"Mayor Koch has stated that hate and rancor should be removed from our hearts. I do not think so. I want to hate these muggers and murderers. They should be forced to suffer ... Yes, Mayor Koch, I want to hate these murderers and I always will. ... How can our great society tolerate the continued brutalization of its citizens by crazed misfits? Criminals must be told that their CIVIL LIBERTIES END WHEN AN ATTACK ON OUR SAFETY BEGINS!"--Donald Trump, 1989.
Matthew 5:43-48 New International Version (NIV)
Love for Enemies
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[a] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Let me ask one more time. Who is right, Trump or Jesus? At most, only one of them can be.
7 comments:
Victor,
Right and wrong are individual sensibilities, evolved emotions.
However, given that we agree on a few fundamental axioms of logic, and the basic reliability of the human senses as an objective standard agreed upon by convention, then within that provisional sense of objectivity it is objectively true that Trump is a hypocrite of the lowest and most extreme sort.
He has recently held up the Bible as a prop, used church and Christian iconography as props, yet he has not the slightest clue of the true and deep meaning of the Christian ethos, so eloquently quoted by you in the OP.
Trump's statement echos the love ethic of the tax collectors that Jesus confronts, "...you love those who love you." Jesus proposes to replace that ethic with the righteous perfection of God, the Father, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." It is God the Father who so loved the world in a state of enmity to send Jesus to die for them. The disciples of Jesus are called to emulate this type of love. Disciples of Jesus are to be willing to love those who try to kill them. This is a hard thing. It becomes harder when the threat is against those we love and are responsible to protect. Trump raises an important question, can we stand by and tolerate the continued brutalization of fellow citizens by "crazed misfits?" Is it love to allow it? There love in the proper execution of justice.
Obviously, Jesus was wrong and Trump was right :-)
Stardusty,
Can I give you some friendly advice?
All of this is distracts from what you are trying to convey.
Right and wrong are individual sensibilities, evolved emotions.
However, given that we agree on a few fundamental axioms of logic, and the basic reliability of the human senses as an objective standard agreed upon by convention, then within that provisional sense of objectivity it is objectively true that
It's OK to be concise. Try not to write a wall of words.
"All of this is distracts from what you are trying to convey."
How do you know what I am trying to convey?
Mind reading by blogpost a particularly preposterous pastime.
Thanks for the correction.
I won't try to help again.
Done
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