Why don't people follow this today?
As you know, I don't care for religion. However, I do think a lot of Jesus. I think that what he said makes a lot of sense.
Here was some of his sayings that I was reading earlier today.
"And now I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. If you have love for one another, then everyone will know that you are my disciples.
My commandment is this: love one another, just as I love you. I have set an example for you, so that you will do just what I have done for you.
Do for others just what you want them to do for you. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you in return.
Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you shall be forgiven.
Now that you know this truth, how happy you will be if you put it into practice!"
If you ask my personal opinion, in there is some pretty good advice, both on life, and on maintaining healthy relationships with others, whether they be family, friends, or romantic relationships.
So with that said, I don't understand why people in general don't care for them? The principles make so much common sense, and most people from what I have seen, seem to reject them.
I am not advocating that people need to go to church. I won't advocate something I will not do myself. But I do think that in the words of Jesus, there is some good advice about life.
I know when many people hear the name Jesus, and they start hearing Sona principles they taught, people automatically think that you're trying to push religion on them.
And that's not what I person I'm trying to do. I'm just taking an analytical look at his words, looking at the practicality of them, and just simply wondering why anyone would have any objection to following them, when you see how logical they are.
Comments
People don't need quotes from some random dude to form their own principles. The quotes don't even make sense anyway, if you do something for someone there's no guarantee he'll do the same, if you don't condemn someone it doesn't mean he won't condemn you. If you forgive someone that doesn't mean you're guaranteed the same.
You'll probably bring yourself misery and disappointment more than anything by following those sayings.
I think the answer is pretty obvious here.
Reciprocity is an informal understanding, not an absolute. If someone shuns the thought of returning the favor, they're usually not worth having around And you know better next time. I've found it to be a good way to operate.
Of course, you're right about the first part. Religion isn't necessary to have principles.
Life is messy. People are messy. While many people are rational and good, we are all also emotional and driven by self-interest. People are not always rational, or they have blind spots-- i.e., they see themselves as open and forgiving, yet may not see the problem with judging, condemning, and holding grudges towards certain classes of people. Cognitive dissonance is a hell of a thing.
Also, perception is reality. This is not just something politicians deal with. We all deal with it in one form of another, in our jobs, our friends, and in our own selves. No one ever has perfect information, and thus we can only act of the information we can perceive-- AND contend with any irrational biases we as humans are prone to. Our imperfect actions can in turn be interpreted by others, who have their own imperfect information and biases. What you and others perceive as forgiveness and inner strength, others might perceive as unjust and naive. And what if the person you forgive doesn't understand forgiveness for what it is? What if they just perceive it as permission to continue hurting you?
Ideally, you would remove that kind of person from your life-- yet in a way, that is a judgment. It is a show of condemnation.
So while I do not argue the general wisdom of the advice, I accept that people - myself included - aren't always able or willing to apply it consistently, among other moral 'shoulds'. There's rarely a rule that doesn't have its exceptions as well.
Lastly, this advice can and should also apply to the self. I do think people struggle with treating others fairly when they haven't treated themselves with the same care, and haven't taken inventory of their own baggage/bullshit. And that's hard.