Thoughts from the Teapot

PS. I should say that once I was out of school and met Catholics socially at University, I became deeply ashamed of my previous attitudes.

My primary school teacher explained that the Samaritans and Jews were enemies though probably didn't explain why. It was clear enough to us that it wasn't just a matter of caring for someone less fortunate but of caring for one's enemy. Of course, in the west of Scotland at the time we were conditioned to regard the local Catholics as adversaries which was all too clear when we were older and played hockey against the Catholic high school.

Petallus I agree with your post at 17.41. Also Lily I don't hate anyone but I do hate some of the things they do. I have done quite a lot of forgiving in my life, forgetting is somewhat harder!

Greatnan said "Surely if a group constantly criticises one person that is bullying?" I don't agree. Criticism is not always a bad thing, think of theatre critics. If several people were to comment on an aspect of my behaviour/character I would take it on board and think about whether what they said was true. If it was I would change it. It would be terribly arrogant to think that I was right and so many others were wrong!

No Greatnan I don't think it is "a bit arrogant to think that you can decide on what is unacceptable behaviour in others". Many things are unacceptable, hurting children, animals, murder, rape, racism etc. as you say obviously harmful acts. If I did any of these I would hope that many people would try to change me! I'm not sure what point you were trying to make.

I only wish more people were able to, or encouraged to, look beyond their prejudices Mice. Much of the world still seems to operate on an 'eye for an eye' principle. I listened to a young boy in a refugee camp, whose father had been killed in Syria, saying he'd never forget or forgive. Understandable in the circumstances but sadly this could well harden into revenge in years to come.

A child, of course, will interpret a parable or story in the light of their own understanding and experience. However, as Greatnan says, the parable was told to adults. It was particulary shocking at the time as Jews and Samaritans despised each other. This dislike and suspicion dated back many centuries and was a result of complex historic events and some theological differences. The message is perfectly clear. We should look beyond our prejudices, as very often it is those who are marginalised in society or those who are members of minorities who are the most generous, and those who the most privileged who behave in a selfish way.

I learnt the parables at a very early age, as I attended a Catholic primary school. I always understood it was to teach us not to allow our prejudices to stand in the way of helping others, whether or not we considered them to be deserving of our help. I think it is very relevant today when certain groups are demonised.

That's interesting nanaej - when you learned of the parable of the Good Samaritan, what age were you? I learned it as a child and I didn't for a moment think it said 'racism and prejudice'. I didn't know those terms. I just thought it meant we should help those less fortunate than ourselves. A simple concept, easily followed.

I always think that the Good Samaritan was about racism and prejudice.

I understood the message of JC in the parable was that we should treat each other as individuals, if someone needs help and kindness we give it regardless of their background and do not let the prevailing view of who is 'good' and who is 'bad' get in the way of behaving in a humane way.

Racism is rising again for a variety of reasons. If only we could stop seeing people as part of a generic group 'gay' muslim' 'chav' 'immigrant' etc and start thinking of others as being like ourselves, with likes dislikes, hopes, dreams, loves, feelings etc we might have a better place to be.

Idealist? Yes I am. But I am realistic too....

Galen

Nice to know that you are the same to Christ as to us! I like consistency!

I have been on speaking terms with him for as long as I can remember petallus. I'm not always very polite though.

j08 I suppose you'd have to sort that one out with Jesus, who supposedly said it!

I am assuming you are on speaking terms

Good old St Augustine

I find it hard to forgive anybody who harms my children, their children, and their children.

St Augustine also prayed for chastity and continence (but not yet)!

No one on Gransnet I hasten to add!!!!

I mean evil people.

Some people you have to hate. How can you not?

St Augustine said (and many people said it after him) 'Hate the sin and love the sinner'. I take that to mean two things; we should not hate anyone however heinous their acts, however much we abhor what they have done and loving someone should not mean that we overlook the bad things they may do.

Yes, I agree with those sentiments, petallus.

I always took 'love thy neighbour as thyself' or 'love your enemies' to relate to psychological attitude, that is try not live with too much hatred, spite, disapproval etc. in your 'heart'. For your own sake.

There is a similar idea in Buddhist philosophy, in fact Buddhism expresses it better.

I don't think it means you should physically leave yourself open to attack from people who are hostile to you or allow others to carry out wicked acts.

I think this is quite topical. People must be stopped from committing murder, abusing others, cheating and so on, but to have a vitriolic hated in you for these people, and a wish to see them suffer, is an added, unnecessary extra.

As a society, isn't that exactly what we do collectively, greatnan – decide what is acceptable behaviour within that society (which is increasingly global) and what isn't? And then we make laws about it.

Harmless stuff doesn't count, obviously.

Isn't it a bit arrogant to think that you can decide on what is unacceptable behaviour in others? What if others find your own behaviour unacceptable - are they entitled to try to influence you to change?
Of course, if you are referring to obviously harmful acts, like oppression and cruelty, I am sure we all agree that we must do all we can to stop it happening.

I agree, lily, that not everyone behaves like the Good Samaritan, but a lot do and many people do a great deal more than what they just, as it were, trip over on the road. Just think about charities and what they achieve! Why do people do it if not out of compassion (loving their neighbours)? Of course there are plenty who don't help others much, and of course there are actually evil people, but I still maintain there are a lot of good samaritans in the world. There must be because most of the people I know as more than mere acquaintances are good samaritans, and that has always been the case. I don't think I've lived a completely sheltered life and I haven't always lived in the same place.

Anyway, nothing wrong with good ideals. They work as motivation.

I agree, jings, it's a good story and illustrates a point well.

Movedalot said:
I don't think criticism is a bad thing but if it were constant and from a group of people I think I would look to myself to find out why?

Surely if a group constantly criticises one person that is bullying?
Just asking, as jingle would say.

Spot on, Aka

I agree Bags 'live and let live' is rather insular. If what we say and do can influence others to change unacceptable behaviour I think we have a duty as citizens of the world to do so. I don't think we should criticise other's beliefs if they are not harming anyone else though. It is possible to change attitudes to so many things if enough people speak out.