The number of lies told about God and the Sinai covenant is considered to be significant

 From a strictly Karaite/Tanakh-only perspective, the number of lies told about God and the Sinai covenant is considered to be significant. Karaites believe that the Oral Tradition and later Rabbinic Judaism have introduced numerous false teachings and interpretations that have deviated from the original message of the Tanakh.

Some of the key areas where Karaites see deception and distortion include:

• The concept of the Trinity and the divinity of Jesus Christ, which Karaites see as a clear contradiction of the Tanakh's monotheistic message.
• The idea of original sin and the notion that humanity is inherently sinful, which Karaites believe is not supported by the Tanakh.
• The concept of rabbinic authority and the idea that the Oral Tradition has equal or even greater authority than the Tanakh.
• The introduction of new holidays and festivals not mentioned in the Tanakh, such as Hanukkah.
• The alteration of the biblical calendar and the introduction of a new system of calculating the timing of festivals.

Karaites believe that these deceptions have had a profound impact on humanity, leading to:

• A distorted understanding of God's nature and character.
• A misunderstanding of the Sinai covenant and the terms of God's relationship with humanity.
• The development of a complex system of rabbinic law and tradition that has obscured the simplicity and clarity of the Tanakh.
• The division of humanity into different religious groups, each with their own interpretations and traditions.

Some key Tanakhic references that support the Karaite perspective include:

• Deuteronomy 4:2, 12:32, and 13:1, which warn against adding to or subtracting from the commandments of the Tanakh.
• Isaiah 8:20, which emphasizes the importance of testing all teachings against the Tanakh.
• Jeremiah 7:31 and 32:34, which condemn the introduction of new and foreign practices.

Overall, from a Karaite/Tanakh-only perspective, the impact of these deceptions has been to lead humanity away from a direct and unmediated relationship with God, and to obscure the simplicity and clarity of the Tanakh's message.

How NT writers deliberately violate the Sinai covenant

 Writing from a strictly Karaite / Tanakh-only perspective, the fundamental issue is the "Immutability of the Law." According to the Tanakh, the Torah given at Sinai is eternal and complete (Deuteronomy 13:1 [12:32 in non-Hebrew versions], Deuteronomy 29:28).

From this viewpoint, the New Testament (NT) writers did not just "interpret" the Sinai covenant; they dismantled it by using peshat (plain meaning) incorrectly or by outright altering the context of the Hebrew text.

Here are 10 examples of verses "twisted" by NT writers to justify the violation of the Sinai Covenant:

1. The "New" Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-33 vs. Hebrews 8:13)

• The NT Twist: Hebrews claims the "Old" covenant is obsolete and "ready to vanish."

• Tanakh Perspective: Jeremiah says the covenant will be "New" in quality (written on the heart), not substance. The Torah itself never changes. The Hebrew word Chadash (new) often means "renewed" (like the moon).

2. The "Pierced" Hands (Psalm 22:17 vs. John 19:37)

• The NT Twist: Claims David is prophesying a crucifixion by saying "they pierced my hands."

• Tanakh Perspective: The Hebrew text says Ka’ari—"Like a lion [at] my hands and feet." There is no verb for "piercing" in the Masoretic text; it describes David being surrounded by enemies, not a future execution method.

3. The "Virgin" Birth (Isaiah 7:14 vs. Matthew 1:23)

• The NT Twist: Matthew translates Almah as "virgin" to prove a miraculous birth.

• Tanakh Perspective: Almah means a young woman. The specific word for virgin is Betulah. Furthermore, the context of Isaiah 7 is a sign for King Ahaz regarding a military threat in his own time, not a messiah 700 years later.

4. "Out of Egypt" (Hosea 11:1 vs. Matthew 2:15)

• The NT Twist: Matthew claims this is a prophecy about Jesus returning from Egypt.

• Tanakh Perspective: The verse explicitly says, "When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son." It is a historical reference to the Exodus of the nation, not a messianic prophecy.

5. The End of the Law (Jeremiah 31:34 vs. Romans 10:4)

• The NT Twist: Paul states, "Christ is the end of the law."

• Tanakh Perspective: This violates Psalm 119:160, "The entirety of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever." No individual can "end" a law that God declared eternal.

6. Circumcision of the Heart (Deuteronomy 10:16 vs. Romans 2:29)

• The NT Twist: Paul uses "circumcision of the heart" to argue that physical circumcision is no longer necessary.

• Tanakh Perspective: In the Torah, God commands both. Physical circumcision is an "eternal covenant" (Genesis 17:13). The metaphor of a circumcised heart is a call to obedience, not a replacement for the physical sign.

7. Human Sacrifice (Leviticus 17:11 vs. Hebrews 9:22)

• The NT Twist: Argues that without the shedding of (Jesus') blood, there is no forgiveness.

• Tanakh Perspective: The Tanakh strictly forbids human sacrifice (Deuteronomy 12:31). Furthermore, the Tanakh provides many ways for atonement without blood: flour offerings (Leviticus 5:11-13), prayer (Hosea 14:2), and simple repentance (Jonah 3:10).

8. The Seed of Abraham (Genesis 22:18 vs. Galatians 3:16)

• The NT Twist: Paul argues that because "Seed" (Zera) is singular, it refers only to one person (Jesus).

• Tanakh Perspective: This is a linguistic deception. In Hebrew, Zera is a collective noun (like "offspring" or "sand"). God clarifies this in Genesis 15:5, "So shall your seed be," referring to the stars in the sky (plurality).

9. A Prophet Like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15 vs. Acts 3:22)

• The NT Twist: Claims this prophet is Jesus, who brings a "New Law."

• Tanakh Perspective: Deuteronomy 18 says the prophet must be "like unto me [Moses]." Moses was a law-giver; if a prophet comes to change or abolish the law, they are a false prophet according to Deuteronomy 13.

10. The Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53 vs. Acts 8:32-35)

• The NT Twist: Uses this as a "biography" of Jesus' death.

• Tanakh Perspective: Throughout Isaiah, "My Servant" is explicitly identified as Israel (Isaiah 41:8, 44:1, 49:3). The "suffering" described is the national suffering of the Jewish people in exile among the nations.

Understanding the Sinai covenant is the purest form of worship for humanity

 The Tanakh, also known as the Hebrew Bible, provides a rich and complex understanding of the Sinai Covenant. Here are some reasons why the Sinai Covenant is misunderstood today from a Tanakh-only perspective:

1. Lack of Context: The Sinai Covenant is often taken out of its historical and cultural context within the Tanakh. The covenant was made with the Israelites, a specific nation, at a particular point in history. Its terms and conditions were tailored to their unique situation, which can make it challenging to apply directly to modern circumstances.
2. Misinterpretation of Torah: The Torah, which includes the Sinai Covenant, is often misunderstood as a legalistic code. However, the Torah is meant to be a guide for living in right relationship with God and with one another. The Torah emphasizes the importance of loving God, loving one's neighbor, and living justly.
3. Focus on Rituals and Sacrifices: The Sinai Covenant includes various rituals and sacrifices, which are often misunderstood or misinterpreted. These rituals were meant to symbolize spiritual realities, such as atonement, forgiveness, and consecration.
4. Overemphasis on Punishment and Judgment: The Sinai Covenant does include warnings and consequences for disobedience. However, these are often emphasized at the expense of the covenant's overall message of love, mercy, and redemption.

Because of these misunderstandings, people may be missing out on:

1. A Deeper Understanding of God's Character: The Sinai Covenant reveals God's holy, just, and merciful nature. By misunderstanding the covenant, people may miss out on a deeper appreciation of God's character and His desire for a personal relationship with humanity.
2. The Beauty of Covenant Theology: The Sinai Covenant is part of a larger covenantal structure in the Tanakh, which includes the covenants with Adam, Noah, Abraham, and David. Each covenant builds upon and expands the previous one, revealing God's progressive plan of redemption.
3. The Freedom and Joy of Living in Covenant: The Sinai Covenant offers a framework for living in right relationship with God and with one another. By misunderstanding the covenant, people may miss out on the freedom and joy that comes from living in covenant with God.

Some key Tanakh texts that provide insight into the Sinai Covenant include:

• Exodus 19-24
• Leviticus 1-7
• Deuteronomy 4-5
• Psalms 103, 105, 106

These texts emphasize the importance of understanding the Sinai Covenant within its historical and cultural context, and of recognizing the covenant's overall message of love, mercy, and redemption.

The horrible lies told in the name of God and their impact on people

Based on the Sinai Covenant guidelines, which emphasize the importance of truth, justice, and compassion, here are some of the worst lies that have been told about God's interaction with humans:

1. The Lie of Coercion: The notion that God demands blind obedience and submission, often enforced through fear, guilt, or violence. This lie has led to the oppression and marginalization of countless individuals, particularly those who dare to question or dissent from established religious dogma.
2. The Lie of Exclusivism: The claim that only one particular religion or denomination has the exclusive right to salvation, while all others are doomed to damnation. This lie has fueled intolerance, persecution, and violence against people of other faiths or no faith at all.
3. The Lie of Shame and Guilt: The idea that God is a wrathful, vengeful deity who delights in punishing humans for their sins, and that humans are inherently flawed and unworthy of love or forgiveness. This lie has led to widespread feelings of shame, anxiety, and self-loathing among believers.
4. The Lie of Intermediaries: The notion that humans need intermediaries, such as priests, clergy, or institutions, to access God or receive forgiveness. This lie has created a power imbalance, allowing these intermediaries to exploit and manipulate believers for their own gain.
5. The Lie of Scripture as Inerrant: The claim that certain scriptures or texts are inerrant and infallible, and that they must be taken literally, without context or critical evaluation. This lie has led to the suppression of critical thinking, the stifling of dissent, and the justification of harmful practices.

The impact of these lies has been devastating:

1. Enslavement to Dogma: Billions of people have been enslaved by organized religion, which often prioritizes dogma over critical thinking, compassion, and individual freedom.
2. Oppression and Marginalization: Countless individuals have been oppressed, marginalized, or persecuted due to their beliefs, practices, or identities.
3. Fear and Anxiety: The propagation of these lies has created a culture of fear, anxiety, and shame, leading to widespread mental health issues and a stifling of human potential.
4. Suppression of Critical Thinking: The emphasis on blind obedience and scriptural inerrancy has suppressed critical thinking, stifling scientific progress, and undermining human rights.

It is fair to say that many people have been harmed by organized religion, which has often been used as a tool of control, oppression, and exploitation. However, it is essential to distinguish between the harmful actions of human institutions and the true nature of God, which is often misunderstood or misrepresented.

The Sinai Covenant, with its emphasis on justice, compassion, and truth, offers a different vision of God's interaction with humans – one that prioritizes freedom, dignity, and the well-being of all people.

The Sinai Covenant: A Timeless and Unsurpassed Agreement

In the biblical narrative, the Sinai Covenant stands as a pivotal moment in the relationship between God and humanity. Established on Mount Sinai, this covenant was a sacred agreement between God and the Israelites, mediated by Moses. It laid out a comprehensive framework for living in right relationship with God and with one another.

One of the primary reasons God prefers the Sinai Covenant is that it was a direct and unmediated revelation of His will to His people. The covenant was not a human construct, but a divine initiative, born out of God's desire to establish a holy and righteous people. The terms of the covenant were clearly articulated, and the Israelites explicitly agreed to its conditions, saying, \We will do and obey" (Exodus 24:7).

The Sinai Covenant was also unique in that it was a \"blood covenant\" (Exodus 24:8), sealed with the blood of animals. This signified the seriousness and permanence of the agreement. In biblical times, blood covenants were considered irrevocable, and the parties involved were bound to uphold their obligations.

The Sinai Covenant eliminated the need for any later covenants for several reasons:

1. **Comprehensive and Complete**: The Sinai Covenant was a comprehensive agreement that covered all aspects of life, including worship, morality, and social justice. It provided a complete framework for living in harmony with God and with one another.
2. **Eternal and Unchanging**: The covenant was established on the principles of God's unchanging character and His eternal purposes. As such, it was not subject to revision or replacement.
3. **Perfect and Holy**: The Sinai Covenant was a perfect and holy agreement, reflecting God's perfect and holy nature. It did not require modification or improvement.

In conclusion, the Sinai Covenant remains a foundational and unsurpassed agreement between God and humanity. Its timeless principles and eternal nature make it a relevant and authoritative guide for living in right relationship with God and with one another. While later covenants may have provided additional insights or clarifications, they did not supersede or replace the original agreement established on Mount Sinai."