Posted by Smalls at adsl-63-196-59-64.dsl.lsan03.pacbell.net on February 23, 2004 at 05:14:48:
In Reply to: People will take from it what they want to posted by cynicalderek on February 23, 2004 at 03:13:44:
Violence begets violence. The Christ himself said that.
How does focusing on the violence of H(h)is death push forward any of H(h)is teachings?
I mean, how Jesus died, who Jesus was, whether Jesus was historically rich or poor... whether Jesus was actually divine and came back from the dead or if Jesus was just a really enlightened man whose buddies made up a bunch of supernatural stories so that their teacher's message would survive... it's all moot to what the guy was trying to say. Why do you think Jesus talked in code? So that people who were just interested in miracles and politics couldn't claim to represent Jesus to the people who actually understood.
An interpretation that purports to near-total historical legitimacy, focuses on the violence of Jesus's end and does not confront and refute the anti-Semitic underpinnings of some of the Gospels' telling of the Christ death... may not make new anti-Semites... but will serve as their new picturebook to show to their kids and show at their meetings:
"Lookie here, kids, this is what them Wops and Jews done did to God! Mad Max sez so!"
An even simpler illustration for a simple hate.
Mike