So...some religious wanderings. Actually a few. Edits will follow. This has been ongoing.

There was definitely barbaric behavior in the Old Testament. Alot of head spearing, adultery, incest, sodomy, murder, conspiracy, slavery...the first 5 books are particularly brutal. I remember taking an extensive course in the study of the historical aspects of the OT many years ago, and the reading schedule itself was daunting. I did it, but there were a few nights when I felt physically ill afterward. The only other times that has happened to me, only 3 other times, were when I pulled marathons reading horror books...The Amityville Horror, Salem's Lot and The Sentinel. I've read more, but those I was determined to read in a day or less and some of the content had me not feeling so great. The Sentinel, in particular, haunted me for years. Anyway, these first 5 books, also known as the Pentateuch or the Books of Law as they lay out the laws and instructions, as well as the history, for the people of Israel. Compiled and edited by Moses, except for the final part of Deuteronomy which involves the death of Moses, they are said to lay the foundation for the coming of Christ. It's important to note that, for the coming of The Christ, the Son of The Living God, would replace the laws and guides laid forward in these books of the OT, so these are, in effect, temporary training measures of a lower law to prepare the people for living the higher law to come. 

In a highly condensed version, here are those laws and consequences of disobedience. 

(btw, there was a time, as a child, when I not only knew every book in the OT, in order and out of, meaning that you could pick one at random and I knew immediately which was before and which was after, and the main events covered in each...yeah, I guess we all had to be a nerd about something and I didn't have a horse or my own records yet)

10 Commandments in King James Version, which is the only that should be used in English Translation, imo. 

And God spake all these words, saying, I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
4. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
5. Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
6. Thou shalt not kill.
7. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
8. Thou shalt not steal.
9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.

My purpose isn't to get into a deep discussion revolving around these in particular, but the historical path is so fascinating, if it's as it was put down. Fast summation, the people were led out of their state of bondage in Egypt, into the wilderness. They themselves behaved like teens in many respects, in constant need of admonishment and reminders of the purpose. They wandered and wandered and wandered, often thought to be in order to wear down their pride and false sense of entitlement at having been called "God's Chosen People"...you have to be careful, throwing terms like that around, it goes to folk's heads. Anyway, look it up, the whole thing. Mt Sinai, the storm, the fog, the 40 days, the people rejecting the directions given to them by Moses before he basically disappeared for a lengthy bit of time(think of it...these people, who by all accounts were basically overgrown adolescents, being on their own with "dad" for that amount of time...), decide to worship what and how they had known how to do for so long, Moses comes down with the tablets and commandments, written by the finger of God, sees the mess, breaks the tablets and goes back for new ones. Here, the story tends to diverge a bit. Some sects claim that he returned with an identical set. Others, that it was a different set, fewer than on the original and of an easier nature to follow, very basic stuff. Those sects also claim that Moses, in part was being chastised for acting out of anger, but some sub inside of those claim that Moses knew that the people could not live by the laws as stated and were doomed to outer darkness and hell unless they were given something achievable to live by. So, lots of room for discussion and debate there. 

The tablets were kept and carried in something that you may have heard of, The Ark of The Covenant, built by the specifications and managed by the rules and laws of God himself. According to some, the Ark contained the tablets, manna, Aaron's rod and the first Torah scroll written by Moses. According the book of Kings, by the time of Solomon it only contained the tablets. It was carried and covered in very certain ways, very fascinating the mythology of the Ark. I say mythology, not to diminish it in any way. There is a great amount of mysticism attached to many of these artifacts, which I would love to talk about with someone of an open mind. It seems consistent with the pagan beliefs of the people but contrary to the Law Of God, yet they are claimed to have been put forth by God himself...perhaps as a way of making certain that the people could understand and honor the necessary? Ergh. I want to know. 

Anyway. Fast forward somewhere around 1450 yrs and we have what is known as the Meridian of time, when Jesus was born as foretold. That is a beautiful story and I bite hook, line and sinker, even though we know that it wasn't in December, it was April. I love the story as laid out in Luke, probably largely because of the Charlie Brown Christmas, no kidding. It's just wonderful, how he tells the tale. I can see every part of it. 

And we also know, if we are intelligent, that there was no immaculate conception. A God who creates the laws of nature then works within those laws to create worlds and such will not circumvent that process. That's a major hot topic and I never bring it up with anyone who is feeling argumentative. I will not argue it, but I do like to have the chance to bring what I think is good evidence to support it. Anyway...

Jesus is born. 

He is a loved child, he grows, he is different than the other children. More serious minded. 

We know how this goes. 

What I want to look at, quickly, is what he presents as God's law, through him. Jesus is the great mediator in Christianity, as no unclean thing can enter into God's presence without mediation. Yes, I hear the arguments that Moses, a human and therefore a fallen creature, was in God's presence. There's a thing for that. Not to be entered into here, that's a hell of a rabbit trail, but a fun one to pursue. Anyway...mediator. He brings about the higher law. The new law. In him, payment for the old law, the 10 commandments is fulfilled, the ransom paid and we are now ready to move forward. People will fight it and ultimately he will pay with his life, which in the larger scheme is only a mid step in what are his 3 highest achievements. 

You've heard of The Beatitudes, the Sermon on The Mount, where Jesus gives that new law...

Here they are, found in the book of Matthew, chapters 5-7

And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him.  Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:

Blessed are the poor in spirit, 
    For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 
Blessed are those who mourn, 
    For they shall be comforted. 
Blessed are the meek, 
    For they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, 

    For they shall be filled. 
Blessed are the merciful, 
    For they shall obtain mercy. 
Blessed are the pure in heart, 
    For they shall see God. 
Blessed are the peacemakers, 
    For they shall be called sons of God. 
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, 
    For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 

Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. 
You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

 Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 

For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. 

Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 

For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

You have heard that it was said to those of old, "You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.

But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, "Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, "You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire.

Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 

Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.
Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.

You have heard that it was said to those of old, "You shall not commit adultery.'

 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 

If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. 

And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

Furthermore it has been said, "Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.

But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.

Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, "You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.'

But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God's throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 

Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your "Yes' be "Yes,' and your "No,' "No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.

You have heard that it was said, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.

You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'
 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.

And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. 

 Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven,

Hallowed be Your name.

Your kingdom come.

Your will be done

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts,

As we forgive our debtors.

And do not lead us into temptation,

But deliver us from the evil one.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

 Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

 No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
  Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 
  So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 
  Therefore do not worry, saying, "What shall we eat?' or "What shall we drink?' or "What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble

Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?

 Or how can you say to your brother, "Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

  Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.

  Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

 Not everyone who says to Me, "Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'

 Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 
  But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall." 
  And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribe.

Tada. Whew. 

Okay. So, there is the new law. Much harder to follow, actually requires some thought and subjugation of self. Alot, really. And people don't like to do that. ESPECIALLY...

here's my inflammatory statement...

many self-professed Christians. 

See up above where it says to not make your prayers or your sacrifices known in public? For me, that's also always been not to offer up boastful, or what could be perceived as boastful, information about yourself. Know what, though? People automatically assume that you have done nothing, or have no ambition...I just don't know how to make this one settle well within me. I find that when people DO find out something about me, then are then impressed and complimentary, which irks me to no end. Why? I wasn't COOL before hand? I'm the same freaking person, I'm not acting differently, I don't look differently, cook better or worse, know more or less, not taller or shorter, nicer or meaner, whatever. I'm the same person. But now you know a little more about my path maybe, or a skill that I may  have or or or or...and now, oh, now I'm worth knowing. 

Shut. Up. 

Sorry. BIG rabbit trail. But I've been holding that one in for awhile. 

Funny note...I just went back and erased a ton of swear words. Anyway. Moving on. OH...but if you have an answer for me on that rant above, feel free. I just don't know how to get around it. I'm open to suggestions, however.

So, nutshell and wrap this up for another time...we have Gethsemane, the Atonement, which is the big deal here. The payment. 

I reject the idea of saved by grace, btw. Burn me later.

We have Calvary, a minor event by comparison, but his words are profound.

We have the Resurrection. Huge thing. 

Stuff goes on it's way, we have the Book of Revelations which will plop me into my post on the last days, but not here. 

We have the Crusades...oh my. Yes, many Christians behaving so Christianly. It's a word, now. 

We have centuries of people behaving that way, in fact. We have people still rejecting, literally, the words of Christ in order to beat others over the head with the wonders of Christianity. 

So. Dig in. 

See why I don't really get going in here? Yet where else can i? Others are either all for or all against, have limited knowledge of the other side and/or no interest in a conversation. 

Have a good night. Thanks for the time.