"We must reject the idea that every time a law's broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for their actions."
- Ronald Reagan
While on the surface, the above statement may seem like a worthy goal, it's important to note that it was said by a president who claimed to be Christian and often appealed to them.
So let's take a moment to look at what Mr. Reagan said, in particular the second part of his statement about removing societal accountability, and see if it stands up to what Jesus said on the subject.
When Jesus was on earth, he didn't let society off the hook.
In fact, God's Son didn't spend a lot of time talking about the poor and downtrodden being held responsible for their plight. And he didn't seem to be interested in distinguishing between the 'deserving' and the 'undeserving' poor. Jesus called them all blessed (Luke 6.20, Matt. 6.3)
He talked about loving our enemies (Luke 7.35), and being compassionate (Luke 7.36).
About the only group that Jesus singled out fairly consistently to criticize were the religious leaders of His day. He told them to quit placing burdens on others (Matt. 23.4), and offering false wisdom
(Matt. 23.16). Jesus went on to tell them: "You’re like tombs that have been whitewashed. On the outside they are beautiful, but inside they are full of bones and filth."(Matt. 23.27)
(Matt. 23.16). Jesus went on to tell them: "You’re like tombs that have been whitewashed. On the outside they are beautiful, but inside they are full of bones and filth."(Matt. 23.27)
Ouch!
Far from pointing fingers at the downtrodden, God's Son encouraged his followers to go the extra mile (Luke 6.41), turn the other cheek when hit (Luke 6.39) and give those who want to sue us the shirt off our back (Luke 6.40).
That doesn't sound like someone who was interested in blaming those in need of help or advocating societal abandonment of responsibility.
Double ouch!
To sum up what God's Son had to say on the subject, He imagined the "final judgment" being a separation of those who helped other people out, from those who didn't. (Matt. 25: 31-46)
When those who had helped their neighbor asked Jesus: "Lord, when did we ever see you" in serving those who were thirsty, hungry, homeless or in prison? God's Son replied: "I was hungry and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you invited me into your home. I was naked and you gave me clothing. I was sick and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me" (Matt. 25.37)
When those who had helped their neighbor asked Jesus: "Lord, when did we ever see you" in serving those who were thirsty, hungry, homeless or in prison? God's Son replied: "I was hungry and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you invited me into your home. I was naked and you gave me clothing. I was sick and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me" (Matt. 25.37)
To be fair, maybe certain followers of Jesus mean to imply that if you have a relationship with God's Son, you'd be inclined to help your neighbor. But even then, it's interesting to note that one of Jesus' most famous parables (The Good Samaritan) involved a religious leader and a temple worker who both walked across the street to avoid helping someone who was beaten and lying right in from of them. (Luke 11.31)
It wasn't until a Samaritan (who would have been the modern-day equivalent of a Hamas member) saw the poor fellow that any assistance was given.
Triple Ouch!
Triple Ouch!
What point was God's Son making?
Quite possibly that we are all each other's neighbor. And as a society, God's Son was calling us to act like it.
What do you think? Please share your thoughts!
Photo credit: www.lds.org
Photo credit: www.lds.org
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