Righteousness Comes From Many Perspectives
Most scriptures agree that love is an important manifestation of a man's spirituality or religiosity. The next virtue expected in a spiritual person is holiness. Holiness is nothing but righteousness. When righteousness prevails in a society, its effect is justice and peace. But the problem is that the concepts of righteousness, of right and wrong vary from person to person; they are coloured by his world view, environment and other factors. In fact, while everyone is lookingforjustice and righteousness, conflicts arise as to what constitutes righteousness. Imperfect as human nature is, man is more inclined to be self-righteous than righteous in a real sense. Man has an infinite capacity for self-justification. This is at the root of all problems, Olence and war. Our unrighteous cness prompts us to take advantage of others for our benefit. For righteousness to prevail, we need to overcome the hate, selfishness and greed that devastate our hearts. Henry Clay said, "Iwould rather be right than president," an expression that is quoted to manifest the spirit of righteousness that dwells in the human heart. Abraham Lincoln risked near dissolution of the American nation when he stood resolutely for abolition of slavery. "Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally," the great emancipator had commented. Such boldness in standing for what is right is a rarity among politicians these days. Of course leaders had always endeavoured to go with the crowds. The Pharisees were a highly religious, righteous group who lived in the time of Jesus. Addressing them, Jesus had declared: "For I tell you unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the Kingdom of Heaven." (Matthew 5:20) A World War II incident illustrates how the boldness of a righteous soldier saved the lives of more than 200 Jews. Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds served in the US army during World War II. He participated in the landing of the American forces in Europe and was taken prisoner by the Germans. Together with other American POWs, including Jews, he was taken to a camp near Ziegenhain, Germany. In line with their anti-Jewish tree policy, the Germans singled out Jewish POWs, and many of them onthe Eastern Front were sent to extermination camps or killed. One day in January 1945 the German authority asked all Jewish POWs incamp to report at a particular spot following morning. Master SergeaEdmonds, who was in charge of theprisoners, ordered all POWs-Jewsnon-Jews alike-to stand together.When the German officer in char that all the camp's inmates were stain front of their barracks, he turneEdmonds and said, "They cannot aJews."To this Edmonds (himself a Christian) replied: "We are all JewThe German took out his pistolthreatened Edmonds, but the MastSergeantretorted, "According to thGeneva Convention, we have to givonly our name, rank, and serial nuIf you shoot me,you will have to shall of us, and after the war you well-tried for war crimes." The Germarup, turned around, and left the scerAfter the war, Edmonds received mhonours for saving the lives of Jewhis righteous stand.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the Article above are MPK Kutty kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it.
Courtesy : MPK Kutty Speaking Tree ,Times of India
Righteousness Comes From Many Perspectives
Most scriptures agree that love is an important manifestation of a man's spirituality or religiosity. The next virtue expected in a spiritual person is holiness. Holiness is nothing but righteousness. When righteousness prevails in a society, its effect is justice and peace. But the problem is that the concepts of righteousness, of right and wrong vary from person to person; they are coloured by his world view, environment and other factors. In fact, while everyone is lookingforjustice and righteousness, conflicts arise as to what constitutes righteousness. Imperfect as human nature is, man is more inclined to be self-righteous than righteous in a real sense. Man has an infinite capacity for self-justification. This is at the root of all problems, Olence and war. Our unrighteous cness prompts us to take advantage of others for our benefit. For righteousness to prevail, we need to overcome the hate, selfishness and greed that devastate our hearts. Henry Clay said, "Iwould rather be right than president," an expression that is quoted to manifest the spirit of righteousness that dwells in the human heart. Abraham Lincoln risked near dissolution of the American nation when he stood resolutely for abolition of slavery. "Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally," the great emancipator had commented. Such boldness in standing for what is right is a rarity among politicians these days. Of course leaders had always endeavoured to go with the crowds. The Pharisees were a highly religious, righteous group who lived in the time of Jesus. Addressing them, Jesus had declared: "For I tell you unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the Kingdom of Heaven." (Matthew 5:20) A World War II incident illustrates how the boldness of a righteous soldier saved the lives of more than 200 Jews. Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds served in the US army during World War II. He participated in the landing of the American forces in Europe and was taken prisoner by the Germans. Together with other American POWs, including Jews, he was taken to a camp near Ziegenhain, Germany. In line with their anti-Jewish tree policy, the Germans singled out Jewish POWs, and many of them onthe Eastern Front were sent to extermination camps or killed. One day in January 1945 the German authority asked all Jewish POWs incamp to report at a particular spot following morning. Master SergeaEdmonds, who was in charge of theprisoners, ordered all POWs-Jewsnon-Jews alike-to stand together.When the German officer in char that all the camp's inmates were stain front of their barracks, he turneEdmonds and said, "They cannot aJews."To this Edmonds (himself a Christian) replied: "We are all JewThe German took out his pistolthreatened Edmonds, but the MastSergeantretorted, "According to thGeneva Convention, we have to givonly our name, rank, and serial nuIf you shoot me,you will have to shall of us, and after the war you well-tried for war crimes." The Germarup, turned around, and left the scerAfter the war, Edmonds received mhonours for saving the lives of Jewhis righteous stand.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the Article above are MPK Kutty kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it.
Courtesy : MPK Kutty Speaking Tree ,Times of India