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Teach him what has been said in the past, then he will set a good example to the children.... Speak to him, for there is none born wise." Ptahhotpe, Maxims (24th century B.C.).
“What’s the Difference?” is our summer, 2004, Campus CrossWalk theme. Our objective is to help students find clarity of faith and thought amid the confusion created by the popular notion that all ideas, cultures and religions are essentially the same. The following quotes are offered to help clean your mental glasses and think more clearly.
DENYING DIFFERENCES:
"The fundamental tenants of virtually every religion are the same." President Bill Clinton, during his debate with Robert Dole (1996), replying to a question from a minister about returning our nation to strong godly principles.
“A single song is being inflected through all the colorations of the human choir.” Joseph Campbell, The Hero With A Thousand Faces.
"Finally, we urge you to consider that there is no 'better' or 'best' when comparing the art of different societies, or even the art of different times within the same society. Rather, differences in art reflect differences in points of view." Duane and Sarah Preble, in Art Forms (1994). A popular art textbook in colleges.
"Art is anything you can get away with.” Andy Warhol.
"The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are . . . The meaning of life is whatever you ascribe it to be." Diane K. Osbon. A Joseph Campbell Companion (1991).
"Reality is free of all notions . . . It is our duty to transcend words and concepts to be able to encounter reality. Thich Nhat Hanh, Living Buddha, Living Christ. 1995. Huh?
DISTINGUISHING DIFFERENCES:
“To know what is right and not to do it is the worst cowardice.” Confucius.
“Mahomet [Mohammad] established a religion by putting his enemies to death, Jesus Christ by commanding his followers to lay down their lives.” Blaise Pascal (17th century French philosopher), Pensées, (1670).
“One of the most striking differences between a cat and a lie is that a cat only has nine lives.” Mark Twain, Pudd'nhead Wilson's New Calendar, Following the Equator (1897)
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." Jim Elliot.
"The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it's indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it's indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, it's indifference." Elie Wiesel.
“The church may transform theology into politics and twist religious doctrine into a mere shadow of itself by sponsoring a new morality and novel rituals. But Christian truth refuses to be diminished to psychological reconstructions of itself. There always remains a final judgment with which to
contend." Carl F. H. Henry, "Lowering the Flag: Postmodernism and the Great Spiritual Crisis".
“Where all men think alike, no one thinks very much.” Walter Lippmann
"Some people think I'm simplistic, but there's a difference between being simplistic and being simple. My theory of the Cold War is that we win and they lose. What do you think about that?" Ronald Reagan in 1977, to Richard Allen, who later became Reagan's first national security adviser.
“It is not because the truth is too difficult to see that we make mistakes. It may even lie on the surface; but we make mistakes because the easiest and most comfortable course for us is to seek insight where it accords with our emotions— especially selfish ones.” Alexander Solzhenitsyn, Russian novelist. (b. 1918), Peace and Violence.
“There is a profound moral difference between the use of force for liberation and the use of force for conquest.” Ronald Reagan (1911 - 2004), Normandy, France, June 6, 1984.
"The difference between fiction and reality? Fiction has to make sense." Tom Clancy.
“Vive la difference!” French saying.
CLAIMING CLARITY:
“Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” Jesus, Matthew 5:37.
“Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about
my Father.” Jesus, John 16:25.
“Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air.” The Apostle Paul, 1 Corinthians 14:7-9.
“And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.” The Apostle Paul, Colossians 4:3-4.
"Truth is so obscured nowadays and lies so well established that unless we love the truth we shall never recognize it." Blaise Pascal (1623–62), French scientist, philosopher. Pensées, (1670).
“They say the world has become too complex for simple answers. They are wrong. There are no easy answers, but there are simple answers. We must have the courage to do what we know is morally right.” Ronald Reagan, October 27, 1964.
"Despite the politically correct emphasis on ambiguity, it turns out that Americans still relish final answers." Michael Medved (June 30, 2000), on the success of the show, "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?"
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