jean meslier-1664-1729

[jethro]

I came across the writings of this extraordinary man today
and one could say he was the very first atheist in history. The
document worth a read, is 'The Testament', composed in the1720's
and kept secret until his death. 'religion' he stated, 'is basically a
political means where those in power control the vastly greater numbers
of the weak and poor, and all religious dogmas,beliefs, rituals, nothing but errors and superstitions.' Under the exterior of the humble catholic priest,
seethed a violent hatred and passionate disavowal of the religion he served.
Scholarship today, with Dawkins, Hitchens,Sagan to name but a few,
who ridicule the Bible as loaded with error and contradictions, and
Ministers of various churches who no longer believe, yet Meslier's
thinking out-distanced them, and little is ever spoken of him!Yet
thousands/millions continue to adhere to biblical traditions, and
interpretations and adulations of popes, dictators and prosperity preachers
living life-styles which makes Jesus Christ's teachings and life of little
worth. I write this because of the immense 'crisis in meaning' in Christianity
which, as i stated in my first 'hello' two supposed christians set about me
with the zeal of Hitler's extermination of the Jews, over a couple of
books borrowed from a church library, which found their way into a box
presented to a second-hand christian bookshop for sale! AND BROTHER/SISTERS, THE DEEP SENSE OF LOSS AND FUTILITY IN MY INNER
BEING WHO, IF EVERYTHING ELSE FAILED, I HELD ON TO FAITH. AND
BECAUSE I NO LONGER WANT ANYTHING TO DO WITH ORTHODOX
CHURCHES AND THEIR CHRISTIAN GOD ANYMORE, IT DOES.NT MEAN
I DON'T BELIEVE THAT GOD NO LONGER EXISTS.

LIFE IS STILL A BEAUTIFUL,SACRED AND AWESOME THING.

LOVE YA

[zephyr013]

Do you have a link to something he's written?