Comments for ReligionNerd.com

Comment on House of the Virgin Mary: The Discovery at Ephesus by ferri

ferri — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 20:32:59 +0000

And by the way, i would LOVE to go here one day, but it’s been traditionally believed the Holy Mother died and ascended to heaven in Jerusalem, pretty confusing stuff but I’m amazed of the interfaith pilgrimage that goes on here. It’s really rare muslims and christians in that area especially can be near each other peacefully

Comment on Jesus’ Remains: Teaching Multiple Jesi by Kate Blanchard

Kate Blanchard — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 14:16:48 +0000

I wish I could email you to ask for your syllabus! I teach a Jesus course for many of the same reasons (self-promotion included), and I always learn something new along with my students. We also share a connection with Carolyn Medine. Best wishes and keep it up.

Comment on House of the Virgin Mary: The Discovery at Ephesus by neville

neville — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 18:11:34 +0000

If one will read the ancient Greek writings, It and the KJV says that there were three women, Mary the mother, Mary, the wife of Clopas and Mary Magdalene Io Anna; Who is the disciple that he loved. Gnostic Gospel of Thomas Peter objects to Jesus teaching Mary Magdalene more than the others and Jesus says that he will lead and teach her to make her a male spirit. Gospel of Phillip talks of the close relations ship of Jesus and Mary Magdalene, it and other Nag Hammadi texts refer to Jesus calling her his beloved. Ethiopian Bible calls her Great-Goddess-Mother-Queen and High Priestess of God. Of the linage of Moses and the Princess of Meroh, capitol of Ethiopia. So Jesus was calling on the favorite, disciple of disciples, as acknowledges by the Catholic church.

Comment on Reggae, Rasta and Homophobia by Sam Kestu

Sam Kestu — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 10:35:54 +0000

The Name of “White people are devils” and the comment are expressions of black supremacy. Black supremacy was a part of early Rastafarian beliefs. Rastas have tried to distance themselves from it. The Bobo Ashanti mansion appears to still promote black supremacy.

The Rastas are a minority religion in Jamaica, with conservative Christians being the majority. They are as homophobic as the Rastas.

New scientific information about homosexuality, that most gays are “born gay” and that homosexuality can’t be cured, will eventually result in better treatment of LGBT people in Jamaica and eventual repeal of laws that outlaw anal sex between consenting adults. This happened in the U.S. and is happening around the world now.

Jamaica could be where the U.S. was 60 years ago. Will it change? Yes it will. The knowledge forces the change just as knowledge about left handedness forced changes in how left handed people are treated.

Comment on Tucker Carlson Apologizes to Witches by Ken Leonard

Ken Leonard — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 14:36:36 +0000

Wow.

What if someone else says that they have a hard time taking seriously a religious whose biggest holiday is Christmas? Basing the evaluation of a holiday on the pop-culture commercialized version might not be entirely constructive.

I dream that someday Fox “News” will become better-known for well-researched, well-thought-out informative comments than the idiotic and ignorance-based rants of its “contributors.”

Comment on The Curious Case of Gerhard Kittel by Leofranc Holford-Strevens

Leofranc Holford-Strevens — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 11:50:12 +0000

There can be no more objection to using his work as such than to any other despoiling of the Egyptians; however, any statement upon which his political opinions might have had a bearing needs critical scrutiny.

Comment on Mary Magdalene and Female Authority in the Early Church by Rayan

Rayan — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 21:22:03 +0000

Yes the 15th century did include Mary Amgdaelne as the 13th apostle. The protestant removed women and mistranslated. Mary Magdalene marrtied jesus twin Thomas. They taught reiki helaing techniques within the church ministry. And psychic means prophetic gifts. From Gnostic(means hidden secret knowlegde).
Barthalemew revealed that Vir Mary I queen of the Angels.
We need a diverse theology that include the Gnostic Gospels and non protestant. That interpret prophetic gifts as psychic abilities and healers as reiki!
Jesus said lust after me not desire!

Comment on Reggae, Rasta and Homophobia by Luna

Luna — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 00:03:33 +0000

Homophobia is hate no matter how you paint it. Its part of our culture isn’t a good reason, its a terrible one. When you look into the truth and conscience of your own heart you know that it is not ok to hate anyone or judge any other person. The problem is that people are too lazy to look within themselves for the answer and instead follow what some stupid book or religion says. The only life we have to judge is our own. Love all others

Comment on 4 big myths of Book of Revelation by Ian Walker

Ian Walker — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 07:12:01 +0000

Ms Pagels rather attack on the book of Revelation is nothing new but the credibility of her argument falls away on the first two points. Firstly her claim that its not about the end of the world and secondly that the number 666 relates to emperor Nero. If you read Revelation Chapter 6 verse 12 (Rev 6:12) you will read of events that have not yet happened to fate. Global events are describe there as are others later in the book, events that have not been recorded in past history of the world. Her second claim that Nero is spelt out using Hebrew alphabet is amusing. True there are four letters that make up the number and one of them is R, but you see the claim is ridiculous when you add the implied vowels: T -Tav, R – Reish, S -Samekh, V – Vav with vowels added gives a name like TARISOV or TORASUV.

Comment on A Wiccan Perspective on Satan, Evil, and all that Biblical Stuff by Tatanka Wakantanka

Tatanka Wakantanka — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 03:47:59 +0000

Greetings,
I have problems with the Abrahamic religions that I do not feel in others ( Hinduism, Buddhism, Pantheism ), what to speak of Wicca. The Coven I belong to is having a ritual with some Lilith worshipers. They equate her with the Goddess, no consort though AFAIK, unless you believe in Adam I guess. My problem is I do not believe in Adam and Eve, Satan, Lilith or even their “Mr. God” as Gurdjieff called it. How will I stand in the Circle worshiping something I do not even believe in? I do not believe myself close-minded, far from it, but I take worship of the Goddess and God very seriously, isn’t it all about balance? Plus I do not see how she fits into the Wiccan rite. It seems just another symptom of anything goes, as long as you denounce Christians along the way. Very appealing to Vampires, Goths etc, and understandably so. Guess I just don’t fit in the Brave New World. Am trying to figure out how to avoid this gracefully. Sorry if I offended anyone here. BB

Comment on Coming Out As a Heretic by Sherrill

Sherrill — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 15:01:48 +0000

I’ve been an atheist for a long time, and I understand how you feel. When you stop believing in a god, you lose a label that you’ve had all your life (usually Christian, in this country), so there’s a temptation to replace it with another one. Like many people, I went through a belief in ” something out there” and the “spiritual but not religious” stage. I searched around for a word that meant something to me, without all the baggage that other people put on it. The problem is, there is no such word. In this country, words surrounding religious thought are full of alternate meanings. So in the end I settled on atheist, and I’m completely comfortable with it. It simply means a lack of belief in a god, period. Anything else is just other people’s baggage, not mine.

Comment on Goddess Worshipers and Tax Authorities Clash in an Upstate Town by Libertarian

Libertarian — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 01:49:00 +0000

It is very sad that in August 2012, during a bench trial (where the judge is judge and jury),the judge chose to overlook that parsonages and convents are tax exempt, disregarded evidence that the property is used religiously (though of course not exclusively),and denied the Cybelines their monasterytax-exemption. I hope they win on appeal,but of course, they need funds. I can’t fathom the reason behind Palenville’s discriminatory attitude–the hamlet used a variety of harassment to get them to move, from alleged code violations to this–as the hamlet was a haven for dissolute NYC artists in the 1900s, obviously the grandfathers of the current Palenvillers were more open-minded.

Comment on Are Christians taking Christ out of Christmas? by Keny Smith

Keny Smith — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 19:02:31 +0000

I like this piece for a variety of reasons, though most of all because it’s got me thinking in ways different than when I first sat down to read it. For instance – this piece prompts me to ask – if large percentages of folks here in America engage in Christmas activities having little to do with theological doctrine, scripture reading, sermons, church attendance, and so forth, what are they doing and what do such activities mean to them? It would not at all surprise me if they centered around having a few more days off from work, enjoying big meals, gift-giving, hanging out with friends and family, watching TV and going to the theatre to see “The Hobbit,” laughing and basically having fun. It would also hardly suprise me if such things “functioned religiously” for many contemporary Americans, and even more so than “churchiness,” and thank god.

Comment on Reggae, Rasta and Homophobia by Anti Ras

Anti Ras — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 05:28:47 +0000

I hate Rastas! Especially fake-ass white rasta posers! Fuck religion! Pot heads suck too! put the pipe down and face your reality!

Comment on Sex trafficking and Super Bowl Sunday: Faith Groups Mobilize by Jody Williams

Jody Williams — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 18:41:28 +0000

It’s great that people are out “raising awareness” and promoting protests and organizing parades and doing documentaries and writing articles and passing legislations and hosting lectures – but I have been in the trenches actually pulling victims up and out of the sex industry for almost 40 years now. We have processed over 250,000 men and women who have contacted us for help – as well as organized more than one project to go in and rescue victims who can’t call for help themselves through http://www.traffickingandprostitutionservices.org – if I had even 10% of these people’s energy, time and resources who would be willing to help us do what we do – we could actually wipe this problem out. If you know of anyone who needs help, or where help is needed – please contact us. Thank you Jody http://www.hightechmadam.blogspot.com

Comment on A Wiccan Perspective on Satan, Evil, and all that Biblical Stuff by Questions

Questions — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 01:29:41 +0000

I have a question. I have seen some sites devoted to Wicca that there is only ONE part of the Rede that all Wiccans believe in, “do as ye will”. The first part of that is “And it harm none” is more of a guide. I have come across one man that if he were the role model for Wicca it would not be a path that I would follow. Are there some Wiccans that have taken that “do as ye will” to far? He borders on Aleister Crowley view of the Wiccan religon. Do some Wiccans distance themselves from people like this? It would be nice if you contacted me through my email.

Comment on Mircea Eliade and Joseph Campbell by Stu Grimson

Stu Grimson — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 04:02:53 +0000

Smith’s criticism of Eliade is reasonable and well-argued, but Lefkowitz’s criticism of Campbell is ridiculous and petty. She is offended by him from an ideological standpoint, and her pettiness is obvious from the comment about not finishing his PhD. I had many professors who disliked Campbell for that reason, and it was never anything more than jealousy. There are plenty of reasons not to take Campbell seriously as a scholar of religious studies, but his lack of a PhD is not one of them.

Why the focus on feminism? Who cares if Eliade and Campbell’s theories about the history of religion offend the dogma of modern feminism? Post-Bronze Age religions have been male-centric, as have most civilizations and societies since that time. That is simply a fact. As historians and philosophers, how else should Campbell and Eliade deal with it? Did they err by not devoting enough of their time to complaining about it?

Good to see an article on this, though.

Comment on Memories of A Moderate Muslim Woman by Helene LeBlanc

Helene LeBlanc — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 00:26:30 +0000

Your family story touched my heart. In this islamophobe times, it’s good to read such story. Thank you for sharing it.

Comment on A Wiccan Perspective on Satan, Evil, and all that Biblical Stuff by olivia

olivia — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 11:31:21 +0000

hi i totally agrree with you. there is no evil nor good in the world. my believe is that men want to be in power that why it came up with the idea of good and evil

Comment on Firewalking as Spiritual Transformation by Lee Walls

Lee Walls — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 10:46:08 +0000

Great article and it’s very exciting to see that my feet are pictured on your site, that’s me with the bare legs, let me know if you ever come to scotland and you can join one of our events.