This question was on another forum, and I am interested to know what people think about just what Jesus said to others, aside from the miracles and healings. Do you think he gave good advice to people or good moral teachings - or if not, why not?
My thoughts line up with this it varies on what he says.I'm sure I'm not familiar with all of the things Jesus has been told to have said, but I can recall a few horrifying passages for which I would respond with a resounding 'no'. I'm not sure I can point them out without violating the rules, though.
Do you think [Jesus] gave good advice to people or good moral teachings - or if not, why not?
Jesus was teaching His followers on how to be a more human, Human Being through Love, Compassion and Service to those in need, while seeing the Divine in everyone. That's pretty good advice, I'd say.
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Perhaps to a small extent, but not overall. There is too much world hatred and pining for the afterlife.
There also isn't enough self-love in his message. The most we seem to get is that we are to love our neighbors as ourselves, but it is unclear just how much self-love is justified. It seems to be something we should feel guilty about, and that sacrifice is the rule.
The idea that we commit adultery just by thinking naughty thoughts about people we aren't married to is also a recipe for needless guilt. Yes, this kind of advice can be rationalized into something almost rational (such as suggesting that we simply shouldn't nourish an obsessive attraction to someone), but that's not clearly the interpretation intended.
One has to water down the teachings quite a bit to make them good advice. For example, "Be excellent to each other", but the philosophers Bill and Ted have that covered.
eudaimonia,
Mark
I'm quite sure that even through his criticism Jesus saw the activity of the Divine with in the Pharisees.When he criticised the Pharisees, he didn't seem to see the Divine in them though.
When he criticised the Pharisees, he didn't seem to see the Divine in them though.