A serpent in a garden has been a common theme of world religions. Most see the serpent as a god offering wisdom to mortals. This is not the case in Genesis, but the serpent is created out of numerous older theologies, and for a special reason: changing the stories to create a unique tale to meet the writers’ goals.
Genesis begins the contemporary Old Testament but was written after the Torah was composed as seen in its use of many laws from Leviticus and Deuteronomy, citations from older biblical texts as well as massive plagiarisms from the theologies of ancient Egypt, India, Akkadia, and throughout Mesopotamia. Far from Elohim being good, the true account shows a blood-thirsty pirate, enslaver, and mind-controller giving the early Habiru (Hebrews) little choice and stagnating their growth.
Cain has been for centuries portrayed as a murderer of his brother Abel–the latter considered a just and saintly man. The murder, some claim, is the result of their parents sin, and state that the story is Hebrew in origin. But were the Hebrews always in the lands of Palestine? What is the correct translation and interpretation of the original documents–few read by evangelical preachers or self-styled prophets?
Harold Camping predicted the world would come to an end on May 21, 2011, and that the believers in Jesus would experience a rapture and rise into heaven. It did not happen, nor has it happened at any time in the past when it was predicted by prophets, priests, and pastors. When will the rapture come?
A worldwide myth of their being a great ship that carried no less than a pair of all nonaquatic animals still is believed to be authentic by religious fundamentalists. Was there a Noah, an Ark, a Flood–or what does the story really say?
Racism has been a part of recorded history since its beginning of more than 15000 years. Much of it has come out of a myth that is popular among Jews and Christians: Genesis 9:20-27 which is plagiarized from a far older Egyptian text based on the theology centered around the God Osiris, coupled with ancient Greek tales.
While evangelical Christians claim that the Trinity is distinctly Christian and based on the bible, there is no passage in either Old or New Testament to support the claim. This essay looks at the development of the concept of a Trinity, immortality, and resurrection.
Biblical literalists argue that women are the “weaker sex” and must be controlled and dominated by men. While there is little evidence for such a claim in the Christian bible, it is used to subordinate women and make them second class citizens.