Llwellyn Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 The most pernicious verse in the Bible is Romans 6:23 which says that "the wages of sin is death." This verse causes insidious harm because its construction hides the true character of the doctrine. If this verse weren't so hard to scrutinize and reject, then Christianity would not have burrowed its way so deeply into human minds. If it weren't for this verse, Christianity would not be such a potent force in the world. When Christians first present the Christian Gospel to nonbelievers, they rarely squarely address the Biblical teaching of divine retaliation (e.g. Deuteronomy 7:10). Instead, they often begin by telling nonbelievers that "the wages of sin is death." This verse allows Christians to transmit the idea of Yahweh's vengeance by softening the statement of it, by giving it the shape and placing it in the light in which it will least assert itself. In this way, Christians are able to convert people who might revolt against the religion more plainly uttered. See for example the "Alpha Course" evangelistic program which elides all mention of the wrath of God. Only after conversion does the doctrine upgrade to the form "the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries." Nahum 1:2. When thoughtful Christians later arrive at a place where they can no longer accept belief in "God's curse" (Deuteronomy 28:15, 20-24, 63), they fall back onto the doctrine that "the wages of sin is death." Many Christians think they have left it behind when they have merely omitted the truest, most offensive modes of expressing the doctrine. Its expression can downgrade, but its essence remains the same. This verse is an entryway for people coming in and out of Biblical Christianity -- you can enter but it is very difficult to exit. The passive construction of this verse conceals the responsibility of the Christian God. Rather than expressing the doctrine with an active construction such as: "God requites death for sin," the verse obscures the relationship between Yahweh and the penalty. The wages appear as "sin's wages" rather than "God's wages." Christians lose sight of God's role in all of this, saying: "God is not responsible, God is not to blame. This is part of the architecture of the universe." In contrast to God's wrath, Romans 6:23 appears to be more reasonable or empirically supported: "Doesn't even scientific observation show that sin has wages of death?" Christians ask. "Obviously sinful choices lead to death -- just look at what happens to heroin addicts!" They don't realize that there is nothing scientific or verifiable about this idea. It is still the same grim supernatural metaphysics of divine punishment. It still is not based on observation, but on "faith." Romans 6:23 allows the Christian thought virus (meme) to adeptly avoid detection and removal by taking the focus off of Yahweh and onto the human "sinner," by appearing consistent with common observation, and most of all by downgrading and upgrading depending on the level of scrutiny that it is receiving. What do you think about the claim that "the wages of sin is death"? Thanks for chiming in! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
par4dcourse Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 The bible fails to mention that the wages of life is also death. Every living thing dies (except maybe Regis) whether an imaginary sky daddy likes you or not. That's the trump-card of christianity- all their promises and threats and rewards and punishment take place after death. No way to disprove anything since no one has reported back yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lunaticheathen Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 Add the whole "sin in your heart" doctrine (remember the bit about lusting = adultery and hate = murder, so gouge out your eyes and cut off your hands!), and you have me at 14 attempting suicide. Since I was damned anyway, why not go ahead and put the wages of sin upon myself? Fuck Abraham's god, and nothing I've done deserves death. And of course, that verse is used to lead straight to "Jesus already died for you, SO BE GRATEFUL, FILTHY SINNER!" Fuck the whole thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akheia Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 I don't think any sin committed in a finite lifetime deserves infinite punishment. That phrase always made me think of Orwellian doublespeak anyway. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike D Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 Some "sins" don't equal death. Like getting a divorce, picking up sticks on the sabbath or blaspheming the holy spirit. The Lard requires death for those because you pissed him off and now he's going to get even. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mymistake Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Yeah It's a bad verse. However I think "Do not suffer a witch to live" is far worse. Who knows how many innocent people were murdered for that one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zephie Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 All that comes to mind when I hear that verse or read it is..."but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (depending on the translation). Yeah, I had that one pounded into me from the time that I was little. Honestly though, I've not done anything deserving of death and most people haven't. To punish someone infinitely for a finite wrong doing...is vastly unjust. This whole holding a gun to people's heads and demanding love is assbackwards. Why would anyone do that? Most rational people wouldn't do that. I've met far too many good people in my short existence to believe honestly that they would ever go to hell. I think one of the many reasons why I no longer believe and they are many...is this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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