Atheists for Jesus

Welcome!
Rescuing Jesus (and America)
from the "Religious Right"

For many years, the stated purpose of this site has been to promote a dialog between religious and non-religious people who share a common vision of Jesus as an individual of tremendous compassion; a true advocate of "Peace on Earth"; and a staunch supporter of the poor and suffering people who are all too often ignored by prosperous societies. While this remains a major goal, the political influence that is being exerted by the so-called "Religious Right"--has caused me to narrow the focus of my efforts. It is my honest opinion that the direction of the country under "W" is not only bad for us as a nation, but also runs contrary to the life and teachings of Jesus. On the ensuing pages and over the next few months, I will attempt to accomplish the following:

1. Present evidence that shows that the view of Jesus and his teachings that was held by those who knew him personally (the Original Apostles) has been corrupted by people who never met (or understood) the historical Jesus and his teachings (from Paul to Constantine to today’s "Religious Right").

2. Examine some of the issues where the "Religious Right" and Bush are harming our country and defying the teaching's of Jesus.

For example:

A. Show that the Iraq War (even after the radical changes brought to Christianity by the bloody tyrant, Constantine) violates the basic Christian standard for a "Just War."

B. Examine the "compassion" of those who would block such things as Stem-Cell Research and Gay Marriage on "moral" grounds.

C. Take a look at the attempt to "dumb-down" our science teaching by including religious dogma along with (or even replacing) scientific research.

D. Examine the "Culture of Life" that is touted by "W" and the "Religious Right," while they at the same time seem to show no concern what-so-ever for the roughly 100,000 Iraqis who have been killed in a war that we started.

3. Take a look at the people who make up the "Religious Right" and examine their beliefs and motivations.

4. Encourage "Liberal Christians" to stand up to the "Religious Right" and to take back the moral high ground, which is found in the true teaching’s of Jesus.

The power that the "Religious Right" is gaining is real, and so is the damage that they are doing to our country. My goal is to show that they are not only wrong politically, morally, and ethically, but that they are also wrong theologically.

Jesus
As Seen by the Original Apostles
My research has led me to the very strong belief that those who are so often berated as being "liberal revisionists" are in fact the True Fundamentalists, because they base their beliefs on the original teachings of Jesus whereas the so-called "Fundamentalist Christians" base their beliefs on the revisionist teachings of the "self-appointed" apostle, Paul.

There are three distinct stages in the development of the story of Jesus and his teaching (found both in portions of the Bible and in other documents).

The earliest stage is that described by those who actually had a personal relationship with Jesus (the Original Apostles and their followers, known here as the Ebionites).

The second stage is presented by Paul, and those who learned their Christianity from him (remember that Paul never actually met the historical Jesus, but rather claimed [as did David Koresh and Jim Jones] to have been visited by Jesus in a "vision").

The third stage is an attempt to smooth over the animosity that existed between those who followed the Original Apostles on the one side, and those who followed Paul on the other, by giving the impression that Paul was accepted by the Original Apostles as their equal (most evident in the Book of Acts written by Paul's friend, Luke).

Dr. Carl Sagan referred to the resultant New Testament as: "An amalgam of two seemingly immiscible parts--the religion of Jesus and the religion of Paul." (A letter from Dr. Sagan to Ken Schei)

THE BASICS
BELIEFS
Unfortunately, the Pauline Church was very effective in their effort to destroy the Ebionite writings (gospel, acts, letters, etc.). However, the early Church Fathers recorded many of the Ebionite's beliefs in the Church Father's own writings (from an adversarial standpoint, of course). Here is a brief list of Ebionite beliefs and the Church Fathers who recorded them:

They believe in one God and one God only, they do not accept Jesus as God. (Irenaeus, Tertullian, Hippolytus)

They use the gospel of Matthew only (a different version than the one found in the New Testament). (Irenaeus, Tertullian, Epiphanius)

They reject Paul as an apostate from the law. (Irenaeus, Origen, Epiphanius)

They practice circumcision. (Irenaeus, Origen, Epiphanius)

They observe the Sabbath. (Eusebius, Epiphanius)

They live according to the Jewish life style and the Law. (Irenaeus, Tertullian, Hippolytus, Origen, Eusebius, Epiphanius)

They hold the observance of the Mosaic Law (the corrected version presented by Jesus) as necessary for salvation. (Hippolytus, Eusebius)

They reject the virgin birth of Jesus. (Irenaeus, Tertullian, Hippolytus, Eusebius, Epiphanius)

They believe Jesus to be a mere man. (Irenaeus, Tertullian, Hippolytus, Eusebius, Epiphanius)

They maintain that Jesus had to merit his title, Son of God, by fulfilling the Law. (Hippolytus, Epiphanius)

They believe that Jesus came to do away with sacrifices. (Epiphanius)

They give up all goods and possessions. (Epiphanius)

They admit Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron, Joshua, but none of the prophets (David, Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Ezekiel, Elijah, Elisha) (Epiphanius)

They claim that Jesus alone is the true prophet. (Epiphanius)

HISTORY

Here is a brief history of the period as seen by the Original Apostles and their followers (the Ebionites):

The Ebionites describe a doctrinal battle following the death of Jesus between the Original Apostles and Paul over primarily (but not exclusively) the deification of Jesus.

The Original Apostles are based in Jerusalem while Paul sets up churches in the Greek and Roman Empires.

The Original Apostles send out emissaries to Paul's churches telling them that Paul is teaching false doctrine (Paul's letters are primarily aimed at countering these visits. The "So called special apostles" [2 Cor 11:5] that Paul defended himself against were none other than the original apostles (Peter and John, [and James the brother of Jesus]).

The Original Apostles ALMOST prevail. Paul himself admits that his followers are leaving him: "All deserted me" [2 Tim 4:16]. Even his closest friends (Barnabas and Demas, see 2 Tim 4:10 and Gal 2:13) return to the side of the Original Apostles.

Just when it seemed that the Original Apostles (and, in my honest opinion, the true story of Jesus) would win out, the Romans conquered Jerusalem and the Original Apostles were (along with much of the Jewish population) scattered into the desert.

With the Original Apostles no longer able to counter Paul's preaching, Paul's version becomes accepted among his churches.

When it comes time to choose the canon of the church, it is chosen by people who have been raised in and are practicing Paul's religion. It is only natural that they will view anything that attacks Paul's credibility as being heretical.

I realize that this is a very bare-bones description. On the Blog Page (and in podcasts that can be accessed from the Blog), I will present these ideas and more in much greater detail.

THE BOTTOM LINE

I will be attempting to present convincing evidence that the Ebionites were who they claimed to be (the Original Apostles and their followers), and that they presented the most accurate picture of the life and teachings of Jesus that is available to us today. If I am successful, the major effect will be to show that Jesus taught that the way to get to Heaven was the difficult path of working to live a good life (the position held by the Original Apostles) rather than the easy path of simply believing in a salvation provided by Jesus' death (as presented by the followers of Paul). However, it is not really necessary for people to accept that the Ebionites were who they claimed to be in order to accept their teachings. Ample evidence to support their major claims can be found in the New Testament. For an example of this evidence, please go to the "Works vs. Faith" Discussion that is found on the Blog Page.

Membership & Books:

You'll find information on how to join Atheists for Jesus and how to purchase our books on our Membership & Books page.

Speaking Engagements:

Ken Schei is available for speaking engagements.

Testimonials:

It has been my privilege to have worked with Ken Schei on two occasions during his presentations at the Bismarck-Mandan Unitarian Fellowship and Church in Bismarck, North Dakota.

The first opportunity we had to hear Ken was after he had written his first book, "An Atheist For Jesus." His presentation was very well received and there was considerable discussion both after the service and during the ensuing several months.

As a continuing member of our program committee, I asked Ken to return and talk with us again. This time his topic was "Rescuing Jesus (And America) From The Religious Right." His presentation was so thought provoking fully one-third of the congregation stayed an extra 45 minutes to continue the discussion and, after that, a number of us went to lunch before he had to catch his flight back to California.

The previous Sunday he had spoken at the Fargo, ND, Unitarian Church.

Between the two churches (and a fledgling one in Dickinson, ND, 100 miles west of Bismarck) we are working with Ken to come again in the fall to do some adult Religious Education and to speak at all three of our congregations.

Dean Conrad
Program Committee Member

Ken Schei's program at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fargo-Moorhead reinvigorated and helped to frame an important conversation about awareness and activism in the current religious climate. He gave generously of his time and knowledge. His was a very popular program.

Laurie Baker, Program Coordinator
Unitarian Universalist Church of Fargo-Moorhead

Dear Ken,

On behalf of the Program Committee at the UU Church in Anaheim, I want to thank you for your presentation last Sunday on "Rescuing Jesus (and America) from the Religious Right." It was an eye-opening sermon on the true message of Jesus with great research to back up your statements. I especially appreciated learning about the Jefferson Bible and the beliefs of Thomas Jefferson. Many of our members expressed their appreciation for your talk which gives support to our Unitarian Universalist beliefs. Congratulations and keep on spreading the message.

Sincerely,
Ruth Shapin
Chair, Program Committee

I was so very pleased with your presentation yesterday, Sunday, November 5th, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Anaheim. I think your message is extremely timely. The world's greatest need could be met if it were possible to spread your new "gospel" throughout the "Christian" world.
I am eager to get into your books and am sure that as soon as I have finished reading them, I will want to be in further contact with you.
I am a retired physicist from The Boeing Company where I worked all my life with the same group of design and development engineers in the area of navigation instruments. My avocation all along has been a deep and abiding interest in the synoptic gospels and the life and teachings of the authentic Jesus of Nazerath in association with the Guild For Psychological Studies of San Francisco and Four Springs, Calif I was reared Presbyterian and have gradually become more and more religiously liberal. Just the concept of making your distinction between Paul's Jesus and the actual teachings of Jesus of Nazareth is a giant step forward for me in my own personal lifelong spiritual journey. Just for this concept you have my deepest gratitude. Thank you.
I look forward to future contact with you.
Sincerely,
Bill Strahan

(NOTE: The following message is regarding my initial talk "An Atheist for Jesus" that I gave a few years ago. I am including it because I rarely get to speak in front of the clergy [I'm usually filling in for them while they take a well-deserved break].)

Though there was some initial resistance to his subject matter, Ken Schei immediately engaged our congregation. We were impressed with the depth of his research, his knowledge of the subject, his sincerity, and his open, welcoming manner. He is a very gifted speaker with a fascinating subject. I would not hesitate to recommend him as a Sunday speaker or Forum leader.

Rev. Jane Bechle
Pacific Unitarian Church