Tree of Knowledge

[jon_hill987]

This is a topic that sprung up in another thread. I thought it deserved it's own thread.

The Christian Bible creation story states that when God found out that Adam and Eve had eaten the fruit of the "Tree of Knowledge" (I put that in " as tree was probably a metaphor), He got angry and kicked them out of the garden.

This always confused me, would a god that was worthy of worship not have shared his knowledge freely?

Fallen Hero responds:
I agree that it makes no sense that God grew angry at the discovery of knowledge. I do see that the aggression towards learning and discovery is still going to day with some of the more extremist religious groups in the world today. That is very dissappointing.

And now back to me.

After thinking about it further I believe I now know what that is meant to teach you, and it is not that knowledge is wrong, unholy or evil (which as Fallen Hero pointed out, extremist religious groups seem to believe), but that you should try to figure things out for yourself rather than being given all the answers. I think it is trying to tell you that God will not give you all the answers.

Now those are two completely different (and conflicting) messages from the same story. And I think that if you look at it my way I think it is quite a useful message.

[Fallen Hero]

That is a VERY good interpretation of the text. I think that the way you suggested makes a lot more sense, that you must strive to find your own answers. That would also make a lot of sense if we look at Jesus as an ancient philosopher that was a little too radical for the conservative rule of the time. As I have heard Jesus mentioned as only an ancient philosopher before, I am putting that out there.

[jon_hill987]

Yes, I believe that Jesus was a real person. Son of God? Not a chance. I think he was a philosopher and used magic (David Blane magic, not Harry Potter magic) to convince people to listen to him.

I'm still not sure what sort of message the serpent in the story is meant to convey.

[SyBerWoLff]

Yea I agree with fallen that is a great interpretation of it but the problem is the bible is written very vaguely and that's why theres always so much controversy over it because theres 50 different ways to interpret every passage. If you think about it the US Constitution is written the same way (as their teaching us in school). It was written vaguely, it was just the frame of the house, not the interior decoration if you know what i mean. And we have the same problem with that, Loose construction versus Strict construction. For some reason its just not as controversial as the bible... Its really the same thing but people are so radical over religion and so poor with politics (that was cool i should like.. patent that!)

I don't understand it, something that has very little physical rule over someones life, religion, takes up so much of their life, but something that has a huge physical role in their life, politics, people don't care about... It makes no sense....

[AaronD]

Yes, I believe that Jesus was a real person. Son of God? Not a chance. I think he was a philosopher and used magic (David Blane magic, not Harry Potter magic) to convince people to listen to him.

I'm still not sure what sort of message the serpent in the story is meant to convey.

As a magician, I really don't associate magic with David Blaine, as most magicians don't. The reason is pretty simple: He gets a large chunk of his money out of selling tricks other people invented under his name, without so much as giving the inventor royalties or asking their permission. Pretty much every other magician I have ever met dislikes him for that as well.

[SyBerWoLff]

As a magician, I really don't associate magic with David Blaine, as most magicians don't. The reason is pretty simple: He gets a large chunk of his money out of selling tricks other people invented under his name, without so much as giving the inventor royalties or asking their permission. Pretty much every other magician I have ever met dislikes him for that as well.

Yeah I can't stand him, In my mind if you're talking about magic, and David Blane, at the same time, then you're talking about a total fraud :P

[Fallen Hero]

I would like the info for these levitation tricks (Chris Angel's main gimmick) because not knowing is bugging me. My crappy searches with regards to the and the magicians shroud of mystery has hindered me finding it.

[AaronD]

I would like the info for these levitation tricks (Chris Angel's main gimmick) because not knowing is bugging me. My crappy searches with regards to the and the magicians shroud of mystery has hindered me finding it.

First of all, Criss Angel does not have one main gimmick. He uses many different methods, so that it is hard to catch on to which one he is using at any given time. Criss Angel does sell a DVD with his secrets (linked to below). I have met Criss in person twice, and he is actually a really nice guy. If you want to know his secrets, buy the DVD, you're spending your money well if you do, or at least, you're getting it legit.

http://cliquemerch.sparkart.com/crissangel/

The "Mastermind" DVD's are the ones that tell you how to do some of his tricks.

[jon_hill987]

Yes, I believe that Jesus was a real person. Son of God? Not a chance. I think he was a philosopher and used magic (David Blane magic, not Harry Potter magic) to convince people to listen to him.

I'm still not sure what sort of message the serpent in the story is meant to convey.

As a magician, I really don't associate magic with David Blaine, as most magicians don't. The reason is pretty simple: He gets a large chunk of his money out of selling tricks other people invented under his name, without so much as giving the inventor royalties or asking their permission. Pretty much every other magician I have ever met dislikes him for that as well.

Sorry, just happened to be the the first name that came into my head when I needed the name of a magician to make the point. I am aware that he isn't exactly the best in the business.