Quote:
Originally posted by Diogenes Of Pumpkintown:
The idea for this thread arose from Donut's question regarding what would Jesus do in the HOW DO YOU LIKE US NOW thread.
Anybody care to try to rationalize how America can claim to be a predominantly Christian country at the same time it worships capitalism? How do you reconcile the apparent glaring contradiction between Jesus' positions regarding worldly wealth with the attitude of capitalism of amassing as much worldly wealth as possible?
I am interested in seeing if anybody CAN reconcile those two things. For my own part, I don't think they can be. It's just another example of how many people who claim to be Christians today really don't follow Jesus' teachings at all. Hell, in this case, they follow the OPPOSITE of what he taught.
Thoughts, comments, flames?
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Be in the world not of the world. That is, work the system, but do not bow down to it. I'm fairly left wing and recognise the evils of capitalism, but realise one person bucking out of existance does nothing to either effect change, nor benefit others. I have posted my ideas on collective responsibility in threads in the past so this is nothing new.
Regarding a "Christian nation" the concept is quite contradictory. A nation of Christians is attainable however. America is based on, though divergant from, Christian values of human rights, equality, respect and justice. America may not be a Christian nation, but it is a nation of many Christians. It's a far more spiritually aware nation than the very secular nation of Australia for example. That's not to say Australian spirituality is lesser than Americas, but that it is easier to be a Christian or Jew here than there, from my experience.
I think sometimes a "Christian nation" can actualy disguise the difference that Christ makes in humanity, blurring the lines between having him and not. Spending time in predominantly Buddhist or Hindu nations/provinces radically changed my perception of the Christian Church in general, and gave me a grace for imperfections within Churches I previously did not have.
I do believe that capitalism is a world religion though, and I have mentioned this before. The stock market is he bible, futures speculators are the prophets, consultants and market analysts are the priests, advertising geniuses are the evangelists, the bottom line is the god, and growth and profit are the measure of sucess.
The aim is to exist within the context of a nation, yet not be bound by values which conflict with christian values of
not worshiping money, giving to the poor and oppressed, placing others needs and Gods will before ones own, and measuring sucess in terms of inner peace, harmony, contentment, wisdom, love and joy, rather than an accumulation of material wealth.
There have been many times in the past as a secular musician where I have had to place my values, integrity, and my perception of Gods will above attaining hordes of cash or the chance to attain stellar sucess. If either come my way, they will be on my own terms, and I will not be beholdant to a slavish desire for either.
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I am the walrus!.... er, no hang on....
A fair dinkum laughing Hyena!