a variety of popular Scriptures. Especially, Jeremiah 29:11. The moment I read that verse, I was like- "Wow. This scripture is referring to the Jews in exile thousands of years ago. It is not a direct promise to us now." I started to realize how so many Christians are taught false info.
yes indeed, ands what more, id be fine if they really left the OT alone, but you cant have it both ways. you cannot say that verse in Jeremiah is lovely and speaks for gods care for all, and then tell me that all the stuff in Leviticus and exodus about slavery is a context issue. Anyways, thanks for the kind words here!
@@MindShift-Brandon EXACTLY! The Bible, especially the OT talks about God's character in varied ways. Narratives shift and contradict one another all over the place. It's because all those anonymous authors wrote things down without consulting each other so that there would be some sort of continuity. Because there isn't. I enjoy your videos! 😊
Churches are dens of liars.
growing up as an autistic kid the golden rule failed me _constantly._
Attempting to treat others as I would have them treat me led to a lot of rudeness from me and hurt feelings from them
That just shows you never attempted to live the right way. You wanting to be a bad person just led you to being the same person as those who taunted you. How pitiful.
A well balanced intellectual examination of scripture. Well done and thank you.
Thank you much!
Nailed it. Consistence is all we are asking for!
yes!
Incontinence? You already have that.
Even as an X-Fundie Christian I still attend church every Sunday morning…I attend The Church Of The Holy Mattress LOL🤣🤣🤣🤣
I don’t remember where this scripture is in the New Testament but it was one I use to always misuse and never understood why because I was walking by faith and believed wholeheartedly that my prayer would be answered…”Say unto this mountain be thou removed and be thou cast into the sea and it will be removed.”
So I use to talk to mountains but nothing ever happened! LMAO 🤣🤣🤣🤣 The same went for the rest of my prayer life because nothing ever happened! Lol 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Oh yeah when my 2 kid’s died I had people saying to me that “god works in mysterious ways” and I looked at them straight in the face and gave them the bird🖕….. Happy Sunday Brandon and fam! 🌹🌹🌹🌹
i cant even imagine how much more harmful and ridiculous this would all be, if I was hearing it in response to losing a child. I am so sorry for your loss and how you were treated. Though, i understand why they said what they said. After all this whole thing is used in large part to comfort us from lost and the unknown. But still, yuck! I too use to take the verse about even faith the size of a mustard see could move mountains. I had so much faith so surely think of how great the things i could do would be.
My church is now watching the atheist experience and\or talk heathen.
I just attend on Sunday night or Monday.
Worship me or I Punish you forever
I have to say I've experienced some interesting comment replies from Christians who believe I should be convinced by religious word salad as actual argument.
you and me both, friend.
Quoting out of context can be fun, though. "Keep out of sight and reach of children." Because those brats will really mess you up.
brings to mind the lou christie song "2 faces have i"
Yup!
Keep ‘em coming Brandon. There’s a long battle ahead.
Yes sir, will do! Thanks.
2 Tim 1:7-8
Lead to my unbelief
Because I was no longer afraid to ask questions
yes, when one seeks the truth without fear, we often end up here!
Could you expand more on this please?
Found this old Gem!! How did I miss this last year? Great one!
Ha. Thanks for making it to all of them eventually!
I haven't watched your video on free will yet but you keep me so damn busy with your new content that I don't have time explore the old! If I didn't live in a society that was so absent of critical thought then I wouldn't spend my precious time hear on this earth formulating arguments in defense of my atheism. I care about my Christian friends, I love them all, but I fear having to address the topic of belief. Having a polished calm response to the question of belief in God becomes a response instead to questioning how we attain beliefs.
no worries at all. 0 expectations to watch everything ha. thanks again for your support and helping me understand your goal here.
Love the video! MUSIC FROM CHRONO TRIGGER?! Elevates this to absolute S-tier
Ha! Thanks for being here!
great video brandon the perfect antidote to people who misinterpret scripture to suit their own agenda
Thanks so much!
Every time I see mindshift post I know it’s boutta be a good day 😂
ha, thank you!
Another stellar video! I don’t have any more positive adjectives left to describe your channel so I’ll just say, Thank You!!!
Ha! "thank you" is always appreciated and more than enough. Right back at you!
I love the misuse of scriptures in the vein of what people commonly think is scripture.
But the reference is from Dante, or Poor Richard's Almanac, etc.
Any old homily will do for the authoritarian.
❤ the video.
Thanks, Mary!
My personal favorite when it comes to Christians taking Bible verses out of context is Psalms 22:16: "they pierced my hands and my feet." Christians take this as a prophecy of Jesus' hands and feet being pierced on the cross. In context, it seems more likely to refer to a person being bitten by dogs. Note that the whole verse reads: "For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet." Verse 20 also refers to being delivered from the "the power of the dog." Verses 12-13 talk about "Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round. They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion." Verse 21 says "Save me from the lion's mouth". This leaves being attacked by bulls or by a lion as additional possibilities for how this person's hands and feet might get pierced. Christians saying this refers to crucifixion is reading something into this chapter, that probably was not originally there.
The final minute of this video was legit the most potent
Thanks for watching the whole thing!
Thanks for putting those common biblical quotes into context.
My pleasure.
This demands another listen ❤️
Appreciate that.
Really like your levelheaded approach.
You might be a bit charitable with some of these but I think it is good you are taking the high road.
Ha! Thank you. Still trying to find my balance here.
I am forever and always reminded of the wise words of one of my old Bible professors. Thank you, Harvey Hartman. I shall now share these words. He called it Hartman 1:1-2. "1)All means all and that's all all means... 2)Within its context."
Another awesome Bible study today!👍🏻✌️
Thank you much!
Subscribed to a lot of channels regarding this subject. But I really enjoy your approach, that is your delivery. I know how to scoff at those verses, but I enjoy your refutation so much I will rewind and write them down for when,(That day comes) with my family
Oh man. Another kind comment. Thank you. Ill try to keep it up.
Thomas: “Christians” may have picked the most cherries that I have ever seen and counting.
Great video thank you.
Thanks, Alice!
Most excellent!
Thanks!
Say hello to my imaginary friend LOL
You can find beauty and wisdom in scripture the same way you can find an oxygen molecule in an exhaust pipe: through accidental diffusion.
Lol! Love that
Incorrect.
@@MindShift-Brandon Of course you love people saying stupid things.
My dude making a Honi the Circle-Maker reference at 10:00 about had me spitting soda.
Lol!
@@MindShift-Brandon was I the only person who has commented on that so far?
Ha, yup! Many must have not had that experience before lol.
@@MindShift-Brandon, man, I do love your channel. Maybe one day we can collaborate. I cover mythology and mythic reinvention, but through the lens of Marvel & comics. My focus is how comics have become America’s main form of mythological contribution and how our own ideals have been expressed through these characters adopting other mythic figures along the way.
Oh how interesting. Ill have to check you out.
I heard someone say the mysterious ways quote just last night. You’re so right.
Edit: I just heard it again on another channel!
“For thou lovest all things that are, and hatest none of the things which thou hast made:
for thou didst not appoint, or make any thing hating it.
And how could any thing endure, if thou wouldst not? or be preserved, if not called by thee?
But thou sparest all: because they are thine, O Lord, lover of souls”
(Wisdom 11)
Sometimes people will quote Shakespeare or just a common saying and attribute it to the Bible.
Love that I found your channel. Keep it up!
Thanks so much, Jennifer. Really appreciate that and will do!
Well done sir.
It's true though!
I asked for more channels such as yours, and I received😉
Ha! Maybe prayer works after all lol
So well said and so very true. This was the single most frustrating thing I saw at a Christian university. It became clear that it was all self-serving. Whatever the need or goal of the moment determined whether context mattered or consistency mattered or accuracy mattered, etc.
2 Chronicles 7:14 is also a popular one …if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”.. Purportedly showing a merciful god. Verse 13 say this, though "If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people"
This is a good addition. Thank you!
Good morning my bald headed brother!! This is off topic of todays video, but I would love to you explore the idea that we chose our beliefs. Why would a moral God judge one on his or her belief when one is limited to the environment and its contents from which to extract a worldview from. One does not get chose the experiences that inform their worldview. One Christian might have a wonderful home and church life while another is abused both at home and by the clergy, would it be reasonable for each experience to lead to the same conclusions. MAN I LOVE YOU!!! Keep it up and thanks for the new bible series as I have committed to it and was thrilled that you are undertaking it.
Great rec, Kurt. Im on it! I covered this a bit in my free will video but i think it does deserve its own episode! Thank you so much
Mine is Proverbs 27:17. Iron doesn't sharpen iron. One of those has to be steel. The verse is actually saying that you canNOT be sharpened by your peers, but they put it as, oh, Christians help each others' faith, yada-yada.
lol true
of course what they called “iron” could sharpen “iron”. But yeah
interesting. i'll have to look into that one more!
Such a wealth of great thoughtful content with this video. I’ve heard so many of these misuses, including by myself when I was in the faith.
Its a real bummer to remember the thoughts and words that once were ours. But we are proof of hope.
@@MindShift-Brandon I love that. So true!
Isaiah 61! The one Jesus himself quotes from incorrectly. Dont let the negative comments worry you, bro. A bunch of us are anxious to go through your new series.!
Thank you much, Chris! Appreciate that.
Why would atheists study the Bible?
It is impossible for Jesus to have quoted Isaiah 61 incorrectly. You must be in error!
@ColinWrubleski-eq5sh I was surprised to find it too, I assure you! When i say 'in error', i refer to how Isaiah speaks about the current day and situation. He makes no prophecy that would be clearly fulfilled by Jesus in the future. Jesus (Luke4:16) then reads his words and concludes for everyone that it was about him and fulfilled that day. It isnt at all clear or obvious, and seems alot like when Matthew just kinda attributes Old Testament things to Jesus with flimsy reasoning. Its so hard to believe Jesus would even say things like that, if he were actually trying to prove himself to people who might study his references and weigh them with reason and logic for consistency.
@ColinWrubleski-eq5sh Isaiah goes on to further state several things which shall happen, such as 'all the waste cities be restored' or ' all people will recognize the seed of the (Hebrew) people, and that they are God's people' and other things that were not fulfilled in the day that Jesus read at the synagogue- or ever after that at all. Also, the new testament reading that is recorded doesnt align well with any script of the actual Isaiah verse from the Torah (but that could just be a translation error of whoever wrote Luke or whatever scroll that synagogue had that day)
I almost did sell everything and go live among people who struggled. I took that verse in Luke very literally.
Same here! I was right on the cusp of taking my family to the mission field before it all went south.
When I was a Christian, I moved to Mexico to preach the gospel. I travalled all around Mexico and stayed in humble peoples' homes.
While I was there, I only made 100 dollars a month, and even though I was poor and struggling, I was proud of it in the Lord's name to further his word.
Even though now I'm an atheist and am anti-religion, I still reflect on my experiences in Mexico that weren't religious and look back at them with nostalgia. I loved being there.
@@MindShift-BrandonBrandon, while you lived in a Latinamerica in the missionary field with your parents, did you learn to speak Spanish fluently?
@@Johnmhatheist I too went to Mexico to build houses during the summer with YWAM. It was life changing. But not necessarily aligning with the pro-capitalist fundamentalist faith of my parents. Little did they know!
@denisep9497 awesome. I still love Mexico to this day. I still go and visit every chance I get, I have many friends there, I love Mexican culture, food, music, people, cinema, and everything about Mexico. It's like a second country to me.
But, I have lost a lot of friends here in the USA and Mexico now that I am an atheist, but I have also gained so many friends in the USA and Mexico ever since I became an atheist. Quite frankly, the new friends I have in Mexico and here in the USA are better than the ones I had as a Christian.
It's so much easier to understand the bible when you are not constrained by doctrines, dogmas and fears.
yes exactly!
I agree
"Misused" most, IMO, is "the Bible ". Which of the ~100-odd versions of Bible is being referenced?
This is not a question of translations of of one version, such as KJV, RC, Copic, into different languages, this is the problem of different versions.
They pretend that there is one preferred, one official, one original version. Which one is that, and why that one?
Maybe you might do a video about this issue?
fantastic point and great idea. thank you!
Thank you for another great video 🙂
My pleasure, thanks for being here!
Your summary at the the beginning about context is so true and I never put my finger on it. Christians are happy to use contextual misunderstanding as a reason to dismiss non-Christian arguments, yet that vigor does not exist at all towards correct other Christians and the misappropriation.
Imagine if Christians had the 'acthsully' attitude of star wars fans for instance, haha.
i can't even imagine. It would probably just destroy the religion. This bible does not hold up to scrutiny well. i think theres afar more plot holes than what George Lucas was working with.
Please it's the predestined verse for me. I decided to read the bible cover to cover myself in 2021 and when I saw that text, I felt special. (Typical Christian feeling) I felt good cos i'd been predestined to be a Christian, to be saved. But then i thought of my muslim friends, my amazing muslim friends who I knew it would be disrespectful to preach to since they already had a religion so I never tried to convert them.
I thought of how they've been
destined by god to not be saved, how I was somehow just destined for the opposite. And I knew there was something was up about religion
I have been on both sides of that verse just like you. Its insane.
Yup. Vessels of wrath. That was my turning point. To create people specifically to go to hell is so wrong, so immoral. The God I was taught about would never do that, yet the God I learned by reading myself totally would.
Very well articulated, Brandon, as always. Another few nails in the coffin of a dressed-up mythology!
It's encouraging to reflect on how far we've come already as a species, thanks to the march of science and the spread of knowledge. We don't always appreciate how privileged we are in being able to access material of this nature, and of this caliber, at virtually any place on earth (or even in space), literally within seconds of its publication, and without any fear of being hunted down as heretics and burned at the stake. It has not always been so. Consider the fate of the Italian scholar Giordano Bruno, who on 17 Feb 1600 was burned alive in the town square for refusing to retract his belief that there are an infinity of worlds, many of which may be inhabited (and for sundry other statements relating to theology and philosophy, that were likewise unacceptable to the church).
The progress is slow, but it is inexorable. The dissemination of enlightened positions (not of Absolute Truth - science doesn't provision this), against the perpetuation of patently untenable belief systems, must surely, at the end of the day, be just so many avalanches and tsunamis bearing down on just so many houses of cards.
So much can be said on this topic. Perhaps you'd like to do a video one day on the role of science and the internet, as arguably the prime facilitators for the decline and inevitable demise of a thoroughly worn out and discredited world view. We appear, as homines sapientes, at least to be moving in the right direction.
these are excellent points! I am also certain that if I was born 50 years earlier, (everything else being the same) id still be a christian. That would make a lovely video, thank you!
Fundamentalist Dictionary:
Taken out of Context: (n): Read directly from the text.
.
LOL
Isaiah 55:8-9. If you listen to Garth Brooks sing Unanswered Prayers (Sometimes I Thank God for Unanswered Prayers), it sounds great, but if you think about it for a few minutes, it only illustrates the futility of prayer. The song clearly illustrates that the practice is a waste of effort.
ha, wish i would have used that song in my video about prayer. Thats a great point.
Brandon-great work. When I was a Christian, I noticed Jesus never said he came for non-Jews-ever. Only Paul made that up. Wasn’t it one of your videos where you actually stated the verse that says it is God’s hope that Gentiles be wiped off the earth? I can’t find the passage, but I know it’s somewhere.
Thank you very much, Hollie. Yes I need to find those verses as i know theres specifics more than just the context.
great stuff!
Thank you!
10:55 There's a character in _Danganronpa_ Junko Enoshima, who LOVES to suffer despair and emotional pain, and she states at one point that she's tormenting her classmates _because_ they were her friends and she wants to "Show them the wonder of despair".
Whether she was being truthful or not, THAT would be consistent with the "treat others how you would want to be treated". I feel like that's a really good example of the flaw in that.
tithing under threat of eternal torture is neither exemplary nor generosity.
Isn't that extortion?
Yaweh and Jesus, the mafia bosses.
Another verse I've heard in connection with "God works in mysterious ways" is Deuteronomy 29:29 "The secret things belong to the Lord our God"
Ahh yes. Thanks for adding!
The question is, are they ignoring the context on purpose, since it inconveniently doesn't fit their narrative?
It certainly appears so, and that makes you wonder if they believe their scriptures (and god) are insufficient, and therefore they feel the need to twist new meanings out of them.
It clearly demonstrates how man makes god in _his own_ image. Just like the various authors of the biblical books, who consistently contradict one another, did. Why would a single, all-powerful god allow this to happen? Either he doesn't care or doesn't exist. Take your pick.
Right. No good excuses here. Just which bad reason are we using today
In one of your other videos, I introduced myself as an investigator, whose policy is to "treat others as I would want to be treated." I need to clarify that my "policy" is NOT from the *library of writings called "the Bible,* but simply from the standpoint of respect for my fellow human beings. It was a choice that *I* made, NOT "commanded to do by any deity." Except for interactions with Christians who treated me like crap, for the most part, it worked well with even gang members who afterward "had my six (i.e. back)" if I was in trouble.
My "policy" outside of my work is a different story, to be brutally honest. Being kind often leaves me stranded, alone, used up, and practically agoraphobic.
I just needed to clear that up. Thank you.
As always, Brandon, excellent contextual analysis.
I get irritated by verses that get quoted out of context, but I would say that verses that are purposefully misquoted get me even more. In fairness, the specific wording can depend on the version used, but sometimes, the change is so brazen as to be flippant.
The one that seems to always anger me is when Christians, especially fundies, try to insist that I need to be born-again in order to properly accept Jesus or know God, and they "cite" John 3:3 for that. Well, the versions I have read have the verse as this:
Jesus answered and said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.”
Nothing about being born-again, but it strongly suggests that only those who come from heaven can see heaven, making being born-again a futile attempt. Maybe there is a version out there with the verse saying what fundies claim it says, but not the ones I know.
I wondee how many other verses seem to be purposefully misquoted. Who knows, maybe there is a version that could end up like that Family Guy joke where Brian reads the verse Chris has for the sign he made for the Red Sox game they are going to, and according to Brian's reading, it says, "And the Good Lord said, 'Go Sox.'"
This is a great addition. I cover this verse in an up coming video on salvation doctrine so ill save my comments for that but thanks for watching and adding in!
@@MindShift-Brandon Will be looking forward to that then.
@@Mar-dk3mp Still gonna run away from any sort of challenge? Afraid that you might be shown what a complete hack you are?
Either way, keep these posts up. Your presence helps sustains this channel, so your "efforts" to combat atheism only serve to keep atheism going.
Now, how about you critique that "Book of Atheism" you talked about the last time you replied to me? After all, we can never have too many critiques about the Bible.
I like Sam Harris' take on the Christian God's "promise" and how modern day Christians see it.
"God is good. He helped us find a low interest 2nd mortgage."
But then another family member loses their job and their house is repossessed by the bank, after praying to God for help, and they say, "God works in mysterious ways. Who can possibly know the mind of God?"
Nobody gave me a clearer vision of the reality of Christianity than did Sam Harris.
Agree! Sam was one of the biggest influences on me during my deconversion.
@@MindShift-BrandonIt's a "I win, you lose, and if you win, i still win" attitude, to the point that he can't be wrong
In my many years of looking into the Christian faith, reading scriptures, I find that Christians are wholly inconsistent about what they believe and their accountability is absolutely SUBJECTIVE though they deny it. I am convinced that most Christians don't know much about context. Most have been "coached" as to how to read the bible. Some even "when", believe it or not. I don't know a Christian who hasn't bought some guide to help them read the scriptures but this makes sense as the bible is a tome of confusion and mystery that would make many cringe and raise their brows with doubt if read earnestly with an open mind. Great vid. As for the scriptures that require its followers to give up their material belongings, does it not begin with a rich man asking what he needs to do? Jesus, in my mind, is responding with an answer that seems universal to me. At least I believed this. In any case, even as a believer, I reject this proposition having been thoroughly raised in a materialistic society and valued my things much too much to give up. The prosperity gospel is a fine example of Christianity incorporating capitalistic and materialistic ideas to help soothe their clearly worldly ways. I used to refer to such Christians as Mammonites! Lol! They were secretly worshipping Mammon or deceptively following him/it. Anyhoo, long time ago. I enjoy your content. Keep it up!
Thanks for the kind words and taking the time to share your thoughts!
The good version of The Golden Rule isn't do not do unto others what you would not want done unto yourself, it is do unto others what they would have you do unto them
“Thou shall not kill,” (Exodus 20:13) Which really means "don't kill other JEWS unless I say it is ok. "
Yup. You got it!
Hey, it would be good if you put a black background over half of the screen when you put the white text up on that half. It's not really legible
For sure. Thanks for the feedback!
I'm hooked! Great stuff! ❤
Thanks so much!
Excellent job. The one that used to really drive me nuts when I had changed to a conditionalist / soul sleep perspective was when people would say "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." First, it doesn't say that. 2nd, It is in context of contrasting the current mortal body with the immortal body we would supposedly be getting at the resurrection. This is not a verse saying our spirit / soul goes to be with Jesus and gramma when we die. Paul elsewhere in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 says to not grieve over those who have died, because our hope is in the resurrection. He doesn't say our soul/spirit goes to be with Jesus. The Bible is such a basket of contradictory garbage. Christians need to study and use their brains. Sad what Christianity has done to otherwise potentially intelligent rational people. Brains destroyed by the Jesus virus.
oh this is a good one. Thanks for sharing and adding it in. What a mess!
Matthew 12:48-50 New Living Translation (NLT)
Jesus asked, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” Then he pointed to his disciples and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!”
When Jesus talks about loving your neighbor in Matt 22:39, the verse above in Matt 12 shows that he
did not have a very inclusive view of who constituted his brother, sister or mother.
The first verse says it all for me. When I read the Bible it is ALL just Israel and nobody else. Not even Paul, if you consider the context. He always quotes the Tenach when he talks about 'gentiles'. Those were the 'lost sheep of the house of Israel' scattered among the gentiles.
Here are seven connections between Yama from Hinduism, Yam (who gets renamed Yaw) from the Baal Cycle, and YHW (Yahweh) from the Mt Ebal curse tablet:
1. Role as a deity of death: Yama is the Hindu god of death and the underworld, while Yam is a god of death and lord of the underworld in the Canaanite Baal Cycle. In the Mt Ebal curse tablet, YHW is also associated with death and the underworld.
2. Associated with judgment: Yama is often depicted as the judge of the dead in Hindu mythology, while Yam is said to preside over a court of the dead in the Baal Cycle. The Mt Ebal curse tablet also includes references to judgment and punishment.
3. Connection to kingship: In Hinduism, Yama is sometimes depicted as a royal figure, and is sometimes associated with the king of the gods, Indra. Yam, too, is sometimes associated with kingship, as he is said to have been the first Canaanite king. YHW is associated with the "lord of the covenant," which may have been a title for a Canaanite or Israelite king.
4. Symbolism of a bull: In the Baal Cycle, Yam is often depicted as a bull, and is sometimes referred to as "the Bull." In Hinduism, Yama is also associated with bulls, as he is often depicted riding a black buffalo. Bulls also feature prominently in the Mt Ebal curse tablet.
5. Connection to creation: In Hindu mythology, Yama is said to have been one of the first beings created by the god Brahma. Yam, too, is said to have been created by the god El in the Baal Cycle. The Mt Ebal curse tablet also includes references to creation.
6. Linked to the afterlife: Yama is closely associated with the afterlife in Hinduism, as he is said to preside over the souls of the dead. Yam is similarly associated with the underworld in the Baal Cycle. The Mt Ebal curse tablet also references the dead and the afterlife.
7. Symbolism of darkness: Yama is often depicted as a dark, ominous figure, and is sometimes associated with the dark half of the year. Similarly, Yam is associated with darkness and the underworld in the Baal Cycle. The Mt Ebal curse tablet also includes references to darkness and curses.
That was some real talk... I never did ANY of that when i was a believer lol
Your ad break was someone praying. Haha
Lol
the whole argument of "God didn't answer my prayer or he said no instead of yes" directly contradicts the "ask and ye shall receive" scripture...
Great video.
Another example is Nahum 1:7
"The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him."
That sounds like a pretty good verse.
Oh wait... verse 8:
"But with an overflowing flood He will make an utter end of its place, and darkness will pursue His enemies."
(For a second there I was worried that God had forgotten His trademark action of flooding wickedness, but no, God still remembered)
When someone quotes a Psalm, ask them to read the whole Psalm (or offer to read it yourself). Most of them are pretty short (they're poetry and songs, after all), the whole thing might be enjoyable on a purely aesthetic level, you get to hear someone else reading verse (which is always interesting, and may give insight into how well they know poetry or have an ear for meter), and it's easier to analyze it that way. I would say the same when quoting most poems that aren't Paradise Lost-tier epics: Read the whole thing, why pick out just a slice of it? Same could be said of TV or movie clips: Can we at least see the whole scene? Point out the part you like afterward and discuss it in its context. That can be hard with a full film or a novel, but it should be no problem for just one Psalm!
And yes, I'm one of those people who will see something quoted as an epigraph or something and go look up the whole thing.
*SCRIPTURAL CHERRY-PICKING...*
...Is as old as Christianity itself. Older, even; it's a Jewish tradition at the very least, and for all I know it could be a feature of other ancient religions. This is part of what bothers me about people who talk up people like Justin Martyr or Augustine or Thomas Aquinas as brilliant writers. Even if I were to accept their reasoning processes and the facts they relied upon, these writers LOVE to quote scripture out of context, as if singular lines devoid of the verses around them make independent points which can be used as the anchor for an entire argument. Even working from the concession that the Bible is somehow 100% true, the notion that each individual sentence is also true in an isolated context is untenable and simply cannot work.
This is also seen quite a bit in the epistles. Paul and the other writers are trying to make a point, and they use Old Testament scriptural quotes (but curiously, usually no quotes or examples from a once-living human Jesus) to support that point. That's fair enough, but ought we not ask when we read these epistles whether that scriptural support has been employed correctly, and if it hasn't, what impact that may have on the overarching point being advanced? It's not like people can't disagree with Paul and yet remain Christians; people IN PAUL'S OWN TIME were disagreeing with him and remaining Christians, that's part of why he wrote the letters! It might even be the case that very persuasive responses to Paul's points were written that we'll never see because they weren't preserved. Perhaps we would have agreed more with those people's takes on the scripture, and Paul never claimed to be infallible, so he could've been wrong on something. He even says himself that sometimes he's just offering his personal opinion.
*"JUST BECAUSE YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND..."*
I always liked this one with respect to the Trinity because it sure seems like nobody gets that one. The most confident people usually offer an analogy that's considered heretical without realizing they're doing so. If there exists an idea or concept that NO human understands and can explain, saying God gets it (but hasn't bothered to explain it properly) seems like cold comfort.
(Unrelated, but the other question I like to ask about the Trinity is whether they can point to anything at all which is triune in the way God is triune *other than God*. I always wondered why, if I'm made in God's image, I'm not somehow triune in nature. Lot of duality in Christian thought with respect to human nature, but not a lot of triunity. If nothing in creation reflects the Trinity, why is that? If nothing other than God is triune, how can we even know what that means?)
*ON THE GOLDEN RULE*
In addition to your point about the "proper" formulation, I always thought Kant's Categorical Imperative was an interesting extension of the idea: To badly paraphase, "Act only in the way you would have everyone act." In other words, don't merely treat people how you would or would not want to be treated, but do EVERYTHING you do keeping in mind the thought "If it were a universal law that everything had to act the way I'm about to act, would that be a good idea?" Kant's imperative can help with situations where there's no other person to be treated but oneself (e.g. instances of "harmless" cheating that only you will know about).
I'm not personally a deontologist, but it's an interesting retooling of an age-old principle, and it might've been more impressive and a sign of some kind of divine influence (or just good moral insight) if Jesus had offered some version of the Categorical Imperative instead of misstating the rule.
Pretty sure Jesus was illiterate. Which is a shame. It would have been really fucking useful if he had actually written things down himself. Could have cleared up a lot of things, provided some actual evidence.
Is that a Songs In The Key Of Life screensaver in the background? Fabulous!
Often, believers will use verses out of context. Someone used Isa 28's "line by line, precept by precept" on me, and I pointed out that was actually said to Isaiah to mock him.
ha, how ridiculous. Thanks for watching.
You are also foolish if you reject the word of the Lord like they did.
@@heavenbound7-7-7-7 will I be mauled by she-bears for being so foolish, like the children God killed who called Elisha bald?
Matthew 5:22
@@MindShift-Brandon
"The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good." Psalm 14:1
Person who rejects God is a fool, are you?
Lol. Just got a ad for a Bible App on here.😂
A sex abuser who forces his attentions on someone could excuse himself by saying "I was just doing unto them as I would have had them do unto me".
Right. Horrific idea
While I understand the annoyance, the negatively phrased "don't treat people how you don't want to be treated" poses the exact same issue as the positively phrased Golden Rule, yes? I would NOT want people to decline warning me about impending eternal torment if they thought it was true!
Yes im only pointing out that this is a small way to improve on the golden rule which so many point to as the height of Jesus’ wisdom and morality and what others of the day had already done. We can absolutely improve further.
God is the only one with the job with no accountability.
God needs a god.
I hope I don't get bashed in the comments here. But I appreciate you making this video. As a Christian, I noticed prosperity and self centered behaviors have taken over the church. Though you may not be Christian, I still appreciate your time making this video
Appreciate that. Even i were still a christian id have still made almost this exact video ha.
Christianity is not even true at all. That person up top probably just wants to belong somewhere or maybe make a label for himself which could be that so many of these lite Christians stay within the religion or community.
@@Non-religiou lol, okay. Can't you have your thought process and I have my own? That's not possible?
You might want to add a subtle drop shadow on the white text, as it's quite hard to see against your background.
Thanks!
Appreciate that!!