Graffiti is against Political Correctness
Graffiti is against Political Correctness…
Some carry political correctness like a weapon to trample, muzzle and commit character assassination against those they declare as “wrong headed”; others wear political incorrectness as a badge of honour excusing bigoted, intolerant and hateful words under the guise of freedom of speech.
I see folly and anti-social tendencies in both characterizations. Truth is an interesting instrument…its clarion song is exquisite in beauty…I trust in absolute truth yet I believe truth is typically best applied as a scalpel not a hammer…Doing surgery and not destruction…however there are times when a hammer is indeed needed…demolition to allow for rebuilding…
To these ends I quote the Words of the Graffiti Master…The King of kings and Lord of lords Who exuded political incorrectness…
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
"What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?"
He answered, " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
"You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."
But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'
"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"
The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."
These words of Jesus were and are hated by those that are religious, racist and bigoted…if they are properly understood. To the religious people of Jesus day it would have been understandable that the priest and Levite would not help the half dead man as he would have been considered ritually unclean. Jewish people would normally take this dangerous road in an effort to bypass the area of the maligned multiracial often pagan “sinner” Samaritans.
Then to think that a hated “immoral” Samaritan would have helped this victim of crime (by the location implying a Jew) would send the religious Jews of the day into a rage and incredulity. After all they would say Samaritans probably were the ones that assaulted the victim!
A Samaritan of the day would possibly have felt likewise in that they would be outraged that Jesus would suggest that they should help a Jew…as they hated the Jews…the religious fanatics and fundamentalists.
This story is so outrageous and politically incorrect that it is other worldly….
One of the central clues to this story is that the expert in the law wanted to “justify himself” and the fact is nobody can be justified in God’s eyes except through Jesus and His mercy…this claim is extremely outrageously politically incorrect…
This story Jesus tells is über politically incorrect…it is hyper out of sort’s offensive to everybody…except those that are willing to embrace its multifaceted yet singular truth…
Jesus declares to both the religious and steeply “immoral” that He is willing to be their one and only “Good Samaritan”….
Now let us walk down the politically incorrect path to MAX
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Hi LS,
"I believe truth is typically best applied as a scalpel not a hammer…Doing surgery and not destruction…"
This is beautiful!!! And of course, I agree with you.
I always loved this passage of Luke. It is a great lesson of life; yet I have seen many Christians reading this and not following Jesus' advice; and I have seen non-Christians following Jesus' advice without even having read about it.
"To the religious people of Jesus day it would have been understandable that the priest and Levite would not help the half dead man as he would have been considered ritually unclean."
Well, half dead is not dead. And God commanded that the Jewish people were not to touch dead people, dead animals; however if they absolutely had to they'd have to wash their clothes and their flesh and then they'd be considered clean at the end of the day.
In Luke's passage the man was fainted, not dead; thus the levite and the priest who ignored him were simply mean people, natural born unmerciful people.
I believe Jesus was trying to say that we are all brothers (despite a certain ethnicity having been chosen by God to be His Holy People. Holiness demands of us being much more responsible for our neighbours; it urges us to practice love everyday for we have been touched by the hand of God. Yet, it doesn't mean that we have to be naive or too innocent...) no matter what, for after all we were all created by the same and only God.
Jews are justified by God. Not by themselves, not by their deeds; but by God and their absolute love for Him (and all the things that involve loving Him).
Excellent anti-PC article, LSus! Totally unexpected :D! Thank you for this great job *standing ovation*!
Ah, before I go...if the story Jesus told is so offensive to some (I wouldn't say everybody, cause I am not offended by it at all), I'd suggest they go to the bridge and get über it (as Bruno would say).
Cheers
Hello Maximus…
“I always loved this passage of Luke. It is a great lesson of life; yet I have seen many Christians reading this and not following Jesus' advice; and I have seen non-Christians following Jesus' advice without even having read about it.”
One of the sad things about how people observe this part of Scripture is that they miss the point. At its core it is NOT a moral lesson, it is not about doing good but that we cannot be good enough… In Luke 9:51-56 a Samaritan village had rejected Jesus. He then proceeds to talk about how people must put everything in a lower position than Himself in Luke 9:57-62.
“Well, half dead is not dead. And God commanded that the Jewish people were not to touch dead people, dead animals; however if they absolutely had to they'd have to wash their clothes and their flesh and then they'd be considered clean at the end of the day.”
- The man seemed dead so they avoided contact with him as they assumed they would be ritually unclean…also we must take into account how the legal lawyers of the time such as this questioner of Jesus saw the Law…which supports my assessment…Jesus raised the standard to an unattainable level…During that time period it was common for rabbis to teach that the Law in regards to “neighbour” was taken to mean only fellow Jews that held the same beliefs and moral convictions…the contemporary historical situation is related to the story…
“Jews are justified by God. Not by themselves, not by their deeds; but by God and their absolute love for Him (and all the things that involve loving Him). “
- Alright I am biting here…You say they are “justified by God” and “not by themselves” however then you add “their absolute love for Him.” I would say that humans are not capable of “absolute love” as we are finite…and also this means that humans are also responsible for their justification…your words “and all the things” implies their actions participate in their justification…
“Excellent anti-PC article, LSus! Totally unexpected :D! Thank you for this great job *standing ovation*!”
- Oh my…*bowing*…thank you…
“Ah, before I go...if the story Jesus told is so offensive to some (I wouldn't say everybody, cause I am not offended by it at all), I'd suggest they go to the bridge and get über it (as Bruno would say).”
- Ah indeed it is offensive to most…if they understand the story in context…Jesus point is the opposite of what people think…it is not about being “good” it is about the fact we cannot be good enough for Him as God…We need Jesus the Good Samaritan…
To religious people and unreligious people He says being “religious” and “good” is not “good enough”.
Livingsword, the sad part is not only misinterpreting the Bible by Christians. All organized religions, have one purpose. That is to misinterpret the original sayings of the person after whom the religions have formed. People everywhere are gullible and it is the priest and political class that controls their minds. To that extent, your idea of political correctness and religion going hand in hand is absolutely correct.
Hello Rummuser,
Fascinating supposition, however I suspect that you believe that you are immune to this “mind control”? (Note this is a question not assertion)
While I agree that there are many religious leaders that use religion for surreptitious reasons I should point out that as a devout Jesus follower I am opposed to “religion”. True Biblical Christianity is not a religion.
Certainly I did not start out this way, until I was in my late twenties (now mid-forties) I was a rabid atheist…I just did not have enough faith to continue down that path…it was the contact with truth and facts that adjusted my viewpoint…
When you say “All organized religions, have one purpose. That is to misinterpret the original sayings of the person after whom the religions have formed.” I am struck with this as an absolute statement that I have learned from personal experience is not true.
Within the Church I have encountered the politically correct and politically incorrect…I am more interested in being Biblical than either of those alternatives…
I understand your point on religion LV.
Academically speaking, it is possible for the Holy Spirit to guide a scholar or non-scholar to make proper Biblical interpretations and produce proper theology within religious studies/the study of religion.
Therefore, personally from an academic perspective I would have no problem stating that my religion is Christianity.
'I am struck with this as an absolute statement that I have learned from personal experience is not true.'
Agreed.
Hey, I visited the new LDS Temple (latest post).
Hi King Pin…do you play 5 pin or 10 pin?
Typically I see religion as humans trying to reach God thru rituals, religion, the Law and “being good” (in other words things we do)…whereas I view following Jesus as emanating from what He has done….
A person becomes a genuine Jesus follower by God’s grace alone through faith alone in Jesus alone (that’s salvation) then Jesus transforms our lives (that’s sanctification)…typically religion mixes these kinds of things together…the LDS being a typical example…
I frequently make this point about “religion” because there are so many misunderstandings about Jesus following…
I find it interesting to see how people say they dislike “organized religion” they prefer it to be unorganized? If only they knew…
I shall check out your post on the new LDS temple…
As Joseph Campbell so beautifully says, Religion is the other man's myth. I find your story fascinating and can identify with your swiniging from atheism to a faith of your own finding. Exactly the same thing happened to me more or less at the same ages as well. Contrary to popular belief, there is no religion called Hinduism, though for census purposes, I am calssified as one. Hindus were people who lived in the land where the Indus river flowed. It is now in Pakistan. Pakistanis are the true Hindus by that definition. The popular faith/s followed by Indians is one of anarchy. Each can find his own God/Gods, whatever and do whatever he wishes to do, pray, not pray, build a temple for or not or whatever. The underlying principles are simply and exactly what you suggest - spiritualism is a matter of Grace. It has to happen on its own and we have our theory of Karma that explains why some get that Grace and others do not.
My comment must be taken in the context of the convenient marrying of politics and religion by the so called leaders of both entities. In India, that translates to a pseudo secularism of supporting minority relgions and pardon my using the term, screwing the majority quote Hindus unquote. It is a comedy without parallel Livingsword. I am very pleased to have met you, and I have no doubts whatsoever that it is due to Grace.
Rummuser,
I am very much enjoying this dialogue….
I understand how you have configured your explanation of Hinduism and India. I live in Vancouver Canada so I know many people from India or from those origins, but I found your explanation to be of more fascinating eloquence than most. Before becoming a Jesus follower I studied Hinduism and all of the other belief systems as well.
One of the core differences between being a Jesus follower and other forms of spiritual walk or religion is that the concepts of grace and karma (note small case) is very different.
For example when you say”It has to happen on its own and we have our theory of Karma that explains why some get that Grace and others do not.” A follower of Jesus would respond by saying that absolutely nothing a human can do makes any difference whether grace is offered to them (saving grace is unmerited and undeserved, it cannot be earned, it is a free gift offered to all), small case karma for us is just the natural consequence of a Fallen and broken universe and humanity….
By the way I want to add that my prime purpose for blogging is NOT evangelistic it is just how this conversation may appear…
LSus,
"One of the sad things about how people observe this part of Scripture is that they miss the point. At its core it is NOT a moral lesson, it is not about doing good but that we cannot be good enough…(...)"
Doing good (i.e. doing as God commanded, and I speak not of Biblical commandments only) is vital to get God's favour. However, I do agree that humans cannot be good enough due to their imperfection (imposed by matter). Souls can be perfect (when not tormented) but when in contact with flesh they can not.
One can do good without being good enough.
"- The man seemed dead so they avoided contact with him as they assumed they would be ritually unclean…also we must take into account how the legal lawyers of the time such as this questioner of Jesus saw the Law…"
I totally understand what you mean, however...these lawyers were wrong (as Jesus demonstrated). And we all know that many clerics interpret the Law (and I do not speak of the Biblical one only - other religious texts, and their law, can be included in here) in ways that fit their agenda (in any given period).
"During that time period it was common for rabbis to teach that the Law in regards to “neighbour” was taken to mean only fellow Jews that held the same beliefs and moral convictions…"
True. And thank God contemporary rabbis opened their eyes...
"- Alright I am biting here…You say they are “justified by God” and “not by themselves” however then you add “their absolute love for Him.” I would say that humans are not capable of “absolute love” as we are finite…and also this means that humans are also responsible for their justification…your words “and all the things” implies their actions participate in their justification…"
Auguri (this is why I love conversing with you)!
Their actions do participate in their justification (since in order for God to justify them, their actions must concur with what God commanded them). God said "Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart.You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up." (Deut. 6:4-7); this love for, obedience to, God & intimate relationship with Hashem will cause the Chosen People to be justified "In the Lord all the offspring of Israel will be justified and will glory." (Isaiah 45:25); "Put Me in remembrance, let us plead together; declare yourself, so that you may be justified" (Isaiah 43:26).
Loving God involves good deeds (which are to follow His commandments [not only the Biblical ones], to obey Him and to be intimate with Him).
Humans are capable of "absolute love" despite being finite; however they do not give a chance to relative love, let alone to absolute love. Loving is not as simple (and as banal) as humans make it seem...Love is a rather complex sentiment which carries huge responsibility. When you hear people saying "I love you" to others...I guarantee you half of them do not know what that is, nor what it demands of them.
"- Oh my…*bowing*…thank you…"
You are welcome :D.
"- Ah indeed it is offensive to most…if they understand the story in context…Jesus point is the opposite of what people think…it is not about being “good” it is about the fact we cannot be good enough for Him as God…We need Jesus the Good Samaritan…"
Here we go...Jesus is not God. Jesus is Hashem's servant "(...) My Servant, will justify the many, as he will bear their iniquities." (Isaiah 53:11)...I believe Jesus is the servant who bore the iniquities of many in the crux.
God didn't say "Myself, I will justify the many, as I will bear their iniquities."...
'Typically I see religion as humans trying to reach God thru rituals, religion, the Law and “being good” (in other words things we do)…whereas I view following Jesus as emanating from what He has done….'
That is one reasonable perspective.
10 pin...rarely,
Religion/Religious Studies are also reasonable academic terms for which Christianity fits in.
Cheers, my friend.
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