The Meaning Of The Cross And Hell

The illusion based on suffering

Paul in Philippians 1: 28-29 wrote:

Don't be frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him

One of the powerful connections that religion glommed on to was identification of suffering with religious suffering. It took advantage of such a low level, hard wired experience and parasitically attached itself to it. Real pain and suffering all humans experience. Religion stepped in and created the illusion that it was all due to God or Satan or something invisible and woo like.

The book of Job in the Bible is an unusual book. It definitely seems set a part, an argumentive dissertation. It tries to explain human suffering especially for and to "good" people. It opens with Job, how rich and righteous he is. Satan comes before God and says that Job only worships Him because he has got it so good. Therefore, God permits Satan to destroy everything Job has except take his life. All his children were killed, all his wealth removed and his health destroyed. His nagging wife remains and the worst friends possible come and seeing the horror said he should curse God and die. But what was Job's response?

Job 1:20-22

Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

Job is honored that he saw himself as completely vile and God as the most magnificent, glorious being. His suffering was his due despite his aforementioned righteousness. He is worthless and God is not responsible for his suffering. Me thinks the Bible protests too much. God always right. Man is always wrong. That is a sick relationship but it is the basis for all monotheist religions. Suck it up. Religion has tied itself to human fear and experience. It is very powerful and basic. The story of Job goes on for 40 chapters and at the end of course God rewards Job with even more than he had before.

Pain and suffering are part of life. Religion has tried to explain it but it simply distorted it. It doesn't numb people out but causes them to use their normal life suffering as justification for all kinds of crazy behavior such as flying into the Twin Towers or killing an abortion doctor or denying global warning or evolution. They are simply right regardless of any fact put before them. How do they know? Well look they are suffering. It might even be as little as simple challenge to their beliefs, a cartoon, a question. They delude themselves they are suffering for their God or Messiah when they are just being assholes.