Jesus - Sermon on the Mount
Where was Ayn Rand when Jesus needed her philosophical guidance?
I find the Gospel of Matthew contains some of the core principles of the teachings of Jesus. Below are a few verses I find helpful in guiding my path through life and helping me view the things that go on in the world around me. Please don't look to me for religious guidance. I'm only human and, like the rest of you, I just working to get through life the best I can. I'm not bible scholar and don't pretent to be...
What can I say...the beatitudes:
And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated, His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
You can't take it with you...
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Who you going to serve...
No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
Who am I to judge...
Judge not, that you be not judged. for with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.
7 comments:
I think Ayn whispered in His ear that Ceasar should redistribute the income of the people.
He must have listened, because He never said it or anything like it.
But beyond that, I don't think He and Ayn would have seen Eye to eye on very much.
Hey Roadkill,
Let's keep in mind that Ceasar didn't "redistribute" the income of the people, he just kept it for his own pleasure.
Anon,
Yes indeed. But our modern American politicians are much savvier than Caesar; they levy taxes and just skim a little off for themselves. There're like the old Mafioso’s; they just want to "wet their beaks" a little.
Then there is this from the Washington Post 11-17-10:
| Congress members' personal wealth grew 16% amid downturn, study shows |
“Times might be tough for most Americans, but not for the well-heeled lawmakers in Congress.
“The personal wealth of members of Congress collectively increased 16 percent between 2008 and 2009, even as the broader economic downturn eliminated thousands of jobs for ordinary Americans, according to a study by the Center for Responsive Politics released Wednesday.
“In the House, the study found, median wealth grew to $765,010, up from $645,503 in 2008. In the Senate, median wealth grew from $2.27 million in 2008 to $2.38 million in 2009.”
So when it comes to personal pleasure on someone else's dime, Congress has figured it all out.
The House must be the poor man's club. I see that Wisconsin's Herb Kohl is the richest Senator. I haven't seen the wealth figures for Feingold's replacemnt Ron Johnson, but I believe Johnson spent $8 million of his own money on his campaign.
Great! Now Wisconsin will have two millionaire Senators that are likely to be able to buy their way to election victory. Although, I don't think Feingold would have had a problem winning had it been a Presidential election year.
Too bad about Charlie Rangel. A poor Black man who was able to get rich from the pittance on a salary for the past 60 years in Congress.
Roadkill, what taxes do you think the governments (state, local, federal, school district)can legitimately levee? What functions is the government legally allowed to steal your hard earned money for?
Sunny,
Sounds like a trick question. LOL
Legitimate theft? Oh, that's right I the Tea Tottlers believe ALL taxation is theft. ( I guess that includes hard earned income that comes from government contracts to corporations. )
It never ceases to amaze me how those who run or work for corporations that thrive on government contracts can at the same time believe all taxation is theft. Maybe they just consider themselves like Robin Hood, steal from the poor to give to the rich.
Roadkill,
I don't think you'd get an argument from many that politicians from both parties are eager to feather their own beds first.
ANON:
If all taxes are theft, how do we run a country? You made a good "give to Caesar" point. If memory serves me right, the Roman's where feeding people to the lions and the care and housing of the lions was probably done with taxpayer money. Slavery, rape, pillage and burning... Giant bureaucracy... big government.
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