(V): Both the Jewish scriptures & the Christian present profound truths but unfortunately organized forms of religion tend to forget that "the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life." Symbolism is the rule in the great part of Scripture, but so few seem to possess "ears to hear."

This discussion might belong on the Religion board except for the fact that these belief systems effect our world politically so greatly. I might sometimes sound like a "Christian hater" but I am far from that. In fact (a bit of history), in 1988 I returned from preaching a sermon on holiness to the pastor's house, only to watch Jimmy Swaggart breaking down on the TV. This devastated me...I could not comprehend it at the time. It challenged all my belief system to the core...about myself, about God, about holiness...about everything. So Paul said, "Examine yourselves, to see if ye be in the faith." And any kind of understanding of the world must begin with personal soul-searching.