Following the Teachings of Judas?
Here’s a portion of a post from a guy who, like me, is very conservative and very disenchanted with the current state of the Republican party. Whether you’re Christian or not, I think the point he’s making is fairly clear.
“Let’s review: The Jews were expecting a messiah to come and liberate them and establish His kingdom upon the earth. Upon His arrival there were only a few who perceived the kingdom He brought was spiritual rather than political. Among His inner circle the apostle Judas believed Jesus should use His power to throw off the Romans and establish a political kingdom. Judas didn’t “get it” and eventually conspired against his Master, thinking to force Him to use His power by betraying Him into the hands of His enemies. In so doing, much to his shock and awe, he facilitated the death of his Master. Judas abandoned the 30 pieces of silver and hung himself realizing he failed to control his Master, the Son of God, by terrorizing Him.
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Jesus demonstrated willingness to die rather than make selfish use of the power He possessed. He stands as a prime example to the world of what meekness really is. Having great power yet refraining from abusing it. Jesus demonstrated numerous times He possessed sufficient power to assemble all the elements of the earth to back Him in whatever conquest of glory He desired. But instead He left a few simple teachings to be taken to all the earth and offered Himself as a sacrifice! Perhaps only now in our need can we see how profound His example and His simple teachings were and how they can save our world so that we may enjoy life everlastingly on earth as humankind.
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How is it the Christian Right appears so adamant about the need for us to exert all our might and power in the world to kill and forcefully silence our enemies? How is it we can justify ourselves imposing “freedom” and “democracy” at the point of a gun? How is it the War on Terror has become such an important feature in our daily life? I submit there is a Judas afoot, who believes the answer is force and control with power and might. Just as Judas was willing to sacrifice his own Master to advance his agenda, based on his sincere yet deluded belief that it would answer the world’s problems, we have a repeat of history in the making unless we all, especially our Judas faction, wise up quickly.”
I’m not sure that the nation-building process we’re engaging in right now is really a conservative way to keep our country safe. That’s not to say we shouldn’t protect ourselves, but couldn’t our men and women serve us better at home? It’s one thing to go in with a mission to deal with or respond to a direct attack, as we seemed to be doing when we entered Afghanistan; it’s completely another when we get entrenched there for 10 years spending countless billions of dollars to buy them a form of government that their civilization simply isn’t ready for.
The author does make reference to the whole 9-11 conspiracy thing, but I don’t think his feelings on that matter invalidate the point, in this case. He goes on to say that Ron Paul gives him hope, which is something I’m definitely coming to agree with — there aren’t any other candidates I’m comfortable with, and I’ve already decided I won’t vote again unless I’m truly voting FOR someone rather than picking the lesser of two evils.
Anyway, it’s a very interesting read if you’re starting to feel a bit lost as a conservative these days.
