Mastodawn

Leftist Lawyer Mar 4, 2023

Religions are not organizations where people learn to be moral. They are in-groups where people are taught to focus on the immorality of out-groups, thereby making themselves feel superior.

As an example, I was in my office yesterday and two lawyers (and one lawyer’s) son (all catholics) were shooting the shit when conversation turned to the “con” that is homeless people who just “don’t want to work” b/c it’s so “easy” to beg on the street, and how they’re not “really” poor, it’s all just a scam.

All our doors were open b/c no clients were around — it was the end of the day. And so I overheard the entire conversation. I stuck my nose in the office, leaned against the door, shook my head and said “Jesus is so disappointed in all of you right now. I’m pretty sure his gospel taught charity for the poor, not resentment.”

Two of them immediately blushed and shut up. One lawyer erupted. “But they’re not POOR! They’re hypocrites!” He exclaimed. To which I replied, “I thought that was god’s to judge.” He stormed off and slammed the door to his office.

It’s not about god, or morals. It’s about feeling powerful among an in-group while persecuting an out-group. It’s sick.

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@Lee_in_Iowa Mar 6, 2023

@LeftistLawyer Next take them to a homeless shelter for a few hours and have them chat with the people there—and then tell you which of the people they would hire and for what position. (So many homeless people are broken in some way and our cruel culture literally leaves them out in the cold.)

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Leftist Lawyer Mar 6, 2023

@Lee_in_Iowa It’s like the Christian’s *know* they’re ultra-privileged, but rather than actually follow Christ’s teachings and spread charity to the poor, they make up rationalizations as to why the poor deserve their lot.

Which, has the obvious added benefit of keeping their bank accounts flush. They think because they tithe, they make the world a better place, instead of just making their church more powerful.

What I don’t think 90% of Christendom realizes is just how deeply wedded the “prosperity gospel” and capitalism have become. To an outsider they reek of Mammon’s sinful stench. But, as insiders, they seem largely nose-blind.

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Graydon

@LeftistLawyer @Lee_in_Iowa The Gospels say to surrender all power to God.

That's not what causes human institutions to be copied into the future, and so we do not get humane institutions, we get those driven by the simplest replicable idea that reliably confers power.

(At least one person in holy orders has been burned at the stake for complaining that the ten commandments had been replaced with one commandment, "Bring hither the money". )