Dear Fred,
Please read this. http://paxonbothhouses.blogspot.com/2013/03/pope-francis-socialism-causes-misery.html
The lineage of "biblical literalists" is comprised of the very people most likely to have manipulated the original gospel texts.
The desolating ardor of "true believers" is so self-justifying that once they lather themselves into conviction of "absolute righteousness," any "Falsehood Fostering The Good" is deemed not only sinless but virtuous. http://paxonbothhouses.blogspot.com/2012/05/mistakes-in-scripture-when-bible-gets.html
Today is Palm Sunday.
At mass this morning -- during the reading of Luke's "Passion" -- I realized that "the high priests" (i.e., "church hierarchs") were ferociously determined to crucify Yeshua; that a career politician, Pilate, found no fault in the man; and that a pagan centurion embodied enough endgame courage to declare: "Truly, this was a just man."
Christian Pharisees -- at least as hypocritical as their namesake -- would wisely downplay their love affair with the Old Testament, substituting instead clear-eyed contemplation of "The Woe Passages." http://paxonbothhouses.blogspot.com/2012/02/santorum-savonarola-and-pending.html
I am struck that so many modern "Christians" -- despite their bombast to the contrary -- would be more at home with the Old Testament's Thunder Sky God than the New Testament's God of Love.
Pax on both houses,
Alan
