Biblical Mysteries

If two of every creature where supposed to be loaded
wouldn't the boat be too heavy to support them?
How do you keep the carnivores and herbivores separate?
And what plants would the grazers have, if only animals were there?

If Jesus had nails driven through his palms
wouldn't they just have ripped through?
Why does the Church support such a claim?
And because it's physically impossible, does that mean they lie?

The Bible says "hair like lamb's wool."
doesn't that conjure the image of a black person's hair?
Jesus was essentially born in Africa.
So why are people unwilling to say he's black?

If one of the recognized commandments
is "Thou shalt not kill."
How can the Church face themselves?
Weren't the Crusades a direct violation?

On that note, from the previous thoughts
wouldn't that also defy the command
of not bearing false witness?
Strange.

So many inconsistencies
so many questions.
Leaves me to conclude that I've no problem ignoring Scripture
so long as I follow the original message
the one that was twisted to meet some conveniences
And I have no problem advocating peace, love, and honesty
because I think that's what God would really have wanted anyway.....

— infinite_dwarf, Jan 13, 2009

About This Poem

About the Author

Region, Country: North Carolina, USA, USA

Favorite Poets: E.A. Poe, Lewis Carroll, Charles Bukowski, Michael McClure, Lawrence Ferlenghetti.

Critiques

infinite_dwarf

17 years 4 months ago

Thanks, D!

I agree with everything you said. I know about the actual dimensions of the ark, I was just raising the point of the animals. How do you keep a lion from snacking on a gazelle? What did the grazing animals eat? You know? The nails going through the wrist and the frizzy hair go hand in hand with the "accepted" picture that the Catholic church supports. Every picture you see is a white man with long flowing brown 'european' hair, and nails through the palms. This, in my opinion, is the wrong portrayal, and if it is, then I raise the question of whether the Church lies - which also ties into #4. Really, I don't give a crap what Jesus looked like - he was an awesome man, and he gave his life for others. I'm not one of those type people who can't accept the fact that he might have been something other than a more European looking man. And they're stupid for that. Last, I can't quite agree with just the generalization that humans make mistakes. They basically said, you ain't one of us so you need to die. That's not a mistake, but, who am I to really pass a judgement? If God's pissed about it, then they certainly got their come-uppance when they died. I'm not trying to bash anything or anyone, was just voicing some questions I've always had. Some were answered to my satisfaction (they aren't listed here) and the remaining are here, as well as others. I was baptized Baptist, accepted the Lord as my savior, and have been trying to do the right things, so it's not like I'm even railing against Christianity... I am one! Thanks for taking the time to read and comment at great length. :~) ~Jess K. ---------------------------------------------------- -"And he talks to the river of lost love and dedication And silent replies that swirl invitation Flow dark and troubled to an oily sea A grim intimation of what is to be" - Pink Floyd

Quillsvein1

17 years 4 months ago

I

think here it needs to be understood that not every believer takes the Bible literally in each and every case. Biblical literalists are, in my humble opinion, not very good representatives of the faith, though you'll see them often enough. People (and I don't mean you, Jess) tend to project madness and hypocrisy on people of faith in particular when it exists everywhere. The Crusades were certainly a horrendous hypocrisy. But the Church is a human institution and at the same time the Body of Christ. We shouldn't expect human beings to be supernatural. If we expect all priests and nuns and bishops to be perfect, we may as well not bother showing up for mass in the first place. By the same token we should not expect Government officials to do what is best for humanity--if we expected that I imagine our capacity for hope would drop to below zero. On the other hand the Church has worked literal miracles throughout this country and in the darkest places of the world--El Salvador being a good example. Countries abandoned by all forms of institutional authority. For every person who died in the Crusades there is a large number of Jesuit martyrs which exceeds them. It has also produced some of the finest human beings to exist: Archbishop Oscar Romero, St. Maximillian Kolbe, Mother Teresa, Father Daniel Berrigan and Philip Berrigan, Dorothy Day etc. And there is a little bit of all these in most clergy you meet. For me the Vatican and the Holy Father are necessary human backdrops to the only real authority, Christ. The New Testament is along with Shakespeare also some of the best poetry we have. The most authentic Christians are those who recognize no authority but that of Christ. Strangely enough, that can be reconciled with the Church. Christ despised corrupt political authority; in fact, that was the only thing that made him angry. It all depends, I think, on whether you believe in the Resurrection as a reality. Just food for thought! And thank you for indulging me Jess!

infinite_dwarf

17 years 4 months ago

Oh absolutely, Quills!

And that's all I was intending was just food for thought. Well... ok.... that's not completely true, I guess I was trying to make sense of the Catholic church, too, as I seem to have the most trouble understanding them. But, rest assured, they're certainly not the first sect of any religion that made me pop my head to the side and go "huh?!" at some of their wordings, thoughts, and such. Heck, I have some awesome debates of this nature with my father in law, and he's a minister!! It's a mutual respect, though. He knows of my curiosities, and knows that I don't present things in a "you're wrong!" fashion, because what do I know? No one knows, we can only have the faith that our beliefs are the right way. I think my problem is that I'm a stickler for logistics, and that gets me into trouble sometimes! LOL! Thanks to you both for being good sports, and giving some really informative answers and opinions! You're awesome! ~Jess K. ---------------------------------------------------- -"And he talks to the river of lost love and dedication And silent replies that swirl invitation Flow dark and troubled to an oily sea A grim intimation of what is to be" - Pink Floyd

prayersbyPatty

17 years 4 months ago

Jess

I liked this poem because it was thought provoking the nails used on Jesus had big heads shaped in a T. And that is how they punished people. There are many questions that are unanswered that I hope to find out when it is time. I think you have the right idea though about questioning some of the things that are preached. It is called legalistic. Jesus taught in parables that we do not always understand. I am with you... be kind, be positive and reach out to others. Nice poem Patty

infinite_dwarf

17 years 4 months ago

Thanks again, all

I definitely tend to get in trouble with these type things. Sometimes I seek answers to questions which have no answers, or those that are impossible to explain. I don't mean to "question" my faith as it's pretty unshakable, and that's not what this was really about. I guess doubt my faith is a better word. Coming from a technical background, I always wonder, worry, and ponder the logistics of every single thing. My questions were merely curiosities, and I apologize if anyone took offense. Like I said, I believe in the Lord our father, and Janice is right: ain't no one gonna know until we die. Until then, I'll walk away with the more simple things of Scripture: love, peace, good-will towards man, and inner peace with our Lord. that's all I can really hope for, that is all I can maintain, and that is what's in my ultimate control. ~Jess K. ---------------------------------------------------- -"Handle every situation like a dog: if you can't eat it, or screw it, piss on it and walk away!"

Rett

17 years 4 months ago

dunno how I missed this jess

but it is quite good. All other things aside, I have always had one burning question. How the heck did they keep the ark afloat with woodpeckers on board? Respectfully, Rett: "Next time you think you're perfect, walk on water."

prayersbyPatty

17 years 4 months ago

Jess

I don't think you offended anyone. Curiosity is great! I loved this one. My question when I get to where I am going is to Abraham...... I want to know if his wife knew where he was going with their son..... I am not sure I have that much faith..... But am working on it. These are the things we should discuss, because these are the things that turn people away, I am also analytical. We all have questions, but we don't all admit it. Thanks for being brave and humble. Patty

JWwildcat2012

17 years 3 months ago

You raised good questions here.......

Some things in the bible are interpreted by people as strange,and you do have interesting points in your write.But it is how you understand what was written.I believe that everything happened for a reason within the bibles pages. As far as grammar or structure goes,you wrote it well.It is an intriguing entry. Your friend,in peace, Scott.