Modern Levites

        Many modern people, especially Christians, hear the word parable, and believe that they were  invented by Jesus and  used specifically to illustrate religious concepts.  Although this hubris is frequently typical of the arrogance which sometimes accompanies the messianic zeal of the true believer, parables  were not original with Jesus, or his era.

        The word parable actually comes from the Greek,   meaning "comparison, illustration, analogy."  It was the name given by Greek rhetoricians to an illustration in the form of a brief fictional narrative. The object of both parable and allegory  is to enlighten the hearer by submitting to him a case in which he has apparently no direct concern, and upon which therefore a disinterested judgment may be elicited from him.  A  parable is more condensed than the allegory, generally  resting  upon a single principle and a single moral, and it is intended that the reader or listener would (or should)  conclude that the moral applies equally well to his own concerns. Aesop used somewhat extended allegorical parables probably 550 years before the supposed birth of Christ.  In fact, the parables of Jesus also, at times,  incorporate the Socratic method as an enhancement.

        Interestingly enough, the parables most seen in art and most used as "good examples" have little to do with God, per se, and much to say about interpersonal relations and moral concepts related to them. Perhaps  the most well known and most frequently  depicted of  the parables of Jesus is the story of the  Good Samaritan, which has  little to do with religion and lots to do with  how we are to treat people. Interestingly enough, the "hook" of the story is essentially the golden rule, or the ethic of reciprocity.  Again, like the use of parables, this concept pre-dates even the Old Testament in writing, appearing  as far back as the Egyptian middle kingdom, even before Abraham had his alleged tȇte-a ̀- tȇte with God.  The concept of reciprocity is central  to essentially every major world religion for the past 4,000 years.  

        The essence of the story is that a man in need was ignored by first a priest, and then a Levite, but a Samarian, traditionally hostile to Jews, came to his assistance.  Now most of us know this story well, since it is frequently cited as a divine model for appropriate behavior  for the observant Christian.

        Leap ahead to the modern and consider the response of many, far too many,  self- proclaimed  Christians  to the plight of Syrian refugees. If you profess to be a true Christian and you buy into the pure unadulterated bullshit being hyped by most GOP  presidential wannabees, as well as numerous Republican governors, then you need to shift colors, because you my friend are the priest and the Levite. Of course many secular humanists  who have only their rational minds to apply to this crisis feel differently.  In actuality, they are the Samaritans to a great extent. Makes one wonder, doesn't it?