The Quagmire Mar.15 1998
Hi My Friend:Got your letter and the Coulter material. Glad to hear from you and hope the storm down there was more physical than spiritual. As for Coulter, been there and done that; Fred is a very sincere and dedicated person and very knowledgeable about the bible. I used to be one of his followers, but I have trouble with his constant reference to the old testament and the Mosaic law.
My Friend, you keep quoting scriptures when you write letters to me, but its only to bolster your interpretation and opinion. I've read the -new testament through and through, and them are constant admonitions warning of the curse of the law. I have to follow Paul and not Coulter because Paul has seen Christ and his teaching was authorized by God Himself. (Gal. 1:11-24)
In fact, the whole book of Galatlans warns us, In GaI.3;13 "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law being made a curse for us. As all had broken the law, all had come under its' curse. But Christ has redeemed us. Don't turn back to the law from which Christ has redeemed us. Oh foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that you should turn from the blessing of faith to the curse of law?"
So My Friend, that's my present stance. I can't believe Paul and justify returning to keeping the "holy days." It's either this or that. It can't be both. Gal. 5;13-15 tells us that ALL the law is fulfilled in one word; Love. You don't need the works of the law.
Okay, God, I starved for one day, I went to all the feasts, kept the days of unleavened bread, tithed. tithed and tithed again, kept the Sabbath, abstained from pork, now what are you going to do for me? Armstrong promised you that you would be rulers and kings in the world to-morrow if you suffered through all these practices. Especially if you were overly generous in your tithes and offerings. It was a heavy, heavy load to bear. Then Christ came. He said, "take up my, yoke, it is easy."
Karl Marx said, "Religion is the opiate of the masses." I'd also like to add my version "religion has become a quagmire for the masses." Just study the history of religion, past and present. Killing, torturing, rape, wars, incest, robbing, looting etc. All professing to be in the name of God. The bible is full of it.
Thomas Paine was a brilliant writer. he wrote "The Age of Reason." This is what he said about religion: "Of all the tyrannies that affect mankind, tyranny in religion is the worst: every other species of tyranny Is limited to the world we live in: but this attempts to stride beyond the grave, and seeks to pursue us into eternity. This Is my profession of faith: I make it with all the sincerity and frankness with which the mind of man communicates with itself: I believe In one God and no more; and I hope for happiness beyond this life. I believe in the equality of man, and I believe that religious duties consist in doing justice, loving mercy, and endeavoring to make our fellow creatures happy."
So this is the direction toward which I'm leaning. Most religions have utilized and manipulated God to their own advantage. All these different faiths claim to have the inside track to the Almighty. God looks to the heart, not to any particular religion. I hope he will accept mine with the sincere and honest intent that I offer it.
And so, My Friend, I Hope to see you soon.
Alex
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