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February 20, 2007

Sin Does Not Exist

Or so says the self-proclaimed Anti-Christ. Some time ago I posted a sarcastic piece on Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda, a cult leader who claims to be Jesus. Interestingly, it has been one of the most frequently read posts I've ever put up here. I didn't previously know much about Miranda, but a recent article on CNN's website filled out the picture a bit more. And the more I read about the guy, the more puzzled I am that so many people actually believe he is the Christ, or rather the Anti-Christ.

First of all, what comes to mind when you see the number "666"? Evil incarnate, perhaps? It is prophesied in the Bible to be the mark of the Beast or the Anti-Christ –- and anyone who takes the mark will, it is said, be destroyed in the fires of Hell. So why is it that Miranda has the number "666" tattooed on his arm –- and why are dozens of his congregants following suit, getting "666" tattoes of their own? What would lead Christians to take such an obviously anti-Christian mark? Because he has for some reason convinced them that the "Anti-Christ" is actually the "best person in the world," the individual who will replace Jesus on Earth –- and he claims outright to be the Anti-Christ.

Why would people follow a man who once was in prison for petty theft and who once was a heroin addict and believe him to be God incarnate? Why do his followers protest at Christian churches and smash crosses and statutes of Jesus? Why would they believe Miranda's teachings that not only do the Devil and sin not exist, but that they cannot do anything that will be seen as wrong in God's eyes? Seriously, how do people actually believe this stuff?

Like many big-time preachers, he's making a lot of money selling his message. He wears a diamond-encrusted Rolex (and claims to own three), travels in armored Lexuses and BMWs, and lives a lavish lifestyle. Why does this not bother his followers? For that matter, why have people followed any of the many infamous cult leaders of history -- or prominent wealthy preachers? Could it have something to do with the sin thing?

Could it be that we all so want to be free from the internal conflict between the "dark side" of our natures and our desire to be good that some will believe anyone who offers a way out of the conflict? Because whether it's through "love offerings" for forgiveness, or buying absolution, or outright believing there is no sin, it seems that the amount people are willing to pay to be rid of their evil thoughts and actions has no limits. Sadly, there is also no end to the parade of charlatans who are willing to take that payment off desperate people's hands and slip it into their own pockets. And Miranda is no exception.

Posted by Becky at February 20, 2007 09:22 AM