RE: The stupidity of sin
October 2, 2016 at 3:05 pm
(This post was last modified: October 2, 2016 at 3:06 pm by Kernel Sohcahtoa.)
@Rob Value
I actually went to a Christian university for a graduate program in conflict resolution and reconciliation. Now, the main understanding that I gained throughout my studies was that Christianity is based in peace, acceptance, and mutual understanding. In particular, I-Thou and I-It relationships, conceptions of Martin Buber, were highly emphasized and linked to the peacemaking concepts in our courses. In a nutshell, in I-Thou relationships, people embrace tolerance, mutual respect, acceptance, and understanding and regard one another as unique ends in themselves, and from a religious perspective, this is because everyone is interconnected to a greater reality of love (God); therefore, establishing I-Thou relationships is a way to put this love or God's love into practice. On the other hand, in I-It relationships, people treat others as objects to serve their own ends. Regarding Christianity, I-It relations can cause its practitioners to impose their personal truth and normalcy onto their faith and onto others, which can result in fear, dehumanization, hostility, and disconnection; thus, contradicting the principles of peace, love, humanness, and connection espoused by Christianity.
Now, I have mentioned these ideas for the following reason: would you say that the concept of sin is a product of I-IT relations? Do you think Christianity would be more effective if its practitioners behaved in an I-Thou manner? Thanks for your time and attention, sir.
References
Buber, Martin. I and Thou. Simon & Schuster: New York, 1970.
I actually went to a Christian university for a graduate program in conflict resolution and reconciliation. Now, the main understanding that I gained throughout my studies was that Christianity is based in peace, acceptance, and mutual understanding. In particular, I-Thou and I-It relationships, conceptions of Martin Buber, were highly emphasized and linked to the peacemaking concepts in our courses. In a nutshell, in I-Thou relationships, people embrace tolerance, mutual respect, acceptance, and understanding and regard one another as unique ends in themselves, and from a religious perspective, this is because everyone is interconnected to a greater reality of love (God); therefore, establishing I-Thou relationships is a way to put this love or God's love into practice. On the other hand, in I-It relationships, people treat others as objects to serve their own ends. Regarding Christianity, I-It relations can cause its practitioners to impose their personal truth and normalcy onto their faith and onto others, which can result in fear, dehumanization, hostility, and disconnection; thus, contradicting the principles of peace, love, humanness, and connection espoused by Christianity.
Now, I have mentioned these ideas for the following reason: would you say that the concept of sin is a product of I-IT relations? Do you think Christianity would be more effective if its practitioners behaved in an I-Thou manner? Thanks for your time and attention, sir.
References
Buber, Martin. I and Thou. Simon & Schuster: New York, 1970.
