Thursday, April 28, 2011

Flight of faith: The Jesus Story.

This ITV programme had a great deal going for it and apart from one or two eccentricities - it was a reasonably honest attempt.

What was truly stomach-churning was the 'Jesus industry' which it showed, both on the secular and religious levels.
This was something which had struck me very strongly when I visited Jerusalem and The Holy Land some years ago.
The Church of The Holy Sepulchre - a later piece of guesswork as to location - is presented as the actual site of the crucifixion and as the genuine Joseph of Aramathea tomb when there is not even a shred of evidence as to their authenticity.
The Manger Church in Bethlehem; the 'marks left by Jesus's feet' on a particular rock at His ascension; the rock alongside the sea where He ate fish with His disciples post-resurrection et al.
Claptrap! Christianity is not about venerating: alleged locations; 'bits of the true cross'; 'fingernails of saints'; 'actual crowns of thorns'; shrouds; 'holy grails' or any other such nonsense,. These are perpetrated by conmen onto the gullible at worst, and, by purveyors of 'excitable over-enthusiasm' at best!
Christianity neither wants nor needs artificially concocted stimuli to faith, nor wild leaps of speculation which can serve no spiritual purpose.
Christianity is about a RELATIONSHIP with the crucified, now risen Saviour!

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