In concluding this series, I honestly don’t know how to go about this article without the knowledge that it brings out a subject I find offensive. I have a very derogatory stance, when it comes to religions and their beliefs, in the necessity for sacrifice. Supposedly, we called ourselves a civilized world and many throughout the world consider themselves of high intellect. If anything will get me into a peeve, it is this topic. The sacrificing of animals or humans for the sake of atonement. This is where religions and Psychology differ. In religious doctrines, the faithful are taught that in making sacrifice to God, or “Gods” / “Goddesses,” the act will atone for sin. In some cultures, the act was done with a human, or “humans,” rather than with an animal, or “animals.” It is this one practice that got me to resist being a witness to what I thought was the God of heaven for over 28 years.
I have always believed the act of sacrifice, to be condescending and degrading, for the mere belief that one’s own sins will be forgiven by a supposed “intelligent” deity by the act of sacrifice, is absurd. Absurd, for psychologically, it aides anyone who sins to escape the guilt, blame, and consequence of all sin (bad behavior). This one belief, has many on the planet continuing to be mentally unstable for they are “blessed by God” and “forgiven.”
The thought of an “instant cure” for all illicit behaviors, never works. No matter whether the practice be in a religion or outside of one. Ridding oneself of the consequences of sin by the belief that you can spill the blood of another living thing on earth, is not, and will not get anyone into heaven. Jesus made a statement about this which not many practice. Making “amends” to those we have hurt or are at odds with, “before” bringing a gift to the altar of the Lord. In Matthew 5 verses 23 and 24, Jesus states. “Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar and there remember that your brother has ought against you, Leave there your gift before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”
The blood of Jesus or his supposed “sacrifice,” which I prefer to call a “murder,” does not atone for YOUR bad behaviors which the Lord feels “you” are responsible for. If you won’t take responsibility for yourselves on this planet, how can the Lord expect you to take responsibility for yourselves in “heaven?” It is the one belief that I can not, and will not accept within Judeo Christianity. Our supposed civilized societies are at each other’s throats consistently because we even make murder into a saving grace for ourselves, or make the murder of an animal our excuse for atonement?
In all Jesus taught, he was blunt to make it known that we “should” take responsibility for our own actions and that we no longer have an excuse for accepting our own actions. Religion takes away this responsibility by excusing bad behavior and even ignoring it amongst their clergy. As I have stated, Jesus was not about “religion,” or their traditions, rituals or doctrines. He was a deity of “heaven” and it’s one and only “principles.” Blood does not “wash away” sin or “bad behaviors.” Only our personal “acceptance” of wrongful behavior, changing it, and learning to practice all Jesus taught us, will mold us into a person “of the kingdom.” We are not Neanderthals anymore, that we have to continue thinking like one.
www.JohnSuarez.org
