Is it realistic to expect people today to live by the principles Jesus outlines?
2006-11-20 15:21:57 · 17 answers · asked by Mark E 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Non-Christians like the Dalai Lama are more apt to live by those principles than most American Christians.
2006-11-20 15:25:36 · answer #1 · answered by almintaka 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If you're asking whether we should expect other people to live by Jesus' principles, that would be a no. Jesus himself knew that his principles wouldn't be popular, and that his (true) followers would be a minority in the world at all ages. So, I wouldn't expect the average person on the street to live by Jesus' principles.
But if you're asking whether it is possible to live by Jesus' principles, then I would have to answer a resounding yes. There are people I know, and I'm sure you know, who exemplify these principles far better than I could: people who stop to help someone find a glasses lens on the ground, who travel across the world to work in an orphanage in India, or who hand out cookies and lemonade to random people in a lobby or street, for no other reason than love.
2006-11-20 15:34:53 · answer #2 · answered by Robert 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Gee. If the president of the United States proclaims that he's a born again Christian and then wages a war of aggression in direct conflict with the scripture to Love One Another. to love your enemies, to turn the other cheek.. I wonder, too.
The principles of Christianity have been hijacked by those who kill those who oppose their beliefs.. Witness the bombings of abortion clinics and other acts of terrorism in the name of Christianity.
Whether it's realistic or not is not the question, is it? The question is whether or not in a world filled with strife if we can find a calm and silent center where eminating love and peace will affect / infect? the world and we can all just get along.
As long as people insist on being first, winning every game/war?, dominating those with whom we disagree by force, the principles of what Jesus taught are in peril.
There's a phrase that might apply here. Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.
If each of us can abandon fear and anger long enough to let some crazy jerk go ahead of us as he cuts us off on the freeway or not go nuts with some other fanatic in a line to by an X Box, or what? Just be kind and polite to a stranger anywhere.. then.. that Peace which passes all understanding may be available.
Can I do that? Can you? This passes just the tenets of Jesus' teachings and goes to common sense. If we find ways to cooperate with each other and respect each other, then.. then.. we have the foundation for a truly wonderful society, nation, and world.
Can we do that? What would Jesus do?
vc
2006-11-20 15:32:54 · answer #3 · answered by vertically challenged 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As a christian, I strive to keep the ten commandments. If I can do those ten things - I'm doing okay. Also, I believe it is difficult for people to apply what Jesus outlines, because of the time in which they were written. Although, we are to strive to be Christ like 2000 years ago and today as well. It is difficult because of all the information that is available and people these days seem to be not interested in the Bible so much, After all, isn't it the only manual we have - is the Bible?
2006-11-20 15:30:42 · answer #4 · answered by docie555@yahoo.com 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No...it is not realistic. We, as a Christians, can only hope people will live by the priciples Jesus outlined. As long as there are evil forces roaming the earth, it will be difficult for most people to live by Jesus's principles. Me and you included.
2006-11-20 18:57:44 · answer #5 · answered by DAX 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No more or less realistic than expecting people to live by Ghandi's principles, or Buddha's.
2006-11-20 20:32:29 · answer #6 · answered by Voodoid 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Jesus gave us two laws to follow. 1. Love God with all your heart and above all else and 2. Love your neighbor.
This is a lot easier than to try and live up to all the laws in the Old Testament.
2006-11-20 15:32:21 · answer #7 · answered by truth seeker 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
i think alot of others dogma has got in the way since Jesus
was here,and many people are living by the dogma,rather than
the truth laid on us. "the natural impulses of physical nature are
not in conflict with even the highest spiritual attainment except
in the minds of ignorant, mistaught, or unfortunately
overconscientious persons" 'ask and you`ll receive"
2006-11-21 03:20:33 · answer #8 · answered by Michael L 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
NO,if you mean things like plucking out your eye or cutting off a hand,monks did those things at one point in time if they could not live up to their vows. Thanks to all the unconditional love of all the saints who have paved the way for us that is absolutely uncalled for in this age. The essence of your being is unconditional love,your duty & purpose is to express "that" to the best of your ability.
2006-11-20 19:10:58 · answer #9 · answered by Weldon 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, if it was doable then, what's so different now. And obviously God has a plan for your life, so would He and Jesus tell and show these principles if they weren't doable?
2006-11-20 15:23:40 · answer #10 · answered by lovelax 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋