Caring Facts Versus Abusive Opinions
As one who was trained in theology as well as philosophy, I am influenced by the examples of two of our great humans of the past who were both executed by their jealous establishments -- Jesus and Socrates:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socrates
I am not a religious believer, but I do ardently support the ideals of both our human heroes of the past. Jesus argued for the poor and Socrates (at least in Plato's account) challenged false opinions and sought the facts as they could be discovered in his time.
I was somewhat bemused to see the contrast between the two major political events in D.C. before the recent elections -- one spieling Christian stuff. The other challenging current political lies.
Needless to say, Christians all too often declare their personal saintliness while the institution of Christianity has been the most brutal and destructive of the three major Western religions. Check the history of wars, burnings at the stake, etc.
I am watching now the attacks being mounted against Julian Assange:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_Assange
There are those who would jail him, too -- our Secretary of State?
Personally I see Assange as a sort of dual Jesus and Socrates. He is exposing the uglies with basic facts. The young man who seems to have been his major source is being threatened with life in prison -- for exposing the gross abuses of humanity in our wars.
How ironic. History looks to be repeating itself.
--
"A war is just if there is no alternative, and the resort to arms is legitimate if they represent your last hope." (Livy cited by Machiavelli)
--
Ed Kent [blind copies]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socrates
I am not a religious believer, but I do ardently support the ideals of both our human heroes of the past. Jesus argued for the poor and Socrates (at least in Plato's account) challenged false opinions and sought the facts as they could be discovered in his time.
I was somewhat bemused to see the contrast between the two major political events in D.C. before the recent elections -- one spieling Christian stuff. The other challenging current political lies.
Needless to say, Christians all too often declare their personal saintliness while the institution of Christianity has been the most brutal and destructive of the three major Western religions. Check the history of wars, burnings at the stake, etc.
I am watching now the attacks being mounted against Julian Assange:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_Assange
There are those who would jail him, too -- our Secretary of State?
Personally I see Assange as a sort of dual Jesus and Socrates. He is exposing the uglies with basic facts. The young man who seems to have been his major source is being threatened with life in prison -- for exposing the gross abuses of humanity in our wars.
How ironic. History looks to be repeating itself.
--
"A war is just if there is no alternative, and the resort to arms is legitimate if they represent your last hope." (Livy cited by Machiavelli)
--
Ed Kent [blind copies]
posted by Ed Kent at 7:18 AM
1 Comments:
"They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God. These things they will do because they have not known the Father or me." John 16:2-3
Jesus warned us of what people who think they are following God are capable of doing. And yes, if we study history we can read about religious leaders who thought they were doing God's will by killing people for not believing as they did. Millions of people.
I admire Socrates very much. A great (and Godly, in my opinion) man who died for his beliefs as Jesus died for his.
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