Redux: Would you follow Jesus?

[pjbleek]

Due to the fact the undecided were not heard from I will do this again...

 

[Springsteen]

I voted no in the last poll because I said I'm not naturally a follower, more a leader. That said I did mention about people being in awe of Jesus or maybe being afraid of him because he was the son of God. So maybe that would influence me, I'll go undecided.

 

[pjbleek]

I voted no in the last poll because I said I'm not naturally a follower, more a leader. That said I did mention about people being in awe of Jesus or maybe being afraid of him because he was the son of God. So maybe that would influence me, I'll go undecided.

Thanks again for voting Springers and this new one was developed because most who did see the thread couldn't decide and they were bringing valid arguments for the undecided vote.

 

[Maldoror]

I'm naturally independent, the leader/follower dichotomy is an abomination. so NO.

 

[Niamh]

I voted that i was undecided as it was a completely different time and I would no doubt think differently to the way I do now, if I were born around that time so I think it is impossible to say for sure

 

[StripedCat]

Undecided. Niamh has already found the right words to explain it.
Usually I don't tend to follow people regardless of their maybe existing charisma or anything like that, but when Jesus was around it was a totally different time. Who knows, what I would have done..

 

[Minor Axis]

Thanks for redoing the poll. Of course my answer is undecided because I have no idea what kind of person I'd be 2000 years ago, how susceptible I'd be to religious thinking of the day. Of course the premise would have to be that Jesus really did exist.

For your reading pleasure- Did the Historical Jesus Exist?- this link seems to think not. Although I don't vouch for it's accuracy, regardless of whether Jesus existed or not, we can still debate if the message that is attributed to Jesus's preachings are worthy of following now or then. How's this for a summary: I happen to agree with Jesus' message regardless if it originates from a man or a deity because I don't believe a deity is necessary for men to possess this kind of thinking. Does this mean, if Jesus believed in God, would I? Undecided. If I witnessed Jesus rise from his tomb, would I believe in God. Very possible.

 

[BornReady]

I happen to agree with Jesus' message regardless if it originates from a man or a deity because I don't believe a deity is necessary for men to possess this kind of thinking.

Jesus supposedly said a lot of things. Do you agree with everything he said?

 

[Minor Axis]

Jesus supposedly said a lot of things. Do you agree with everything he said?

I don't know everything Jesus said. Throw out some examples and I'll respond yeah or neah.

The message of Jesus that resonates with me are themes like giving of yourself, helping others, not being a greedy bastard.

 

[Panacea]

Honestly, when asked this question again, I realize I do not "follow" anything but my own brain, open to what's out there, filtered by my judgment. I have my opinions, and there are people I look up to, but I surely wouldn't follow them anywhere, and I look at what they say with a critical eye. I couldn't imagine worshiping someone or something.

 

[FreightTrain]

I have a question for all of those who claim to be leaders and not followers. Do you drive a car? Do you cut your hair? Do you bathe, regularly? What the hell do you mean by "I'm not a follower." Everyone is. Even the President answers to his people. We follow ideas, concepts, and opinions all the time. In fact, most of us do it so often we don't even realize when we're doing it!

 

[Panacea]

It seems to follow societal norms differs from following a person individually for their life mission.

 

[FreightTrain]

95% of the people on this site are typing from their own computers, wearing clothes that were deemed fashionable by society, and speaking a language they were taught in school, eating foods their families provided for them, etc., etc. Not a follower?? Pleease!! There's so much materialism and consumerism in this world today we don't need a God! We have technology. We all worship the almighty dollar. If that's being a leader, then we're all Kings and Queens!

 

[pjbleek]

society has needs and if Jesus was to come down now and start a clan I would hear him out and really question his motives and then I could say with clarity I would or would not follow him. Back in his time if I had the chance to follow I would because what have you got to lose?

 

[Panacea]

95% of the people on this site are typing from their own computers, wearing clothes that were deemed fashionable by society, and speaking a language they were taught in school, eating foods their families provided for them, etc., etc. Not a follower?? Pleease!! There's so much materialism and consumerism in this world today we don't need a God! We have technology. We all worship the almighty dollar. If that's being a leader, then we're all Kings and Queens!

"Be the change you wish to see in the world", and take a xanax.

You've described a modern individualist culture in which most of us on the forum live, but leaders can still exist within. They always have and always will. You don't have to deviate from many societal norms to be a leader; just one, usually.

 

[BornReady]

I don't know everything Jesus said. Throw out some examples and I'll respond yeah or neah.

Fair enough. Here are some examples of things Jesus supposedly said that I disagree with.

1) Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. (Luke 12:33)

2) Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. (Luke 6:30)

3) But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. (Matthew 5:39)

4) For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it. (Matthew 19:12)

5) But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery. (Matthew 5:32)

6) Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. (John 6:53)

7) but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin. (Mark 3:29)

8) Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. (Matthew 10:34)

9) If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. (Matthew 5:29)

 

[Minor Axis]

Fair enough. Here are some examples of things Jesus supposedly said that I disagree with.

1) Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. (Luke 12:33)

2) Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. (Luke 6:30)

3) But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. (Matthew 5:39)

4) For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it. (Matthew 19:12)

5) But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery. (Matthew 5:32)

6) Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. (John 6:53)

7) but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin. (Mark 3:29)

8) Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. (Matthew 10:34)

9) If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. (Matthew 5:29)

1. Give to the Poor- agree.
2. Give to everyone who asks? Hmm, on the face of it I don't agree.
3. Turn the other cheek- to some degree yes. This can be less than outright violence directed at you.
4. Be a eunuch for God?- Disagree
5. No divorce? Disagree although the threshold for divorce should be high.
6. Symbolic- I don't see it.
7. Blaspheme no forgiveness- Disagree because no forgiveness appears to be man's not God's rule.
8. Sword? - Symbolic.
9. Gouge out your eye? Symbolic

Ok, maybe I don't agree with most of what Jesus has been credited as saying. But I do like the "give of yourself and help others less fortunate they you, and don't profit by teaching the "word" of God".

 

[FreightTrain]

"Be the change you wish to see in the world", and take a xanax.

You've described a modern individualist culture in which most of us on the forum live, but leaders can still exist within. They always have and always will. You don't have to deviate from many societal norms to be a leader; just one, usually.

Although what you say is true, it isn't the norm. Many people are sheep. Particularly, in modern times. I feel we have fewer true leaders today than in many generations passed. Some think they are leaders because they have free will or have their own opinions and my response to that is: "No shit!" We all have our own opinions and free will. That alone doesn't make us a leader or exempt from being a follower. Trends today show that we are globally a culture of materialism and consumerism. We follow trends in fashion, foods, cars, hobbies, etc., etc. Many believe themselves to be individualistic, but I just don't see it all that often. In fact, those whom really try to be free thinkers are shunned in today's society. If Jesus were to walk the Earth today, most would follow whatever their neighbor would do. And I feel, most would crucify Jesus again as was done 2000 years ago. He would be outcast as an extremist and be shot in the streets. That's the society we live in as I see it. Is it pessimistic? Is it cynical? I think it's real, that's all.

 

[BornReady]

1. Give to the Poor- agree.

I think this verse is talking about more than giving to the poor. It's more like taking a vow of poverty.

6. Symbolic- I don't see it.

Communion descends from a literal barbaric practice. But forgetting that, do you agree with what it symbolizes? When was the last time you took communion? Is there life in you?

7. Blaspheme no forgiveness- Disagree because no forgiveness appears to be man's not God's rule.

According to Mark it is Jesus' rule too.

8. Sword? - Symbolic.

Symbolic of peace?

9. Gouge out your eye? Symbolic

Many Christians do not believe hell is symbolic. Symbolic or not, is a man who threatens others with hell someone you can agree with.

But I do like the "give of yourself and help others less fortunate they you, and don't profit by teaching the "word" of God".

Yeah, I know what you're driving at and agree. I'm being a PIA but I'm trying to make the point the modern picture of Jesus in many people's minds is just that... the modern picture, not one true to the biblical Jesus.

 

[Minor Axis]

Yeah, I know what you're driving at and agree. I'm being a PIA but I'm trying to make the point the modern picture of Jesus in many people's minds is just that... the modern picture, not one true to the biblical Jesus.

And there are the hard core hypocrites who claim to be "Christians" but share nothing with any of his best characteristics except belief in a God who will smite them if they are bad, while being bad most every day.