If holidays are anything else besides convenient travel days to spend with family, they are blocks of times designated for pondering the subject at hand. So in the spirit of giving, please allow me to unwrap a bit of prose concerning one of our species' most influential figures:
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I find the story of Jesus the most fascinating of all stories fact or fiction. Here, we have the story of wise and loving man who tried to perform a simple gesture: leave the world a better place than he found it. Instead, his legacy was left to those who made him the focus, rather than his deeds.
Whether this was a sincere attempt by his successors to add credibility to his lessons or not, it has led, I feel, to some schools of thought that view living as a means rather than an activity to be enjoyed.
I find it ironic, too, that the cast of characters following each respective religious school (be they Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, et cetera) want the same thing; one single, simple thing: Security. The feeling of waking up each day, walking outside to greet the sun and saying "We have food, we have friendly neighbors, my children can pursue their dreams here." Yet, the bishops, kings, and queens on the board have outlined such unobtainable criteria for achieving "security" that we, as a species, may never have it.
I'm not surprised by this; not one population of our species has ever been safe from attack. However, the fact that many still believe peace possible is endearing at best to me. And many find religious leaders who demand the conversion or annihilation of entire peoples as a path to this "peace" contradictory.
So let's follow these breadcrumbs back out of the rabbit hole... what would your message to the masses be on Christmas given that Jesus's lessons have been molded to fit countless (sometimes conflicting) agendas and that Peace on earth doesn't seem to be arriving anytime soon? A cynical question, perhaps, but one I think we need to address if this birthday celebration is to have any purpose beyond: "Here's to one who tried."
So... what would yours be?
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4 comments:
first i just want to say that i completely agree with you. after studying abroad and seeing many different cultures and ways of life, it is true that all people want the same thing...and i find that religion tends to bring people apart instead of bringing them together.
my message today is to spread joy to all people of all kinds. there are many different people in this world and we all have to learn to live together in a peaceful way. we all have different views of how to live life, but in the end, we are all in this world together. so as long as you are achieving your goals and not hindering anyone else along the way, then so be it. do what makes you happy, but don't put other people down for doing what makes them happy.
i hope that makes sense. thanks and have a great day because no matter what you believe in, today should be a day filled with happiness, family, and being grateful for what you have. :)
alright, first of all, you only get to post in one place. that's the point of a blog :P none of this, blogger-myspace-facebook posting shit. too much.
second of all, when i found this on myspace, i was pretty sure joyce had written it. it seems like something she would right. and i very much agree with you.
and for the record, Jesus was born in like... september. get over it, people. this isn't even his birthday :P
All the major religions have some version of The Golden Rule embedded at their core. None of them have demonstrated the capability of following it. My message is: "Embrace The Golden Rule and walk briskly away from the hypocrite pastors and their doctrines (and churches) of division." -- jessro
It is interesting that people continentally forget the lessons taught to them by religion when they are afraid of something. I completely agree with you. I have noticed in my short time in this world that people are easily swayed to twist a message, be it from the media to the preacher, to fit what makes them feel better. Forget the basic tenants of any religion, love, peace, forgiveness, understanding. Good blog my friend, so fenway this summer to see the twinkies play the soxs? think about it.
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