Christianity and Compassion

I am a little confused about how to respond to this. There are parts which highlight compassion with grace, and then there are parts which confuse me endlessly. I enjoyed the Gospel of John with the utmost delight, and I wonder what would happen if everyone actually followed the words to the word. "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God" (New Anthology, 134). These are words of great potential; they reflect a pure spirit, so how is any of this confusing? Well, Gospel of John starts off by stating that the Spirit of God is in every spirit that claims Jesus Christ "[to have] come in the flesh is of God" , and anyone that states otherwise is the spirit of the antichrist (New Anthology, 134). So, me and the Gospel of John have a love-hate relationship. Some parts are profound in their relative meaning while others are simply subjective to Christianity.

The Gospel of John offers further insight into a double standard which is embedded in almost every religion, and so does the Gospel of Luke. In lines 20-30, the Gospel of Luke preaches about upholding certain values such as nonviolence and encouraging "love for your enemies" (New Anthology, 129). I was enjoying this part, but then, I was blindsided. BAM! Here's line 31, "And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise" (New Anthology, 129). I'm like "Okay... this is the total opposite of everything that's been going on!" This is one of those lines that confused me endlessly. I was lost but kept going... with a hint of skepticism. Sure, I see loads of compassion in the Gospels, but I can't take the text at its word.

I am the Skeptic!


For there are some inconsistencies within the texts. I need to take from the Gospels the words that capture the spirit of Jesus as the Gospel of John suggests. This is the step that my heart guides me to take, and it makes sense. In order to be compassionate, I must be willing to learn what I know not and find the essence of love in this knowledge "for God is love" (New Anthology, 134). This is the essence that ought to describe humanity. Everything we do as a species ought to be driven by love.

Gospel of John


However this is not always the case. It appears that in our society love is an emotion reserved for humans. On occasion, we are empathetic to the plight of another species; we don't consider them to be our neighbors even though we share the planet. Animals have become an industry for humans to profit from, but who is to question this motive when food ceases to arrive at our tables? We, as humans, overlook the parts we seem to detest. "The raising, processing, packaging, and marketing of meat and even the prayers given over meals deflect attention from the violence meat production necesitates" (New Anthology, 135). The killing of beasts for consumption is socially acceptable, and therefore, it continues on, in a far away land that's not in plain view. We as a species have deemed ourselves to be powerless over this matter; in fact, scientifically, it has been proven that humans are supposed to be omnivores (inheriting traits of carnivores and vegetarians). So, I have but one question, where does love go? The spirit of God vanishes... unlikely. It is disguised by something else.

Where is the Love?


Fear. Fear distorts our perception of reality. Forces unseen emotions and thoughts unto us. "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love" (New Anthology, 134). And as individuals, we fear one another. We think, "What can I do? How else will I survive? What about Thanksgiving (traditions)?" This is the fear that has gripped all species. It's the fear of change. The dog barks at an unknown visitor; the dog is afraid that this person will alter the dog's life for the worse. The dog barks to force his fears away. But we as humans can rise above animal thinking and choose to allow love into our lives and change us for the better.

Changing Fear to Love and Joy!


No need to be afraid. Just love and know that this change is for the better. Relax with your mind and heart at ease and in unity. We will endure this change together as one specie and envelop the planet with love. We will even extend our love to alien life forms (if they exist), or maybe we'll just take it one step at a time for now. We'll deal with aliens when we meet them. Change represents movement/progress like time, no matter how hard we try there is no stopping it.

So many Hearts and they all need to LOVE!


Love, love, love.... This is the essence of the Gospels of John and Luke. Find within your heart the chamber of compassion and feel the blood from that chamber rushing through you. "Ye are of God" and "We are of God" and we need not fear (New Anthology, 134). Spread this essence and your love, and you in essence will be doing God's bidding. All we need is love.

True in the 60's and half a century later, true again...