Does the book change your religeous beliefs?

Use this forum to discuss the May 2019 Book of the month, "Misreading Judas" by Robert Wahler
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Ferdinand_Otieno
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Does the book change your religeous beliefs?

Post by Ferdinand_Otieno »

The book seeks to change the normal belief of Judas as the traitor and makes him to have made the ultimate sacrifice. Does the book change or even shake your religeous beliefs?
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Post by Kibet Hillary »

No, it does not. No matter how much how Judas may be portrayed I guess, he still remains to be the traitor who ended up committing suicide.
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Post by Ferdinand_Otieno »

Kibetious wrote: 01 May 2019, 04:10 No, it does not. No matter how much how Judas may be portrayed I guess, he still remains to be the traitor who ended up committing suicide.
despite any agnostic arguments, I agree with you.
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Post by Stephanie Elizabeth »

No this doesn't change anything for me. The author makes some interesting points regarding Judas, but like the others it does not change anything for me.
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Post by Ruba Abu Ali »

However interesting the author's arguments are, I don't think they would change anything for me.
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Post by LoisCHenderson »

No, it doesn't change my beliefs as such, but merely confirms them. I've always felt deeply about the so-called 'betrayal' of Judas, and thought that he has been maligned for the pivotal role that he played in Jesus's death. According to the Christian view, Christ had to die on the cross to redeem mankind from their sins. Judas was the catalyst and proponent of the Resurrection.
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Post by evraealtana »

No, it doesn't. I felt that the author supported his points poorly to begin with; the texts he presented seemed to be twisted or warped to fit with the point that he tried to make. Although I don't doubt that he himself believes the claims he advances, I didn't see the resounding "proof" that he does in his interpretation of the supplementary texts, especially since he relied so heavily on taking passages that made sense in literal form and making them into strained, slightly nonsensical metaphors in order to promote his views.
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Post by Balazon2000 »

If one book could change your religious outlook then, in my opinion you are not strong in your faith. So, the answer to the question, for me, is no.
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Post by Brandy C »

Balazon2000 wrote: 01 May 2019, 10:56 If one book could change your religious outlook then, in my opinion you are not strong in your faith. So, the answer to the question, for me, is no.
I totally agree! If the book changes your beliefs then you already had doubts and were leaning that way. If your faith is strong nothing will change or shake it.
”You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view..Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it” Harper Lee, To Kill A Mockingbird
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Post by evraealtana »

Balazon2000 wrote: 01 May 2019, 10:56 If one book could change your religious outlook then, in my opinion you are not strong in your faith. So, the answer to the question, for me, is no.
You know, I never thought about it this way, but l believe you are correct. Thank you for sharing your point of view.
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Post by Brandy C »

evraealtana wrote: 01 May 2019, 07:45 No, it doesn't. I felt that the author supported his points poorly to begin with; the texts he presented seemed to be twisted or warped to fit with the point that he tried to make. Although I don't doubt that he himself believes the claims he advances, I didn't see the resounding "proof" that he does in his interpretation of the supplementary texts, especially since he relied so heavily on taking passages that made sense in literal form and making them into strained, slightly nonsensical metaphors in order to promote his views.
I also felt the text was twisted. I haven't finished it yet but from what I read his thinking is flawed. I believe he believes it but doesn't do a good job of making others believe it.
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Post by Balazon2000 »

LoisCHenderson wrote: 01 May 2019, 07:27 No, it doesn't change my beliefs as such, but merely confirms them. I've always felt deeply about the so-called 'betrayal' of Judas, and thought that he has been maligned for the pivotal role that he played in Jesus's death. According to the Christian view, Christ had to die on the cross to redeem mankind from their sins. Judas was the catalyst and proponent of the Resurrection.
I agree with you, although the book clearly states that the Agnostic view is the only correct one. I've found that the religious books I have read state their's is the only solution and everyone else is wrong. Some even condemn those who do not believe the same way are doomed to be exiled in hell.
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Post by Stephanie Elizabeth »

evraealtana wrote: 01 May 2019, 07:45 No, it doesn't. I felt that the author supported his points poorly to begin with; the texts he presented seemed to be twisted or warped to fit with the point that he tried to make. Although I don't doubt that he himself believes the claims he advances, I didn't see the resounding "proof" that he does in his interpretation of the supplementary texts, especially since he relied so heavily on taking passages that made sense in literal form and making them into strained, slightly nonsensical metaphors in order to promote his views.
I agree with you. Wahler could easily interpret information to fit in with his beliefs.
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Post by Brenda Creech »

No, it definitely doesn't change my beliefs. To say that Judas was not a betrayer of Jesus is to say that Jesus was not the Messiah and did not die for the sins of mankind, which, according to the review is what the book says. I have no desire to read it but will attempt it so I can participate in this forum! It should be interesting to hear everyones opinions!
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Post by writingShannon »

I'm going to pass on this one. While I make a point of NOT avoiding things that disagree with my beliefs, I also don't want to waste the amount of time that reading a whole book would take. Based on the other reviews, it sounds like the author is starting at such a different perspective than my own, I believe that the book would just irritate me. I would rather read something I enjoy!
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