Posted on 09/08/2008 12:06:59 PM PDT by Dutchgirl
During a CNN.com panel Thursday at the Republican National Convention, the discussion turned to Gov. Sarah Palin's use of sarcasm to attack the Democrat duo facing off against her and John McCain. As a member of the panel, I was asked if Gov. Palin's speech was too mean to reflect a "Christian attitude".
My colleague on the panel, Asma Hasan, author of "Why I Am a Muslim," is a self-described "religious person," recently-registered Republican and Hillary supporter, who noted, "I did think she [Palin] was a little mean."
Upon further reflection, away from the glare of TV lights, I'm wondering if a better question might be: Is Sarah Palin meaner than Jesus?
In chapter 23 of Matthew's gospel, Jesus goes off on a rant against those who "exalt themselves."
Speaking directly to his adversaries he accuses them of hypocrisy for running around proclaiming rules for others to live by, and boasting of their own good behavior, while they slam the door in the face of those others. He says they work hard to make converts to their way, and then they make their followers "twice as much a child of hell" as they are. (v. 15)
That's not a very "Christian" thing to say, Jesus, is it?
But Jesus isn't done yet. He accuses his opponents of focusing on small matters while ignoring what's really important -- "straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!" (v. 24)
If I didn't know it was Jesus talking, I'd think that was sarcasm. I wonder if he's like that because he was homeschooled?
But wait, there's more. He nails them for putting on appearances that don't match their inner character: "you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence." (v. 25)
He calls them "blind guides"and says "you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness." (v. 27)
That's not very nice either. It's kind of "unappealing," don't you think?
His diatribe reaches a crescendo with this ultimate smack down: "You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell?" (v. 33)
Jesus, of course, is not trying to destroy them, he's trying to teach them the error of their ways and to win some of them over to his way. He could have just stopped at verse 12: "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."
But to do surgery, you usually need a scalpel. Sarah Palin's gentle jabs at Barack Obama pale in comparison to the way Jesus "owned" the scribes and Pharisees. That's not to say that Gov. Palin never has, or never will step over the line and wind up on Mean Street. But let's put to rest this idea that you can't express brutal truth, even with sarcasm, and still be a follower of Jesus.
Then there is that whole running the cheating money changers out of the Temple with a whip thing.
Sounds like a very confused dude.
“Is Sarah Palin meaner than Jesus?”
I certainly hope so. I hope McCain is also.
I remember, after I found Jesus, I read the Gospels all the way thru for the first time. I noticed that Jesus was not the “I’m ok, you’re ok” guy I had always been led to believe He was. He told it like it was, and He didn’t like everything everyone did and He didn’t mind telling them. It was a big shock to me, and I suspect that most people still believe in the Buddy Jesus like I did.
susie
Sometimes, things that are meant for evil, actually turn out for good. In Israel, a group of Israeli's are working to curb so many abortions, and they are using the story of Palin’s older daughter to help others make good choices.
Let the good of Sarah Palin reach world wide. We do need it.
I was at the Lee Summit, MO event today.....and the protesters compared Sarah Palin to Pilate and held a sign that said “Jesus was a community organizer”....I told them Jesus wasn’t a Muslim.
Jesus could have been talking to Edwards, Biden and most of their Senate colleagues when he said, “Woe to you lawyers as well! For you weigh men down with burdens hard to bear, while you yourselves will not even touch the burdens with one of your fingers.”
“Jesus was a community organizer”
No, Jesus was a teacher, a rabbi.
Of course, I am referring to Jesus when he walked the earth. That’s why I used the past tense, though the present tense is also true.
He most definitely told it like it was!
From what I have read about the Prophet Mohammed, (may his memory be . . . something and something I forget what they say), he was a lot mean. Oh, but he gets a pass, I suppose.
So, then we can give Governor Palin a pass, too, I suppose if we want to.
That’s not a very “Christian” thing to say, Jesus, is it?
***Kinda sums up the whole approach.
Isn't everyone?
Jesus’ retort about taxes, “render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s...,” was some pretty biting sarcasm too if you think about it. There is nothing virtuous about “keeping it sweet.”
That’s one of my favorite verses. The thing is, Caesar and I disagree on what is his and what is mine.
So far, he’s winning.
I should have compared Obama to Herod but I was on a McCain/Palin high to really even give the dorks a 2nd thought....
I think that’s an eternal argument. Or close to it. lol
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