"Capitalism kills."
Pope Francis: One Of The Most Powerful Critiques Of Modern Capitalism You Will Ever Read
http://paxonbothhouses.blogspot.com/2015/03/pope-francis-one-of-most-powerful.htmlSenator Bernie Sanders' website features Pope Francis' criticism of capitalism.
http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-welcomes-pope-francis-visit-to-washington
Dear John,
Thanks for your emails.
It is increasingly clear that "good religion" mingles with "bad religion," often under the same sectarian roof.
Good religion prioritizes love, mercy, forgiveness and service.
Bad religion prioritizes punishment, vengeance, anger and limiting "the good" to the orbit of family and "tribe."
In this regard, it is notable that the ancient Jews were -- and "Zionists" remain -- highly tribal people.
I should add that Jews are now among the most generous, embracing, service-oriented people on the face of the earth.
To the point...
Jonah was the only Jewish prophet whom God commanded to travel abroad and it was Yahweh's "overseas mandate" that rankled Jonah, making him unusually reluctant to undertake "the mission."
At bottom, Jonah was loathe to "share the good news."
Here is a splendid re-telling of Jonah and the God-sent whale who "coughed him up" in (landlocked) Nineveh, a part of present-day Iraq currently controlled by ISIS.
Good religion prioritizes love, mercy, forgiveness and service.
Bad religion prioritizes punishment, vengeance, anger and limiting "the good" to the orbit of family and "tribe."
In this regard, it is notable that the ancient Jews were -- and "Zionists" remain -- highly tribal people.
I should add that Jews are now among the most generous, embracing, service-oriented people on the face of the earth.
To the point...
Jonah was the only Jewish prophet whom God commanded to travel abroad and it was Yahweh's "overseas mandate" that rankled Jonah, making him unusually reluctant to undertake "the mission."
At bottom, Jonah was loathe to "share the good news."
Here is a splendid re-telling of Jonah and the God-sent whale who "coughed him up" in (landlocked) Nineveh, a part of present-day Iraq currently controlled by ISIS.
"The Story Of Jonah," Brilliantly Re-Told By Anne Herbert
I am not drawn to any vision of a wrathful God as represented by Fr. Paul Nicholson, the retreat-priest you recommend. http://www.fatherpaulnicholson.com/homilies/showhomily.php?track_ident=B1-L-03-1-2015-03-08
It is good that Nicholson points out the importance of "leaving judgment to God" but on balance it is counterproductive to assume that God will treat evil doers wrathfully rather than compassionately. (Do you recall Aesop's tale of "The North Wind and The Sun?" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_North_Wind_and_the_Sun)
We humans are unusually prone to wrath and justify it faster than light.
Consider The Iraq War.
Consider The Iraq War.
"Bush's Toxic Legacy In Iraq"
Or The Vietnam War.
Consider The Spanish-American War in which Spain tried to surrender before hostilities began but U.S. politicians considered war fever too febrile to co0l. http://www.sparknotes.com/history/american/spanishamerican/section4.rhtml
When American citizens are bent on blood, politicians let them have their way rather than be bloodied in the backlash.
Consider The Spanish-American War in which Spain tried to surrender before hostilities began but U.S. politicians considered war fever too febrile to co0l. http://www.sparknotes.com/history/american/spanishamerican/section4.rhtml
When American citizens are bent on blood, politicians let them have their way rather than be bloodied in the backlash.
The most notable fact in the annals of dimwitted American belligerence is that The Civil War death toll was greater than the cumulative casualties of ALL other U.S. Wars combined.
Go Bible Belt.
The Civil War: White Christians Slaughtering One Another On A Scale ISIS Can Only Dream Of
We must also take into account America's zeal to justify George Zimmerman for "standing his ground" rather than defining Zimmerman as a stalker whose victim had prior "right" to stand his own ground.
When it comes to justification of police brutality and systematized miscarriage of justice, there is scant daylight between white Americans and rutting beasts.
Compendium Of Best Pax Posts On Miscarriage Of Justice And Misplaced Punishment
Compendium Of Pax Posts On Violent Criminals And Violent Police
Compendium Of Best Pax Posts On Miscarriage Of Justice And Misplaced Punishment
Compendium Of Pax Posts On Violent Criminals And Violent Police
When Americans "take a shine" to killing, we kill big time.
Twice now we have dropped atomic bombs on civilian populations.
Targeted civilian populations.
Twice.
"We Like War"
Video
Video
"Bad Black People." Why Bill O'Reilly Is Wrong Even When He's Right
Diane Rehm Guest Gets To The Nub Of Police Violence And How Easily It's Prevented
There's Never Been A Safer Time For Cops Nor A More Dangerous Time For Criminals
Compendium Of Best Pax Posts On Miscarriage Of Justice And Misplaced Punishment
http://paxonbothhouses.
After My Mugging c. 1970, The Police Pressured Me To Give False Testimony
http://paxonbothhouses.
NC Man Found Innocent Of Fatal Stabbings After 37 Years In Prison
Frontline: A Rape-Murder Case Involving A Daisy Chain Of 4 False Confessions
http://paxonbothhouses.
After My Mugging c. 1970, The Police Pressured Me To Give False Testimony
After My Mugging c. 1970, The Police Pressured Me To Give False Testimony
http://paxonbothhouses.
NC Man Found Innocent Of Fatal Stabbings After 37 Years In Prison
NC Man Found Innocent Of Fatal Stabbings After 37 Years In Prison
Frontline: A Rape-Murder Case Involving A Daisy Chain Of 4 False Confessions
American Cops Fire More Bullets At One NYC Man Than All German Cops Fire In A Year
http://paxonbothhouses.
American Cops Fire More Bullets At One NYC Man Than All German Cops Fire In A Year
1 Small Town's Cops Have Killed More People Than Combined Police Of Germany And U.K.
http://paxonbothhouses.
Compendium Of Pax Posts On Violent Criminals And Violent Police
Pax On Both Houses: Compendium Of U.S. Prison System Posts
Compendium Of Pax Posts On Violent Criminals And Violent Police
Pax On Both Houses: Compendium Of U.S. Prison System Posts
The Caging Of America: Why Do We Lock Up So Many People?
http://paxonbothhouses.
Selma, "Glory" And America's Astronomical Incarceration Rate
Particularly For Blacks
The Caging Of America: Why Do We Lock Up So Many People?
Selma, "Glory" And America's Astronomical Incarceration Rate
Particularly For Blacks
"The Caging Of America: American Prisons Routinely Used To Incarcerate The Mentally Ill. 500,000 Behind Bars"
"The Caging Of America: American Prisons Routinely Used To Incarcerate The Mentally Ill. 500,000 Behind Bars"
Once we see God as intrinsically wrathful, the nation's Armageddon Cheerleaders will see themselves as God's "smiting hand" here on earth.
Almost always -- if not always -- when humans identify God as wrathful, it becomes their perceived obligation to re-make themselves in God's image.
I see no good in that.
Almost always -- if not always -- when humans identify God as wrathful, it becomes their perceived obligation to re-make themselves in God's image.
I see no good in that.
"You can safely assume you’ve created God in your own image
when it turns out God hates all the same people you do."
Tom Weston S. J.
Christianity's Bedrock Commitment To Torture: Remaking "The Faithful" In God's Image
when it turns out God hates all the same people you do."
Tom Weston S. J.
Christianity's Bedrock Commitment To Torture: Remaking "The Faithful" In God's Image
Wrath (anger) is one of The Seven Deadly Sins and there is no good reason why it should be included in any Christian "definition" of God if only because The Inquisition and ISIS reveal what happens when we re-make ourselves in a wrathful image.
"Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction."
Devout Christian, Blaise Pascal
Do we ascribe any other Deadly Sin to God?
Do we say God is slothful, gluttonous, envious, greedy, lustful, arrogant?
No.
But we do define God as wrathful.
Why?
Biblical "ping pong" aside, we are determined to see God as wrathful because it is the one sin humans are most ferociously determined to retain and indulge.
At regular intervals we want our anger to erupt in warfare and we will tolerate no obstacle to that perceived "right."
Rather than relinquish wrath, we ratify it, placing anger -- and all the killing/maiming that arise from it -- in God's own heart.
We are quick to damn people to the fire of hell because we model ourselves on God as designer, creator and sustainer of The Inferno.
Do we say God is slothful, gluttonous, envious, greedy, lustful, arrogant?
No.
But we do define God as wrathful.
Why?
Biblical "ping pong" aside, we are determined to see God as wrathful because it is the one sin humans are most ferociously determined to retain and indulge.
At regular intervals we want our anger to erupt in warfare and we will tolerate no obstacle to that perceived "right."
Rather than relinquish wrath, we ratify it, placing anger -- and all the killing/maiming that arise from it -- in God's own heart.
We are quick to damn people to the fire of hell because we model ourselves on God as designer, creator and sustainer of The Inferno.
Compendium Of Pax Posts: "The Seven Deadly Sins"
http://paxonbothhouses.
"You can safely assume you’ve created God in your own image
"You can safely assume you’ve created God in your own image
when it turns out God hates all the same people you do."
Tom Weston S. J.
Tom Weston S. J.
GK Chesterton's Universalism
GK Chesterton's Universalism
If, on the other hand, God is viewed as essentially compassionate, merciful and loving -- up to and including the enjoinder that we "love our enemies and do good to those who persecute us" -- it becomes much more difficult to find justification for punishment, retribution, retaliation, vengeance and limiting "the good" to one's family, friends and tribe.
Here is the entire passage in which "Love your enemies" is embedded:
Matthew 5
Love Your Enemies
Love Your Enemies
38-42 “Here’s another old saying that deserves a second look: ‘Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.’ Is that going to get us anywhere? Here’s what I propose: ‘Don’t hit back at all.’ If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.
43-47 “You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.
48 “In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.”
38-42 “Here’s another old saying that deserves a second look: ‘Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.’ Is that going to get us anywhere? Here’s what I propose: ‘Don’t hit back at all.’ If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.
43-47 “You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.
48 “In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.”
***
The following passage from John's First Epistle also cuts to the quick:
"There is no fear in love.
But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.
The one who fears is not made perfect in love."
Like John, I do not see how fear fosters love.
Until Pope Francis began his eye-popping mission to embody love, service and justice-made-complete-through-mercy (of which wealth re-distribution is an essential component), the church had become so comfortable with representing God as a harsh taskmaster (and tightfisted miser) that Christianity contributed to its own corrosion and diminishment.
Until Pope Francis began his eye-popping mission to embody love, service and justice-made-complete-through-mercy (of which wealth re-distribution is an essential component), the church had become so comfortable with representing God as a harsh taskmaster (and tightfisted miser) that Christianity contributed to its own corrosion and diminishment.
"Why The Bible Belt Is Its Own Worst Enemy"
Young people -- in particular the best young people -- are repelled by stories of hell fire and damnation, not because they reject The One True God but because they increasingly sense that the spirit of God is "among us" and that it does no good to focus on fear and punishment if our intention is to invite God to dwell in our midst.
In other words, if you want to get to heaven, it is very helpful to live your life as if heaven has already begun, without assuming any need for regular doses of "hell on earth."
What better preparation for being a saint than being a saint?
Fingerwagging is useless and counterproductive, actively repelling people who understand smarmy censoriousness as a fundamental exercise in Pharasaic self-righteousness.
It is also becoming clear -- as Pope Francis points out -- that morality is more than keeping your dick in your pants; we must grapple with the structural sin of a heartless economic system that holds us thrall.
To me it is self-evident that six of The Seven Deadly Sins comprise the very lifeblood of Capitalism and that the modern world is every bit as brutalized by "Economic Structures" as by personal vices.
In other words, if you want to get to heaven, it is very helpful to live your life as if heaven has already begun, without assuming any need for regular doses of "hell on earth."
What better preparation for being a saint than being a saint?
Fingerwagging is useless and counterproductive, actively repelling people who understand smarmy censoriousness as a fundamental exercise in Pharasaic self-righteousness.
It is also becoming clear -- as Pope Francis points out -- that morality is more than keeping your dick in your pants; we must grapple with the structural sin of a heartless economic system that holds us thrall.
To me it is self-evident that six of The Seven Deadly Sins comprise the very lifeblood of Capitalism and that the modern world is every bit as brutalized by "Economic Structures" as by personal vices.
Pope Francis consistently teaches that capitalism is a vicious, murderous system which most American Christians -- particularly the "successful" ones -- are loathe "to see as it is" because they sense that normalization of this teaching will pulverize the foundation of their material lives and livelihoods.
Pope Francis: Quotations On Finance, Economics, Capitalism And Inequality
Pope Francis: One Of The Most Powerful Critiques Of Capitalism You Will Ever Read
http://paxonbothhouses.blogspot.com/2015/03/pope-francis-one-of-most-powerful.html
Pope Francis: One Of The Most Powerful Critiques Of Capitalism You Will Ever Read
Notably, the brutalization fostered by Capitalism has taken deep root within the church itself.
In some instances, violence -- categorically divorced from compassion, love and forgiveness -- is more deeply rooted in the Church than in the secular psyche.
Americans, Especially Catholics, Approve Of Inquisitorial Torture
"The Catholic Voice In The Torture Debate," John A. Coleman S.J.
"Good Romans" Considered Jesus' Torture Necessary For Imperial Safety
Christianity's Bedrock Commitment To Torture: Remaking "The Faithful" In God's Image
The Gospels With The Words Of Jesus In Red
http://paxonbothhouses.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-gospels-with-words-of-jesus-in-red.html
Christianity's Bedrock Commitment To Torture: Remaking "The Faithful" In God's Image
The Gospels With The Words Of Jesus In Red
http://paxonbothhouses.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-gospels-with-words-of-jesus-in-red.html
Time To Expunge Catholicism Of Traditions & Texts That Represent God As A Terrorist
http://paxonbothhouses.
Yeshua Excoriates Fellow Pharisees: "The Woe Passages"
"Twelve Steps For The Recovering Pharisee (Like Me)" By John Fischer
http://paxonbothhouses.
"Love Your Enemies. Do Good To Those Who Hate You," Luke 6: 27-42
"Do You Know What You're Doing To Me?"
Jesus of Nazareth
http://paxonbothhouses.
"Pope Francis Links"
"Trial By Ordeal: The Bloody Old Testamental Roots Of Modern Justice"
"Trial By Ordeal: Alive And Well Into The 17th Century"
"Trial By Ordeal: Alive And Well Into The 17th Century"
"Any Religion That Needs Fear To Thrive Is Bad Religion"
"Bad Religion: A Compendium"
Good Religion And Bad Religion
http://paxonbothhouses.
Time To Expunge Catholicism Of Traditions & Texts That Represent God As A Terrorist
The Chief Difference Between ISIS And The Inquisition
http://paxonbothhouses.
ISIS And The Inquisition: The Shadow Side Of Religion. Why Does Belief Do This?
"What ISIS Really Wants" And How The Patriarch Abraham Appears To Be The Instigator
"Is The Bible More Violent Than The Quran?"
Worst Bible Passages
http://paxonbothhouses.
Pope Benedict XVI's Question: 'Can Modern Warfare Ever Be Just?'
"Terrorism And The Other Religions"
"Terrorism And The Other Religions"
"War, Peace And Political Manipulation: Quotations"
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