The Bible and the Father ~ Contradiction?

[Nelli]

In the New testament it states that we should beware of anyone (anyone at all) who calls themself 'Father'. It goes on to say that there is only one being who has the right to call Father and that's God. So where do Priests and other 'Men of the cloth' get the idea that we have to refer to them as Father?

[Nelli]

Sorry, I seem to be posting loads of religious postings, (Nelli understands that AnswerBank is NOT a Bible group) ;-) ..... just interested in modern belief systems is all!

[Clairelouise]

This is just a typical example of how main stream religion add and take away bits from the Bible. As you have already stated the Bible is quite clear on not calling anybody father however they still go ahead and do it. If you research further you will find many more instances of this ....A good book to read is 'The Two Babylons' You will find many more interesting facts about what religions;(in particular the Catholic Faith) add on to the Bible and where they come from...Alot are from Old Pagen Customs. I hope this helps!

[ANUSHIKA]

Although I am not religious I do respect that some are, however the bible does seem to be full of contradictions I suppose you would put that down to all the times it has been rewritten over the years its like a game of chinese whispers I suppose . I may infact by a bible and have a good proper read

[doristwonk]

Unfortunately for the leity the bible is as reliable, and contains as much truth, as a political parties manifesto, and if you research it seriously you will find that that is exactly what it is. It is carrot and stick for the only alternative power to the Crown, and in many cases it was the crown. Bishop/Emporor/Pope Constantine was behind the great big charade that is the New Testament (and God knows what he did to the Old). His mother taken in by all his silliness shot off to "the holy land" and started discovering dozens of holy places (that are still revered today) that just could not be there if what the New Testament claims is correct.

[Nelli]

What worrys me is the contradictions and actions of modern religions, I remember being at a memorial service for a friend, the vicar, in part of his sermon declared, "may the path to this church be wide enough to help all who need us find us, and narrow enough to steer away, drug addicts, gamblers and alcoholics". I was furious.......particularly when in the bible JC said something about being particularly interested in these poor aforementioned souls.....It is the contradiction in the practice and oragnised religions that concerns me. Sometimes I even wonder if they've read the bible! I haven't but the bits I have read worry me for this reason alone.

[doristwonk]

Nelli . I have spent much of my three score and ten just as puzzled as you. Help can be found, however. Here are a few books in which I have found many answers as to what and why. "Age of Reason" by Thomas Payne (very old book and not easy to find, but in my opinion should be included in every school curiculum, and well worth putting much effort into buying, borrowing (but not stealing!) pre ISBN Nos. "The history of Europe" by J.M.Roberts. ISBN 0 333 78322 0 "The Marian Conspiracy" by Graham Phillips.ISBN 014 02 6561 9 Only this latter is easy reading and unfortunately it only tell some of the story. The othe two can be described as very 'heavy reading' if you are not determined to put some effort into finding out. There is a web site which contains much of my gleanings, but this again needs a bit of effort. It is www.angelfire.com/realm3/accord. Sadly the evil that has resulted from the efforts of JC have permeated the whole of society, and the ego ridden, empty headed, ne're do well, carpet bagger that would have us look up to him as "Leader" is talking of bringing religous advisers into his tawdry setup. As you know well the religous lot do not really know what they are doing themselves!!

[doristwonk]

Yes, I know, I get carried away. (stand up the boy at the back who said, "And so you should be!!") But someone has got to try shifting all the years of hypnotism to help see Reality.

[Nelli]

Thanks doristwonk, will definately have a look at those! :-)

[Cetti]

I've only just seen your Q, it really needs to be in the context of the whole chapter, but I'll have a go at giving you an explanation.

Jesus hated hypocrisy - and the 'Father' quotation (Matthew23) is aimed solely at the priests and teachers of the law. They detested Him because He could see the terrible burdens placed upon the shoulders of the ordinary people by the legalistic, self-righteous teachings ' the hair-splitting pedantry of religion ' and told them so in no uncertain terms.

Righteous on the outside, but full of hypocrisy and wickedness on the inside, which is where 'blind leading the blind' originates. Much like today in fact ' nothing changes!!