About the story of the Good Samaritan

[Stan]

 

I’ve read that story many times and often wondered what I would have done in that situation. Does anyone else feel the same way?

What if the victim actually deserved what happened to him? What if I knew about his past actions?

Then I remember that I didn’t deserve the grace I’ve received from God either.

 

This is an ongoing battle I have with myself. What if they did not deserve it? What if I do not?

 

A refresher 

 In reply, Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.  A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.  So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he travelled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.  He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.  The next day he took out two denarii^[c] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

 

 

[Stan]

 

 

With my dating site. www.adventistdating.com) I find that there are identifiable groups from some countries with whom I have had bad experiences and do not trust.    I have to consider them on an individual basis. I admit I have failed at times,

I remember an EGW quote, "If you have to err, err on the side of compassion," or something very similar.

[Hanseng]

"With my dating site. www.adventistdating.com) I find that there are identifiable groups from some countries with whom I have had bad experiences and do not trust.    I have to consider them on an individual basis. I admit I have failed at times,"

Even though your views of a certain group have been shaped, not by their race or national origin but by their behavior, you will still be dragged as a "racist." Notice that I did not mention culture. Thieving, lying, deception, violence are integral elements of certain cultures. There are cultures where it is more natural for people to lie than it is for them to tell the truth..If you are wary of them due to their dishonesty, you will be dragged as a "racist."

The NT advocates the ban, i,e, shunning certain people, banning them from fellowship. It's a good practice, unless you like getting burned, one way or another. 

[Hanseng]

Dumbest statement from a politician: "We must build a relationship with [them] based on mutual trust." Some people/nations/ groups cannot be trusted. They should not be trusted. Their business model is to gain the trust of others so they can cheat/ take advantage of them.  Playing nice is interpreted as either weakness or stupidity, something to be exploited. Their business practices are predatory. Win-Win is not in their playbook. The more they can hurt or even destroy you in the deal, the happier they are. Behind your back, you will become an object of sport for allowing yourself to be played. Sometimes, if they realize you can not be cheated, they will not do business with you. Their racist hatred transcends even their love of money, which is considerable.

I have heard that the Orthodox Jews in the diamond business  affirm their transactions with a handshake. Not sure how true that is but the maxim "His word is as good as gold"[or, in this case, diamonds] comes to mind. It may work with Orthodox diamond merchants.  It won't work with other groups or certain nations. 

Trump . from his real estate business experience , probably, like few others, understands this. That's one reason he is hated by those who don't understand.

[Stan]

One of the countries I have had bad experiences with is the same race as me. Am I still a racist?

[phkrause]

5 hours ago, Stan said:

One of the countries I have had bad experiences with is the same race as me. Am I still a racist?

Exactly!! This is racism:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?

It is anyone that thinks others are inferior to them because of the color of there skin, sex, country of origin, nationality, they have a medical condition, etc., etc.!!!!! And probably somethings that I left out. God created everyone of us in his image, period!!!!!

[Hanseng]

9 hours ago, Stan said:

One of the countries I have had bad experiences with is the same race as me. Am I still a racist?

It's not about the race. It's about the culture. People of the same race who grow up in different cultures develop different characters. I could easily go into specifics and cite examples to illustrate my point; however, then I would be dragged as a "racist." And this is not about a single race. People of different races who grow up in different environments are exposed to different cultures; consequently, they may be noticeably different from other members of their own race.

Members of the same ethnicity, in the same country, who have  different religious beliefs can be quite different from one another. The culture of their home and community sets them apart from the predominant group.

[Stan]

You sound like a socio-anthropologist.  correct?  close?

[Hanseng]

13 hours ago, Stan said:

You sound like a socio-anthropologist.  correct?  close?

No, I'm a racist😇

[phkrause]

Here's a interesting article

Debate over the Blue Square Super Bowl ad is fading. The racist responses from my fellow Jews will be felt longer.

Days after the Super Bowl, I am still reeling from how a moment designed to confront antisemitism — a 30-second ad from Robert Kraft’s Blue Square Alliance — shined a light on the hate within some corners of our own community.

https://www.jta.org/2026/02/13/ideas/debate-over-the-blue-square-super-bowl-ad-is-fading-the-racist-responses-from-my-fellow-jews-will-be-felt-longer?

ps:There's a series of video's made about racism by Clifford Goldstein and a very close friend of his. I believe it was a 3 or 4 part series. I have not been able to find it, but will continue to look, when I find them I'll post them!!