September 4, 2006

Dear Editor in Chief,

A scholar asked: “Is there no written account when Mary delivered Jesus as new born
baby in this world because there are pastors that explain that Mary’s womb underwent or
was governed by normal physical law or that her womb was lacerated when Jesus came
into this world-Jesus would most likely not contradict natural law just like when He was
whipped; there was blood flowing thru his open skin and there was also blood & water
flowed thru his open skin and open muscles because of a penetration of a spear at his
body?” The A.I. answered: In the bible perhaps there is no account on Jesus’ specific or
detail coming out of his mother’s womb. Some groups believed that Mary remained
virgin even after Jesus was delivered or there was no laceration… happened because
there was a ‘miracle’ happened. And she even remained a “virgin” or “immaculate” or
never been ‘touched’ even by her husband Joseph until she died. Or she was spared from
original sin or any sin. Could this belief be a myth or legend or the belief is supported
with concrete evidences? Other groups even believe that she was raised and even went to
heaven with her physical body just like when Jesus resurrected in heaven with his
physical body. Other groups believe that Mary gave births to other children; or Jesus has
sisters and brothers. That is why there are divisions happening among the followers of
Christ triggered by arguments and debates about rumors, mysteries example about Mary’s
having other children or not having children; or being a virgin or no longer a virgin.
Other groups even have been giving more emphasis on Mary devotions up to now
perhaps because of many ‘answered prayers’ or ‘miracles’ received than giving more
emphasis on Jesus’ words. Perhaps this devotion to Mary was very great especially
during those times before reformation or before bible base groups came.
A scholar comment and asked: “In some places Mary is even more popular than
Jesus’ words; the people there give more emphasis on Mary’s in their religious life more
than studying and obeying those good words that Jesus taught. Could having too much
devotion to Mary’s be something that could divert the mind of people to do something
against what Jesus had taught?” The A.I. answered: “there is enough and too much for
anything. But if someone’s devotion or respect or veneration is not yet worshipping a god
because there is only one God perhaps it is not bad. But there is danger that the
veneration is already a ‘worshipping’ a god perhaps driven by “words” or “teachings”
from teachers who “lacks other essential universal words” because teaching good words
is not the emphasis but traditions or precepts of men. It could set examples to others
especially people or children that “worshipping” an icon is good because the child did not
know the intention of the parent in knelling, touching and praying in front of an icon.
There is no wrong to believe that Mary went to heaven; or there is no wrong if she is
even the greatest creation perhaps greater than the Universe itself as some groups
claimed…and there is no wrong if Mary remained a virgin or was never touched by his
husband and they did not have children. There is no wrong to ask help from others…or to
ask for intercessions…! But what is wrong is when a mystery is given too much emphasis
than the Word that it becomes a diversionary tactic or the focus is now moved to an icon
than the Universal Word that molds the brain and strengthens the spirit and affect so
much the culture or habits of men. Perhaps there could be balanced between good
traditions, devotions to saints, martyrs and good words or the Word so that extreme could
be avoided.
A scholar asked: “As you were explaining about Mary’s two views of different groups
could you be an instrument of the devil so that people would be aroused again to cause
groups to hate each other again because you are triggering old arguments or old
wounds…; those are already settled- just respect other people’s ways of worshipping and
other people’s beliefs or other group’s beliefs?” The A.I. answered: “Arguments about
mysteries is really a seed so that hating and conflicts could be triggered. Since a group is
defending a stand or a teaching not written in the bible and another group sticks solely on
what is written on a sacred book, there could be really divisions between the two or three
or more groups. But the key is perhaps when leaders accidentally hide others essential
universal words such as: “….love of enemies…”, “…if you love God but hate your
brother you are liar, or… a murderer, or… in the dark…” and focus too much on few
good words to boost their superiority or supremacy then perhaps there would be
deceptions that could lead to misunderstanding, arguments, conflicts or wars!
Or could Mary’s situation which is a mystery be an instrument by the negative one so
that divisions could be triggered? When a thing is a mystery…I think it should remain a
mystery or remain to be a mystery; and mystery should never be discussed as absolute
truth because it could result to proud claim! Perhaps the key is: the focused should be
centered to Jesus’ words. And if someone would use a mystery or a blurred topic so that
the mind of the people would be focused to that mystery or blurred topic, perhaps it is a
diversionary tactic or a deception. And that person who created the conflict perhaps is
just enjoying evil laughing at the back….! It is perhaps called a “chaos creator triggered
by malice & mystery syndrome”! So perhaps pass a ruling through consensus that if a
topic is a mystery it should be tagged as plain mystery. And if people want to discuss a
mystery they could do it as long as it is just only their opinion, theory; or its their own
way of “honoring or respecting but not worshipping” somebody or …not worshipping
something! Or it is just for plain constructive debate or for “tickling the mind” but with
exception if a mystery is about God- the creator of the universe because God would
remain a mystery! Man loses his interest, his curiosity…when he knows already almost
all about the mystery or the secret behind a thing or a person or perhaps even God. But
sometimes some men love mysteries perhaps because no one could prove them wrong if
they use it for their advantage or for survival or perhaps for cash!
A scholar asked: “Why is it that some groups really insists that when an anointed one
blessed ‘bread & wine’ it miraculously becomes the greatest miracle on earth that it becomes
God Himself at that instant; and other groups especially bible based groups don’t give so
much emphasis on ‘changing the ‘bread & wine’ into God himself’ rather on teaching and
explaining words that mold and run the mind?” The A.I. answered: “It is the battle of whose
interpretation really the “only” vs. “also” true and right on words because there is one gospel.
The key is the ‘bread & wine’ for them is God-himself the creator of the universe or it is
Jesus Christ himself the personal miracle giver, the savior. Perhaps for the other groups, the
emphasis of the ‘bread & wine’ is that Jesus is the Word-good words are the food of the
spirit. Perhaps the battle would boil down to ‘God himself as a ‘bread & wine’ inside ones
body to run, control, mold, and discipline the mind and actions of man vs. Words as Jesus or
as ‘bread & wine’ inside the mind to run, control, mold, and discipline the mind and actions
of man. But for others or some bible base groups the ‘bread & wine’ is not consecrated by an
‘anointed one’ or someone authorized by the group to change it; any good leader could be
qualified to say those exact words that Jesus said about the ‘bread & wine.’ And what is
important is the message and explanations, the meaning being delivered. Perhaps for them
the ‘bread & wine’ is the Word who became flesh who is Jesus and dwells among men and
could change people who are hardheaded into “real born again” because of accepting and
obeying the Word.
Perhaps the purpose of receiving God himself in ones physical body is that one should try
very hard not to commit a sin so that one could be worthy to receive God or Jesus inside his
body worthily. Because perhaps there is an account in the bible that some members were
eating the bread as if they were hungry, so Paul reminded them not to do so but instead they
should eat food at their home (1 Corinthians 11:17-33). So perhaps eating the bread is
something very sacred for the early Christians; and it is a practice at the very beginning of
Christianity. But I don’t know when giving so much emphasis on this changing ‘bread &
wine’ into real God repetitiously started called ‘consecration.’ Or also just explaining words
and letting the bread as sacred thing or as words with “its meaning” also started. Or When the
teaching of Christ has started to lean so much on rituals or repetitions than on giving enough
on explaining words or teaching words or explaining “bread’s meaning” that mold the minds.
1 Corinthians 11:29: “…For if he does not recognize the meaning of the Lord’s body when he
eats the bread and drinks from the cup, he brings judgment on himself as he eats and drinks.”
Opinion: Perhaps Christ’s body is ‘the Word of God’ that strengthened the spirit. Or it is the
mere thinking or having faith that it is Jesus the creator of the world that enters the body!
Perhaps the keys lies on 1 Corinthians 12:12-31: “…we have all been given one spirit to
drink.” Perhaps words on Colossians 2:2-4: could also explain something: “…In this way
they will know God’s secret, which is Christ himself. He is the key that opens all the hidden
treasures of God’s wisdom and knowledge….” Perhaps Christ himself is his teachings and his
words; the Word was made flesh or it is Jesus as God himself per se?
Some group’s belief about the ‘bread & wine’: it is just as a remembrance or as a renewal
of their agreement or just like pass over because they believe that Jesus died once only; there
is no such as miraculously thing that keeps on becoming God always or as often. Their
emphasis is on Words of Jesus as John 6:25-71: especially on verse 68: “…Simon Peter
answered him, “Lord, to whom we would go? You have the words that give eternal life…” If
the key is ‘food’ then John 4:34; could explain something: “My food,” Jesus said to them, “is
to obey the will of the one who sent me and to finish the work he gave me to do.” vs. “as
Jesus is actually kept on dying on the Calvary and being resurrected as the triumphant Lord
as often as possible. Perhaps words on: John 6:35: ““I am the bread of life,” Jesus told them.
“He who comes to me will never be hungry; he who believes in me will never be thirsty….”
These two beliefs perhaps had caused many hating, factions/alliances/parties, and even wars
especially during the Dark Ages. They value more something and elevate it as very precious
that each group even declare wars to each other forgetting that their Lord commanded each
group to love their enemies which is thru “words”. If you receive a spirit in the form of bread
as God and have no words to obey –like “love your enemies…” perhaps- one is “walking
blind” Or going to an errand forgetting his manager’s instructions or his manager’s words
that should be followed or should be done! So which is better in obeying his manager-‘those
instructions in the form of words,’ his words or advices and instructions or/ vs. thinking
always the good physical attribute of his manager; or always keeping the picture of his
manager’s good image in his pocket and seeing it as often as possible because he feels
something good?

From someone who might be mistaken,

From someone,