Warped evil parables

[idea]

5] A (careless) sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.
[6] And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. (and because the thoughtless sower never cared for it)
[7] And some were laughingly placed among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.
[8] And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold


Post an immoral, warped, evil parable/scripture that always made you cringe. The above, to me, is an example of victim-blaming, abandonment, unjust heirarchies. Some born to war and poverty, others born to privilege. If you don't produce fruit, it's somehow your own fault - not your environment. The privileged are not proven - no real trials - and judge those born to worse circumstances as having a heart of rocks.

 

[beenherebeforeagain]

Hmmm. Okay, I'll play.

One of my favorites in this category is the Important Person and His Dinner Party, where Master has all those whom he invited but who didn't come slaughtered, and then has his goons draft whoever they find on the street to fill the seats for the banquet...and then has one of those guests bound and tossed into the outer darkness because he had the temerity to show up not wearing proper attire...

A fun and just Master, he was...

 

[idea]

Sower - some seeds are able to grow in rocky soil - trees growing through rocks etc. It is a test of the seed, not a test of the soil.

Wheat and tares - cannot uproot the tares as it kills the wheat? In nature, diversity balances the soil, balances insects - different insects for different plants create balanced insects populations etc. The diverse rainforest is green and healthy - burned down to grow wheat ends in bare desert wasteland. Biodiversity is necessary. The tares are as valuable as the wheat. Plants, and people, should not be separated or segregated - they do better growing together.

Wheat? Tares? Instead, may every soul, in every place, be cherished, loved, and feel they belong. May we celebrate the diverse strengths within all. None perfect. None evil. A mix of all of it in all of us. We need one another. All of us, together.

 

[danieldemol]

I offer the parable of the woman who gave her last 2 cents to the temple entering heaven ahead of the rich.

God should know better than to encourage people to cruelly starve themselves to death for a spot in heaven - talk about sadistic in my view.

 

[Rival]

I offer the parable of the woman who gave her last 2 cents to the temple entering heaven ahead of the rich.

God should know better than to encourage people to cruelly starve themselves to death for a spot in heaven - talk about sadistic in my view.

This actually isn't the meaning of the vignette. The problem is a chapter break was inserted where the original writer put none, and this passage actually relates to the unrighteous behaviour of the Jewish Authorities etc. That she was being forced to give her money is the problem, the virtue is her honesty in giving her money in a way the Authorities aren't. She's being swindled and it's unfair, but she is demonstrating better ethics than the people taking the money.

'Right after Jesus observes the widow, he foretells the Temple’s destruction (Luke 21, verse 5 and onward). This is hardly a natural followup to praising the charitable recipient of a heartfelt gift—to prophesy its doom!

But even more telling, just before this account, in Luke 20: 45–47, Jesus specifically warns against legalistic, authoritarian scribes. Jesus says that, among their other sins, they “devour widows’ houses” (verse 47). After such a warning, it would make no sense for Jesus to suddenly switch themes. Why would Jesus turn around to comment about this good widow who gave all she owns to support this (suddenly good?) religious cause?'

The 'Widow's Mite': It Might Not Mean What You Think it Means

E. Stephen Burnett publishes Lorehaven.com. His first sci-fi novel, Above the Circle of Earth, launches March 2025.

estephenburnett.lorehaven.com

 

[danieldemol]

This actually isn't the meaning of the vignette. The problem is a chapter break was inserted where the original writer put none, and this passage actually relates to the unrighteous behaviour of the Jewish Authorities etc. That she was being forced to give her money is the problem, the virtue is her honesty in giving her money in a way the Authorities aren't. She's being swindled and it's unfair, but she is demonstrating better ethics than the people taking the money.

'Right after Jesus observes the widow, he foretells the Temple’s destruction (Luke 21, verse 5 and onward). This is hardly a natural followup to praising the charitable recipient of a heartfelt gift—to prophesy its doom!

But even more telling, just before this account, in Luke 20: 45–47, Jesus specifically warns against legalistic, authoritarian scribes. Jesus says that, among their other sins, they “devour widows’ houses” (verse 47). After such a warning, it would make no sense for Jesus to suddenly switch themes. Why would Jesus turn around to comment about this good widow who gave all she owns to support this (suddenly good?) religious cause?'

The 'Widow's Mite': It Might Not Mean What You Think it Means

E. Stephen Burnett publishes Lorehaven.com. His first sci-fi novel, Above the Circle of Earth, launches March 2025.

estephenburnett.lorehaven.com

Because human beings sometimes contradict themselves in my view

 

[danieldemol]

Also she would be demonstrating even better ethics if she simply refused to give her last 2 cents @Rival

 

[1213]

5] A (careless) sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.
[6] And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. (and because the thoughtless sower never cared for it)
[7] And some were laughingly placed among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.
[8] And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold

Post an immoral, warped, evil parable/scripture that always made you cringe. The above, to me, is an example of victim-blaming, abandonment, unjust heirarchies. Some born to war and poverty, others born to privilege. If you don't produce fruit, it's somehow your own fault - not your environment. The privileged are not proven - no real trials - and judge those born to worse circumstances as having a heart of rocks.

In that parable, the field is your mind. If your mind is bad, it destroys any good idea that comes to it. If you have a good mind, it gladly receives good message and uses it for good. It depends on totally what kind of person you are and it is by what you want. No way to blame anyone else for what you want.

 

[PureX]

The point of many of these biblical parables is to consternate the reader, not "teach" him something. So when we draw some conclusion or other, it's OUR conclusion, not the parable's. And that should cause us further consternation.

 

[danieldemol]

The point of many of these biblical parables is to consternate the reader, not "teach" him something. So when we draw some conclusion or other, it's OUR conclusion, not the parable's. And that should cause us further consternation.

Definition of consternate;
consternate
/ˈkɒnstəneɪt/
verb
fill (someone) with anxiety.
"the letter consternated me and flung me into a depression"

Source: define consternate - Google Search

If the purpose of the parables is to fill people with anxiety without teaching us anything then your God is cruel in my view.

 

[Rival]

Also she would be demonstrating even better ethics if she simply refused to give her last 2 cents @Rival

That would have been illegal.

 

[danieldemol]

That would have been illegal.

The most ethical choice isn't always the legal choice in my view.

 

[danieldemol]

That would have been illegal.

Also why would it be illegal?

 

[Brickjectivity]

The 3 Little Pigs is an evil parable about how its good to have things and view outsiders as wolves.

Rock-a-bye Baby is an evil parable in song form about babies falling to their deaths if they fall asleep, but its really about people who suffocate their children.

"Why did the chicken cross the road" is an evil parable about poor chickens that have been bred to be stupid, but its really about stupid people.

 

[PureX]

Definition of consternate;
consternate
/ˈkɒnstəneɪt/
verb
fill (someone) with anxiety.
"the letter consternated me and flung me into a depression"

Source: define consternate - Google Search

If the purpose of the parables is to fill people with anxiety without teaching us anything then your God is cruel in my view.

Only to those who want to be told what to think and do. The people that originally used those biblical texts used them to inspire awe, and an awareness of the inexplicable wisdom and power of their God. They weren't looking to be told what to think. Or to find the answers. They were seeking to be humbled to the depths of their soul.

It's why so many of those biblical stories are about how all-powerful God is, and how no human can manipulate God with his intelligence, or even with his righteousness. God's ways are sovereign and inexplicable. And when men read of them, and consider, they should become anxious and trepidatious.

Keep in mind that these were people that believed it to be great hubris to even give God a name.

 

[danieldemol]

Only to those who want to be told what to think and do. The people that originally used those biblical texts used them to inspire awe, and an awareness of the inexplicable wisdom and power of their God...

Actually it was traditionally used to inspire people to make generous contributions in my view;

'The traditional interpretation of this story tends to view it as contrasting the conduct of the scribes with that of the widow, and encouraging generous giving; often read with 2 Corinthians 9:7, "... for God loves a cheerful giver."'
Source: Lesson of the widow's mite - Wikipedia.

Keep in mind that these were people that believed it to be great hubris to even give God a name.

Hogwash, they gave God the name YHWH in my view.

 

[Rival]

Also why would it be illegal?

It was essentially a tax. It was meant to be voluntary for her but social pressure was exerted by the authorities on poor people to put in more than they really could. Widows were meant to be exempt. The woman likely felt coerced.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

Post an immoral, warped, evil parable/scripture that always made you cringe.

How sweet -- yet another cringe-worthy attention-trolling bible-bashing thread. Happy Monday everyone!

 

[PureX]

Actually it was traditionally used to inspire people to make generous contributions in my view;

'The traditional interpretation of this story tends to view it as contrasting the conduct of the scribes with that of the widow, and encouraging generous giving; often read with 2 Corinthians 9:7, "... for God loves a cheerful giver."'
Source: Lesson of the widow's mite - Wikipedia.

Modern Christians look to be told what to think and how to behave. Centuries of authoritarian religions rule has made them very compliance oriented. But the ancient Jews had no need of such authoritarianism, as their behavior was dictated to them by the necessity of survival. Wiki is not going to recognize or reflect that. Neither will Christian Bible commentary.

Hogwash, they gave God the name YHWH in my view.

YHWY means "that which cannot be named".

 

[idea]

Also she would be demonstrating even better ethics if she simply refused to give her last 2 cents @Rival

Yes. There's the choice of who to donate to.

There are also those who seek attention in unhealthy ways, make themselves a marter, victimize themselves etc.