Although the Bible has many good aspects it also has bad. Many scholars have criticised the Bible which was written around 100 years after the death of Jesus. Why should millions of people follow the advice of people who lived two thousand years ago when the world was far more ignorant than today? The Bible is largely a work of fiction.
It is dangerous to believe in it in a literal sense. In this tragic case of murder an uneducated mother beat her three-year-old son with a bamboo cane because she claimed the Bible advised the use of the rod. Christina Robinson murdered her young son because the Bible recommended it.
Of course, the Bible did not recommend murder but she interpreted it in a way which led to murder.
She exposed her son Dwelaniyah ‘to cruelty and excruciating pain over several weeks before she shook him to death’ in November 2022. She was recently convicted of murder. She will spend a minimum of 25 years in prison.
I expect she is scratching her head trying to figure out why the Bible got it so wrong.
Robinson is a member of the Black Hebrew Israelite religion (see below). She claimed that she was following a Bible scripture that advised the use of the rod for the correction of children. She admitted hitting him with the cane an hour before he died.
Dwelaniyah had 60 injuries at death. When she shook him it cause fatal brain injuries. She represented herself at court and still denies that she killed her son.
Relevance to animals? The Bible preaches dominion over animals. A recipe for animal abuse and cruelty. This blind faith in the Bible coupled with ignorance is very dangerous to people and animals.
Dominion over animals
The concept of “dominion over animals” comes from the Book of Genesis in the Bible. Let’s explore it further:
Genesis 1:26-28: In the creation account, God forms humans in His image and gives them dominion over the earth and all living creatures.
Here’s the relevant passage (New International Version): “Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’ So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.’”
Interpretations:
- Stewardship: Some interpret this passage as a call for humans to be stewards or caretakers of the Earth and its creatures. Rather than exploiting nature recklessly, humans should responsibly manage and protect it. But this is interpretation cannot in general be seen to be happening as humankind is destroying the planet in a million different ways the most outrageous of which is the production of billions of tons of global warming gases.
- Dominion: Others emphasize the word “dominion,” suggesting that humans have authority over animals. However, this authority should be exercised with wisdom, compassion, and respect. But the problem is that people interpret it as they wish and in a way that is inline with their other beliefs and what is convenient to them which includes ignorant acts of animal cruelty.
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Black Hebrew Israelites
The Black Hebrew Israelites are an African American religious community in Israel who consider themselves to be descendants of a lost tribe of Israel. Their beliefs differ from those of modern Jewish communities in Israel. Here are some key aspects of their beliefs:
Origins and Identity: Black Hebrew Israelites believe that they are the true descendants of the ancient Israelites, tracing their lineage back to biblical figures. They assert that they were forcibly removed from Israel during ancient times and dispersed across Africa, leading to their eventual enslavement in the Americas. Their goal is to reclaim their heritage and reconnect with their biblical roots.
Biblical Interpretation:
- Black Hebrew Israelites incorporate aspects of both Christianity and Judaism into their religious practices.
- They have developed their own interpretation of the Bible, emphasizing their unique identity and historical connection to Israel.
- Their beliefs often diverge significantly from mainstream Jewish and Christian teachings.
Lifestyle and Practices:
- Polygamy: Black Hebrew Israelites permit polygamy, allowing men to have multiple wives.
- Vegan Diet: They follow a vegan diet, avoiding meat, dairy, eggs, and sugar.
- Hebrew Names: Members adopt Hebrew names to replace names they believe may have originated from slavery.
- Leadership: Leaders within the community decide on marriage arrangements and perform wedding ceremonies.
Controversy in Israel:
- Most Black Hebrew Israelites live in Dimona, Israel, with the first members arriving in 1969.
- Their claims of Jewish heritage sparked debate in Israel. While Israeli law offers citizenship to Jews worldwide, the Black Hebrew Israelites could not provide evidence to substantiate their Jewish ancestry.
- The Chief Rabbinate of Israel ruled that they were not truly Jewish and denied them citizenship. However, they were allowed to live, work, and receive health care in Israel.
Source: Bing Copilot relying on a range of sources: Britannica and Wikpedia.
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