Parables updated

[davywavy]

The parables of the New Testament are intended as metaphors to teach us how to live our lives; basically they're stories about how you should be nice to other people and in the main other people will be nice to you back so everyone's a winner. However, one thing that quickly becomes clear about the parables is that first-century Judea was not contemporary London.
Lets just say that loving thy neighbour is a great deal easier when your neighbour is a shepherd who lives five miles away and you see once a month than when your neighbour is a sink estate full of career criminals.
This really got me thinking. How do the Biblical parables transfer to modern life? What would they be like if Jesus had lived in Wandsworth rather than Nazareth?

The Good Samaritan

There was once a man from Samarita who was on the road to Jericho when, by the side of the road, he saw a miserable slumped figure. He was bruised and covered in contusions, his clothes ragged, his purse gone and he was covered in dust and grime. The Samitan was overcome with sympathy and kindness and stopped to ask the man what had happened to him.
"It was terrible", said the man. "I was set about by robbers, and they stole my donkey, my purse, my possessions, even the clothes on my back. I have lain here for hours and even a Levite and a Pharisee have crossed by on the other side and did not aid me."
The Samaritan was overcome with sympathy and helped the man to his feet. He took him to an inn and bought him food and paid for the finest medical attention. He bought him a new ass and new clothes, and went on his way.
Two weeks later the Samaritan was on the same road again when a familiar sight caught his eye; a miserable slumped figure. He was bruised and covered in contusions, his clothes ragged, his purse gone and he was covered in dust and grime. Propped in front of him was a piece of cardboard which read "Set about by robbers, please help".
"Mate! Mate!", said the man. "Can you help us out, like. I've been set about by robbers and a Levite and a Pharisee have passed by on the other side. Can you spare a few shekels to get me into a inn for the night?"
The Samaritan was aghast. "But, not two weeks ago, I bought you food, clothing, a new ass, everything!", he replied.
"Seriously, mate", said the man. "Can you help us out? I've got five shekels, I just need another two to get me into an inn for the night, an' maybe buy me a me pair of cider. Shoes. I mean shoes. Or can you spare a ciggie at all?"
"You don't even remember me, do you?", said the Samaritan.
"You what?"
"Get a job", said the Samaritan, and walked on.

And that's how charitable fatigue happens.

Comments

[flywingedmonkey.livejournal.com]

I once bought a crying girl a £24 train ticket as she "needed to get home". Admittedly I did it party to impress the lass I was on a date with but still.

Two weeks later... you can guess the next bit, right?

JmC
I should have just given money. Then it wouldn't have been TOTALLY wasted

[davywavy.livejournal.com]

My favourite begging story: http://davywavy.livejournal.com/249784.html

[(Anonymous)]

I recall, once again in Manchester, setting off up town with a pocket full of diamond white, to get the evening off to a flying start, as it were. Upon arriving at teh Banshee, we still had a load of the filthy crap left, so we gave it to a passing tramp, in exchange for his hearty blessing.

5 hours later, upon leaving, I was much heartened to see the self same tramp, lying in the gutter, covered in his own vomit, with the diamond white bottles strewn about him. I realised then the folly of random acts of kindness.

[(Anonymous)]

Diamond white might have a different connotation for our Colonial frends, i know not.
May be one of the keywords for GCHQ, if so I have never met you and have no idea who you are.
Not that interception powers are ever used for anything beyond terrorism, Heaven forefend.

[ddraiggwyrdd.livejournal.com]

Being a clever sort of person, why don't you invent a gismo along the lines of a Star Trek tricorder which could discriminate between genuine need and career beggers. There would surely be a market for such.
BTW Has your brother still got the Porn Star mustach? If so acts of kindness on his part might tend to be looked on with some suspicion.

[davywavy.livejournal.com]

Such a device has already been invented! It's called the "Big Issue Vendor's Badge".

His moustache was shaved off some years ago, alas.