Historically speaking, the Bible is one of the most popular books ever written, containing the stories of Jesus Christ and the prophets of the Old Testament. Many of us grew up with stories and morals that had a lasting impact on us. When I reflect on my childhood and these stories, I recall being fascinated and captivated by both miraculous and wicked deeds. But there was something that always troubled me, about religion that is. As a child, I simply could not grasp how an all loving omnipotent figure could hate AND BLAME others. Others that were simply born into different religions. I was petrified! Does god love me, are we sure? Because he sounds kinda petty, just saying. How am I supposed to do right, if there's a possibility right is wrong? What if I consider something wrong and someone else doesn't...how do we know who's right, if we all read and have our own opinions. How am I to forsake my neighbor, hate and condemn them for their beliefs when a page later i'm told to love everyone unconditionally ? You can see why an 8 year old would be perplexed. So, I did what I do when i'm scared, I read, I break things down to a smaller degree, a better understanding with all the fluff gone. Today's Text talk is on the most popular spiritual (or over all really) book ever written, The Bible.

The historical and doctrinal roots of the Bible are frequently ignored. The Bible has been around for centuries and is the source of inspiration and guidance for millions of people worldwide...whether they identify as religious, spiritual or even witchy. It contains the words of God, which were revealed to prophets such as Jesus Christ, Moses, Abraham and David. They wrote down their revelations to form what we know today as the books of the Old Testament. The New Testament was written by apostles like Paul and John, who spread Christianity throughout the world after Jesus' death. This provides us with an account of his teachings, which serves as a foundation for Christian doctrine. These authors also wrote about how believers should live their lives in order to obtain salvation from eternal damnation. Yet, how did the Bible transform from an uplifting and peaceful text to a tool of propaganda for the Romans to control the masses through spirituality? The first use (that we know of) of the Bible as a political tool is seen in the New Testament. The Roman Empire was not a fan of Christianity and its subversive message, so they used the Bible to manipulate people into submission. For example, Paul's letters were used to spread doctrines that would discourage independent thinking and behavior. They taught people to obey authority and remain loyal to Rome at all costs. This was done through verses such as "be subject to governing authorities" (Romans 13:1-7) and "slaves...obey your earthly masters with respect" (Ephesians 6:5). These verses were obviously used as a means of control rather than edification.

One such influence is the ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead and its 42 laws of Ma'at, which bear striking similarities to the Ten Commandments. They not only used the Laws but removed the will and added commands to them. If plagiarizing included the classics and held ancients accountable we'd have fact checks on all of these religious texts stating portions are originally from the same spiritualities they are trying to snuff out with their White Knight violence inciting bullsh*t. Many indigenous spiritual practices, such as Hoodoo, Voodoo and Espiritusismo use Psalms from the Bible in their spiritual work. This shows us that although the Bible is seen as a religious text, it can also be used in spiritual practices because parts of it literally come from them! Looking further into the 42 laws of Ma'at and the 10 commandments, you can see that a lot of what is in the Bible is common sense - be good to your neighbor, don't steal or murder etc. Both sets of laws emphasize ethical behavior and morality, with a focus on virtues like honesty, justice, and respect for others. This raises questions about the influence of ancient Egyptian religion on the development of Judaism and Christianity. Ultimately, I think it's important to realize that The Bible was written by men who were heavily influenced by their culture and beliefs at the time. But as humans we all share principles, wanting to do no harm, helping thy neighbor. These things don't depend on race, beliefs or sex, just spirit, kindness and a kind of shared empathy.

The Bible is one of the most widely read and revered texts in human history. It is the central religious text of Christianity and is also highly regarded in other Abrahamic religions like Judaism and Islam. But have you ever wondered about the origin of the Bible, how it was written and how it relates to other spiritual texts? The Bible was written over a period of more than 1,000 years, by different authors in different languages and in different cultural and historical contexts. Let that shit sink in. The books of the Bible are divided into the Old and New Testaments. The Old Testament, written primarily in Hebrew and Aramaic, contains 39 books, while the New Testament, written in Greek, contains 27 books. And the Egyptian Book of the dead isn't the only ancient text the Bible decided to plagiarize and not cite. Ancient Greeks, Sumerians, Assyrians and Babylonians all have their own spiritual narratives that bear similarities to the Bible and pre-date it. This suggests that the original authors of the Bible were heavily influenced by other cultures and religious practices. The fact that the Bible was written over such a long period of time leads us to believe that it is an amalgam of different beliefs and teachings, some of which had been around for centuries before they were even incorporated into this sacred text. It's fascinating how much it's popularity has grown over time but it's aggravating when it's used to condemn the same other beliefs that helped create it...the irony. The early books in the Old Testament are full of stories about God’s chosen people and their journey from slavery to freedom in ancient Israel. And every Tom and harry will tell you they are the chosen ones because you know the Bible dictates humbleness so why not do the opposite.

The New Testament focuses more on Jesus Christ’s life and teachings. A figure that constantly pushed for acceptance, compassion and love. Yet is used to condemn people for their way of loving, need to be accepted and denied compassion in the name of Jesus... the irony. Then the lost apostles chapters also comes in to consideration...the ones the formers of the Bible didn't deem appropriate. They were found centuries later and are known as the Gospels of Thomas, John and Mary Magdalene. These books contain stories about the divine feminine, stressing the importance of love and personal transformation rather than control or fear-based edification. Can you guess why they removed these gospels?The Book of Psalms, found in the Old Testament, is heavily used in spiritual practices outside of mainstream religion. Hoodoo, a traditional African American folk spirituality, uses Psalms for spiritual work, including for protection, love, and success. This demonstrates the diverse ways in which spiritual texts can be interpreted and utilized. Just because it includes some inaccuracies, doesn't mean the Bible isn't a helpful tool and guide. During the time of the Bible's writing, there were no printing presses or mass production of books. Instead, scribes copied texts by hand, often making mistakes or introducing variations. This led to differences in the manuscripts of the Bible, which is why there are multiple versions and translations available today. The Bible is a complex and multifaceted text with a rich history and influence. While it may be the most popular book ever written, it is important to acknowledge its origins and the ways in which it has been interpreted and used throughout history. Its connections to other spiritual texts and practices also highlight the diversity and interconnectedness of human spirituality. We shouldn't be using it to condemn or harm others.

It's clear that the Bible, and other spiritual texts, have had a major influence on our world. But it's also important to remember that none of these texts were written in a vacuum. Ancient cultures were often interconnected, and the beliefs and practices of one culture could influence another. Look at Greece and Rome, for example. The Greeks heavily influenced the Romans, particularly in terms of religion and philosophy. And we today, as Americans are heavily influenced by Rome. From language to architecture, the influence of Rome is still visible in our daily lives. So it's clear that none of these spiritual texts were written from scratch. They reflect a combination of beliefs and practices from different cultures and times, making them rich resources for us to explore and learn from.The Bible is an important source of information about our history, culture, and beliefs. It reflects a variety of perspectives and has been adapted over time to suit different contexts. Its connections to other spiritual texts show us just how interconnected we really are as humans. Despite its flaws, the Bible can be used as a powerful tool for understanding ourselves and others better. The Bible has been used throughout history to shape culture and politics as well as inform personal beliefs and spiritual experiences. Regardless of whether you consider yourself religious or not, it’s impossible to deny the impact this ancient text has had on humanity.

When we look at spiritual texts today, it's important to consider their history and how they relate to one another. We must also recognize that spirituality is constantly evolving, adapting to different eras and contexts. By understanding how religious beliefs have changed over time and connecting them with cultural influences from around the world, we can gain insight into the complexities of human spirituality. Did you know that Jesus Christ's teachings may have been influenced by Eastern practices such as Buddhism and Hinduism? This is particularly interesting when considering the rumored belief that Jesus disappeared for a portion of his life and studied in Egypt's mystery schools. If Jesus were born today, would modern Christians turn away their own savior? It's a thought-provoking question to consider, especially when we reflect on how much Christianity has changed since its inception. The practices of Jesus, such as meditation and compassion, align more with Eastern practices than the modern-day teachings of some Christian denominations. However, I will not continue with that story today. Today, let's not remain divided because of a book and some Romans that wanted us to be thousands of years ago. Every day, prioritizing humanity over religion should be the norm. Being compassionate should hold greater significance than being religious.