Op2, It is a pity you do not read or understand context, but just cherry pick sentences in isolation. Revelations 14:4 is in a context of Temple prostitutes, and false religion; not ones wife. The relationship of a man to his wife does not defile one. Accepting false religion especially in context that gratification of sexual desires can be worship to a female goddess at Temple. The Essene community abstained from all sexual relations because they lived in caves in the desert, see the Dead sea scrolls. Some of Jesus disciples were Essene sympathizers and was the reason they objected to his contact with women. John 4: 27,

I'm getting rather bored with this format and subject. You can argue until the cows come home. Is there life after death. I hope so, if not well I've had my day, got grandchildren, and two sons I hope live after me. Two predeceased me. So - don't take the ancient writings to fit in with the 21st century. Especially the Hebrew bible or old testament. But as some scholars say, Jesus was the sacrificial lamb, who was a Jew and died a Jew. He wasn't born in Bethlehem, and was a radical Jew who pissed people off. Did he survive death, we can't say, but ancient religions believe we do in spirit. Certainly his memory has.

Oh Josephus you wouldn't know context if you fell over it. Did you study at a Catholic University, taught by Catholic lecturers using Catholic source materials?...lol No wonder you don't get it...lmao

The whole Bible is an insult to women...and the oppression is inbuilt into your religion especially that won't allow women into the priesthood and who cover up crimes.

All your Essene stuff is fun but the oppression of women is far more than that simplistic view.

You can slip the word prostitute in if you want to be dishonest but that';s not what the verse says...

Revelation 14:4 These are they which were not DEFILED WITH WOMEN; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

Nope no prostitutes there...Just the word women! So from now on should we assume prostitute when the word woman is used... You are simply ill-informed and illogical!

The whole of Revelation is a joke from Methane John...Or would you like me to say, it is all true and lie like you and the other loons do showing where the Catholic Church is mentioned throughout? It aint correct and it sure aint pretty but I can if you keep changing words to suit yourself.

I have shown some of the verses where the Oppression of Women by the Pharisees like yourself throughout this thread and you are just trying to divert people from the truth.

No wonder your religion called Mary Magdalene a prostitute up until recently... You obviously have a problem with women!

The Bible's and Churches attitude to women is obscene not Essene...lmao Hey that was a good joke...lmao

I'll remember for the future when you are mentioning the word woman or women from the Bible you mean Temple prostitute...

You need a lie down...lmao

Dear Bush bunny,

I've come to realise that true religion is internal
not external. The spirit within us cannot be blamed
for the blasphemies carried out in its name. What some
have done in the name of religion, projecting their
neuroses, even perpetrating evil on the world, does not
make religion as a mystical phenomenon invalid.

Organized religions have become, in many cases, as calcified
as other institutions that form the structure of our modern
world. That's why they are rejected by some people. Our
religious institutions have far too often become handmaidens
of the status quo. However religious institutions, as such are
not the only arbiters of religious experience. They don't
own the Truth, for Truth can't be owned. Nor should they think
they hold some franchise on our spiritual life. They are
consultants and frameworks, but they are not God Himself. We
should not confuse the path with the destination.

Many people have turned away from religion. I don't like what
organized religion has done to the world. However, I found
that life without a conscious awareness of God was difficult.

Organised religion will have to step up to bat,
religiously, or it will wither away.

I'm still on my own road of
discovery. Each of us goes through transitions and transformations
The important thing is that we acknowledge them and learn
from them.

I wish you All The Best.

Op2

Are you 'lmao' as you claim
or speaking through it?

Gamaliel's interview with Mary around 50 AD. Remember Gamaliel is a Jewish teacher in Jerusalem. From the text on Jesus as a young man. "Indeed, she said he takes so little interest in the things of the world and the great questions of the day, they were beginning to despair of his ever amounting to much, much less be a king, as the angel said he would be; if so, he would have to act very differently from what he was acting at that time. I told her that the Jewish doctors contended that the amorous disposition is peculiar to the male. I asked her if she had ever seen in the private life of Jesus any signs of such disposition. She said she had not. I asked if she saw in him any particular fondness for female society. She said she had not; if anything, rather the contrary ; that the young bethaul (the word in the Hebrew for young women) were all very fond of him, and were always seeking his society, and yet he seemed to care nothing for them ; and if they appeared too fond of him, he treated them almost with scorn. He will often get up and leave them, and wander away and spend his time in meditation and prayer. He is a perfect ascetic in his life. 'When I see how the people like to be with him, and ask him questions, and seem to take such delight with his answers both men and women it almost vexes me".