What are those values used to justify social and political attitudes? Why are they based principally on a literal-minded evangelical and fundamentalist religious definitions?
How have religious political activists forged a marriage between values and civics?
We hear of moral values as the basis for a lot of judgmental social and political thought ... and of course a criticism of those who disagree with that thinking.
Whose moral values are the true moral values?
Ultimately, when the religion card is played ... do not all of us best understand these values as they were expressed by Christ himself?
What were the socially moral values of Jesus?
PUBLIC PIETY & MORAL VALUES
Jesus said to beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them and that you do not force religion on anyone. Hypocrites make a public clamor of their own righteousness.
"When you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.”THE POOR
“They do all their deeds to be seen by men; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues, and salutations in the market places, and being called rabbi by men.”
Is it Christian to help the rich get richer at the expense of the poor?
Jesus teaches generosity to the poor. We should not refuse "him who would borrow from you.”
Jesus taught us to look constantly for ways to give.
“You received without paying, give without pay.”Jesus taught us not to be focused on wealth, money and the desire for more and more of at the expense of all else - particularly the poor.
Despite television and mega church sermons to the contrary, Jesus did not say wealth and prosperity was equal to righteousness. Nor did he ever express the notion that the poor deserve their lot,
"Woe to you, blind guides, who say, `If any one swears by the temple, it is nothing; but if any one swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.'Jesus spoke against corruption and greed in government.
You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that has made the gold sacred?"
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law, justice and mercy and faith; these you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. “Jesus condemned caring for only the "worthy poor."
The Levite (supposedly a righteous priest, minister or preacher), walked around the wounded victim on the highway telling himself, "My morale values are not your morale values. Actually your morale values make you unworthy of my charity."
The Samaritan only said, "Here, let me help you and take care of you."
Jesus said "Go and do likewise."
Jesus warned those who deliberately or casually ignore the poor and suffering.
"There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, full of sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.Jesus did not say that the health and well-being of children can be ignored.
The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried; and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus in his bosom."
“Whoever gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he shall not lose his reward."WEALTH
And what about the so-called "prosperity gospel?"
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal.”And do you think Jesus taught that those who trust God the most will be able to park their donkey’s next to the entrance of the temple?
… Truly, I say to you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
Jesus did not teach that we should obsess on consuming.
"If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.ECONOMICS/GOVERNMENT/TAXES
Jesus did not say that anyone -including the merchant class - is exempt or should not pay taxes.
“Show me the money for the tax. Whose likeness and inscription is this? Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."Jesus taught total respect for the working man, employment and job security.
"The laborer is worthy of his hire.”Jesus condemned rulers who impose unfair burdens on the people.
“The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat; so practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do; for they preach, but do not practice.ON CAPITALISM AND OTHER "ISM'S"
They bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with their finger.“
Jesus condemned the political, economic and philosophic ideology of men.
"You leave the commandment of God, and hold fast the tradition of men. You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God, in order to keep your tradition!"ENEMIES
The meek inherit the earth.
Jesus said to “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.”Those persecuted for righteousness' sake own the kingdom of God.
What then regarding those who persecute?
MERCY
The merciful obtain mercy.
The Sermon on the Mount speaks against basing the need to "search and destroy" evil as an act of revenge.
Jesus taught that mercy is more desirable than sacrifice.
Christians must always be ready to ask, “Am I willing to sacrifice the sons and daughters of this nation in support of a war that has not been justified, or for an act based purely on revenge?"
Jesus said that collateral damage is unthinkable and against the wisdom of God.
"What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray?CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray.
So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.“
Jesus did not authorize capital punishment in any form. Those who would kill are insufficiently perfect to take upon themselves that right.
"Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her."Jesus repudiated killing in His name and invoking war to spread freedom.
If the Bible is God's word to the world, then Jesus' words are not meant just for Christians, but for every soul on earth and here is what he said:
"I have said all this to you to keep you from falling away.PEACE
They will put you out of the synagogues; indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God.
And they will do this because they have not known the Father, or me. But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you of them.”
Peacemakers shall be called sons of God.
Anger and insult are serious weaknesses.
Whoever says, "You fool!" will be liable to judgment and hell fire equal to the sin of killing.Jesus repudiated war presidents.
"Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.”Jesus spoke against using war to force peace. When he spoke the following words, He could have spoken directly to what has happened in Iraq and Afghanistan
"Would that even today you knew the things that make for peace! But now they are hid from your eyes.There is no such thing anytime anywhere as killing for Christ.
For the days shall come upon you, when your enemies will cast up a bank about you and surround you, and hem you in on every side, and dash you to the ground, you and your children within you, and they will not leave one stone upon another in you; because you did not know the time of your visitation."
DECEPTION/FALSE WITNESS
Jesus affirmed that bearing false witness is sin.
Jesus said that we are accountable for everything we say, vow or promise and that our words will either justify or condemn us.
"So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.”Jesus taught that wisdom is equal with innocence. Conniving, secrecy and manipulation are not Christian virtues.
"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way that man is a thief and a robber;GOVERNING
but he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
He who is a hireling and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.
He flees because he is a hireling and cares nothing for the sheep."
Jesus declared that those who lead must know what they are doing and be clean about it.
"Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. “ON A CHRISTIAN ATTITUDE TOWARD SIN
Jesus did not say that we should distract ourselves by focusing on one or two issues at the expense of our overall well-being.
He did not say that Christianity would rise or fall over abortion and gay-marriage.
“You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!“
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you cleanse the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of extortion and rapacity.
You blind Pharisee! First cleanse the inside of the cup and of the plate, that the outside also may be clean.
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You also outwardly appear righteous to men, but within you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. “
Jesus taught that since we do not judge we do not determine who will go to heaven and who will burn in hell.
"But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you shut the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither enter yourselves, nor allow those who would enter to go in.”We are in no position to declare that a gay person or couple who adopt a child and raise that child with love and honor will not go to heaven while a TV evangelist caught in adultery will be forgiven.
Jesus spoke against hubris and the art of being holier-than-thou.
"Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself,
`God, I thank thee that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.'
But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, `God, be merciful to me a sinner!'
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."Jesus did not consider the brother of the Prodigal Son more righteous, deserving or worthy in the sight of God than the Prodigal. The Father recognized the older brother's goodly life but then corrected his hubris:
"Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found."
PERSONAL RELIGION
Jesus said that personal religious practice is done almost entirely privately.
“Give alms in secret and when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”FORGIVENESS
Jesus taught us to forgive, forgive and forgive; to not be judgmental. It is not our job to point or condemn.
"Judge not, that you be not judged.”CHRISTIAN VIRTUES
"Woman, where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you? Neither do I condemn you; go, and do not sin again."
Jesus openly and bluntly told us of the most important virtues:
"You shall not kill, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and, you shall love your neighbor as yourself."EVANGELIZING
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with your entire mind. This is the great and first commandment.
And a second is like it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets."
Jesus said that He was the Truth, the Way and the Life.
His is the pattern and that pattern is a life of seeking active goodness and not blind obedience and aggressive evangelizing by force.
Christian evangelizing is not the “more-than's” proselyting the “less-than's.”
The Condescension of God is not the same thing as the condescending smugness of the 700 club.
"Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am.
If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.
Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
POOR USE OF SCRIPTURE
Jesus did not teach us to take the Bible literally and try to apply ancient verses literally to solve contemporary problems.
Jesus did teach that religion is personal and manifests itself in acts and not blind obedience to words.
“You search the scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness to me; yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. I do not receive glory from men. But I know that you have not the love of God within you. How can you believe, who receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?"THE END TIMES
Jesus did not say that the End Times will happen according to faulty and imaginary interpretations of scripture that somehow require that Christians take over the world so He could return in glory.
"But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. Watch therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.
"Therefore you also must be ready; for the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
But he did say very clearly what he would do when He does come:
"Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.
Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me."
Then he will say to those at his left hand who had not attended the least of his brethren, "Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels."
LOVE
As the highest morale value of all, Jesus proclaimed love,
not piety,
not righteousness,
not being born again,
not being saved
and not accepting Him as a personal savior.
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
"If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me does not keep my words; and the word which you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me.”
"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. This I command you, to love one another.”
JESUS CAN STILL BE FOUND IN TODAY'S WORLD
And Jesus said to His Father
"I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.and the ultimate farewell expression
The glory which thou hast given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and thou in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that thou hast sent me and hast loved them even as thou hast loved me.
"Peace be with you. “
Regardless of the political rhetoric, we do not have to accept as absolutes the advocacies of those who insist that such and such is precisely what Jesus would do or precisely what Jesus wants or wanted.
ReplyDeleteThe judgmental Letter of the Law, essentially Old Testament thinking that had evolved into the lethal judgmental society of Jesus time (and accurately portrayed in the Gibson film) was not and is not something that Jesus supported or advocated in any way provable by the extreme Christian Right.
We read that Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and others are of the view that Old Testament Law would and will be quite viable as a foundation for a remodeled American legal system.
If our political process influenced by the Christian Right, it could be used to bring about a revolution in how this country is governed, how it perceives itself and how it relates to the rest of the world.
Scalia has written that government as an instrument of capital punishment is something ordained of God.
That’s nonsense.
Jesus in Matthew says “Think not that I am come to destroy the Law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.”
At what moment did he fulfill the Law?
Was it sometime during the final 12 hours – The Passion of the Christ?
I suppose there are those who insist that in his dying, he did so.
However, is it not possible that when confronted with the woman caught in adultery, when he would have been justified – even required – by “The Law” to join in the stoning, Jesus, as the Son of God, brought the Law to fulfillment. By introducing the idea of sinlessness and innocence as a requirement of those who judge and execute did he not take away the murderous right of judgmental legal bigotry?
At that moment did he not repudiate the Law of rigid and inflexible imperative and replace it with a new testament of governance that requires wisdom, consideration and compassion?
Must the moral high ground be a place of condemnation first, judgment second and then culminating with punishment?
Does the Sermon on the Mount preach that idea?
Do the parables of The Good Samaritan and Prodigal Son preach that idea?
Can we honestly declare that Jesus was a Conservative Capitalist who favored the rich at the expense of the poor and whose life incidents and teachings inform the radical objectives of the extreme Religious Right?
Honest people realize the implications of their own convictions.
Dishonest people pursue what they want by compromising their convictions at the expense of their own integrity and end up attempting to manipulate others by withholding truth.
Political parties and candidates can weaken themselves by denying the source of those internal convictions that inform their highest aspirations.
Are we remaining quiet and non-participating while the political forces around us are turning this land of the free and home of the brave into a land of the deceived and the home of the brave new cowards?
In my opinion, it was Jimmy Carter - working for peace in the Middle East - more exemplified what it means to have a Christian in the White House than did the more recent "christian" who unleashed indiscriminate violence against more innocent human beings than against terrorists.
We must take that moral high ground from those who think they own it and that they can dictate to the rest of us.
That includes those who have, as a blend of political and religious understanding, an expectation that we can abuse and disenfranchise each other,
ignore our poor in the name of profit and greed
and attempt dominion of our planet by mindless exploitation as much as we want
- simply because in a coming time there will be a supernatural intervention that will clean up the mess we are making.
In that regard, if we as the real spiritual majority in this country do not charge the moral high ground we will be Left Out, not Left Behind.