H,
This common mantra that rings through all of meaning; serve others. It is at the root of any belief system that
lasts. It has a certain mass appeal because we all know there is some axiomatic
aspect to it. It has a certain logic to it that is in tune with all our souls. We
know selfishness does no good. We even know that the selfishness that
masquerades as selflessness is facile. At worst, we seek to balance the idea of
giving, not to kill it.
lasts. It has a certain mass appeal because we all know there is some axiomatic
aspect to it. It has a certain logic to it that is in tune with all our souls. We
know selfishness does no good. We even know that the selfishness that
masquerades as selflessness is facile. At worst, we seek to balance the idea of
giving, not to kill it.
Christianity frames it differently. The other person represents
something deeper than just fodder for our moral stance. We are not giving to that
faceless other as much as we are giving to our neighbours, our friends, our ‘enemies’
and the people in our way. We are not doing this for the innate value, though
that may be good enough, but as part of the reawakening of our souls. We are in
the process of becoming like God. Loving others, seeking their good and trying not
to hurt them, as a start, is just the beginner’s class of the divine.
something deeper than just fodder for our moral stance. We are not giving to that
faceless other as much as we are giving to our neighbours, our friends, our ‘enemies’
and the people in our way. We are not doing this for the innate value, though
that may be good enough, but as part of the reawakening of our souls. We are in
the process of becoming like God. Loving others, seeking their good and trying not
to hurt them, as a start, is just the beginner’s class of the divine.