-Matthew 19:21-
But don't try this in Orlando - that would be illegal.
DO NOT LIE OR OTHERWISE BE IN A HORIZONTAL POSITION ON A PARK BENCH ... DO NOT SLEEP OR REMAIN IN ANY BUSHES, SHRUBS OR FOLIAGE ... per city code sec. 18A.09 (a) and (o).
-sign in an Orlando park-
I can't think of any major religion that doesn't stress the duty to feed the homeless, the poor and sick and even a passing familiarity with the sayings of Jesus would be enough to suggest that this country that loves to make up stories about how our laws are based on the Bible and how Christianity or some nebulous "Judeo-Christian values" are the foundation of our nation, has no particular interest in any values that are inconvenient, unsightly or expensive.
American piety is all a sham of course, the business of America is business, not morality and anything that gets in the way of the wealthy becoming more wealthy is not part of our value system -- so don't get any ideas about emulating Jesus and feeding the poor in Orlando - Disney doesn't want
to hear about or have to look at the poor and homeless. It's illegal in Orlando to give food to the hungry without a permit and you won't get a permit more than twice a year even if you wear sandals and have a beard and holes in your hands.BATHING AND/OR SHAVING IN RESTROOM IS PROHIBITED ... per city code 18A.09 (p) ...
Of course if anyone objects to putting up Christian symbols all over the place or redacted copies of the Ten Commandments in schools and courthouses - that's a different story. We will raise holy hell. We're a Christian nation, of course, even if we wouldn't let Jesus walk on the grass much less wash the feet of the poor per city code 18A.09 (p). So our father which art in heaven better not attempt to give you any daily bread unless you can pay for it and if God hands out manna in Lake Eola Park, he's facing a misdemeanor charge.
4 comments:
What comes to mind are the cigarette companies - who the libertarian streak in me says to myself to leave 'em alone. But, and I don't have the statistics handy, their answer to education and corporate responsibility regarding the dangers of smoking was to run some "don't smoke" ads here in the U.S. and aim increased sales full throttle at the developing world. That was their answer and they all got a better night's sleep out of it.
P.S. And I really have nothing against big tobacco, which is such as easy target that it explains why I didn't see a shread of cleverness at all in the movie "Thank You for Smoking," which also took aim at the NRA and the Alcohol lobbies. How hard was that? It's the "business" bottom line and the inherent dishonesty or hypocrisy that got my goat. (Yes, I'm a little out of it for some reason today, in case you're questioning why connecting the dots is a bit harder here than usual ;-))
All dots are connected, grasshopper. :-)
I just think there ought to be a different name for what passes for Christianity in America because no matter how the Gospels may have been edited, fictionalized and redacted in the centuries after Jesus, I don't think he ever preached "I've got mine and screw you."
I don't think he ever taught anyone to screw the poor and get into heaven anyway because you're special if you believe a story.
In their warped view of the world, human life is sacred until it emerges from the womb. Then it can be bombed, diseased, disfigured, maimed and prevented from getting a dignified night's sleep in the name of personal responsibility.
Great post.
"American piety is all a sham" -- I'm gonna steal that quote capt.
... because it is right on the mark. We live in a society composed of pharisees, not christians.
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