In John 14, the Ultimate Role Model teaches us how to react to those being stupid with us. It is revealed that at the Last Supper Jesus’ disciples, Thomas and Philip in particular, were still looking at Jesus with one eye wide open (as though, saying “rrrreally?”): sceptical. Even after all that Jesus had done and said, the disciples still questioned whether Jesus is the Son of God. In a way, they were being stupid. How Jesus reacted should guide how we should react when people behave stupidly toward us.
Jesus remained calm and composed. He gently explained why He is right, but did not force them to agree with Him. No belittling was done, and the issue was not argued endlessly. Jesus expected the truth to do the work of setting the disciples straight. In contrast, we often throw up our hands in the air and do not respond to the stupidity, or we lash out in anger so that we become hated.
We are to be hopeful rather than frustrated when dealing with stupidity. What is stupid is often interpreted relatively, because no one can know all the variables that make one behave the way they do. Therefore, it is ideal to apply the Golden Rule when dealing with stupidity; that is, treat the one behaving stupidly the way you would want to be treated: see the previous paragraph. The big benefit of doing it Jesus’ way is that we do not allow frustration and anger to eat us up.
sigh, i admit that it's all too often that i say: "i hate stupid people!" and mean it. so thanks, i needed that
Indeed. More accurately, I hate that which makes them stupid: the public school system.
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Don't mess with Yoda!
"There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, "Thy will be done," and those to whom God says, in the end, "Thy will be done.""
-C.S. Lewis, The Great Divorce (emphasis mine)
"You must be imaginative, strong-hearted. You must try things that may not work, and you must not let anyone define your limits because of where you come from. Your only limit is your soul."
-Chef at the beginning of Ratatouille
In John 14, the Ultimate Role Model teaches us how to react to those being stupid with us. It is revealed that at the Last Supper Jesus’ disciples, Thomas and Philip in particular, were still looking at Jesus with one eye wide open (as though, saying “rrrreally?”): sceptical. Even after all that Jesus had done and said, the disciples still questioned whether Jesus is the Son of God. In a way, they were being stupid. How Jesus reacted should guide how we should react when people behave stupidly toward us.
Jesus remained calm and composed. He gently explained why He is right, but did not force them to agree with Him. No belittling was done, and the issue was not argued endlessly. Jesus expected the truth to do the work of setting the disciples straight. In contrast, we often throw up our hands in the air and do not respond to the stupidity, or we lash out in anger so that we become hated.
We are to be hopeful rather than frustrated when dealing with stupidity. What is stupid is often interpreted relatively, because no one can know all the variables that make one behave the way they do. Therefore, it is ideal to apply the Golden Rule when dealing with stupidity; that is, treat the one behaving stupidly the way you would want to be treated: see the previous paragraph. The big benefit of doing it Jesus’ way is that we do not allow frustration and anger to eat us up.
This is of course the right answer
...but a good slap in the face with a loud "Wake up!" has it's place too
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"I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you." - Isa 44:22
In John 14, the Ultimate Role Model teaches us how to react to those being stupid with us. It is revealed that at the Last Supper Jesus’ disciples, Thomas and Philip in particular, were still looking at Jesus with one eye wide open (as though, saying “rrrreally?”): sceptical. Even after all that Jesus had done and said, the disciples still questioned whether Jesus is the Son of God. In a way, they were being stupid. How Jesus reacted should guide how we should react when people behave stupidly toward us.
Jesus remained calm and composed. He gently explained why He is right, but did not force them to agree with Him. No belittling was done, and the issue was not argued endlessly. Jesus expected the truth to do the work of setting the disciples straight. In contrast, we often throw up our hands in the air and do not respond to the stupidity, or we lash out in anger so that we become hated.
We are to be hopeful rather than frustrated when dealing with stupidity. What is stupid is often interpreted relatively, because no one can know all the variables that make one behave the way they do. Therefore, it is ideal to apply the Golden Rule when dealing with stupidity; that is, treat the one behaving stupidly the way you would want to be treated: see the previous paragraph. The big benefit of doing it Jesus’ way is that we do not allow frustration and anger to eat us up.
And yet, on other occasions, Jesus sharply counters ignorance. I'm thinking of some of his interactions with the Pharisees.
(If you don't mind, I'm going to call it "ignorance" rather than" stupidity.")
Seems to me that Jesus is somewhat inconsistent in his dealings with ignorance. You could argue that the Pharisees' hearts were in the wrong place, and that is enough to account for the difference. If that's true, though, then we are justified in responding sharply to (willful?) ignorance on some occasions.
Not in private, but sometimes in public. That's my thinking.
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...Do not let me hear
Of the wisdom of old men, but rather of their folly,
Their fear of fear and frenzy, their fear of possession, Of belonging to another, or to others, or to God. The only wisdom we can hope to acquire Is the wisdom of humility: humility is endless.
But I also see that I'm stupid and ignorant most times too... we're all blind to certain degrees in all things...
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...Do not let me hear
Of the wisdom of old men, but rather of their folly,
Their fear of fear and frenzy, their fear of possession, Of belonging to another, or to others, or to God. The only wisdom we can hope to acquire Is the wisdom of humility: humility is endless.
And yet, on other occasions, Jesus sharply counters ignorance. I'm thinking of some of his interactions with the Pharisees.
(If you don't mind, I'm going to call it "ignorance" rather than" stupidity.")
Seems to me that Jesus is somewhat inconsistent in his dealings with ignorance. You could argue that the Pharisees' hearts were in the wrong place, and that is enough to account for the difference. If that's true, though, then we are justified in responding sharply to (willful?) ignorance on some occasions.
Not in private, but sometimes in public. That's my thinking.
this is true, yet i think the sharp rebuke is more needed in the cases where the individual in question is as you suggested "willfully ignorant" such as those who do in fact know the right thing, but the knowingly forget or ignore that truth. for those who are indeed just plain stupid though (sorry i don't go for all that PC stuff ) BoJC is on point.
) BoJC is on point.
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