Monday, March 30, 2015

George Takei v. Jesus of Nazareth

"I myself am a Buddhist, not a Christian. But I cannot help but think that if Christ ran a public establishment, it would be open to all, and He would be the last to refuse service to anyone. It is, simply put, the most un-Christian of notions."
George Takei

https://www.facebook.com/msnbc/posts/887600914669495


Although I want to agree with this sentiment, I am not certain that it is true.


First of all, Jesus did not provide a "service" or run a "public establishment". He proclaimed the Kingdom of God to the lost sheep of Israel and attempted to guide them back to the path leading to their salvation.


He said the following when amplifying the scope of His ministry:


Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Matthew 5:17-18 KJV

Since the issue at hand apparently stems from certain Biblical laws, I don't think it's at all obvious what Jesus would do in this situation.


Would He say, "George, you are a sinner"?


Or would He say, "I forgive you"?


Or would He say, "It really doesn't matter what you do, as long as you love one another"?


Or would He say, "Every jot and tittle of the law shall be fulfilled"?


Here's what I think: I think it's our place to love, forgive, and show compassion to each other, while it's G-d's prerogative to judge and punish as He sees fit.


What do YOU think?


Update: Apparently Buddhism is neither strongly for nor strongly against same-sex marriage:


http://www.hrc.org/resources/entry/stances-of-faiths-on-lgbt-issues-buddhism


Perhaps George can explain this for us.


Second update: Jesus did say something which might indicate how He felt about marriage:


And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:

But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:
Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.
Luke 20:34-36 KJV

Similar sentiments are expressed in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark.


What this seems to say is that marriage is an earthly custom, and that in our highest form (when we will be restored to the form we had before the fall) we will not marry. If marriage therefore is primarily a custom of man, then it is up to us to decide who can marry whom.

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