Why are you asking this to a bunch of atheists? Are we supposed to know what is a god, and all derived words if that definition isn't clear, let alone supported by evidence.

Perhaps one of the theists around can say something about it. They are way more versed in bullshittery.

Ok I'll go somewhere else .

Grimesy

Blessed are those who expect nothing, for they shall not be disappointed.

(October 25, 2015 at 7:52 am)pgrimes15 Wrote: I've been pondering the words of the sermon on the mount "Blessed are the . . . ".

What does "blessed" actually mean. I have searched christian and theology websites and have not found an explanation that does not involve circular reasoning. i.e "Blessed are X means that X is filled with Gods' blessing"

Anyone help me out here? The issue is that this sermon is supposed to be the longest teaching of jesus and contain his greatest wisdoms, but I cannot get past the first line.

Regards.

Grimesy

It means that God will share the fat with you.

I think being blessed means that god has a hard-on for you.

It's like you're about to get a holy spirit bukake.

Well, a lot of xtians these days use "blessed" as a synonym for fortunate, and often as having an abundance of THINGS.  "The cancer biopsy came back negative, I'm so blessed."   "The car didn't cost as much as we feared, thank god for his blessings!"   This, of course, is another way of saying that god takes special care of them because they believe.

In the case of the Beatitudes, the implication seems to be reliance upon, or closeness to god.  Blessed are the poor in spirit, blessed are the meek, blessed are the peacemakers, blessed are they who mourn - - implies reaching out for god's comfort, wisdom, peace, etc.  The Beatitudes seem to single out individuals who do not reach for status, or dominion over other, but who work for peace, as being particularly worthy of god's comfort and approval.

Blessed are the cheesemakers.

Am I the only one who thought this?

(October 25, 2015 at 8:10 am)pgrimes15 Wrote:

(October 25, 2015 at 7:59 am)Aoi Magi Wrote: blessed = having the grace of god, or garnering the favours from god.

Thanks for the reply, but haven't you just replaced the word "blessed" with "grace".

For the second part of your reply , what on earth does "garnering the favours" mean? We seem to be further away, not closer to an explanation.

Grimesy

Imagine God is Mike Tyson. Lets say Mike Tyson is going through one of his delusional episodes and he has "blessed" me. That means everytime someone irritates me Mike Tyson punches their face into a mushy pulp then bites their ear off. He also promises not to push my mother down the stairs or inflict any other nasty surprises on me. I'm his homeboy, his dawg, I'm down with him like a motherfuckin' g just as long as I keep praising him, bigging him up and standing behind him in a nike hoody saying "Yeah!" when hes threatening someone who hasn't shown him the proper respect.

The principle is essentially the same.

(October 25, 2015 at 7:37 pm)Cecelia Wrote: Blessed are the cheesemakers.

Am I the only one who thought this?

No, I thought of it but you got there first.

The literal meaning for the word for “blessing” is “happy”. In the context, it would mean 'You are being part of God's covenant with His people when...'.