Is there a contradiction in the Beatitudes?

[bdbart]

My concern is between the Beatitudes that concern righteousness.

“Blessed are those…
…those who hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they will be filled. (Matthew 5:6)
…those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:10)”

I think it would be helpful to have an example. In society we have determined that drugs are not good for people, so we outlawed them. If you are caught with drugs you will go to jail.

Now drugs do not harm anyone but the person that is taking the drugs. However, the reasoning behind the law is that people with drugs are more likely to commit other crimes against people, neglect their responsibilities to their family and in general lower the standards of society.

So, persecuting possession of drugs is ‘righteous’ and as a society we should strive for this. However, we are persecuting people that may not have done any harm, except to themselves. And I think this is were the ‘persecuted for righteousness sake’ come in. We should forgive and try to help, rather than punish, those with drug problems.

Don’t these two beatitudes contradict each other?

 

[dmar198]

My concern is between the Beatitudes that concern righteousness.

“Blessed are those…
…those who hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they will be filled. (Matthew 5:6)
…those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:10)”

I think it would be helpful to have an example. In society we have determined that drugs are not good for people, so we outlawed them. If you are caught with drugs you will go to jail.

Now drugs do not harm anyone but the person that is taking the drugs. However, the reasoning behind the law is that people with drugs are more likely to commit other crimes against people, neglect their responsibilities to their family and in general lower the standards of society.

So, persecuting possession of drugs is ‘righteous’ and as a society we should strive for this. However, we are persecuting people that may not have done any harm, except to themselves. And I think this is were the ‘persecuted for righteousness sake’ come in. We should forgive and try to help, rather than punish, those with drug problems.

Don’t these two beatitudes contradict each other?

I don’t think it’s correct to say that drug users are persecuted, because persecuted has a religious connotation and they aren’t punished for religious reasons but social ones. There can be overlap between religious beliefs and social reasons, but I don’t think there is here.

, I do think that the best sentence for drug possession would be rehab rather than jail time. Alcoholics Anonymous is effective for alcohol abusers, perhaps Reformers Unanimous would be a good similar program for drug users.

 

[Slaney]

Now drugs do not harm anyone but the person that is taking the drugs.

I beg to differ, drugs ruin families, society and the person that takes them ,I know this first hand. My son tried most, he has finally got himself on track again thank God.

Anyway children are left without mothers and fathers, friends lose friends.

However, we are persecuting people that may not have done any harm, except to themselves.

As above, & the pushers & their runners are the ones I despise !

 

[bdbart]

Ok. I understand that there is a difference between religious persecution and legal persecution. But what about any contraction in striving for righteousness and persecuting for it

 

[bzkoss236]

Now drugs do not harm anyone but the person that is taking the drugs.

I would disagree with this. Drugs also hurt those who are close to the one taking the drugs. Say a father is doing drugs; his wife and children would also suffer and hurt.

If the person doing drugs fails to pay their bills, the companies will hurt (albeit maybe not a lot, but in a way it is hurting their business).

And there are probably other ways as well.

 

[Slaney]

Ok. I understand that there is a difference between religious persecution and legal persecution. But what about any contraction in striving for righteousness and persecuting for it

Don’t understand what your trying to say, suffice to say Jesus was talking about people that hunger for what is right.

And those that suffer through the hands of others that goodness (righteousness) prevail, their reward is the Kingdom of Heaven …

As for drug users, " The Body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit . " they are doing physical harm to their own bodies, and more importantly spiritual damage to their souls …

 

[Razanir]

“Persecuted for righteousness’ sake” is referring to being persecuted for being righteous, not to being persecuted because your persecutor is being righteous.

 

[dmar198]

Ok. I understand that there is a difference between religious persecution and legal persecution. But what about any contraction in striving for righteousness and persecuting for it

I don’t think it’s accurate to say that drug users are being persecuted, because drug use is not a religious practice. You might be thinking of “prosecute” – which is a legal term for putting someone on trial – but Jesus didn’t say not to do that. He just said not to put people on trial because of their religion.

 

[bdbart]

“Persecuted for righteousness’ sake” is referring to being persecuted for being righteous, not to being persecuted because your persecutor is being righteous.

Ok this is where I was confused

Thanks