IS POPE FRANCIS “ANTI-CHRIST & BLASPHEMOUS,” OR COURAGEOUS? PART 3

NOTE: First published on July 21, 2020. The “Published” date on the tab is the date that it was uploaded on this new site. Though some issues in this piece may still be current (depending on…), this is to avoid mistaking this piece as current news.

This is “No Bullshiting,” by Harry Agina.

Mr. “No Bullshitting” and I love debate challenges, as long as both debaters are amiable, with mutual respect. I don’t hesitate to respond when a good debate knocks on my door. You try to convince me to buy your views, and I try to convince you to buy my own views. That’s communication without noise. By noise, I mean anything that hinders effective communication. Typically, a debater that goes into rancor ain’t got anything to offer on the subject matter. My big problem is with debaters who are foolish to think that I must buy their views, or else…

Even worse, is the stupidity of many Nigerians who are quick to accuse you of insulting them simply because you criticized, point blank, anything that they are guilty of. This is especially true with some fucked up VIPs, in Nigeria. In some more stupid cases, before a blink of eyes, they come up with the idiotic “Do you know who I am” bullshit. And, Mr “No Bullshitting” (not Harry, mind you) can’t help but respond: “Who the fuck do you think you are, motherfucker?

Anyway,  let’s get on with the update. A fan of “No Bullshitting” who is also my friend (a cousin actually), engaged me after reading my post this morning. The post supports a statement that is attributed to Pope Francis, on a “pending” revision of the Holy Bible to suite the contemporary world. Somebody sensationally tagged it something like “The Pope cancels the Bible.”

 My fan was interested in one of my positions, which says that “Lead us not into temptation” does not  sound correct, and unlikely to be a true translation or true quotation of Christ’s “Our Lord’s Prayer.”

The fan referred me to a passage that “contradicts” my position, in the Book of Job, chapter one, verses 7 to 12. Unfortunately, my new translation Bible just went off on me, so I had to use the King James Version with its ancient “Thou Art…” English syntax and phraseology. But I have changed it to modern English, because I am very particular about effective communication to the least educated of my fans; and the ancient thou art… kind of English sure can be confusing, even to the most educated. You may even want to check your KJV and score my translation, thus:

“And the Lord said unto Satan, Where are you coming from? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, from going to and fro on earth, and from walking up and down in it (1:7).

     “And the Lord said unto Satan, have you considered my servant Job. There is none like him on earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that fears God, and abhors evil?(1:8)

     “Then Satan answered the Lord , and said, does Job fear God for nothing? (1:9).

     “Did you not take a bet about him, and about his house, and about all that he owns on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land (1:10)

     “But, put forth your hand now, and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face (1:11).

     “And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he is, is now in your power; just make sure that you don’t put your hand upon himself. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord (1:12).

And, in response to my friend, I said: “Thou art not correct against my position, because God did not lead Job unto Satan; instead, He led Satan unto Job to test his resolve to fear God.”

     This has always been God’s general deal with Satan, anyway, to challenge humanity, vis-a-vis His grant of free will to humanity, to choose who to serve between Satan and God. But God doesn’t lead us to Satan, no, sir!!! When Christ himself was tested or tempted as human by Satan, God did not lead Christ to Satan, either. Satan went on his own, to fulfill his deal with God, which is based on God’s desire or will to allow humanity the choice between Him and Satan…shikena.

I can only say that I think that I convinced my fan, because he did not quite commit himself, one side, or the other. He only laughed amiably, and, between chuckles and giggles, he said something like, “Oh boy…you and your analyses, meeen.”

And, so ended another good debate, with my friend still giggling as we hung up the phones…and, I do know, that you know, that I ain’t bullshitting you, meeeeeeeeeen!!!