The Jesus in Sklanskyanity, and vice-versa

[Dan Mezick]

Did I get your attention? OK. Let’s have some exercise time. Let’s do an exercise. A little “Jesus exercise".

For this exercise, you will

1. Assume “Jesus” was not a real person, but rather a 100% fictional, make-believe, fairy-tale character. A character to whom many properties, methods and events were attributed, even to this day, just as if he were a REAL person.
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2. After 100% completing step (1) above, go on to completely examine Matthew 5-7
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3. Ask yourself if you have any objections whatsoever to any of the ideas behind the words that Matthew 5-7 claims “Jesus” said. Especially the instructions on how to think about situations. Example:

[ QUOTE ]
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

[/ QUOTE ]

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4. Ask yourself what "Gary" (the ultimate "reasonably objective observer" - the alien that never had a religious thought) might say about the ideas behind the words in Matthew 5-7. <I'll bet everyone is OK with Gary. I'll also bet Gary is relieved he will not be judged.>

5. Consider Matthew 5-7 in light of Sklanskyanity . Especially the part of about how God may have set the universe up to run unattended (incorporating not just math and science, but also the mysterious process of "balancing accounts" between you, other people, and God) See Sklanskyanity scripture verse 6:
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6. The consequences may not need God's hands on approach. He might have set it up in advance. Knowing the specifics is completely unnecessary.

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6. Review Sklanskyanity verse 7 and Matthew 7:7


(Sklankyanity verse 7
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7. These consequences are solely related to how good you are. How often and how badly you break the Golden Rule. And how often you go above and beyond the call of duty. They are utterly unrelated to your religion. If you do good without believing in this God, that is fine with him. Your rewards will be equal to those who believe.

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(Matthew 7:7)
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7"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

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7. Consider discussing the following: Is Sklankskyanity inconsistent with Matthew 7:7, the words of the "Jesus" in this exercise?