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Have you met a Christian that sold/gave up everything they owned? (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 1 week ago by solidheron@sh.itjust.works to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

45 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Im still a salty biznatch about a street preacher saying they didn't have to sell everything they down because Jesus said to one disciple and in that context yeah Jesus said it to that disciple.

Turns out that Jesus did say that you have to give up everything luke 14:25-33

The Cost of Discipleship (Matthew 8:18–22; Luke 9:57–62; John 6:59–66)

Now large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and He turned and said to them, 26“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be My disciple. 27And whoever does not carry his cross and follow Me cannot be My disciple.

Which of you, wishing to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost to see if he has the resources to complete it? 29Otherwise, if he lays the foundation and is unable to finish the work, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, 30saying, ‘This man could not finish what he started to build.’

Or what king on his way to war with another king will not first sit down and consider whether he can engage with ten thousand men the one coming against him with twenty thousand? And if he is unable, he will send a delegation while the other king is still far off, to ask for terms of peace.

In the same way, any one of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be My disciple.

But does anyone see a Christian legitimately follow this commandment from Jesus

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[–] shawn1122@sh.itjust.works 9 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

Jesus lived the life of an ascetic by largely renouncing the indulgences of the material world, as was commonly emphasized in Eastern religions at the time. He would step away into nature for clarity and self reflection similar to the vision quests of Indigineous communities.

He was undoubtedly a pacifist.

The state and church have always worked in coordination to carefully shape the Christian narrative out of concern that, if it were truly embraced by the people, from where would they get their imperial cannon fodder?

This is why movements like "muscular Christianity" were necessary. There was a period in the late 19th century when church going was seen as a largely feminine activity and this movement helped restore male attendance. Depictions of Jesus were made to emphasize more "masculine" chacteristics (prominent cheekbones, chin, more cut physique). This movement also brought about the YMCA, as motivation for men to attend.

Christianity, Islam and monotheism in general are incredibly useful political tools for imperialism and empire building. They indoctrinate one to accept top down authoritarianism and hierarchy, often unquestioningly, from childhood.

Portraying Jesus in a biblically accurate sense is counterproductive for empire building. Which is why Christians so unlike Christ. It's ever apparent proof that relgion is a tool of the state.

[–] captainlezbian@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago

If anything I'd say your example is less that religion is inherently a tool of the state, but more that if you gain enough influence without destroying it the state you oppose will teach your corpse to dance.