"Christianity promises everything and delivers nothing, Buddhism promises nothing and delivers everything." - Friedrich Nietzsche
This quote is from his book "The Anti-Christ" which is one of the most amazing theological books I have ever read (don't ask for a bibliography, but if you demonstrate that you have also read "James the Brother of Jesus" by Robert Eisenman I'll buy you lunch) The book is the most coherent and consistent book that Nietzsche wrote and was intended to be the first of a four volume set. Obviously he never finished the work. And unlike my expectations is is not a polemic against Jesus, but an analysis of the corruption of the organized Church doctrine. There are three pages in the book where he beautifully summarizes his interpretation of the original message of Jesus. Stunning. A "must read" for anyone with a clear mind and a strong heart.
Ironically Nietzsche himself was a "Christ like" character in that he gave his life for our benefit. With his penetrating intellect and deep insight he certainly could have used his ability to take advantage of the rest of us in much the same way the Hollywood, Madison Avenue, and the fashion industry exploit our weaknesses. Instead he lived in virtual poverty and wrote his observations to help the rest of us understand the mechanisms working in mind and society. A great and tragic figure. I highly recommend all his writings although they take a strong stomach and a patient heart to read. I especially like his pithy aphorisms that are sprinkled throughout his writings. I have never been able to read Thus Spake Zarathustra because I cannot personally get past the fake biblical style writing.
There are two reasons I love Friedrich Nietzsche: 1. He has a brilliant mind and is absolutely fearless. 2. His last name has five consonants in a row AND they are in the middle of the word. There is not another name or word I know of that has that same quality.
copyright (c) 2016
William Schaeffer
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