One has to consider the context.
Here is a fun quote
“I will say then that I am not, nor ever have been in favor of bringing about in anyway the social and political equality of the white and black races – that I am not nor ever have been in favor of making voters or jurors of negroes, nor of qualifying them to hold office, nor to intermarry with white people; and I will say in addition to this that there is a physical difference between the white and black races which I believe will forever forbid the two races living together on terms of social and political equality. And inasmuch as they cannot so live, while they do remain together there must be the position of superior and inferior, and I as much as any other man am in favor of having the superior position assigned to the white race. I say upon this occasion I do not perceive that because the white man is to have the superior position the negro should be denied everything.”
By today's standard, these are the words of an unapologetic racist. These words were spoken by Abraham Lincoln, who is widely regarded as a champion of racial equality, who "freed the slave" no less. So was he a racist?
It depends on the context. By today's morality, things like forbidding women from speaking in church is hugely immoral. However at the time the mere fact that this was even an issue was amazingly progressive! Women in Judaism were not, I believe, even aloud to learn in the temple, much less teach. So was Paul a feminist or a chauvinist? Depends which direction you look from.
I would say that, for his time, Jesus was radically advanced and a great moralist. The fact that by the standards of morality of today, some of his teachings have been surpassed is not so remarkable as the fact that others have not.
Here is a fun quote
“I will say then that I am not, nor ever have been in favor of bringing about in anyway the social and political equality of the white and black races – that I am not nor ever have been in favor of making voters or jurors of negroes, nor of qualifying them to hold office, nor to intermarry with white people; and I will say in addition to this that there is a physical difference between the white and black races which I believe will forever forbid the two races living together on terms of social and political equality. And inasmuch as they cannot so live, while they do remain together there must be the position of superior and inferior, and I as much as any other man am in favor of having the superior position assigned to the white race. I say upon this occasion I do not perceive that because the white man is to have the superior position the negro should be denied everything.”
By today's standard, these are the words of an unapologetic racist. These words were spoken by Abraham Lincoln, who is widely regarded as a champion of racial equality, who "freed the slave" no less. So was he a racist?
It depends on the context. By today's morality, things like forbidding women from speaking in church is hugely immoral. However at the time the mere fact that this was even an issue was amazingly progressive! Women in Judaism were not, I believe, even aloud to learn in the temple, much less teach. So was Paul a feminist or a chauvinist? Depends which direction you look from.
I would say that, for his time, Jesus was radically advanced and a great moralist. The fact that by the standards of morality of today, some of his teachings have been surpassed is not so remarkable as the fact that others have not.
"Peace is a lie, there is only passion.
Through passion, I gain strength.
Through strength, I gain power.
Through power, I gain victory.
Through victory, my chains are broken."
Sith code
Through passion, I gain strength.
Through strength, I gain power.
Through power, I gain victory.
Through victory, my chains are broken."
Sith code
