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August 7, 2005
Jesus
We hear a good bit of talk about Jesus, lately. 
In fact we hear so much talk about Jesus that it’s hard – even for the vast staff of KIW – to separate the wheat from the chaff regarding this V.I.P.
There are many, many folks who feel that Jesus is in their corner, fighting their fight. One group of folks says that Jesus’ biggest concern is tax cuts for wealthy Americans, another group of folks is adamant that “Jesus hates fags.” It’s all a little confusing
So the research department at KIW went to work. We read things. Books like Matthew, Mark, John and Luke in the New Testament. These writings really inspired the vast staff of KIW. These Jesus stories describe a man who encouraged others to believe in themselves. A man who rejected organized religion. A man who rejected greed, and encouraged us to share wealth. A man who demanded that we love one another.
The books describe a fellow whose charisma was so strong, and whose message was so radical and threatening to the established culture, that the government and the religious leaders at the time had him imprisoned, tortured, and killed. And the democratic majority strongly agreed.
The Staff at KIW wonder how such a message (peace, love, and socialism) would be received by those who run this country (the USA) these days.
KIW found some other interesting writings about Jesus. Among these interesting writings, a 1923 take on the historical figure of Jesus by Science Fiction writer H.G. Wells
“And not only did Jesus strike at patriotism and the bonds of family loyalty in the name of God’s universal fatherhood and brotherhood of all mankind, but it is clear that his teaching condemned all the gradations of the economic system, all the private wealth, and personal advantages.”
H.G. Wells, A Short History of the World; Chapter XXXVII “The Teaching of Jesus”, p. 126
We also liked Mr. Bill McKibben’s essay in the August 2005 Harpers Magazine:
“Three quarters of Americans believe the Bible teaches that “God helps those who help themselves.” That is, three out of four Americans believe that this uber-American idea, a notion at the core of our current individualist politics and culture, which was in fact uttered by Ben Franklin, actually appears in Holy Scripture. The thing is, not only is Franklin’s wisdom not biblical; it’s counter-biblical. Few ideas could be further from the gospel message, with its radical summons to love of neighbor. On this essential matter, most Americans—most American Christians—are simply wrong […]”
“The Christian Paradox, How a faithful nation gets Jesus wrong” by Bill McKibben; Harpers Magazine; August 2005; p. 31
Last (or first) the mighty Woody Guthrie says it all with his 1930’s song “They Laid Jesus Christ in his Grave”
KIW's staff hopes that this clears things up, once and for all.
Download:
pdf A Short History of the World; Chapter XXXVII “The Teaching of Jesus”, p. 126
pdf "The Christian Paradox"; Harpers Magazine; August 2005; p. 31 (big file)
Posted by williamfrick at August 7, 2005 12:13 AM
Comments
KIW is an interesting website, it's entertaining, brilliant and I'm learning alot from it. KIW is a genius. KIW is the highlight of my day and I love reading the articles.
Posted by: Africa at August 10, 2005 8:06 AM
You're a genius, Wil, Karmic if Wil - you grand exalted Wil :-)
Posted by: Me at January 27, 2009 8:59 PM