Jesus: The Greatest Scapegoat

It seems more people today are using the Christian god concept as a medication, a solution to all problems, and/or a drug that eases the most difficult of conflicts. The need for a god has never been more prominent than it is today. I was searching some things online earlier and found several sites dedicated to teens and Christ, and it seems that most of these sites were working within the ideology of "If you're hurting, let God help."

It's comforting to think that there is something beyond humanity, something proceeding death, and answers to all questions; it makes humanity feel secure in some odd way, because religion allows us to create our own answers by transferring them onto a god concept.

I believe the reason for this lies in the definition of "human nature." In theory, humanity is both based in the concepts of "good" and "evil," but this false dichotomy plagues humanity, it doesn't help it. By assigning value to thoughts and actions that are inherently neutral, we see that, because we "know" what human nature is by our own experience, and we do not know "god's" nature, we can make a god's nature anything we choose. In other words, we give God the characteristics we lack but hope to have.

Some people direct themselves and others to the bible or other "holy scripture" that defines a god concept that works well for them, but in truth, this is all based on what the person either already believes or lacks. For example, if our personal relationships are floundering or lacking in our social circles, we might view god as a personal entity we can know; if, on the other hand, we see humanity as innately evil, we view a god as having a "fire and brimstone" character, detached from humanity, and thus we need "salvation." (This actually works well for a Church.)

Our god concepts are based on our psychology- what we need, hope, and want affects our god concept. The less we need, the less we tend to think about any type of deity since we've become self-suffieicent and need a god less and less the more we grow.

From my experience, it seems that most people who do not believe in a god concept or remain theologically agnostic are people who either lack nothing or lack everything; conversely, said classification of people who do believe in god do so because they feel the need to be grateful out of obligation or need something from a god they believe they cannot acquire, thus negating their own self-worth and capabilities.

If there is a god, I doubt this deity requests our worship, let alone needs it. Furthermore, I doubt this possibly existing entity wants to be a crutch for those who lack belief in themselves. A god, who is full and capable on its own, does not desire anything by definition, so it is illogical to suggest that the Christian god concept would create us as worshipping sheep or a pathway to "him"self through a blood sacrifice and the consequent threat of eternal damnation if a creation refuses to accept this "gift."

It is true that in traditional Christian ideology, Jesus has become humanity's scapegoat, placing all "sins" on himself and sacrificing himself for us, thus eliminating separation from a god. (It's also easier to relate to Jesus than a god concept because Jesus was a human, and vulnerable to the same experiences we are.) Of course, this stands to reason that there is a chance humanity, or "a god's creation," can be separated based on "sin." However, by definition, if god is self-sufficient, there is nothing we, as mere humans, could do to offend god or become separated from "him", but according to Christian rhetoric, we can, and we do it often simply by our "sinful" nature. We have the power to hurt god, and thus be shunned to eternal damnation because "he's" offended. If we can hurt god, it logically follows that god has weaknesses that cause offense and evetually, very human (and oxymoronic) charcteristics develop in this god concept: retaliation/revenge and hope/mercy.

In terms of hope/mercy, the simple idea that Jesus became a sacrifice to a god concept is, in itself, scary and unnecessary, and yet it is still useful today because it implies humanity is weak and thus can utilize this scapegoat now in other ways-it's a necessary function based on created needs. With an all-powerful god, all this supreme being would have to do is "make it different," but instead chose a path that took to pain and torture of one so "no one else would have to experience it" (yet we do on a daily basis); then, this god concept furthered this pain by allotting free will to creation, but in the event that a creation refused this sacrifice, separation occurs.

The true god concept, one that is self-sufficient and infinite, would not need this or any sacrifice, would not desire or demand worship/appreciation for said sacrifice, or be susceptible to offense. So why is this present in modern day Christianity?

Humanity knows its own nature based in experience, but does not know a god's nature, and, as I said before, can create a god concept in any fashion (including a god's standards and personality based on a psychological interpretation of any holy book). It's easier to transfer our hopes, dreams, and objectives onto something we do not know as opposed to something we do know: ourselves, and this hurts humanity the most. To assume we lack in some regard is placing an unnecessary limitation of humanity, thus making us weak and susceptible to the same offense as the god concept we created.

This has become a sort of "normalcy" now, and most people accept the idea that they are "weak" and in need of a stronger power. I just wonder what humanity would be like if we raised children and taught adults that they don't need anything but themselves and each other.

Kelly Gorski
kellygorski@gmail.com

---

Choosing Our Parents

There's a Native American belief that before we are born,... Read More

The Two Most Important Commandments - Love

Love is mentioned well over 350 times in the Bible.... Read More

A Short Journey to Your Divine Self

By invoking an external God to whom we look for... Read More

Our King Complex

When King David was old and well advanced in years?... Read More

What are Angels? Angelic Guidance Explained

Angels are making their presence felt everywhere. Once I started... Read More

Unforgiving Servant - Why Would You Hurt Yourself Like This?

Everybody knows that if you stick your hand in a... Read More

Good News from Mars (Part 1)

Those of us, who are familiar with Apostle Paul's sermon... Read More

Law and Order of the Spiritual Kind

There is no such thing as a coincidence. Albert Einstein... Read More

Destroying Strongholds

Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, "Go, assemble... Read More

Conquer Your Fears

I cringed lower into the seat of my grey metal... Read More

Stepping Into the Darkness

One of the "loopholes" in my philosophical belief system when... Read More

Your Guide to the Archangels

An angel can be your best friend. Angels have been... Read More

Psychic Angels

Are you looking for a way to improve your accuracy... Read More

To Praise Him is to Love Him; to Love Him is to Obey His Commands

Some say praising Jesus is just singing. Others say it... Read More

If It Is The Lords Will I Will Live

My thoughts can get a little edgy at night. Possibly... Read More

Why is Kabbalah so Attractive to Hollywood A-Listers Like Madonna, Britney Spears and Demi Moore?

CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA: Of course we may never know the real... Read More

Overcoming Burn Out

Burn out, it can happen to anyone. Some of the... Read More

Shallow Victories

How many of you out there have ever wondered if... Read More

The Power of Angels -- An Interview With Rose Ann Schwab, Part Two

Rose Ann Schwab is an internationally and world renowned professional... Read More

Unification of World Religions

If anyone says that his/her religion is the only path... Read More

Pray Off Your Debts in 10 Days or Less - A Short Case Study

Last Friday night, I met a Christian at a prayer... Read More

Why The Universe Is User-Friendly After All!

"Everything in the universe is a pitcher brimming with wisdom... Read More

Games to Play With Tarot Cards

The lighter side of Tarot deals with games played using... Read More

The Power of Simplicity in Holistic Living

What does it take to live life holistically?It definitely does... Read More

God?s Message to You

As I sat down today to write this article, I... Read More

Being

Being"You have taken yourself to be something that you are... Read More

E.V.P. (A Beginners Guide to Electronic Voice Phenomena)

WHAT IS E.V.P.?EVP stands for electronic voice phenomena, some believe... Read More

Indian Knowledge and Frauds

Iktomi:Another and somewhat longer term correspondent of mine is a... Read More

Good News from Mars (Part 2)

Paul is led up a 512 ft. hill, Mars Hill,... Read More

Christian Ethics & Servant Leadership in Todays Workplace & Society

Sundered Knight:Although the world, Denies the weak aid and justice,... Read More

Recognizing Self

I come face to face with self whenever you come... Read More

Who Are You Really?

You are a spiritual being. You recognize something in you... Read More

Allowing Joy

"Ask and it shall be given" is a phrase we... Read More