Characteristics of Jesus and Social Dynamics

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Questions and Answers

What are the three main characteristics about Jesus that Thurman discusses in Chapter One?

Jesus was a Jew, a poor Jew, and a member of a minority group.

What is the question that the disinherited of every generation face regarding those in power?

Why does he differ from many others in the same setting?

How does Thurman explain the general plan of nonresistance?

It involves imitating the dominant culture or minimizing contact with the enemy.

How does Thurman explain the general plan of resistance?

Resistance can be overt action or mental and moral attitudes. Signup and view all the answers

What story does Thurman tell about his grandmother's experience with Christianity during her time in slavery?

His grandmother was born a slave and could not read, he read the Bible to her, and they faced the master's interpretation that justified slavery. Signup and view all the answers

How does Thurman compare the social position of Jesus to the social position of Negroes in America?

Both faced hostility from those in power, and Jesus' teachings provide hope and redemption for the oppressed. Signup and view all the answers

What types of fear does Thurman discuss in Chapter Two?

Fear of the unknown, fear of old age, fear of disease, and fear of life itself. Signup and view all the answers

How does Thurman use the snake analogy to explain fear?

The snake represents a fear that leads to certain behaviors for self-protection. Signup and view all the answers

How does Thurman illustrate a peculiar characteristic of segregation with Jim Crow travel?

White people had freedom while Black people were restricted in their movements. Signup and view all the answers

How are images of God and angels portrayed versus images of the devil or imps?

God is imaged as an elderly, benign white man, while angels are portrayed as blondes and brunettes. Signup and view all the answers

How does Thurman respond to the negative answers that socially disadvantaged people receive to 'Who am I?' and 'What am I?'

He encourages a redefinition of self-worth and identity beyond societal limitations. Signup and view all the answers

Who are some of the biblical people that Thurman mentions who used deception?

Children of Israel, Ezekiel, and Nebuchadnezzar. Signup and view all the answers

What are the four points made by Thurman regarding the anatomy of hatred?

Hatred begins in literature and fellow feeling, it develops with unhealthy contact, a lack of healing, and ultimately becomes ill will. Signup and view all the answers

How does Thurman illustrate the bitterness of hatred using Herman Melville's Moby Dick analogy?

He explains that revenge for past wrongs can consume the individual, much like Captain Ahab's pursuit of the whale. Signup and view all the answers

How does Jesus respond to the hatred of the disinherited according to Thurman?

Jesus teaches love and suggests that hatred is not a creative solution. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three groups of 'the enemy' according to Thurman in Chapter Five?

Thurman divides the enemies into three groups that make it difficult to live without shame. Signup and view all the answers

How does Thurman define 'working papers' and their significance to humanity?

Working papers represent the essence of what defines people and their experiences. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Jesus' Characteristics

Jesus was a Jew, emphasizing the importance of community and historical context in understanding him.
He lived as a poor Jew, which is highlighted by biblical references to his family's humble circumstances.
Jesus belonged to a minority group, subject to the dominance of a controlling majority, specifically the Roman Empire.

Question of Disinheritance

The oppressed face a recurring question about their difference from those in power: "Why does he differ from many others in the same setting?"
Disinherited individuals contemplate their survival in an environment filled with hostility and power dynamics.

Nonresistance Strategy

Nonresistance involves imitation and assimilation to dominant social behaviors, potentially leading to the loss of self-respect.
Another tactic is minimizing contact with oppressors, but both options can lead to self-denial and identity loss.

Resistance Strategy

Resistance can manifest as action or an internal attitude against oppression.
Even nonresistance is considered a form of resistance if it stems from a rejection of power dynamics.

Grandmother's Experience

Thurman's grandmother, a former slave, learned to read and was influenced by Bible readings, especially avoiding sections that justified slavery.
His accounts reflect the spiritual struggles of enslaved people and their rejection of oppressive interpretations of Christianity.

Christianity as a Path for the Disinherited

Jesus represents redemption for the oppressed, linking his experiences with those of disenfranchised populations across generations.
The teachings emphasize humility as a remedy for societal humiliation.

Types of Fear in Oppression

Discussions cover fears such as the unknown, old age, disease, and the pervasive fear stemming from the imbalance between the weak and strong.
People in power create an environment where the oppressed must conform to survive.

Fear and Psychological Protection

Fear is used as a protective mechanism to prevent total collapse under oppression.
Thurman uses a snake analogy to illustrate how fear shapes the behavior of the oppressed.

Segregation and Jim Crow

Segregation exemplified through Jim Crow laws, which dictate that oppressed groups are restricted in their movements and social interactions while the dominant group enjoys freedom.

Images of God and Moral Authority

God is depicted as a white, elderly man, reinforcing racial and social hierarchies within religious contexts.
Angels, portrayed as white and privileged, further emphasize a biased representation of divinity.

Identity and Self-Perception

The socially disadvantaged face negative societal responses to fundamental questions about self-identity.
Positive transformations in the perception of self are vital for overcoming disenfranchisement.

Deception as a Survival Technique

Biblical figures utilized deception to navigate oppressive circumstances, illustrating it as a tool for the weak.
The disinherited face harsh realities and limited choices, prompting strategic responses to their oppression.

Anatomy of Hatred

Hatred arises from primary human experiences and a lack of fellowship, evolving into profound animosity.
Contact without genuine connection fosters misunderstandings and negative feelings.

Creative Purpose of Hatred

While hatred emerges from bitterness, it can serve a creative purpose, though it detracts from moral integrity.
Jesus teaches that authentic love and ethical behavior should guide responses to hatred.

Identifying "The Enemy"

Thurman categorizes "the enemy" into three distinct groups, complicating the disinherited's existence.
Recognition of personal struggles as "working papers" reflects the individuality of each person's journey.

Jesus and Humanity's Working Papers

"Working papers" symbolize the unique circumstances shaping an individual's life and identity.
Jesus serves as a prototype of humanity, illustrating the potential for redemption and understanding in the shared human experience.

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Description

This quiz explores the societal context and characteristics of Jesus as a Jew, emphasizing his humble beginnings and the dynamics of oppression he faced. It delves into strategies of nonresistance and resistance practiced by disinherited individuals, analyzing the implications on identity and self-respect. Engage with questions that challenge your understanding of power dynamics and social behaviors.