From: Arlo J. Bensinger (ajb102@psu.edu)
Date: Fri Sep 23 2005 - 12:41:31 BST
Erin,
Question. Do you actually read what I write? Sometimes I wonder if we are
speaking the same language.
[Erin]
If you don't care then why keep bringing it up? Like when you comment about the
people in SUVs driving by hithchikers in New Orleans...it just makes me wonder
whether somebody in a rusty old van driving by hitchhikers would elicit the
same reaction with you?
[Arlo]
I bring it up because WEALTHY people who CLAIM to UPHOLD christian MORALITY, and
then IGNORE the NEEDS of the POOR are HYPOCRITS. Owning a Lexus is a RHETORICAL
WAY OF SAYING WEALTHY (unless you know poor people who drive Lexuses, in which
case you have grounds to call me to task). And, it is RHETORICALLY VALUABLE
because it demonstrates that these same SELF-PROFESSED CHRISTIANS convince
themselves that JESUS would WANT THEM TO SPEND $30K ON A CAR, while DOING
NOTHING for the poor, homeless or sick.
Let me spell it out: Material acquisition, including the amasssing of wealth, is
the antithesis of "christian morality" which can be summed up by "feed the
poor, heal the sick, and shelter the homeless". When this material acquisition
is combined with an active DISDAIN for the poor, homeless and infirmed, it
increases the hypocrisy exponentially.
ABSOLUTELY I question the MORALITY of someone who in a rusty van IGNORES the
needs of others, thinks only about saving their own skin... AND THEN CLAIMS TO
BE A CHRISTIAN.
It is the HYPOCRISY OF THE WEALTHY WHO CLAIM CHRISTIAN MORALITY I am
criticizing. Well, that and the HYPOCRISY OF CLAIMING TO UPHOLD CHRISTIAN
MORALITY ONLY WHEN IT GIVES YOU POWER OVER OTHERS.
I don't think I can be more clear than that.
[Erin]
You say you don't care what people drive but when you keep tying it in with your
point it seems like you do. I agree that you should judge people by what they
do not what they drive .... so why distract from the action that you are
concerned with details like what kind of car they were driving. It's like you
are trying to make generalizations about people who drive Buicks vs. Harleys.
[Arlo]
Only in your mind, Erin. I think I've been fairly clear. If it's distracting to
you, if you don't see the rhetorical value, than I apologize for upsetting your
sensibilities.
[Erin]
there is a part where they talk about "active life" and "contemplative life"
and the misunderstandings involved using the Mary and Martha story.
I think this might be a time where Jesus wasn't frowning on somebody sitting on
the sidelines.
[Arlo]
It's not about "sitting on the sideline", Erin. Everyone "contemplates". But
when people drive by the less fortunate, and make the willful decision to not
offer assistance, and this decision is made repeatedly by people calling
themselves "christians", and you call this "contemplation" then "contemplation"
is really a phenomenomly misunderstood concept.
And, if you don't think its hypocritical for someone to DEMAND judicial power
over the lives of others BASED ON AN APPEAL TO THE BIBLE, and then ACTIVELY
COMPLAIN WHEN THAT SAME APPEAL FORCES OTHERS TO HAVE POWER OVER THEM, well, I
don't really know what to say.
Arlo
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