Editor, the Socialist Standard.
Dear Sir,—John Wyatt’s letter in [the] August issue shows a complete misunderstanding of Jesus Christ. He states (truly enough) that he was poor, but it is false that he was executed for opposing the state church.
At his trial before Pilate, the current Encyclopedia Britanmca says his answers were "ambiguous” (not strictly truthful). Despite that, Pilate opposed his execution and, literally, washed his hands of the whole affair.
Yet, significantly enough, after he was crucified Pilate insisted on allowing a sign to remain above his head derisively entitling him “the King of the Jews”!
The real reason for Christ's condemnation was his obstinate mystery policy which he practised. Hence, he compelled the Jews to ask him: "How long will you make us doubt? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” (John X, 24). This policy so infuriated the contemptuous masses that when Pilate gave them a Passover chance to release him they unanimously chose to save the robber-murderer Barabbas !
Finally, the Christian dogma that Jesus died to save humanity from their sins is completely contradicted by his very last, despairing words: “My God, why hast thou forsaken me.”
Inasmuch as all events are rigidly determined, Christ's cry was both philosophically false and religiously blasphemous!
Yours truly,
Henry Myers.
London.
1 comment:
Another letter in the Standard that was originally untitled.
Another first for the blog: the first occasion where there's been 500 posts in one month on the blog.
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