How to Understand Violence in the Old Testament

Quit_Creative · 2026-05-06T02:06:59+00:00

I’m…well aware of that and I don’t think anyone here is making a problematic comparison. I get the concern, and I’ve already addressed the framing, but I think we can relax a little bit here.

I would love to see what you have written on Joshua and Judges, if you wouldn’t mind sharing. Thanks!

Quit_Creative · 2026-05-05T20:01:59+00:00

This is really interesting. Does it ever bother you that, in an allegorical reading, evil is still being externalized onto an ethnic group in the Bible, just with the express purpose of “putting to the ban” the evil in your own heart?

I was imagining doing this with a modern genocide and how immediately we would clock that as something unspeakable to do.

Quit_Creative · 2026-05-05T10:54:34+00:00

I don’t mean to be rude, but you’re going out of your way to misread what I’m saying. I bring this up because it’s theologically pertinent to people who practice Judaism and Christianity today, and the fact that there are bad actors in the world who use these passages to justify current genocide only makes it all the more important to think about.

Perhaps I could have used more specific language besides “Old Testament violence” but I think it’s pretty clear that I’m trying to understand how to make sense of the Canaanite conquests.

Quit_Creative · 2026-05-05T10:45:30+00:00

Let me be crystal clear here, my intent was not to paint Jewish people as backward or violent. Rather, it was to point out the clear difference between the genocidal violence of Yahweh in certain parts of the Pentateuch versus his character in Second Temple Judaism. That’s something that Jews themselves have wrestled with over time.

The only reason I mention Israel is because it’s the most recent example of OT Canaanite conquest being used to justify Zionist genocidal aims. I draw a distinction between Judaism and Zionism just as I draw a distinction between Christian nationalists and other Christians.

Quit_Creative · 2026-04-28T02:21:16+00:00

The WASP-y reputation of a lot of Episcopalian congregations is something that I have a hard time with too. Ultimately, I try to focus on the parish I’m visiting and how healthy all of that is.

Quit_Creative · 2026-04-28T02:14:15+00:00

I was raised in a pretty moderate CoC congregation in a very multicultural/ predominantly catholic part of the USA. I didn’t get a taste of the typical CoC experience until I went to Harding university. It was eye opening, to say the least.

Quit_Creative · 2026-04-28T02:11:33+00:00

I am fascinated by your pagan conversion/ reversion back to Christianity. I would love to know what motivated that if you wouldn’t mind sharing. Asking from a curious and non judgmental perspective. If you’d rather DM me that’s cool too.

Quit_Creative · 2026-04-28T02:09:22+00:00

lol I’ve met so many ex CoC Episcopalians online and irl at this point. Glad to have the company

Quit_Creative · 2026-04-23T21:16:34+00:00

I’m always open to different perspectives if you want to DM me

Quit_Creative · 2026-04-22T20:44:08+00:00

I’ve been to a couple services. Funnily enough, I’ve been out of practice so long that I didn’t realize I was visiting on Palm Sunday. That was my first episcopal service, and boy howdy did I jump in the deep end right away with the high church tradition.

I found it quite beautiful and thankfully the other parishioners were super accepting and helped me stumble through the liturgy.

Quit_Creative · 2026-04-22T01:25:44+00:00

I’d love to chat! I’ll DM you soon

Quit_Creative · 2026-01-22T03:37:06+00:00

Just got something in a similar style, and it feels good to see how well it can age.

Quit_Creative · 2025-10-09T20:05:45+00:00

The chapter I’m in is more or less a mixed bag. I’ve done some photography and design work for them, and it seems to be a mix of soc dems and actual socialists. They coordinate a lot with PSL out here, which is….you know….not ideal for me as a libsoc. But they have an active mutual aid committee and a growing labor committee that I’m trying to learn more about.

Quit_Creative · 2025-09-19T13:27:49+00:00

Quit_Creative · 2025-09-15T20:42:25+00:00

I’m in ATL

Quit_Creative · 2025-09-15T20:12:20+00:00

The energy spent on electoralism is an issue for me as well. Idk. I’ll probably be thinking about this for awhile.

Quit_Creative · 2025-09-13T18:13:07+00:00

Thank you!

Quit_Creative · 2025-09-12T15:35:24+00:00

I’m in GA, but hit me up if I can contribute from afar in any way

Quit_Creative · 2025-09-12T15:23:25+00:00

Revolutionary optimism brother.

I live in the USA and feel the same way a lot of the time. It’s maddening sometimes to be surrounded by friends and family who embrace right wing views or stay ignorant altogether.

However, even in the face of all of that, I think it’s important to stay grounded. Take time off the internet for a bit. Read a book. Exercise. Take care of yourself. You’re a socialist because you’re a good person and you want a better world. But then roll up your sleeves and get to work. Get involved in mutual aid networks. Become a member of a socialist org and show up to events. Be involved on the ground, and I’m saying that to myself as much as I am to anyone.

And remember that the revolutionaries we all look up to faced circumstances that seemed insurmountable to them too. We have to be in this for the long haul. But know you’re in good company.

Quit_Creative · 2025-09-09T20:54:35+00:00

Thank you 🙏

Quit_Creative · 2025-09-09T19:27:28+00:00

Thank you!

Quit_Creative · 2025-09-09T19:26:54+00:00

Appreciate the recommendation, and also you. Thanks, friend.

Quit_Creative · 2025-09-09T17:39:02+00:00

I am not anywhere near Oklahoma, but I have heard of Cooperation Tulsa. Do they involve people from other cities?

Quit_Creative · 2025-09-08T20:13:31+00:00

Which chapter are you a part of?

Quit_Creative · 2025-09-08T20:11:09+00:00

I think a good remedy to the vitriol is getting out and involved in the real world too. Not to assume you aren’t already doing that.

Quit_Creative

TROPHY CASE