Judge not
This makes me sad and angry.
The quote below is from a brilliant book by Stephen Mitchell. The Gospel According to Jesus, (A new translation and guide to his essential teachings for believers and unbelievers) He is talking about some of the authentic passages of Jesus vs. the ones attributed to "Jesus" that were added by the early church.
Since I follow the teachings of Jesus I shouldn't condemn these people, but it is hard not to feel that way after the way they treated John McCusker, 31, of San Diego. But I'll ask these questions, "What would the authentic Jesus have done? The Jesus who taught the parable of the good Samartian? How would the Jesus who taught us the story of the prodigal son have acted? Can you see Jesus acting this way after he stopped the woman from being stoned? I can't.
Who will be the Samaritan to the Church's cruel treatment of this man's body?
The quote below is from a brilliant book by Stephen Mitchell. The Gospel According to Jesus, (A new translation and guide to his essential teachings for believers and unbelievers) He is talking about some of the authentic passages of Jesus vs. the ones attributed to "Jesus" that were added by the early church.
No careful reader of the Gospels can fail to be struck by the difference between the largeheartedness of such passages and the bitter, badgering tone of some of the passages added by the early church. It is not only the polemical element in the Gospels, the belief in devils, the flashy miracles, and the resurrection itself that readers like Jefferson, Tolstoy, and Gandhi have felt are unworthy of Jesus, but most of all, the direct antitheses to the authentic teaching that were put into “Jesus” mouth, doctrines and attitudes so offensive that they “have caused good men to reject the whole in disgust.” Jesus teaches us, in his sayings and by his actions, not to judge (in the sense of not to condemn), but to keep our hearts open to all people; the later “Jesus” is the archetypal judge, who will float down terribly on the clouds for the world’s final rewards and condemnations. Jesus cautions against anger and teachers the love of enemies; “Jesus” calls his enemies “children of the Devil” and attacks them with the utmost vituperation and contempt. Jesus talks of God as a loving father, even to the wicked; “Jesus” preaches a god who will cast the disobedient into everlasting flames.
The epitome of this narrowhearted, sectarian consciousness is a saying which a second-century Christian scribe put into the mouth of the resurrected Savior at the end of Mark: "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever doesn't believe will be damned."
Since I follow the teachings of Jesus I shouldn't condemn these people, but it is hard not to feel that way after the way they treated John McCusker, 31, of San Diego. But I'll ask these questions, "What would the authentic Jesus have done? The Jesus who taught the parable of the good Samartian? How would the Jesus who taught us the story of the prodigal son have acted? Can you see Jesus acting this way after he stopped the woman from being stoned? I can't.
Who will be the Samaritan to the Church's cruel treatment of this man's body?
3 Comments:
Spacko: Here’s a treat for your next church pot-luck assuming as Spako you check the box that says “R to Z bring main dish.” Your folk will love lentals because it’s got all the special ingredients your kind of people love: Ketchup, Mustard, Worcestershire sauce. Although the liquid smoke is probably a bit over the top.
2 1/3 C Lentils – rinsed, 5 C Water, 1/2 C Molasses [“all I smell is molasses”], 2 Tbsp Brown Sugar, 1Tbsp Vinegar, 1/2 C Ketchup, 1 Tsp Dry Mustard, 1 Tsp Worcestershire Sauce, 16 oz Tomato Sauce, 1/2 C Minced Onions, 1/4 tspLiquid Smoke
Add lentils to water, bring to a boil and simmer for 30 min or until tender but whole. Add remaining ingredients to the cooked lentils and bake at 350 deg F for 45 min.
Are other Vulcans this into Jeesus?
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Nice post, Spocko.
And good question.
What does R.M. Jeffers think about it?
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