The Number Twelve (12)

 What is the significance of this number?

The number twelve carries religious, mythological and magical symbolism, generally representing perfection, entirety, or cosmic order in traditions since antiquity.

• 12 tribes of Israel
• 12 disciples of Jesus
• 12 Imams in Islam
• 12 gates in heaven
• 12 angels
• 12 inches in a foot
• 12 eggs in a dozen
• 12 ribs on a human being
• 12 hours on a clock
• 12 hours earth orbits the sun
• 12 is easily divisible by 1,2,3,4,6, and 12
• 12 months in the year
• 12 is the symbol of love
• 12 signs of the Zodiac
• 12 sided universe
• 12 gods in Greek mythology
• 12 sons of the Norse god Odin

And, I am sure that we can think of more, if we wanted to take the time, which we probably do not...

Some think of the number 12 as the perfect number and it has been used often by those who believe that extraterrestrials have visited earth and were actually the ones who imparted than knowledge to the people because 10, instead of 12, would be a more common number to use, especially when considering the early development of mankind...  and the fact that we have 10 fingers and 10 toes...  not 12...  and yet those early civilizations had a mathematical system that was based upon the number 12...

Riddle me that one...

Where In The Bible Does It Say One Has To Attend Church?

THE BELOW BIBLICAL SCRIPTURE PASSAGES ARE USED BY SOME LEADERS OF THE CHURCH TO JUSTIFY THE FACT THAT THE BIBLE INSTRUCTS CHRISTIANS TO GO TO CHURCH...

Hebrews 10:25

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (NIV)

Romans 12:5
... so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. (NIV)

1 Corinthians 12:12
The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. (NIV)

1 Corinthians 12:14-23
Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," (NIV)

1 Corinthians 12:27
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. (NIV)

Ephesians 4:2
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. (NIV)

1 Peter 4:10
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. (NIV)

1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. (NIV)

James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. (NIV)

1 Peter 5:1-4
To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder ... Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. (NIV)

Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. (NIV)         SOURCE: LearnReligion.com

BUT...  the one that I like the best is...

Matthew 18:20  
For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them." (NIV)

First Century Synagogue (time of Jesus)

As you read thru these passages, you will notice that NOWHERE is anyone GIVEN INSTRUCTIONS to ATTEND CHURCH...  nor, is anyone given instructions to enter a TEMPLE or a SYNAGOGUE..  NOW...  why do I mention a TEMPLE or a SYNAGOGUE?  Because, back in the days of Jesus there was no such CONCEPT as a CHURCH...  Jesus and his followers went into TEMPLES or SYNAGOGUES to do their preaching and spiritual story telling through parables.

The Real Jesus Christ

When I was 10 years old, perhaps 9 years old (after all that's a long damn time ago for me) my parents made me attend Sunday School as well as Church Services with them every Sunday, regardless of the weather and if we had a cold or an upset stomach...  this was their rule even on vacations, except Sunday School was not required.

I stopped doing this only after I graduated from high school or for about 10-12 years...  so, with that amount of exposure to Church and Sunday Sermons, I pretty much remember all the major stories described in the Bible, that ministers typically "preach" about on Sundays...  additionally and probably most importantly, I was given the impression by the ministers that Jesus Christ was indeed Caucasian in his appearance, illustrated by the image on the left side of the image above, when in reality, Jesus should have been portrayed by the right side of the image above.

Why were we not exposed to the TRUTH by these ministers???

Jesus was born in the MIDDLE EAST and as a result should have MIDDLE EASTERN features and yet American ministers wanted to convince us otherwise.

This was the first issue that PISSED ME OFF about institutionalized religions...  but, the other issue that absolutely none of the preachers, ministers, priests, and/or pastors discusses in the pulpit is the fact that Jesus was an extraterrestial...  an alien...

Think about this:

1.  How was Jesus conceived inside Mary's womb???

Certainly not the traditional way...

2.  Jesus made the comment...  "My kingdom is not of this world..."

Not of this world, to me, means not of EARTH...  that's a no-brainer...

3.  Jesus performed miracles...  what other human being has ever done that?  Sure, it was with the help of God, but God for all intents and purposes is another ALIEN as well...

WHAT ELSE IS INSTITUTIONALIZED RELIGIONS HIDING FROM US???