Today, "Bible Critics" are of the devil...

Or...that's just what they say isn't it?

NOTE: I do not subscribe to any religion. I once believed in Masoretic Text translations until I dug deeper and came to a different conclusion during my search through Christian denominational teachings, their leaders, and the roots of how they started, while reading the Bible itself verse by verse a few times (many translations) or more to match up their beliefs to the spiritual book they claim to follow and believe in themselves. If you ask me what I believe, I would say what the scholarly census has agreed upon, even if the decision board doesn't agree with them because they're worried about the faith of humanity for what they were taught to believe despite it contradicting evidence. Anything I've studied, watched, read is added here to help you see how I got to this point to help others who are curious too. 

Could this be an attempt to conceal something? Is this not a tactic to discourage questioning? Isn't this a major red flag that prompts us to investigate further when someone makes such statements?

There is an overwhelming amount of misleading information to navigate when it comes to "Christianity". How did I reach this conclusion? The Bible. It specifically cautions us about encountering misleading information, so why should my observations be unexpected? As "Bible-based believers," they should have recognized this in their research and anticipated it...unless they're are not truly engaging in study. Or maybe they are, but they are allowing others to interpret it for them and accept their interpretations as absolute truth from various authoritative and dogmatic figures.

I believe that some individuals who teach the Bible are themselves misled and unaware of the truth. They may even listen to believing critics of the Bible but choose to ignore any conflicting information to maintain the appearance of a unified Christianity, despite not truly being united with all Christians. These individuals exhibit cognitive dissonance and confirmation bias by refusing to acknowledge compelling evidence, all for the sake of retaining their followers and possibly even captivating souls rather than for financial gain.

It can be incredibly challenging to accept when compelling evidence refutes long-held beliefs. Discovering that what you were taught by trusted mentors is untrue can be unsettling and disheartening. This doesn't mean that critics of religious texts are targeting or persecuting you; rather, it highlights a lack of honesty and courage in addressing faith-related issues. Instead of using criticism as a tool to strengthen faith, some individuals tend to blame passionate individuals who seek a deeper understanding of spirituality and ancient literature. These individuals are open to questioning their beliefs without being influenced by biases, showing a willingness to challenge and grow from their faith. As we all should.

Indeed, some individuals enter the profession and emerge as non-believers because they struggle to reconcile their teachings with their discoveries. The decision to abandon one's faith must be based on genuine evidence. Otherwise, why go to such lengths to renounce it? Moreover, what if these warnings were actually conveyed in the Bible itself, particularly by the reputable "old prophets"? What if we were cautioned about the presence of deceitful scribes and falsehoods? Well, weren't we?

Ezekiel 13:6

They have seen false visions and lying divinations. They say, “Declares the Lord,” when the Lord has not sent them, and yet they expect him to fulfill their word.

Ezekiel 22:28

And her prophets have smeared whitewash for them, seeing false visions and divining lies for them, saying, “Thus says the Lord God,” when the Lord has not spoken.

Jeremiah 14:14

And the Lord said to me: “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a lying vision, worthless divination, and the deceit of their own minds.”

Jeremiah 23:16

Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord.”

Jeremiah 5:31

“The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priest's rule at their direction; my people love to have it so, but what will you do when the end comes?”

Matthew 12:13

“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in.

Should I keep going? It's clear that we should be skeptical, shouldn't we? He was referring to those who were teaching about God...correct?

We should be cautious about blindly believing everything people (mere man) say it says. Nowadays, the Bible is often revered as if it were God Himself, as the sole path to salvation making this very easy to take any interpretation of this "god" to heart.

John 5:39

You study the Scriptures, because you think that in them you will find eternal life. And these very Scriptures speak about me!

In my view, the most effective approach to discerning truth and strengthening your faith is by understanding the genuine content of the Bible. By examining its origins, acknowledging its inconsistencies and potential biases, one can sift through the extraneous material and perceive its unadulterated and sincere essence.

I opt not to fear if a long-held belief is proven false. I choose to reject falsehoods and fabricated narratives that enhance the Bible's marketability and enable profiting off God. I aim to empathize with the individuals who penned the scriptures we have today to grasp their message more deeply and its relevance in their era. I seek to reprogram my thoughts and utilize the intellect bestowed upon me, rather than conforming to the expected mindset of Christian society who hide things that may faulter the faith of their congregations.

Titus 1:10-11

For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain.

1 Timothy 1:3-4

As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines, nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith.

2 Peter 2:1

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.

2Cor 11:13-14

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

Those who teach falsely... will claim to be Christians. The deceitful deity desires to be revered as if he were God. It is acceptable to question things, even those that have been believed for 2000 years. Indeed, people have had to challenge long-standing beliefs about the creation of the universe. It may have been difficult, but it was certainly possible.