Church

Oklahoma Lefty posted this Quote of the Day.

“If people look only to their own interests, our world will certainly fall apart.”
— Pope Benedict XVI

Not surprisingly, Jim Martin at Fried Green Onions posted his own version of this quote.

If people would look out for their own interests. The world would be a better place.

I would be interested in seeing how Mr. Martin would defend such a position scripturally, especially given Jesus’ command(s) regarding looking out for one’s own interest versus others’ interests…

Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” (Matthew 22:37-39)

The Apostle Paul said it this way…

The commandments, “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Romans 13:9)

The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Galatians 5:14)

It would seem that Oklahoma Lefty’s version would more closely reflect the Christian faith that Mr. Martin claims to profess.

Meanwhile, Sinister says both are wrong.

I guess it’s just interesting that both of these bloggers profoundly misunderstand the reality of their respective quotes.

While I understand and respect Sinister’s viewpoint, the quote by Oklahoma Lefty of Pope Benedict is not in and of itself wrong. The sentiment expressed in that statement is absolutely correct. What Sinister’s real objection to, whether he realizes it or not, is to the person who said it and the actions that don’t necessarily measure up with the words expressed.

Sinister’s point about FGO’s inconsistency is spot on. His point about Oklahoma Lefty’s “Amen” is not. I don’t believe Oklahoma Lefty was endorsing Pope Benedict’s track record as much as he was agreeing with the quote itself. It is indeed possible — and I would argue well within Jesus’ command — to look after the interests of others without imposing one’s own agenda upon them and infringing upon their free will.

Yesterday, Dave at Oklahoma Lefty asked the question, “What is wrong with ‘Happy Holidays’?” In his post, he said:

For as long as I can remember the term “Happy Holidays” referred to the time of the year from Thanksgiving through New Years and was an inclusive way of wishing folks well. Somehow “Happy Holidays” has become demonized by those who believe that Christmas and Christianity are under attack in this country.

I say we take “Happy Holidays” back from those who would demean and demoralize its inclusive, hopeful, and true nature.

*

Dave is absolutely right. “Happy Holidays” doesn’t dishonor “Merry Christmas.” Rather, it honors the plethora of holidays during this season, including Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, the Winter solstice, Festivus, Christmas, and the New Year. There is nothing wrong with saying “Happy Holidays” to others. There is nothing wrong with saying “Merry Christmas” to others — even non-believers and/or non-participants in the Christian holiday, as long as you don’t mind them wishing you Happy Rosh Hashana or Merry Ramadan. We are, after all, a democracy and not a theocracy.

Just as Dave remembered, I too recall “Happy Holidays” being commonplace for as long as I can remember — even as a little kid. Granted, I’m not as ancient as others (like Mr. Martin), but I’m no spring chicken either. This phrase is not something brand new.

The fact that so many Christians choose to be offended by the term “Happy Holidays” is more of a reflection on those Christians than on the purported persecution of the Christmas holiday — and by extension the Christian faith. It is a classic speck-and-plank scenario Continued

Jim Martin at Fried Green Onions is once again on a crusade against fellow bloggers who don’t share in his fundamentalist views. And again, in the comments on this blog and in commentary on his own blog, he has called out yours truly on my last post, twisting the words written to infer something never implied and drawing conclusions based on self-derived fallacies.

Typically, I would continue the debate within the comment section where his comment was left, but he has created two posts on his own blog taking the dialog to the public stage, so it is in a dedicated post that I will address some of Mr. Martin’s points, challenges and questions. (I apologize in advance that this will likely be a lengthier post.)

This discussion began with my pointing to and quoting of a post by Otter, in which he ultimately proclaimed, “I say, you should be ashamed of yourselves and I find myself ashamed to call you all my Christian brothers and sisters.” I agreed with his comments with a simple, “Amen.” (Keep in mind that I was quoting another blogger’s commentary.) I knew when I posted it that I would get a response from one of my faithful opponents. Mr. Martin did not disappoint, leaving this comment Continued