Friday, December 02, 2011

Obama kissing China's prime minister

I'm pretty sure the pictures are doctored, but these were in Vienna advertising the United Colors of Benetton. ;-)  The second one is Merkel of Germany kissing French Sarkozy.




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6 comments:

Angie Van De Merwe said...

Yeah, if only 'love' could solve the problems of the world!!! But, love has to be mutual to be of any value at all! Otherwise, someone is 1.) abusing another because of "love", which is a lack of respect for another or 2.) abusing oneself for the sake of the other, which is a lack of self-respect.

5:17 PM
Ken Schenck said...

Did you take this to be urging them to love each other? I took it to be more derogatory... they kiss up to each other.

11:56 PM
Angie Van De Merwe said...

No, I was being sarcastic about "Christian" love being an answer. And real answers being something other than Christian love! Real answers are about practical problems and solutions...

Mutuality is not considered "Christian love" (Agape). But, mutuality IS the stuff of negotiation, trade, treaty in mutual benefit. And this is what we understand to be healthy relationship, mutual respect.

The colors of Bennetton used this as a marketing tool, but I don't know that it was effective..so yes, I agree with you about it being derogatory.

Differences sometimes cause divisions, and sometimes are irreconciable. These differences don't leave room for self respect AND relationship, because of basic differences in the priorities of life. Is this what Paul meant by allowing the unbelieving spouse to leave, as peace was of more value than the relationship? One cannot force relationship.

1:00 AM
Ken Schenck said...

I don't see the word Christian or love anywhere in the post.

5:42 AM
Angie Van De Merwe said...

I was simply answering the question you asked about whether I thought these pictures were about the 'ideal" of love. The thoughts running through my head....these pictures portrayed and the incongrency of realties to "Christian ideals".

"Reconcilliation", "atonement", "peace" etc. are all terms used to further "Christian interests" (as every person and institution has an interest.) But, as the ad illustrates, people either compromise their values/principles, or they decide how to mutually exist without disturbing the other or whether there will be consequences to those that disturb peace, i.e. international politics. Even within Christian communities and Christians, people differ and divide. This is the Protestant principle. Paul and Barnabas could not come to agreement over John Mark. Therefore, "Christian ideals" are not workable for all practical purposes....

10:08 AM
Angie Van De Merwe said...

nor are Utopian ideals of any kind.

10:54 AM

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