Below-copied essay by ap first published at comments,
http://americansjourney.blogspot.com...l#comment-form
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Christian Literature MUST Mean Something;
Otherwise We're Just Idiots
(Apollonian, 2 Feb 16)
Ok (see below-copied), u give
me something to work w. here, so I believe I can produce a worthwhile and
informative response. But I'll have to alter the order of subjects to be
discussed in order to make sense.
(a) U write, "Are you saying that one
must be perfect to try to emulate Christ's teaching?" But then u say,
(b) "Also - you cannot even define a Christian for me so there is no way
to even discuss the matter since there is no common concept to
discuss."
Greeks teach human existence is TRAGEDY--which has defined our
Western culture fm beginning. Christians, following fm even the Old Test.,
agree, following Greeks, noting humans are sinners--get it? Life sucks--Life is
war, according to Homer, Plato, St. Augustine, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Darwin, and
all the wisest men of the West. Life sucks.
Christian philosophy is
contained in New Test. literature, and Christ preached TRUTH as greatest virtue,
the only "way" to Godly happiness (Gosp. JOHN 14:6).
"Peace" is meant
only as some inner reward for the pursuit and somewhat partial achievement of
TRUTH, the greatest virtue.
Thus "turning other cheek" is mere means to
end of foremost virtue of TRUTH TRUTH TRUTH TRUTH above all/any other--u need to
grasp this greatest Christian virtue, Christ = truth, which truth cannot be
killed, and which resurrects, as at Easter.
Reason truth cannot be killed
is that reality (understood as "God-given") is OBJECTIVE, truth then simply
reflecting.
So I think that's ur greatest problem: not understanding
foremost Christian virtue--IT IS NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT mere "peace," peace coming
only as a product of foremost virtue of TRUTH TRUTH TRUTH TRUTH (=
Christ).
No wonder u're so horrifically hung-up on what New Test., hence
protagonist Christ character teaches--"peace" is minor and mere after-effect of
TRUTH TRUTH TRUTH TRUTH.
U must face fact that "Christianity," whatever
it is or isn't, is contained in literature of New Test. New Test. lit. must be
the criterion, the necessary "COMMON CONCEPT."
So in order to understand
New Test. as the basic literature, u must realize it's where the basic "common
concept" must lie--if it exists. And there MUST be a "common concept," otherwise
it's all meaningless for any possible coherent Christian
philosophy.
Remember "religion" is simply poor, illiterate folks'
substitute for formal philosophy as contained within lit. of New
Test.
Get away fm the compulsion and illusion that there's such thing as
"peace," except as something inner which u only get fm knowledge of truth. For
only that inner peace w. oneself is possible, and only by means of TRUTH TRUTH
TRUTH TRUTH (= Christ) is basic msg of New Test. lit., that truth which cannot
be killed and always resurrects.
--------------------------above by ap in
response to below-copied---------------
Anonymous Feb 2, 2016, 7:27:00
PM
Apsterian,
Are you saying that one must be perfect to try to
emulate Christ's teaching? For example: "Turn the other cheek"
Can't we
give that a try once in a while? Or must one be perfect to do that?
Also
regarding .223 remington - that is what the US rifles shoot - as opposed to the
caliber used by the so-called "dirty mooslims" - who use different ammo. The
point is that both sides love killing each other - there fore getting no points
for differentiating themselves or putting themselves above the other side for
displaying Christlike behaviour. Therefore I simplify differentiating sides of
the Christian/Muslim war by looking at their weapons. Not much else. Both are
equally unbending in their violent religious zeal - neither seems that willing
for peace. Israel has benefitted greatly from this conflict in my opinion as
some countries that posed a threat to them in the past have been attacked by the
US and some are now embroiled in conflicts within their own national boundaries.
Who benefits?
The concept of religion and killing is just a little weird
for me - I was raised in an environment where, and maybe my perception is
incorrect here, that the purpose of religion was for us to find a way to come
together for reasons other than warfare. I thought the lessons of Christ
included the pursuit of peace - but no, it comes down to the pursuit of more
.223 remington to kill more people from another religion.
Also - you
cannot even define a Christian for me so there is no way to even discuss the
matter since there is no common concept to discuss. I use that term here very
loosely -
I've met many people who described themselves as Christians -
to me - and they like seeing Muslims die. They want more to die. Same is true in
the other direction I would imagine. America seems to be embroiled in these
unamerican war-endeavors. However the profits from making the loans for the wars
are a very lucrative business for a monied few. I wonder who they are - can you
help me understand the specifics of that without going into some religious
hatred-rant? Your use of "blanket statements" to describe unhomogenious groups
of people is not only illogical - it presents a depiction of reality that I
submit is inaccurate. Probably half of any group we blame is blameless - just
like a large group of Americans are blameless for the actions of this nation.
The percentage of Americans that really agree with a majority of the
actions of the US government is becoming more and more miniscule every day -
that's why the country has so many problems. It is the desires of the few that
direct the actions of the US - which seem more and more evil and money-driven
all the time. It is not ME that wants all of this war - it is the arms dealers
etc... that want the wars - as they are the ones that always want the
wars.
And as I put in the article - I believe that the Christians have
indeed been somehow working in concert with the Israelis/Jews (the militarist
ones in power) just like