So David Cameron considers us to be a Christian country does he? I suspect its code for many things. A code that suggests “white”, that suggests I want votes back from UKIP, and suggests I need to keep on board the nutters of the Eurosceptic right. I also wonder if its an appeal to natural order to let us know the message of “All things bright and beautiful” ...THE RICH MAN IN HIS CASTLE, THE POOR MAN AT HIS GATE. Its interesting is it not that the image of the Christian Christ varies in all ages in all cultures. In the Middle Ages the Christ figure was the Prince ruling over the Kings and peoples of Europe, in South America today we have the Christ of Liberation, the revolutionary. In each age organised religion is used to control, tu intimidate, to exclude and to classify.
True for many the simple message of social justice , equality and liberation from many of the founders has inspired social movements, self knowing and revolution. Yet when allied to the nation sate its has almost always become oppressive. Its quite clear that Methodism and nonconformity in many of the working class areas of Wales quiet. It is true that in a few cases Christian campaigners were inspired by the teachings they read. But why is it when we hear the Christian discourse of our rulers it never stresses the Magnificat
“He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
and has exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich He has sent away empty. “
and has exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich He has sent away empty. “
from Amos
“Hear this word, you cows of Bashan, that are in the mountain of Samaria, who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, who say to their masters, Bring, and let us drink.”
And also this from the same book
“But let justice run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream”
“Hear this word, you cows of Bashan, that are in the mountain of Samaria, who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, who say to their masters, Bring, and let us drink.”
And also this from the same book
“But let justice run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream”
I have been done with organised religion for over 35 years. I will quote my favourite philosopher on this Neitzche
“Companions the creator seeks, not corpses, not herds and
believers. Fellow creators the creator seeks--those who write
new values on new tablets. Companions the creator seeks, and
fellow harvesters; for everything about him is ripe for the
harvest. And finally Man is a rope, tied between beast and overman--a rope
over an abyss. A dangerous across, a dangerous on-the-way,
a dangerous looking-back, a dangerous shuddering and
stopping. What is great in man is that he is a bridge and
not an end: what can be loved in man is that he is an overture
and a going under. I love those who do not know how to
live, for they are those who cross over.
believers. Fellow creators the creator seeks--those who write
new values on new tablets. Companions the creator seeks, and
fellow harvesters; for everything about him is ripe for the
harvest. And finally Man is a rope, tied between beast and overman--a rope
over an abyss. A dangerous across, a dangerous on-the-way,
a dangerous looking-back, a dangerous shuddering and
stopping. What is great in man is that he is a bridge and
not an end: what can be loved in man is that he is an overture
and a going under. I love those who do not know how to
live, for they are those who cross over.
Thats my rave for Christmas. May you all have a great time.
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