Billions of people around the world gathered recently to celebrate Easter and the resurrection of Jesus – the most sacred Christian holiday.
It's been nearly 2,000 years since his death, so it would be only natural to assume that all traces of Jesus have long since vanished from the Earth. But is that really true?
Some experts say no – and they claim to have the proof to back it up.
Let's take a look at the top ten things Jesus left behind when he departed the mortal world:
10. The True Cross
Relics of the actual cross that Jesus was crucified on are the subject of much mystery and debate. The cross was first reportedly discovered in the 4th century and noted in Jacopo de Voragine's The Golden Legend (published in the year 1260).
Numerous fragments of the cross have been claimed to be discovered around the world throughout the proceeding centuries. It's nearly impossible to verify the authenticity of such fragments, but it could be that one of those existing pieces really did once belong to the True Cross.
9. Sudarium of Oviedo
The Sudarium of Oviedo is a bloodstained cloth that was supposedly the very same cloth wrapped around Jesus' head after he died. Latin for "sweat cloth," the Sudarium's use is referenced in the Gospel of John (20:6–7). This relic is currently maintained in the Cathedral of San Salvador in Oviedo, Spain.
8. Image of Edessa
According to legend, the Image of Edessa (also known as the Mandylion) is a miraculous cloth upon which the image of Jesus's face is visible – imprinted in perpetuity. It is widely considered a holy relic, but there are several versions which claim to be the "real" Image of Edessa. The matter remains a serious issue of dispute among religous scholars.
7. Veil of Veronica
The Veil of Veronica is said to be a cloth used to wipe sweat from the brow of Jesus as he carried the cross. It's also said to have the face of Christ imprinted on it. Stop us if you've heard this before: there is more than one relic that claims to be the true Veil of Veronica. The leading contender is an image that lives in Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome, but there's no way to say for sure if it's authentic.
6. Shroud of Turin
The Shroud of Turin is easily the most intensely-studied relic of Jesus that exists on Earth. It's an ancient cloth that bears a negative image of man claimed to be Jesus Christ. Some experts theorize it was the burial shroud that was wrapped over his body before burial.
The results of an attempt at radiocarbon dating showed the shroud was made sometime during the Middle Ages – but this is a matter of serious dispute, and some scholars insist it's actually much older.
5. Holy Prepuce
Christian theology teaches that Jesus ascended to Heaven corporeally, leaving behind no bodily relics. Well, except one, removed before the crucifixion – his holy foreskin.
Foreskin relics first started popping up in the Middle Ages, beginning in the year 800, when this... strange keepsake was given as a gift from Charlemegne to Pope Leo III.
Through the centuries, more than a dozen churches have claimed to have the 'real' holy foreskin, but few of those foreskins remain, as most were destroyed or stolen. Where Jesus's foreskin is now, God only knows.
4. Holy Nails
At least thirty ancient nails have been recognized as relics associated with Jesus's crucifixion, though the accuracy of these claims has had significant doubt cast by experts. The biggest issue is that only three or four nails were used to crucify Jesus (the exact number is a matter of much dispute, but it was either three or four).
A quick math equation tells us there are a lot of fraudulent nails out there, and determining the true Holy Nails is probably an impossible task.
3. Jesus's Crib
Parts of Jesus's wooden crib currently lay in Rome's Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. Housed in the ornate Reliquary of the Holy Crib, the ancient wood of Jesus's manger have been in Rome some 1600 years. In 2019, fragments of the Holy Crib were return to Jesus's birthplace of Bethlehem, where they are currently on display.
2. Crown of Thorns
The crown of thorns placed atop Jesus's head by mocking Roman soldiers during his crucifixion. Around the year 400 (if not earlier), a crown of thorns believed by many to be the original has been venerated, first in Jerusalem, then in Constantinople.
In 1238, the Latin Emperor of Constantinople, Baldwin II, offered the relic to a Venetian bank for credit. Today the crown is in France, where it was on display at the Notre Dame Cathedral until the tragic 2019 fire, from which it was saved.
1. Holy Grail
The chalice that Jesus used to serve wine at the last supper may be the most famous of all of Jesus's relics.
Although given little significance in the biblical text itself, the holy chalice has become the most sought after of relics, perhaps because of Middle Age interweaving of the holy chalice and the holy grail from Arthurian literature.
Numerous holy chalices have been reported over the years, but only one is recognized by the Vatican: the Holy Chalice of the Cathedral of Valencia, an agate cup known as Santo Cáliz. That particular chalice attracts many faithful pilgrims each year, eager to see the vessel used by Jesus during his final meal with the apostles.
57 comments
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Richard Lee Cornell
During the crusades you could buy all sorts of junk in the Middle East. It is similar to buying the personal effect of the last Pope in Rome. Anyone for the Pope's pamper or a shoe or even his bath mat. Among the faithful they will pay great sums even if it can never be proven that it was only a cardinal poop.
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
It helps to have a tough skin around here, Lisa. If you're overly sensitive, this might not be a good blog for you.
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Catherine Christina Deslippe
I have read the bible a few times in my life. My neighbour has been to Jerusalem, he himself seen so many reasons, knew deep in his heart that our dear Lord and Saviour (Jesus) died on the cross to forgive us of our sins. Why his son, for there were so many non believers, hate. Like our world is full of now. He rose from the dead, (first non fiction and best book to read), proof enough to me and what I have seen in my lifetime. Have you not witness the words of the Lord in your lifetime, or is it his fault for all the things you want to work out the way you think it should. Research, I have learned many religions and yet I return to my Christianity. My own mom spoke with our Lord days before she past, she prepared my dad of things we thought not possible. Her own words, “ heaven is so beautiful dear, but I have lots to do until you come”. My dad has past to COVID, I know mom was waiting. Research and I would love to hear more.
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Lisa Castle
I am new here and I thought comments would be respectful of each others ideas and beliefs. I was wrong. I like to learn of what others believe and why. That being said I would hope when I share my beliefs it is received in a manor that is not mocking.
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
That would depend on whether you're staying your beliefs, or preaching them, Lisa.
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Bishop William Dusenberry, DD
When anyone says “my belief” or “I believe in” — ask them, where they received their beliefs from — and, unless they told you that (a) they got their God belief directly from the God in which they now say that they believe (b) or, an angel appeared to them — and told them that the Christian God is the truest of all the other Gods.
Bottom line 99.9 of God believers, say they believe in the Christian God — should instead be saying, “I was raised (socialized) to accept the Christian God, while being totally ignorant of the other thousands of God” and everyone else with my same Christian God, believes in the same Christian God that I do.
So there
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John Casillo
HMMMMM,.......LET'S SEE.....GOD SENT JESUS TO ATONE FOR THE SINS OF THE WORLD....HIS ONLY SON.....CRUCIFIED HIMSELF CAUSE HE SENT HIMSELF AS JESUS....SEEMS SUICIDAL....I GUESS HE COULD HAVE STARTED OVER BUT PROBABLY CHUCKLES AT THIS THING CALLED FAITH......REV JOHN
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John P Maher
HEY CARL BERNARD ELFSTROM I HAVE SOME DINGLEBERRIES for SALE YOU SHOULD BE INTERESTED to PURCHASE, VERY EXPENSIVELY !
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
I've even got the bones of the fish that Jesus shape shifted from loaves of bread. Send a S.A.S.E. and one dollar, and I'll send you one of those bones, a Jesus fingernail clippings, and throw in one of Jesus' boogers, at no additional charge. For an additional dollar I'll send you a certificate of authentication, signed by Jesus himself.
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Lumina
You keep mocking Jesus that is very disrespectful. Why don't you mock yourself. God has said my people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge.
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
I've got a whole bunch of Jesus' holy fingernail clippings, and am selling them individually, real cheap.
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Gilbert Nutsugah
The had truth. God bless you my brother
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Lionheart
I’m very curious as to how you evaluate what truth is Gilbert? Faith doesn’t determine truth, so how do you evaluate it?
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
I'd just like to know what Nutsugar means, Gilbert. It sounds nasty.
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Daniel Gray
its called FAITH. Just like you have faith you are going to breathe tomorrow, or that yo have faith that there is no deity or that there is.
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
I only have faith that I'm going to breathe until I die, Daniel child. Glad you're back. Someone may have missed you. I might have been Sybil.
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Daniel Gray
whats wrong Carla? mad because my post makes perfect sense and yours does not?
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
It doesntake sense to think that you're going to breathe tomorrow, unless you've traveled to the future, and have seen that you're still going to be alive then.
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Daniel Gray
for you it does
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
It takes she'll of a lot more than the likes of you and John P Maher's illiterate scribblings to get under my skin, Danielle child, but keep trying. Y'all only succeed at giving me things to laugh about, wholeheartedly. Don't take yourselves too seriously. Nobody else does.
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
The third and fourth words in my above post were supposed to be a hell, instead of she'll, as the Android poltergeist put instead.
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Daniel Gray
and sorry nancy, if we had not got under your skin you would not have responded the way you did
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
That could be true when seen from one point of view baby girl, as you so frequently do, but not whenseeing the picture as a whole, child.
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John Wayne Hutchinson
Well spoken Gerardo.
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John Wayne Hutchinson
I am putting down another comment because I was not sure the first comment would go through because when I tried this site before to leave comments it would NOT take my comments. I want to say more now because it took my first comment now earlier today. I am Not going to say AMEN to your comment like Woodrow said Because Amen means let it be so.The best words to say is; That is Right. Well spoken Geraldo.
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John Wayne Hutchinson
Geraldo I would rather say ; That's right. Well spoken Geraldo.
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Gerardo Salazar
Thank you for your kindness.
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Gerardo Salazar
Thank you for your kindness.
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Minister Mike
- Intolerance of his followers.
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Gerardo Salazar
You’re talking about irrelevant and mere material things that more likely are falsifications created along the centuries for various reasons. What is important in Christ’s legacy is not a thorn, a piece of wood or even a prepuce but Hs message and his deeds. In just three years of preaching enough hearts were touched and very soon thousands and then millions of Christians spread all over the World bringing His Word for those in pain and need. Today we should ask ourselves how Christian we really are; do I see everybody as my brother in Jesus even if their skin is black? Do I have the right to call myself a real Christian while despising those less fortunate that extend their hands in need? All of us, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, etc, live a huge lie and every time we open our mouths in prayer only words come out, mere words not from the heart but from the tongue. As long as we exploit our workers, sell our principles for 30 coins and worship sex and power we are actually shouting very loud that we do not believe in God, that same God that sees inside our hearts and only finds dirt and corruption.
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Ilmenheru Terikson
Hate to tell you but inbetween this inarnation and my last my soul broke down those golden gates and stormed heaven. Those poor angels couldnt swinga sword wortha shat and I slew your Gawd with that famous fiery sword that poor sob lost his grip on when I ripped is wings of and used it to cook them up for a mid battle snack. Now angel wings freshly roasted be bloody tasty I tell you.
I had my way with the Mary and Eve before I headed on to this life. Ah good times good times. So just so you got it clear, your worshipping a very dead god.
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
Right on, Ilmenheru! I'd like to get your recipe for angel wings, for the next time I come across one. You can have Mary and Eve. I'm hell-bent on taking Jezebel away from Jesus. St. Judas would rather sodomize him, anyway.
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John P Maher
COULD NOT HAVE SAID IT ANY BETTER MYSELF, THANK YOU GERALDO !
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John P Maher
I AGREE, ONLY I SAY THAT if, IF EVEN SOME of THE GREAT QUOTES of JESUS are REALLY FROM HIM WELL then USE YOUR IMAGINATION, VOILA !
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Woodrow
AMEN
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John Wayne Hutchinson
Well spoken Geraldo.
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Lionheart
Thank you Gerardo for telling us what you believe. It’s a pity you have no demonstrable factual evidence to back up your claims. We actually don’t know what your Jesus fellow said, if in fact he ever really lived as no one who supposedly knew him at the time ever wrote about him, possibly they didn’t know how to write, but those handed down stories are interesting aren’t they. I’m just wondering if you always believe everything you read, or are told, without any proven evidence.
You are right of course that words do come out of people’s mouths when they speak. In general, that is a given. It will always be the same Gerardo whether people speak to the wall, floor, or ceiling, whether they are on their knees or not, or even to a real person.
As for your suggestion a deity exists that can see into our hearts. I’m just wondering as a matter if interest whether you have any proof of that, or is it just another belief thing?
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Gerardo Salazar
Believe me, Lionheart, I have dealt with people like you before and honestly I’m tired of reading the same things over and over again. First of all there is something called metaphoric language but apparently you’ve never heard about it. This place is one in which people of different faiths gather to discuss and add their grain of salt, mainly about spiritual subjects that you would not know about because you cannot see spirits either, except in Halloween movies. Having said that, it is not by business or interest of mine if you do not believe and I have no desire whatsoever to know about you. By the way, do you really believe a person can live with a lion’s heart inside?
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Lionheart
Thank you for asking me at the beginning of your short missive to "Believe you..." but thank you for the invite....and I don't.
I too am tired of reading the same religious unproven rhetoric over and over, but I put up with it, and skip those I don't want to read, and respond to those I do read as I see fit. May I suggest that you skip over anything I write to prevent any further angst.
By the way, you do have a desire to know about me, even though you suggest you don't, or you wouldn't be reading my comments.
Regarding your humorous quip about lions hearts, you might want to watch The Wizard Of Oz again. Just a thought 🤔
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
As far as I can tell whatever was put into my heart and every other part of me, you, and everything else that has and ever will be created was put there by our god and goddess. They only put dirt in the ground, not in hearts, and we couldn't live if we had dirt in our hearts, Gerardio. God and Goddess didn't put corruption into any part of us iether, but certain minds have become very corrupt. Some would say even as corrupt as Jesus, and Christianity.
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Lumina
Very well said
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Clifford
He’s still wearing the crown of thorns. Most of the rest is fairy tales.
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Douglas Robert Spindler
I have a piece of toast which has Jesuses' s face on it from the last supper.
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Lionheart
We of course know there is no real evidence that this person, that was written about by people who had never met him, ever existed. It’s postulated he did exist, and it might be true. The fact that many people claimed to own the real foreskin is good enough evidence that people make up stories to suit their own narrative. People love to make up stories, hence the many different stories about him in the Bible handed down from those who claim to have known him. As to which are true, if any, no one really knows. It’s an interesting blood thirsty story, but I still prefer Harry Potter, which is much better for children, and with no blackmail involved saying if you don’t believe in Harry Potter you’ll burn in Hell.
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Jonathan Matthew Moe Brannon
Hello, I've read Matthew 5-7 that contain the Beatitudes, Lords Prayer. The Sermon on the Mount explains each of the Ten Commandments, One person who had studied Mosaic law and had personal insights beyond mankind. Apocrapha letter of Pontius Pilate repented of killing an innocent Jewish Messiah. When the letter read it in the Forum he rent his robe, an earthquake happened and the idols gods fell down. An earthquake same time as crucifixion and solar eclipse also has archaeologic evidence on CBN. An empty tomb means He rose as Jesus was seen by 500 witnesses, I Corinthians 15. Finally, Acts 4:12 is St Paul's Gospel message that there is no other name than Jesus Christ given to mankind that we can be saved. This is Christian apologetics or explanation of your questions.
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Lionheart
Thank you Jonathan, but all it means is that you've read a book, which comprises of supposed records from people who heard the stories/tales and then wrote what they understood, usually many centuries later. Looking at the many errors of events in the Bible, which is to be expected by people who were not there, there is no factual evidence of what is true, and what isn't.
Thank you for your reply though.
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Lumina
I am no one to judge but I believe you will burn in hell. There is only one way to be safe and is thoroughly believing is Jesus Christ our king, Lord and father. It says it in the bible which you think is a story. Good luck. You will face him in the last days
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Lionheart
Nahhh, I don't think so Lauren, but thank you for you well wishes.
Christians love to play the eternal hell and damnation blackmail card don't they to try and rope people in? Do you believe everything in that old book of tales written by people decades later who never even met Jesus?
You'll be telling next that you believe in the talking snake, and ass, and that women were made from the rib of a man. Just how gullible, brainwashed, and indoctrinated can people really be with no demonstrable evidence to back up their claims?
Anyway, thank you for your post.
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John D. Partin
As I have already told you many times, your talking about anyone else's being "gullible, brainwashed, and indoctrinated", considering your own brainwashing and indoctrination by Trumpelstiltskin and conservatives, is really the whole pot factory's calling a single kettle "black"!! You say that you "have recovered from that brainwashing" now, to make yourself appear more "sensible" and "sane", though you still think that the Donald would be a "good thing for this country again", and so your brainwashing isn't all over yet, obviously! Hell isn't blackmail, but merely the consequences of people's own actions, which they bring on themselves and that nobody has to send them to. Hell is no more blackmail than people's going to jail or prison for their crimes or the possibility of that happening if they continue in their law breaking is blackmail, but merely the consequences of their own actions. Do you really "think" that there should never be any consequences for people's actions because "that is blackmail"?!! Breaking human laws have consequences and breaking God's laws have consequences, and we ignore those consequences to our earthly or eternal peril! You and other atheists can go on doubting and scoffing at and ridiculing God and the existence of Hell, but you will become a believer in Hell one second after you are unfortunate to get there and won't be laughing at or ridiculing it any more!! Some people have to learn the hard way and you certainly are one of those people!! Do yourself a favor and smarten up and accept the truth while you have the chance and before it's too late for you!! Hell doesn't care if you believe in it or not or stop existing because you don't believe in it, but, in fact, works better and gets more people when they don't believe in it, since they take no precautions against it and it wants people to doubt and deny the truth, anyway!! The existence of demonic spirits and ghosts is proved by haunted locations and possessions, which you can experience and prove to yourself! More of that is waiting for you and other atheists beyond this life and eagerly awaiting your arrival and to take you into their clutches!! Or you can go to Heaven if you love God and listen to Him and do as He says. The choice is yours, but one choice is eternal regret, misery, suffering, and hopelessness, while the other is eternal happiness, love, joy, and delight!! "Today, I set before you life and death! Now, choose"!!
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John Norris Campbell
All these "relics" are not without great controversy and all can be attributed to the apostate Catholic religion---NOT Christianity. Why worship a 'thing" while the King of Kings still lives? The Catholics have been selling slivers of the cross for literally 1800 years...when asked how there could be possibly more slivers to sell they claim "it's a miracle of replenishment" Souvenirs are for suckers---usually made in China. The Roman Catholic Church is the Great Whore of Babylon and will go through great lengths to decieve the superstitious and spoonfed morons of the world.
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Amber Fry
And yet there is still quite the attachment to the cross. I don't know of any church that doesn't have some symbolism of deity as a focal point to pray to or worship.
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Lumina
You are so right
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Lumina
You are so right
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Catherine
From The National Catholic ReporterThe Holy Chalice of Valencia Jul 7, 2006 by John L. Allen Jr.
"The base, formed by an oval inverted cup, is adorned with gold along the lower edge, and has a stem containing 27 pearls, rubies, and emeralds. It's considered a medieval addition."
Given his propensity for simplicity and unmaterial things, what are the odds Jesus would indulge in using something so valuable?
And what about the Pope's crucifix shaped dildo? I bet that would go for a king's ransom!
Damn! What an eye for detail you have carl. I need to look at his crucifix in more detail.
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Carl Carl
You should wash your mouth out.
God bless you Rev Robert wilson