OccupyWallSt– WWJD?

Tens of thousands of humans (if not hundreds of thousands by the time you’ve read this) have recently taken a stand that–perhaps inadvertently–highlights that they have awakened to several simple, Biblical concepts. So, what would Jesus do? He’d probably go to Wall Street and get thumped around by the NYPD, too…

The humans in the 99% do not speak in the name of any single religion, and yet their simple demand to end the sovereignty of the government-corporate-iarchy has easily observable solidarity with Biblical principles.

For example, the Golden Rule. You remember The Golden Rule, right? Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Also stated, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Honestly, it’s repeated in religions across the globe– which, just as a the dog that I am, I have taken as an indication of something deeper than “religion.” It’s a spiritual concept. Most humans would refer to it as karma, and although corporations are “persons,” they have mocked karma. Corporations systematically violate humans’ rights. That’s being protested.

Another principle is that the love of money is the root of evil. (Or “all” evil, depending on which Bible is being thumped! 😉 Loving other humans (see above) is the only option. That’s a common enough phrase that many humans recognize it– and right now there’s a group of them occupying Wall Street who are pointing it out. Do you support them? These folks also recognize that the borrower is servant to the lender… and no hubris has prevented them from seeing that they need liberation from this slavery. The lenders, however, don’t seem to want to talk. That’s being protested.

One more principle is the acknowledgement of stewardship over the environment. This is perhaps the most profound principle, as it goes back to the very substance of humanity. So the story goes, God created the first humans from the dust of the earth, and he put them in a garden and gave them the charge to “take care of it.”  One of the primary purposes of humans is to take care of the environment. You cannot successfully love other humans (see above) if you do not love the very stuff they’re made from. Today, however, corporations systematically commit ecocide because they are obligated to deliver profits to their shareholders. That’s being protested.

There are a lot of other reasons for protesting. Some of them you might not agree with. Some of the humans occupying Wall Street might offend you. They might swear. They might be sinners. You might even think they smell bad. Who knows?! No doubt, some probably have some ideas that don’t agree with some of yours. Some people might even be protesting “church” itself, for various reasons.

Thank God there are no Biblical role models or reasons for hanging out with imperfect people 😉