Why did Jesus choose to refer to people who have differing opinions from his as

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   getitriteposted 9 years ago

   Why did Jesus choose to refer to people who have differing opinions from his as dogs and swine?
   
   Dogs and Swine? Really?
   Why does a person of such reverence as Jesus have to resort to such petty and divisive tactics as this? Just as in Psalms 14:1, why do divine sacred beings need to resort to such offensive and dishonest slander? And why is there a premium given to those who abdicate their minds in lieu of common sense and logic? Is this bullying? Are Christians who accept and follow this offensive language just flunkies, following a perceived powerful bully, who they dare not confront? This just seems like a vicious bully that gets his way through fear, intimidation, and coercion.   
   
   

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   Joseph O Polancoposted 9 years ago

   Because they were Anitchrist and, thus, supporters of Satan's continued chaotic rule of the world.

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      getitriteposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Do u know Satan, or did u get all your info from a bias God, who apparently vilifies his opponents? And why do u think its ok to bully other people just because they are supporters of someone who has a different view than your own? Guess I'm a dog

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      Joseph O Polancoposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      @Getitrite
      
      Are you a Satanist?

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      getitriteposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Of course I'm not a Satanist. What would give you that idea? I was just looking at both sides of this fairy tale, and dissecting the story from the perspective of equal rivals, slinging mud at each other. But we as readers, only get to hear one side.

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      Joseph O Polancoposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      @Getitrite
      
      If it's all just a "fairy-tale" what do you care?

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      getitriteposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Joseph, the problem is that u think its NOT a fairy tale. That's why I care. When u see me, and others, as being aligned with an evil entity that does not exist, its frightening what could proceed from that. Salem Witch Trails come to mind.

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   nrsparks130posted 9 years ago

   An undeerrstanding of literary criticism/genre is helpful here.  Jesus reference to the Gentile woman as a "dog" has nothing to do with her not agreeing with him.  Jesus is using a common type of rhetorical teaching, with the Gentile woman as interlocutor, to reach a greater truth.  In Jewish society, Gentiles were looked on as dogs and thus Jesus is, rhetorically, emphasizing the faith of the woman to whom he is speaking (he says he has seen no greater faith in all of Jerusalem) by challenging the racial prejudice of his time - exposing their absurdity. 
   
   Likewise, with swine, this occurs within a parable as metaphor,  The idea occurs within a section on passing judgement on others in Matthew 7. Don't give sacramental objects to dogs or precious pearls to pigs.  The point is, worry about yourself and not your neighbor - the idea of the plank and the speck - because judging others when you have your own stuff to work out will only cause the "dogs" to turn and the "pigs" to consume what is precious.
   
   Metaphor (parables) and rhetorical argument should not be mistaken for assent to labeling people as "lesser".  The Gospels consistently tell how Jesus reverses the social order by condemning those who exploit and use riches to gain power while uplifting the exploited and rejected of the world.
   
   As far as Psalm 14 goes, it is helpful again to understand how literature works.  The voice is not that of God, but of the Psalmist and the point is made to the nation of Israel (don't forget who it was actually written to!): It seems that God has abandoned us, that those who oppose us are closing in and will wipe us out, but remember who God is and what he has done for us - only a fool would doubt him because God has proven faithful to those who follow him.  It is again rhetoric, particularly ancient rhetoric from a time when everyone believed in God it was just a matter of which God. The text is meant to be referential to doubting Yahweh himself and not a slander towards atheism as there was no such thing in that time.

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      glynch1posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Did not Jesus say that after you have removed the log from your own eye, you will see clearly enough to remove the speck from the eye of your neighbor?

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      nrsparks130posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      First all of these things - plank,speck,dog,swine occur together in Matt 7.  They are a package deal.  Secondly, the section is introduced by saying "Don't judge unless you want that standard used against you".  The point is personal responsibility.

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      glynch1posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Yes. I agree it is personal responsibility. But Jesus did not mean that we should never judge another; we must make moral distinctions when people treat the gospel as cheap. He meant that a follower of Christ should not be given to harsh criticism.

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      nrsparks130posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      The Christ follower should practice humility, considering others before/above self.  Judgment is not discerning good/evil, but condemning, it is a negative action.  Christ did not come to condemn (read John 3), thus we ought not either.

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      glynch1posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Elsewhere, Jesus said that we should judge with righteous judgment (John 7:24). I agree that we should not have a condemnatory attitude when rendering judgment. Paul wrote that he had "already judged" a certain man (1 Cor. 5:3).

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      nrsparks130posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      In John, Jesus is saying if the Pharisees can't even discern demons/God's work they should reevaluate their paradigm.  Paul is decrying incest, if the man is unrepentant, then walk away and leave him to God, that he might be saved.  CONTEXT

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      glynch1posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Regardless of who He is talking to, the principle remains: judge with righteous judgment.
      You have passed over the fact that Paul has already judged him. He told the Corinthians to discipline this man by committing him to Satan's domain.

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      nrsparks130posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Practice right judgment, don't assume you have it all together.  Humility not hubris.  Paul qualifies "commit to Satan" with "that he might be saved".  Paul says don't coddle him, enabling only makes the situation worse.  Anyway, I'm out, things todo

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   Stargrrlposted 9 years ago

   He is not calling them dogs and swine for disagreeing with Him, He is calling them that because they are in league with Satan.  Jesus's word is law and is absolute.  He is alpha and omega.  Anyone who disagrees with Him is in league with Satan, period.

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      getitriteposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      So just because someone is in league with Satan that makes it ok to verbally abuse them, and think of them as sub-human, huh?!  And u have never even met anyone called Satan. U hate a character in a book. Do u see how dangerous your beliefs are?

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      Stargrrlposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, and Satan is the ultimate evil, the accuser.  Do you know how dangerous your thinking is?

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      getitriteposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      This is why there is no love, but only conflict in religion. Your God is  the one who created this conflict, then turn around and says that this conflict is because of some Satan. God is so GOOD..that he decided to create conflict. This is  Madness!

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   Kathleen Hilerposted 9 years ago

   The other answers in here are to be viewed as in keeping with scripture. But I immediately went to the premise that the Lord Jesus Christ is the benevolent, Holy, Righteous, Perfect, Pure, Loving God who is the creator of all good. ANY thinking that does not line up with His is as ..dirty rags, dogs, swine, slop, Satan, flesh, and is the opposite of Life and His purposes for that life to be filled with happiness and joy !

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