Resist Not Evil Part 1: The Humanistic Philosophy of Jesus of Nazareth

Many readers will not like this post, and that’s OK. I don’t write it for the critic in the arena. I write it for me. I only share as a way to potentially help someone else process their own thoughts. It’s why I write.

This is not a religious post. This is a philosophical one meant to help me process how to think about the world that is in flames – literally and figuratively. As LA burns, there are demagogues looking to start their own fires, to watch the world burn, so they can take over the ashes. One of those demagogues is the incoming Dictator Wannabe in Chief, Donald Trump.

His name incites all the emotions. The one I struggle with the most is “hate.” I do not want to hate him, though I admit it’s hard for me not to. Hate goes against all that I’ve been taught since a young age.

I went to a Catholic grade school. Religious education was a part of the curriculum, and like most young kids, I took it at face value that Jesus was the Son of God. But more importantly, I took the messages I heard to heart. The stories of Jesus influenced me tremendously. I saw them as the greatest ideal for human aspiration. Unwavering kindness. Treating all people, regardless of their background, as human beings worthy of love. Righteous indignation. Calls for justice and virtue. Forgiveness for all transgressions.

In particular, these teachings influenced me so much that I feel I am the person I am today because of them:

• The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37): Compassion for all, regardless of differences: This parable teaches the importance of empathy and helping others, even those outside your immediate circle. It inspires action based on shared humanity, transcending societal divisions like class, race, or religion.

• The Woman Caught in Adultery (John 8:1-11): Withholding judgment and offering mercy: When Jesus says, “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone,” it highlights the value of self-reflection and humility. This story can inspire you to avoid harsh judgment and instead focus on understanding and forgiveness in interpersonal relationships.

• Turning the Other Cheek (Matthew 5:39): Breaking the cycle of retaliation: This teaching encourages nonviolence and de-escalation in conflicts. It’s a powerful reminder to respond to hostility with calmness and dignity, fostering peace instead of perpetuating harm.

• Feeding the Five Thousand (Matthew 14:13-21): Sharing resources to meet collective needs: This story symbolizes generosity and collective care. It teaches that when individuals pool their resources and talents, they can address even the most daunting challenges effectively.

• Healing the Sick and Befriending Outcasts (Various Stories): Embracing inclusivity and kindness: Jesus consistently cared for the marginalized, such as lepers, the poor, prostitutes, and tax collectors. This approach inspires a commitment to advocating for equity, embracing diversity, and lifting up the most vulnerable in society.

• Parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:1-7) Valuing every individual: This story emphasizes the importance of looking out for those who are lost, forgotten, or struggling. It inspires efforts to ensure no one is left behind, recognizing the unique worth of every person.

• “Do unto others” (Matthew 7:12): The Golden Rule: This simple but profound ethical principle encourages treating others with the respect and kindness you wish to receive, fostering empathy and mutual understanding.

These stories, when viewed through a philosophical and humanistic lens, offer timeless lessons on compassion, humility, and the pursuit of justice that can guide personal and professional decisions alike.

One of the most influential books I’ve ever read was Resist Not Evil by Clarance Darrow. It showed me that the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth can be philosophical, not only religious.

In the book, Clarence Darrow challenges the morality and efficacy of punishment as a response to wrongdoing, arguing that the justice system perpetuates violence rather than addressing the root causes of crime. He critiques the concept of retribution, suggesting that it fosters cruelty and vengeance instead of fostering understanding and reform. Darrow emphasizes compassion, tolerance, and a deeper understanding of human nature, advocating for social and systemic change to eliminate the conditions that breed crime. The book serves as a philosophical critique of punitive justice and a call for a more humane and restorative approach to addressing societal wrongs.

Throughout Resist Not Evil, Darrow draws significant inspiration from the teachings of Jesus, particularly those found in the Sermon on the Mount, such as the principles of non-resistance, forgiveness, and compassion. Darrow reflects on Jesus’s admonition to “resist not evil” (Matthew 5:39) and turns this into a critique of the human tendency to respond to harm with retribution. He highlights how Jesus’s teachings promote love, understanding, and mercy as antidotes to violence and injustice, offering a radical alternative to the punitive systems of the modern world. Darrow saw in Jesus’s message a profound moral challenge to the societal norms of vengeance and punishment, encouraging readers to adopt empathy and nonviolence as tools for true justice and societal progress. Through this lens, Darrow frames Jesus as a moral guide for a more equitable and humane society.

Darrow primarily discusses Jesus as a philosophical leader rather than a religious figure. He focuses on the ethical and moral teachings of Jesus and treats Jesus’s message as a profound philosophical framework for understanding and addressing societal issues.

By presenting Jesus in this way, Darrow sidesteps theological doctrines and instead highlights the universal relevance of his ideas, portraying him as a revolutionary thinker whose teachings challenge conventional attitudes toward power, authority, and retribution. This approach allows Darrow to engage with Jesus’s message from a secular and humanistic perspective, aligning it with his broader critique of punitive justice systems.

Today, I’m not so sure Jesus is the Son of God, or if there is a God. Honestly, even if I did believe this, I don’t think it’s the most important aspect of these teachings. The teachings themselves are the most important aspect and what have stuck with me all throughout my life.

What does it matter if someone believes Jesus is the Son of God or not if they treat people like garbage, or support people who do. The hypocrisy of all religions notwithstanding, our lives should be about how we behave, how we treat others, and what we do to the world around us; this is what matters most.

Unfortunately, not many, or even most of us, myself included, can forgive the very transgressors as they hang us on the cross. But, that’s the ideal we need to keep working towards, not hanging others on crosses. Imagine if we could, though. Imagine the world where most of us do. There will likely still be Donald Trumps in the world, but maybe he wouldn’t be handed power.

And that brings me back to the soon to be President. Trump is a pathetic human being. I am looking at his coming inauguration with anger, frustration, and regret. He’s unworthy of all he has, unworthy of all the power the American people gave him, and unworthy of almost everything else.

But he’s not unworthy of being pitied. Nor are his supporters, no matter how disgusting many of them are. 

Ultimately, we have to be better, not for them, but for ourselves.

To be continued….

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