Good on you for opening the discussion about the various layers of "hype" around Christmas. It's almost a taboo subject, but is worthy of (indeed begging for) rational, yet kind discussion!
The ancient notion of needing a sacrificial death of some animal, presumably came out of the Israelites' mistaken conclusions about being taken off into slavery - they must have been very wicked for god to punish them in such a way...
They felt they needed to give up (sacrifice) something important to earn his love again. That idea was so entrenched after centuries, that the Super-Jewish Paul drew the conclusion that Jesus' death was about the same thing.
It's interesting to note this same self-blaming at work in a young child's brain - as a way of making sense of the parents' lack of love. Things are bad; I must have caused it; I must earn their love....
The individual's psychological process and the wider communal/cultural interpretation are both equally untrue, and equally unhelpful!
The idea of Jesus coming for the sole purpose of getting sacrificed to "save" our sinful souls, is absurd and not worth our attention. In fact, it's extremely damaging to the self esteem that underpins a healthy contribution to the greater good...
I'd rather focus on the intelligent, insightful challenges to growth that the man Jesus put to people, and also his practical acting out of love that inspired and changed people.
So that's what I do with the Christmas season now:
give to the charities that take action in difficult situations across the globe
check up on people I know, to see how they're going
communicate openly about the values/qualities I see in them
showing kindness to self and others
and it's just acting from the "I'm OK" stance (not asking for approval from god or other people)
And surprise, surprise, it builds authentic, reciprocal connections that make a difference to life.
Emailed by one of my dear longtime readers:
Dear Dr Deb.
Good on you for opening the discussion about the various layers of "hype" around Christmas. It's almost a taboo subject, but is worthy of (indeed begging for) rational, yet kind discussion!
The ancient notion of needing a sacrificial death of some animal, presumably came out of the Israelites' mistaken conclusions about being taken off into slavery - they must have been very wicked for god to punish them in such a way...
They felt they needed to give up (sacrifice) something important to earn his love again. That idea was so entrenched after centuries, that the Super-Jewish Paul drew the conclusion that Jesus' death was about the same thing.
It's interesting to note this same self-blaming at work in a young child's brain - as a way of making sense of the parents' lack of love. Things are bad; I must have caused it; I must earn their love....
The individual's psychological process and the wider communal/cultural interpretation are both equally untrue, and equally unhelpful!
The idea of Jesus coming for the sole purpose of getting sacrificed to "save" our sinful souls, is absurd and not worth our attention. In fact, it's extremely damaging to the self esteem that underpins a healthy contribution to the greater good...
I'd rather focus on the intelligent, insightful challenges to growth that the man Jesus put to people, and also his practical acting out of love that inspired and changed people.
So that's what I do with the Christmas season now:
give to the charities that take action in difficult situations across the globe
check up on people I know, to see how they're going
communicate openly about the values/qualities I see in them
showing kindness to self and others
and it's just acting from the "I'm OK" stance (not asking for approval from god or other people)
And surprise, surprise, it builds authentic, reciprocal connections that make a difference to life.
There's joy, peace and love in that...