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I'm getting really sick of "Christians"
Jul. 27th, 2016 06:19 amAnd I put it in quotes because they're the ones who claim the loudest that that is what they are, rather than letting us see it in them for ourselves and to be inspired by it. You know, sort of like how Jesus told his people to behave.
The Beatitudes are part of the Sermon on the Mount, and appear in slightly different form in Matthew and Luke. Luke also adds four Woes. They're really simple computer programming or logic concepts: if this, then that. The thing that has me riled is a comment by![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
kimuro in reply to a post by e_moon60's blog where she describes asking a Christian about The Beatitudes, and being told that those only apply AFTER they are in heaven (it is not Kimurho's comment, Kimurho is describing a FB incident with a self-identified Christian). WHAT THE [expletive deleted] IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!
From Wikipedia, also available from Project Gutenberg or any online or offline bible that you like:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatitudes#Biblical_basis
The eight Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3–12 during the Sermon on the Mount.
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. (Matthew 5:3)
Blessed are those who mourn: for they will be comforted. (5:4)
Blessed are the meek: for they will inherit the earth. (5:5)
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they will be filled. (5:6)
Blessed are the merciful: for they will be shown mercy. (5:7)
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they will see God. (5:8)
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they will be called children of God. (5:9)
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (5:10)
In verses 5:11-12, the eight Beatitudes are followed by what is often viewed as a commentary—a further clarification of the eighth one with specific application being made to the disciples. Instead of using the third-person plural "they", Jesus changes to second-person "you":
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
R. T. France considers verses 11 and 12 to be based on Isaiah 51:7.
The Beatitudes unique to Matthew are the meek, the merciful, the pure of heart, and the peacemakers. The other four have similar entries in Luke, but are followed almost immediately by "four woes".
Luke
The four Beatitudes in Luke 6:20–22 are set within the Sermon on the Plain. Verse 20 introduces them by saying, "and he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said"
Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled.
Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.
Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.
Luke 6:23 ("Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.") appears to parallel the text in Matthew 5:11-12, which reads, "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you".
The four woes that follow in Luke 6:24–26
Woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.
Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.
Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets. (emphasis by TheWayne)
The fourth "woe" in verse 26 may be parallel to the commentary in Matthew 5:11-12. These woes are distinct from the Seven Woes of the Pharisees which appear later in Luke 11:37-54.
I had forgot about the Woes.
Christianity has some basic truths, such as:
Treat others the way that you would like to be treated. Sadomasochists need not apply.
Be good to other people: help out the needy, and don't expect reward.
Conversely, apply Wheaton's Law: Don't Be A Dick.
Be an example of what a good person is, but don't advertise your faith.
Let's distil those down a bit further:
Do good. Do not do bad. If you don't get rewarded for doing good, it happens, don't sweat the little stuff.
CHRISTIANS ARE SUPPOSED TO HELP PEOPLE. DENYING THEM HEALTH CARE, DENYING THEM A LIVING WAGE, MASS INCARCERATION: in the words of Yoda, These do not a Christian make.
Let's add some more Matthew, this from chapter 25:
https://www.bible.com/en-GB/bible/206/mat.25
(34)Then the King will tell those on his right hand, ‘Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; (35)for I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you took me in. (36)I was naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you visited me. I was in prison, and you came to me.’
(37) “Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you; or thirsty, and give you a drink? (38)When did we see you as a stranger, and take you in; or naked, and clothe you? (39)When did we see you sick, or in prison, and come to you?’
(40)“The King will answer them, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
(41)Then he will say also to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels; (42)for I was hungry, and you didn’t give me food to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink; (43)I was a stranger, and you didn’t take me in; naked, and you didn’t clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’
(44) “Then they will also answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and didn’t help you?’
(45) “Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you didn’t do it to one of the least of these, you didn’t do it to me.’ (46)These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Again, emphasis mine.
*sigh* I wish I could find a rock that I could crawl under for the next many years.
Another comment to Elizabeth Moon's post talked about how in the USA you supposedly have separation of church and state, yet politicians feel it is required to talk loudly about their Christianity, while in England they do not have separation of church and state and it's considered rude for their politicians to talk publicly about their religion.
The Beatitudes are part of the Sermon on the Mount, and appear in slightly different form in Matthew and Luke. Luke also adds four Woes. They're really simple computer programming or logic concepts: if this, then that. The thing that has me riled is a comment by
kimuro in reply to a post by e_moon60's blog where she describes asking a Christian about The Beatitudes, and being told that those only apply AFTER they are in heaven (it is not Kimurho's comment, Kimurho is describing a FB incident with a self-identified Christian). WHAT THE [expletive deleted] IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!From Wikipedia, also available from Project Gutenberg or any online or offline bible that you like:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatitudes#Biblical_basis
The eight Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3–12 during the Sermon on the Mount.
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. (Matthew 5:3)
Blessed are those who mourn: for they will be comforted. (5:4)
Blessed are the meek: for they will inherit the earth. (5:5)
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they will be filled. (5:6)
Blessed are the merciful: for they will be shown mercy. (5:7)
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they will see God. (5:8)
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they will be called children of God. (5:9)
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (5:10)
In verses 5:11-12, the eight Beatitudes are followed by what is often viewed as a commentary—a further clarification of the eighth one with specific application being made to the disciples. Instead of using the third-person plural "they", Jesus changes to second-person "you":
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
R. T. France considers verses 11 and 12 to be based on Isaiah 51:7.
The Beatitudes unique to Matthew are the meek, the merciful, the pure of heart, and the peacemakers. The other four have similar entries in Luke, but are followed almost immediately by "four woes".
Luke
The four Beatitudes in Luke 6:20–22 are set within the Sermon on the Plain. Verse 20 introduces them by saying, "and he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said"
Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled.
Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.
Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.
Luke 6:23 ("Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.") appears to parallel the text in Matthew 5:11-12, which reads, "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you".
The four woes that follow in Luke 6:24–26
Woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.
Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.
Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets. (emphasis by TheWayne)
The fourth "woe" in verse 26 may be parallel to the commentary in Matthew 5:11-12. These woes are distinct from the Seven Woes of the Pharisees which appear later in Luke 11:37-54.
I had forgot about the Woes.
Christianity has some basic truths, such as:
Treat others the way that you would like to be treated. Sadomasochists need not apply.
Be good to other people: help out the needy, and don't expect reward.
Conversely, apply Wheaton's Law: Don't Be A Dick.
Be an example of what a good person is, but don't advertise your faith.
Let's distil those down a bit further:
Do good. Do not do bad. If you don't get rewarded for doing good, it happens, don't sweat the little stuff.
CHRISTIANS ARE SUPPOSED TO HELP PEOPLE. DENYING THEM HEALTH CARE, DENYING THEM A LIVING WAGE, MASS INCARCERATION: in the words of Yoda, These do not a Christian make.
Let's add some more Matthew, this from chapter 25:
https://www.bible.com/en-GB/bible/206/mat.25
(34)Then the King will tell those on his right hand, ‘Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; (35)for I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you took me in. (36)I was naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you visited me. I was in prison, and you came to me.’
(37) “Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you; or thirsty, and give you a drink? (38)When did we see you as a stranger, and take you in; or naked, and clothe you? (39)When did we see you sick, or in prison, and come to you?’
(40)“The King will answer them, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
(41)Then he will say also to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels; (42)for I was hungry, and you didn’t give me food to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink; (43)I was a stranger, and you didn’t take me in; naked, and you didn’t clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’
(44) “Then they will also answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and didn’t help you?’
(45) “Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you didn’t do it to one of the least of these, you didn’t do it to me.’ (46)These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Again, emphasis mine.
*sigh* I wish I could find a rock that I could crawl under for the next many years.
Another comment to Elizabeth Moon's post talked about how in the USA you supposedly have separation of church and state, yet politicians feel it is required to talk loudly about their Christianity, while in England they do not have separation of church and state and it's considered rude for their politicians to talk publicly about their religion.
