Analysis of an Attitude

January 8, 2011 7 Comments

“I’ve come to the conclusion that the story of Jesus speaks directly against the things embodied in American Christianity (at least, its most prominent forms). It’s amazing how far it’s come when people who (frequently, loudly) call themselves his followers are most commonly associated with mocking people who seek peace, with lambasting the poor for their condition, with demanding vengeance in all things foreign and domestic, and with their unquestioning support of a financial system that inevitably promotes the accumulation of useless shit.” –Rob, in a comment on Nakedpastor’s website.

That just about sums up perfectly where I am at this point in life. As you may have noticed in previous blog posts, my current spiritual quest is to find and follow as best I can the real Jesus.

Not the one created in 70 C.E. and the 300 years that followed.

Not the one created by Constantine, Peter, or Paul.

Not the one most of us hear about on CBN, the Angel Network, or even Pat Robertson (although I’m considering becoming a fan since he suggested legalizing pot might actually improve this country).

Not the one who died for our sins so that our poor, wretched, miserable, sinful, self-loathing, unlovable,  pathetic, awful, unworthy selves could sit at the feet of a lightning-bolt-wielding, angry, bitter, resentful, all-powerful, ever-present, all-knowing male God for all eternity.

Not the one who didn’t go down to Georgia and didn’t make a deal with the Devil.

Nope. I’m in search of the guy who walked the earth in leather sandals, said love is the greatest commandment, told his disciples to go above and beyond in their compassion to others, even when those others are their “haters”, and used the healing power of touch and energy transference to change people’s lives.

I’m looking for the one that showed people how important it is to take care of one another‘s basic needs.

The one who was killed because the church of the day saw him as a subversive.

Yeah.

That’s the one.

I want to be like him.

Maybe minus the “killed” part.


7 thoughts on “Analysis of an Attitude”

  1. Be careful what you ask for. Crucifixition by the powers that be is part and parcel of the process. The best you can hope for is that is figurative instead of literal.

    1. Seems to be quite a few of us with that objective in our sights. Most are at various stages of letting go. It’s comforting that so far, most of us who have found each other are willing to allow these various stages without trying to enforce our individual views. It’s a nice family in which to belong.

  2. Count me in. I’m currently reading “Jesus”, by Marcus Borg. Dr. Borg distills Jesus down to the man you speak of. I’m betting you’d enjoy this book.

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