Kristy's Blog

Credit: The Phoenix Atheists

Christ’s resurrection is the central event of Christianity, a fundamental truth that must be reaffirmed with vigor at all times, as to deny it in different ways, as has been attempted and continues to be attempted, or to transform it into a merely spiritual event is to make our faith vain. If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.(1) Pope Benedict XVI

The Jesus coming-back-from-the-dead story is Christianity’s most important myth. You might think they would have their story straight, especially since they had years to rehearse it before writing the Bible. But if you think so, you are wrong.

Take this multiple choice quiz about the Jesus rising story:

1. What time of day was an empty tomb found?
A. While it was still dark (John 20:1)
B. Very early in the morning (Luke 24:1)
C. At dawn (Matthew 28:1)
D. After sunrise (Mark 16:2)
E. All of the above

2. Who first went to Jesus’ tomb?
A. Mary Magdalene (John 20:1)
B. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary (Matthew 28:1)
C. Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Salome (Mark 16:1)
D. Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, Joanna and the others with them (Luke 24:10)
E. All of the above

3. Did the woman or women meet anyone at the tomb?
A. Yes, a young man dressed in white was already sitting in the tomb (Mark 16:5)
B. Yes, two men in clothes that gleamed like lightening were not there initially but quickly appeared (Luke 24:4)
C. Yes, an angel who rolled away a stone from the tomb entrance and some guards who were standing there (Matthew 28:2-4)
D. Not at first, but later that day two angels appeared inside the tomb and talked to Mary Magdalene (John 20:12)
E. All of the above

4. To whom did Jesus speak first?
A. Two disciples (Luke 24:13)
B. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary (Matthew 28:9)
C. To Mary Magdalene alone (Mark 16:9)
D. In the presence of two angels, to Mary Magdalene, who first thought Jesus was a gardener (John 20:14-15)
E. All of the above

5. How long did Jesus hang around before heading up to heaven?
A. Only one day (Mark 16:19, Luke 24:51)
B. An unspecified period of time, but at least long enough for his disciples to get to Galilee (probably several days walk) (Matthew 28:16)
C. More than a week (John 20:26, 21:1-25)
D. Forty days (Acts 1:3)
E. All of the above

My guess is that you answered “all of the above” to each. That means either you are a cynic, a Bible scholar, or you figured the citations next to each answer means that I read the Bible passages and reported the answers accurately. The correct answer is “all of the above.”

It is difficult to believe that almost one-third of Americans (2) think the Bible is the inerrant word of god when the story tellers cannot even keep their most important story straight. If the “testimony” of the Bible were presented in court, the case would be dismissed for lack of reliable evidence. Religion requires faith because it lacks facts. The great mystery is why so many people let these poorly constructed ancient myths dictate their modern behavior.

‎One who engages in the erotic with enthusiasm AND intellect.

“He that will not reason is a bigot; he that cannot reason is a fool; he that dares not reason is a slave.” It’s been 400 years since William Drummond said it, and it’s still true.

The invisible and the non-existent look very much alike. -DB McKown

and I bet you thought I’d never quote the Bible…

Matthew 19:21-26
Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property. And Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. “Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, “Then who can be saved?” And looking at them Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Mark 4:19
But the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

Mark 8:36
For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?

1 Timothy 6:9-11
But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.

James 5:1-6
Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten. Your gold and your silver have rusted; and their rust will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days that you have stored up your treasure! Behold, the pay of the laborers who mowed your fields, and which has been withheld by you, cries out against you; and the outcry of those who did the harvesting has reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. You have lived luxuriously on the earth and led a life of wanton pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. You have condemned and put to death the righteous man; he does not resist you.

The boys never know
How all the girls feel
About dancing and singing
It makes your love real

They stand at the sidelines
With their arms closely folded
Surly attitudes blazing
To none they’re beholden

Do you not know we are moving
in the Ecstasy of song?
If you think it’s not sensual
You would be wrong.

Kristy and Nookie discuss bankruptcies, if they are ethical, and what someone has to do to qualify. Kristy explains the 3 Means Tests an individual needs to pass for a Chapter 7, income, ability to repay debt.

Bonus: Watch for the outtakes during the credits.

Just Released! All 'Bout Credit – Episode 2 – What is a Credit Report?

A Facebook app I actually like! (Click on graphic to see full size.)

Can you think of a name for this puppet?