Query to a Rabbi:
I am an atheist, formerly a relatively well-schooled Lutheran, who is investigating certain sections of your book, Exodus, portions of Isaiah, etc., because of a number of American asses who were of high rank in the military, who have declared "The Lord is a Warrior!" Exodus 15:3.
Even though I am an atheist, somehow I find that blasphemous and disrespectful of a deity. Meanwhile, the Book of Isaiah has its moments, chiding the people for slavishly following ritual rather than simple goodness of heart -- but Isaiah named one of his sons Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz, meaning, "Spoil quickly, plunder speedily." That sort of behavior simply cannot be endorsed.
I am of the opinion that the Old Testament should be banned, although there is a great deal of wisdom contained therein, especially in possibly Ecclesiastes, which opens with an existential statement, "Everything is meaningless".
I seek guidance on how to consider the Old Testament. Should I apply Swedenborgianism?
Thank you for your consideration.
“Meaningless! Meaningless!”
says the Teacher.
“Utterly meaningless!
Everything is meaningless.”
Ecclesiastes 1:2
Points to those who can follow my twisted logic.