Passover, Resurrection, And The Height Of Goodness
As people around the world celebrate their Easter and Passover traditions and festivities, we must ask how one easily rises to the occasion against the backdrop of the bombing of Iran's infrastructure which, according to international law, is a crime against humanity.
How can we make sense of America's Christian Evangelicals celebrating the Resurrection or the forgiveness of sins as they give thumbs up to the brutal destruction of Iran, the world's oldest continuous major civilization?
How are the Jewish people, who are now celebrating the liberation of the Israelites from slavery, supposed to applaud their leaders for the ongoing obliteration and eradication of Gaza, Iran, and Lebanon?
With so little effort from Christians and Jews to push back, we might conclude most have lost touch with the purpose of either of these religious events or their participating in them, other than to look pious.
We can wonder, did a loving God sanction this cruelty? Or using logic, we can ask, if it rules the universe, would God suddenly decide no other culture or religion should exist on this planet other than Jews and Christians? Would that not be the essence of evil?
During this time of reflection, it's important to ask ourselves who we've been, who we've become, and who and what we choose to believe in. The real resurrection, the lasting liberation, begins and unfolds in one's heart.
So, to celebrate the holidays, we offer this truth to consider from Lord Shaftesbury, who lived in the late 17th century.
"To love the public, to study universal good, and to promote the interest of the whole world, as far as lies within our power, is the height of goodness, and makes that temper which we call divine."
—Lord Shaftesbury
Illustration by Pariplab Chakraborty
Present Valley
Oh if that could be true!
When I see quotes like this I think wow...still the same struggle.
Yet, I remain hopeful we humans will eventually learn and "get it right" open our hearts instead of so many trying "to be right" living from their head. At least I hold on to the hope we can one day have a balance and use both, not one or the other.
Thank you for taking the time to find and post this quote.
Sanatana
I loved your piece. So well written. What you say makes so much sense. I am so tired of "Christians" and "Evangelicals" using God's name, Jesus Christs' name to kill and destroy. In what kind of God do they believe? Didn't God create us all? If God is only interested in certain groups, they why did He create the rest of us. And if truly only has eyes for certain groups and is OK with maiming and killing in His name, then perhaps he's no God at all, but a monster with cruel intent. That's not my God!
Slipstream
I've said for many years that organized religion has given God a bad reputation. They put words in God's mouth and seem to care nothing for Jesus's teachings. I heard a man say that Jesus was too soft, but he still declared that he was a Christian. Go figure...
Well Street
The loudest argument I've heard advocating for the attack on Iran is to neutralize the threat it poses, (or posed), especially against Israel. Neutering its ability to support terrorist organizations is another talking point.
While the "anti-attack" side says there's no evidence indicating Iran was ever a threat to America, the other side argues that the evidence would be a nuclear warhead bound for our shores, somehow constructed in the previously obliterated Iranian nuclear labs and factories.
Hegseth claims to believe the US attack has God's blessing, but if polling is valid, the majority of citizens aren't buying that, and likely more in line with Pope Leo's words—“This is our God: Jesus, King of Peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war. He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them.”
Amen, and thank you for your article.
Evangel
Everything this administration has done and continues to do in the name of God, adds up to the third commandment: “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain." By using God as a weapon of fear and justice, they are dividing the nation and putting their cult above all religions in our plural society. This is the epitome of poor leadership by a group of religious fanatics. Zealots never win.
Youngdannville
There are no Christian Evangelists in this country. They are prejudice, brainwashed and narrow- minded individuals who promote hatred. Celebrating Easter/ the resurrection is a show. Most adore the golden calf=money. To be Christian they must be Christian like- they are not BUT there is finally a Pope I can support
Wilsons Grave
I heard Trump on Easter talk like he was Satan incarnate. Then I heard him yesterday brag about his victory in Iran, and the millions he's gonna make off tolls in the Strait of Hormuz. He said he's striking a deal with Iran's leadership implying he's gonna laugh all the way to the bank while the rest of us poor slobs pay over $6 at the gas pump.