I've read the bible, and follow few statements from Jesus which summarize its content. To paraphrase the statements:
Treat other people in a manner you'd like them to treat you.
Before you point a finger at another's failures, take a look at the face in the mirror to point at that reflection's failures.
Don't bother judging another's actions because at some point The One Who Matters will judge yours.
If you treat someone with few worldly goods in a kind manner, you're actually treating The One Who Matters in a kind manner.
It's easier for a camel to get through a one-person-sized gate in a Jerusalem's defensive wall than it is for a person with lots of worldly goods to pass into a happy afterlife with The One Who Matters.
Now, these may not be termed Jesus' ideas from the politically-leaning Christian spokespeople -- sometimes referred to as the Religious Right -- because they don't parrot the words in a bible (see http://www.biblegateway.com/versions/).
But that's the point.
They don't speak for me, and, if they bothered to understand what Jesus said, shouldn't speak in behalf of others.
Religion is personal. One is saved by one's actions rather than how the rest of the people in his society perceive those actions (See the quote about pointing fingers above.).
They lay down a foundation against which public expression of religious is "approved" (See the quote about judging others above.). And that's not their Right, at least as Jesus saw it (See Luke Chapter 18 Verses 9-14 in your favorite bible version.).
Society has a right to regulate itself. But not when it comes to how we address The One Who Matters. (See Matthew Chapter 22 Verse 21 in your favorite bible version.).
Take care,
jim
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Friday, October 26, 2007
Stupidest President
I was dining with a number of work colleagues, who weren't discrete enough to mask their negative opinions of anyone who doesn't support George W. Bush.
It triggered the emotional statement:
"George W. Bush is the stupidest person I've ever encountered or heard about as a leader of this country. He's illiterate, illogical, and inept -- a guy who has ruined everything he touches, including the Texas Rangers. It's embarrassing to have him represent me on the world stage. Those who support him are simply sheep, unable to observe his actions, and repeating what his shills in the media tell them to recite in public."
As the dinner was allegedly among "professionals" there was a stunned silence, since "politics" which didn't go along with the majority trend is forbidden.
The leader of the pro-Bush discussion retorted, "Well, I guess we see who's the liberal here. Kerry was . . ."
I didn't respond because my observation wasn't "liberal" but instead an analysis of the President's public actions where he doesn't offer logical thoughts either by argument, or worse, by appropriate grammatical construct, and makes pundit like statements to adults on topics only preschoolers may find interesting ("refineries are the factories which produce gasoline").
It was based, in part, on feedback from friends in Australia who indicate that we American's are a public laughing stock whenever the President is featured in that country's news. This response from a strong "ally?"
On the way home from the dinner, wondering why I didn't fight back, I thought:
No one bothered to defend their "leader's" intelligence.
Like those who berate the "liberal media bias" to prate their own biases from a media pulpit, they demonize the speaker rather than address the logic or illogic of the statement.
They're more impressed with the trappings of the leader ("I respect the presidency") rather than the leader's actions (For what it's worth, I respect the Presidency too. I'm just embarrassed about who we put in it this time.).
The next day, I found it interesting to hear that something like 25 percent of the American people still defend the president. This was compared to 30-something percent who believe there are space aliens living among us.
Look here for some of the wit and wisdom of Bush (See: Slate).
Take care
jim
It triggered the emotional statement:
"George W. Bush is the stupidest person I've ever encountered or heard about as a leader of this country. He's illiterate, illogical, and inept -- a guy who has ruined everything he touches, including the Texas Rangers. It's embarrassing to have him represent me on the world stage. Those who support him are simply sheep, unable to observe his actions, and repeating what his shills in the media tell them to recite in public."
As the dinner was allegedly among "professionals" there was a stunned silence, since "politics" which didn't go along with the majority trend is forbidden.
The leader of the pro-Bush discussion retorted, "Well, I guess we see who's the liberal here. Kerry was . . ."
I didn't respond because my observation wasn't "liberal" but instead an analysis of the President's public actions where he doesn't offer logical thoughts either by argument, or worse, by appropriate grammatical construct, and makes pundit like statements to adults on topics only preschoolers may find interesting ("refineries are the factories which produce gasoline").
It was based, in part, on feedback from friends in Australia who indicate that we American's are a public laughing stock whenever the President is featured in that country's news. This response from a strong "ally?"
On the way home from the dinner, wondering why I didn't fight back, I thought:
No one bothered to defend their "leader's" intelligence.
Like those who berate the "liberal media bias" to prate their own biases from a media pulpit, they demonize the speaker rather than address the logic or illogic of the statement.
They're more impressed with the trappings of the leader ("I respect the presidency") rather than the leader's actions (For what it's worth, I respect the Presidency too. I'm just embarrassed about who we put in it this time.).
The next day, I found it interesting to hear that something like 25 percent of the American people still defend the president. This was compared to 30-something percent who believe there are space aliens living among us.
Look here for some of the wit and wisdom of Bush (See: Slate).
Take care
jim
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