Subject:
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Re: Worthlessness
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.off-topic.debate
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Date:
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Thu, 16 Sep 2004 14:38:39 GMT
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Viewed:
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1501 times
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In lugnet.off-topic.debate, Larry Pieniazek wrote:
> In lugnet.off-topic.debate, Don Heyse wrote:
>
> > While you're at it, ask yourself some questions. Were samaritans
> > unbelievers? Beats me. Were their lives worthless? If so, does
> > that imply the parable is worthless, since without that worthless
> > samaritan the parable would be significantly shorter, and not nearly
> > as interesting.
>
> Without trying to dilute your point, which I find quite valid, I have to say
> that your question piqued my curiousity. So, for what it's worth.
>
> A quick search via Google got me this page:
>
> http://www.omniglot.com/writing/samaritan.htm
>
> where it is claimed that the Samaritans adopted old testament beliefs in the
> first century BC. Depending on how far back the parable went, perhaps they
> were and perhaps they were not jewish. But in any case they were almost
> certainly not christian at the time that Jesus told the parable.
Of course they weren't--that's what makes the parable so good--
See Jesus says that the 'God' folk passed on helping the beat up sod in the
gutter, but the Samaritan, without being a believer, was the only one who had
the compassion to help the injured man. Jesus held up a mirror (as he usually
did) to show that we, even though we're 'God believing' believers, don't have
the exclusive title to humanity's good traits. That we have to look at everyone
with compassion and lend a helping hand to those who need it, no matter who they
are or what 'walk of life' they have chosen for themselves.
A modern day advancement of the parable was told by Leo in 'The West Wing'--
Guy's walking down the street, falls into a hole and can't get out. He sees a
preacher walk by and shouts up, "Hey padre, I've fallen in this hole and can't
get out." The preacher says a little prayer and walks away. Our guy in the
hole then sees a doctor walk by--"Hey Doc! I'm down here and can't get out.
Can you help me?" Doc writes a perscription, throws it in the hole and
continues on. Now our guy is feeling pretty dejected when he sees his buddy
walking by--"Hey pal, I've fallen down here and can't get out" Buddy jumps down
in the hole--"What are you doing?? Now we're both stuck down here!" says our
guy. Buddy says, "I know you're stuck down here--I've been down here before and
I know the way out..."
I always liked that little speech.
Anyway, from Genesis to the parables of Jesus and the writings of Paul, the
overall theme is not rising against homosexuality, is not hitting people over
the head with religiosity, is not "God da bomb--those that don't believe
suxors!!" it is that we are to be stewarts, to care for the world and our
fellow person, that we are to be servants, putting others first instead of our
own wants and desires, to try and help one another in our daily tasks, but above
all, that no matter who they are, where they come from, or what sort of
'lifestyle' they're in, everyone is our fellow person, and, as such, deserves
the best we can do for them.
Beyond that, what more is there?
</soapbox>
Dave K
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Message has 1 Reply:
 | | Re: Worthlessness
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| (...) That's actually about the best argument for atheism that I've ever heard a non-atheist put forth. If we as individuals accept the responsibility of caring for the planet and for each other during our fleeting time here, then what more is (...) (20 years ago, 16-Sep-04, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | Re: Worthlessness
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| (...) Without trying to dilute your point, which I find quite valid, I have to say that your question piqued my curiousity. So, for what it's worth. A quick search via Google got me this page: (URL) it is claimed that the Samaritans adopted old (...) (20 years ago, 16-Sep-04, to lugnet.off-topic.debate, FTX)
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