ACTUAL WORDS, NOT INTERPRETATIONS
Presenting oneself as a Christian at this time of the year or any other, is easy. Following the words of Jesus of Nazareth can be quite another thing. Mistakenly, many Americans like to think of the U.S. as being a Christian nation. That does not reconcile with the words of Jesus. Read what Jesus is quoted as saying in the Bible, in this imporant sermon. Does it reconcile with the capitalistic, militaristic United States of America? Be honest. If you are a Christian and read what is below, you know we can do much, much better. [the very words of Jesus as quoted in..."The New Testament in Modern English" translated by Bible scholar J.B. Phillips, LUKE, chapter 6, beginning with verse 20]:
Then Jesus looked steadily at his disciples and said, "How happy are you who own nothing, for the kingdom of God is yours!
"How happy are you who are hungry now, for you will be satisfied!
"How happy are you who weep now, for you are going to laugh!
"How happy you are when men hate you and turn you out of their company; when they slander you and detest all that you stand for because you are loyal to the Son of Man. Be glad when that happens and jump for joy -- your reward in Heaven is magnificent. For that is exactly how their fathers treated the prophets.
"But how miserable for you who are rich, for you have had all your comforts!
"How miserable for you who have all you want, for you are going to be hungry!
"How miserable for you who are laughing now, for you will know sorrow and tears!
"How miserable for you when everybody says nice things about you, for that is exactly how their fathers treated the false prophets..
"But I say to all of you who will listen to me: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who treat you badly.
"As for the man who hits you on one cheek, offer him the other one as well! And if a man is taking away your coat, do not stop him from taking your shirt as well. Give to everyone who asks you, and when a man has taken what belongs to you, don't demand it back.
"Treat men exactly as you would like them to treat you. If you love only those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them! And if you do good only to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend only to those from whom you hope to get your money back, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners and expect to get their money back. No, you are to love your enemies and do good and lend without hope of return. Your reward will be wonderful and you will be sons of the most high. For he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked!
"You must be merciful, as your Father in Heaven is merciful. Don't judge other people and you will not be judged yourselves. Don't condemn and you will not be condemned. Make allowances for others and and people will make allowances for you. Give and men will give to you -- yes, good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over will they pour into your lap. For whatever measure you use with other people, they will use in their dealings with you."
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"We lie loudest when we lie to ourselves." -Eric Hoffer
"Christianity might be a good thing if anyone ever tried it." -George Berhard Shaw
"The world is equally shocked at hearing Christianity criticized and seeing it practiced." -D. Elton Trueblood
"The government of the United States is not in any sense founded upon the Christian religion." -John Adams (1735-1826)
"I am a man; nothing human is alien to me." -Terence
