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To: Constitutionalist Conservative
The parable of the Good Samaritan is a perfect case in point. It is an allegory in one sense (in that it presents Christ's gospel message in the context of the limitations of the Old Law), but also presents a very realistic scenario that most people face on a daily basis in some form or another.

The one character in that parable who doesn't get much attention is probably the one whose role is most important in presenting the Christian view of charity -- the innkeeper. He is the one character who goes about his business without any positive or negative judgement rendered against him. He's simply earning a living. When the Good Samaritan comes across the injured traveler on the side of the road, he doesn't pick up a cell phone and call 911, or wave down another passing traveler, or bring him to the trauma unit at the Caesar Augustus Medical Center or the emergency room at the Beth Israel Hospital . . . he helps the injured traveler himself. He brings the injured man to the inn, and instead of dropping him off on the doorstep and using the force of law to order the innkeeper to absorb the cost of caring for the man, he pays the innkeeper himself.

Another important message can be found in the Samaritan's parting actions. He clearly has his own commitments and obligations, so it is not possible for him to put his entire life on hold and tend to the injured man. So he does the best he can by leaving the injured man at the inn, paying the innkeeper to care for him, and offering to pay any additional costs when he returns from whatever business he was conducting.

5 posted on 12/28/2005 1:00:09 PM PST by Alberta's Child (Said the night wind to the little lamb . . . "Do you see what I see?")
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To: Alberta's Child

Excellent response!


7 posted on 12/28/2005 1:31:53 PM PST by GW and Twins Pawpaw (Sheepdog for Five [My grandkids are way more important than any lefty's feelings!])
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To: Alberta's Child
In the Left's version of the Good Samaritan, the Samaritan, representing the Left, demands that the innkeeper put up the injured man at the innkeeper's own expense for an indefinite period of time. If the innkeeper refuses to do so, it's obviously because he hates the poor.
8 posted on 12/28/2005 1:39:02 PM PST by Constitutionalist Conservative (Have you visited http://c-pol.blogspot.com?)
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