In the last few evenings, had been reading a bit on the historical aspects of the Bible's various books/authors. Watched an episode of History or Discovery channel which talked about teh Kaballah. And had read some out of a couple of books which consisted of H.G. Wells "The Outline of History" (2 volumes).

The latter discussed how the Jews were taken into captivity by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. It tried to establish timelines by other various written works. There were apparently too few, but little samplings did reveal that was likely the case. So if we establish it as fact, the works then went on to state that the Jews were released out of Babylon by Cyrus, who was supposedly Persian... but in the Holy Bible was called "King of Babylon". It went even further to state that the Jews left Babylon as a civilized people in that they'd learned a higher-language... and to read & write.

According to the time of most works written by prophets, this does correlate somewhat. The only thing that it basically draws into the center of inquiry is of Moses' written works. He is given credit for being the author of the Pentateuch. Yet most of the Jewish religion were tribal and unlearned in language. So even in the case of the 10 commandments that were carved unto stone, how many of the peoples led out of Egypt could actually read them?

And it is found to be quite ironic that the very city of which enslaved the Jewish people out of their own lands (Canaan/Israel), the very city which is so wickedly unclean is Babylon, made to stand out in the Bible in all capital letters thusly... "MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH." (KJV) shall be destroyed as accounted by Revelations.

Christians feel Revelations have not been fulfilled, saying it will be the 2nd coming of Christ. Yet it has the feel of being directed at the old empire of Babylon (present day Iraq). What is noted here is that a great many Christian (and possibly Jew) read the Bible and equate the United States of America as being the new Babylon.

If becoming civilized made them despise old Babylon, it's not hard to see how they should want to equate another civilized nation with inherient wickedness for any citizens who have freedoms, right to purse their own beliefs and to think intelligently. Sure, with that freedom does come the ill-behaved manner of certain aspects of Society. But I get the feeling that Revelations is about destroying civilization as we know it to go back to tribal/communal/familial behaviours.

Yes, perhaps we have lost some of our humanity to technology (and violent media). Perhaps we do not follow the greater ideaologies behind religion or even law. But it troubles me to try to read the Bible literally for certain aspects when not only things are lost in translation from Hebrew and even Greek... but that most of these stories in the Old Testament wasn't even written for centuries. It is even fabled that some of the works are from different tribes or civilizations and incorporated to fit the Mosaic mold.

Yet does all this questioning make me unfaithful or even blasphemous?

And note how even God's chose were to participate in wars, though often losing, even with the artifactual Ark of the Covenant being lost to another nation. Does that fit in with the overall schema of a God that is benign, forgiving and caring? Yet the Bible does state he is a jealous God. So he is unforgiving unless you adhere strictly to his message? And it's been stated that Samuel put to the people that a monarch would distance God from the people. Is that just religious mumbo-jumbo to keep it's followers from evolving through various governmental forms? Hence the war that ever lasts between state (government) and religion. They both want to lead... and they are trying to find an equitable divide so not to intrude upon each other's arena.

I come away feeling that with all the various religions (past and modern), there is the belief that we should all blindly follow the prophets, priests or other types of religious leaders into whatever Fate they feel is justified. And religion will quickly abdmonish Fate. Yet what is Revelations if not a telling of the Fate for humankind?

Sometimes I feel that a very intelligent mind was behind the authorship, be it mortal or otherwise. That it is not hard to see that we will always have our differences and war over those for the sake of gains (be they real or imagined). And during these battles, it seems the common ground is always obscured. That we would much rather point out which one is "more right" (actually better as more correct) when we should be at least leaning towards correct behaviours.

So is war a means to obtain what is in our Godly right? If so, then murder should be as well. And murder in the name of Allah is supposedly wrong by Christian and Jewish faiths... lets not forget we've seen murders in our God's name.. or supposedly by his command if to read the Bible literally... and with the purpose of wiping out what... an entire village, tribe or city-state??