Easter and Passover, the Essay:

Well, it's this time of year again, when Christians and Jews celebrate at about the same time, but for quite different reasons.

Easter for the Christians means the resurrection from death of their Messiah, Jesus Christ, while the Jews celebrate the escape from Egyptian bondage.

There are issues in both these feasts which I do not quite understand. So, please allow me to talk about those for a moment.

:

The Christians celebrate the fact, that Jesus, the Redeemer, rose from his grave, after having been “dead” for three days.

First, he died, because the Scriptures predicted it, because his alleged father, is reported to have said words which are reported in his book:

“God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son.

(John 3:16) and in Romans 3:23 it is stated that: Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us ...for all have sinned, but God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and satisfy God's anger against us.”

I've said this before, but it bears repeating. As I read this and many other similar biblical references, God actually said this: “If you kill my son, I will forgive your sins.”

Is this not just about the most incredible nonsense?

Would it not have been a lot better, if God had said: “I will send my son. If you follow his ways and his teachings, I will forgive your sins”

Now that would have made sense. But: Kill my son and your sins shall be forgiven? That's preposterous.

And now for the Resurrection:

God and Jesus ( who, according to Christian teachings are one and the same) knew full well, that this alleged “death” would last a little less than three days.

But still, the Bible makes a big deal of the “Sacrifice.”

On the third day, the physical body of Christ appeared to several of the disciples, and he even allowed Thomas to touch his wound. And then, some short time later, he, Jesus, was back up “in heaven” sitting to the right hand of his father. So since those two knew what would happen, it surely wasn't such a big Sacrifice.

I am afraid, that on closer examination the “Easter Story” is not such a big deal.

In the defense of Jesus and God it must be said, that neither speaks directly about any of this.

All is reported by several of 12 simple fishermen, who likely were not aware of the absurdities and contradictions they wrote down.

Now, let me ponder about “Pesach” or “Passover”

The Jewish Congregation, who accepts the Old Testament, along with several other writings, celebrates the escape, or the release from its people from Egyptian bondage.

God, it is reported, asked the Egyptian Pharaoh to “Let my people go, so they can worship me” (Is God that insecure that he needs common folk to “worship” him?)

The Pharaoh simply said words to this effect: “No way, Jose, we like them Israelites here to be our slaves and do all our dirty work.

So God mentioned in passing, that if his wish were not granted, he would send a number of plagues ( 10 in fact) to teach the Pharaoh a lesson. The Pharaoh still refused, so God sent those promised plagues:

After the Fourth Plague, the Pharaoh said: “Okay, I give up”

But God, so states the Bible: “hardened his heart” and made this Egyptian Leader change his mind and to back off the previously given promise.

So, after nine dilettantish, unsuccessful plagues, God got frustrated and pretty mad at the Pharaoh and he (God) said this. (or so reports the Old Testament): About Midnight, I will go throughout Egypt and every first-born in Egypt will die. From the Firstborn of the Pharaoh, who sits on the throne, to the first-born of the slave girl who is at her hand mill and all the firstborn of the cattle as well.

Now, how is that for an “All Just God”?

Whether you are a tiny innocent baby, who had just seen the first light of the world, or an adult male, who had led an exemplary, life, or even if you were a young cattle, likely a bull, it mattered not:

Death is your reward, because He ( God ) had “hardened” the Ph's heart an made him keep the Jews in bondage.

Now, how is that for an “All Loving, All Just” God?

And then, before he went on this murder spree he advised the Israelites to mark their door with the blood of a lamb, so he may recognize it and “pass over” this house without killing a first born therein. Did the “all Knowing” Lord need such a tip off? Did he not know that there is an Israelite living within its walls?

Before I can believe any of the above, I shall believe in the Easterbunny.

Bertstravels

tells is as he sees it.