Lamar Odom Fighting for his Life

[Bronco70]

I'm not much of a fan of Odom in any regard, but it is still a tragedy for this to happen. The notion that somehow he's an awful enough person that he deserves not only a coma and brain damage, but also the derision of people that don't really even know him is pathetic.

Some of us are pretty fickle with our compassion.

 

[RobDMB]

I'm not much of a fan of Odom in any regard, but it is still a tragedy for this to happen. The notion that somehow he's an awful enough person that he deserves not only a coma and brain damage, but also the derision of people that don't really even know him is pathetic.

Some of us are pretty fickle with our compassion.

I get what you're saying, I think. We aren't qualified to judge him. Is that the gist?

I disagree with the idea that we can be separated totally from our choices. If you make a specific choice many times (example: repeated drug use) you reap the consequences of those decisions and likely become either a habitual user or an addict. I believe in the idea that we reap what we sow. I personally don't find satisfaction in bad things happening to people, but people generally get what they deserve (example: cheat on your girlfriend, she dumps you). In my view it is the natural 'action brings consequence' relationship. It seems like pop culture would have us all believe that we can choose all the consequences to each of our decisions and that anything less calls for litigation of some party. I think that's a bunch of bologna.

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[Bronco70]

I get what you're saying, I think. We aren't qualified to judge him. Is that the gist?

I disagree with the idea that we can be separated totally from our choices. If you make a specific choice many times (example: repeated drug use) you reap the consequences of those decisions and likely become either a habitual user or an addict. I believe in the idea that we reap what we sow. I personally don't find satisfaction in bad things happening to people, but people generally get what they deserve (example: cheat on your girlfriend, she dumps you). In my view it is the natural 'action brings consequence' relationship. It seems like pop culture would have us all believe that we can choose all the consequences to each of our decisions and that anything less calls for litigation of some party. I think that's a bunch of bologna.

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That's not really what I was getting at...

For the most part, I agree with your post. I'm not suggesting Odom is an innocent victim. Obviously, his circumstance is a consequence of his actions. If he's at home reading the Bible, rather than drugging up at a brothel, he's probably still walking around today.

My disappointment is the reaction of some people. I don't think you have to be distraught for Odom, but I think piling on a guy who has already suffered such a mighty consequence speaks to the lack of compassion we have as people anymore.

Whether or not we're qualified to judge is irrelevant. We pass judgement constantly. It doesn't really matter. I just think being self righteous about it is excessive. That's all.

 

[RobDMB]

That's not really what I was getting at...

For the most part, I agree with your post. I'm not suggesting Odom is an innocent victim. Obviously, his circumstance is a consequence of his actions. If he's at home reading the Bible, rather than drugging up at a brothel, he's probably still walking around today.

My disappointment is the reaction of some people. I don't think you have to be distraught for Odom, but I think piling on a guy who has already suffered such a mighty consequence speaks to the lack of compassion we have as people anymore.

Whether or not we're qualified to judge is irrelevant. We pass judgement constantly. It doesn't really matter. I just think being self righteous about it is excessive. That's all.

Gotcha. I'm with you... I think. We should not find satisfaction/happiness/vindication in other people's problems.

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[Bronco70]

Gotcha. I'm with you... I think. We should not find satisfaction/happiness/vindication in other people's problems.

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I think that's basically it, in a nutshell.

Maybe a little idealistic, but I really believe we could solve a lot of problems if we just treated each other better.

 

[Red]

People who go out of their way to enumerate all the reasons why others should not feel compassion toward another human being, because that human being has character flaws and/or has made terrible choices in life, are very, very strange people indeed. They speak from a position of moral superiority that most of us do not ourselves enjoy. And, they reflect very, very poorly on themselves, as the one poster in this thread has done. I refuse to address such people directly. In my personal life, I avoid such people like the plague. "Heartless" is not a character trait I look for in those I would call a friend.

The heart goes where it will go. Why tell others that their hearts are misdirected, their compassion misplaced? It's only natural to feel the plight of individuals, who, for one reason or another, are public personas in our lives. If we've come to like them, feel, however foolishly, that we know them, why begrudge our compassion for them when they fall on hard times? Why begrudge the compassion and empathy people feel toward someone who was, by most accounts, a man with a heart that knew no bounds?

 

[Joe Bagadonuts]

People who go out of their way to enumerate all the reasons why others should not feel compassion toward another human being, because that human being has character flaws and/or has made terrible choices in life, are very, very strange people indeed. They speak from a position of moral superiority that most of us do not ourselves enjoy. And, they reflect very, very poorly on themselves, as the one poster in this thread has done. I refuse to address such people directly. In my personal life, I avoid such people like the plague. "Heartless" is not a character trait I look for in those I would call a friend.

The heart goes where it will go. Why tell others that their hearts are misdirected, their compassion misplaced? It's only natural to feel the plight of individuals, who, for one reason or another, are public personas in our lives. If we've come to like them, feel, however foolishly, that we know them, why begrudge our compassion for them when they fall on hard times? Why begrudge the compassion and empathy people feel toward someone who was, by most accounts, a man with a heart that knew no bounds?

I believe that how we talk about others says a lot more about us than the person we're talking about. I perceive Red as the sort of guy I would feel fortunate to count as a friend.

 

[fishonjazz]

I believe that how we talk about others says a lot more about us than the person we're talking about. I perceive Red as the sort of guy I would feel fortunate to count as a friend.

That's sweet. Seriously. Good job Joe

 

[carolinajazz]

I get what you're saying, I think. We aren't qualified to judge him. Is that the gist?

“STOP judging that you may not be judged,” said Jesus Christ to a crowd of listeners. (Matt. 7:1) Did he mean ruling out judgments of all kinds? Or, are there times when it is altogether proper to pass judgment without coming under adverse judgment from God? We all have to admit that situations arise that require passing judgment. However, making a "judgement" based on our OWN personal standards of what is right and what is wrong.....based on own opinions....would be dangerous, opening up the way for personal prejudices to influence our decisions. So who has the right to set the "standard" for judging what is right and what is wrong? Governments make up laws and rules that they feel are in the best interests of there citizens and then set up a court system with judges and juries to determine innocence or guilt if those laws are broken or violated. Nothing wrong with that, right? Admittedly, many laws are unfair and many judges are downright corrupt! Yet and still, without any judicial system or laws we would have total anarchy and upheaval to the 10th degree! Who is to "judge" what Odom did to himself as being right or wrong? Nevada "brothels" I'm assuming, are legal, but I doubt the use of cocaine is! Of course, the results of his using both brought serious consequences to his life and health. Which brings us to the next bone of contention:

I believe in the idea that we reap what we sow. I personally don't find satisfaction in bad things happening to people, but people generally get what they deserve (example: cheat on your girlfriend, she dumps you). In my view it is the natural 'action brings consequence' relationship. It seems like pop culture would have us all believe that we can choose all the consequences to each of our decisions and that anything less calls for litigation of some party. I think that's a bunch of bologna.

Galatians 6:7, 8)  "Do not be misled: God is not one to be mocked. For whatever a person is sowing, this he will also reap;  because the one sowing with a view to his flesh will reap corruption from his flesh, . . ." This unchangeable law was recorded some 2,000 years ago and has always applied both in agriculture and in life! Many people, including it seems, Lamar Odom, want only the elimination of the penalties for poor choices in life! They want promiscuity without venereal disease, smoking without lung cancer, heavy drinking without liver trouble, use of mind altering drugs without destroying their brain cells and other body parts, reckless driving without accidents, and so forth. They want to sow evil but not reap it.

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Many are quick to use or quote the spurious passage at John 7:53–8:11..."he who is without sin....cast the first stone! They do so to minimize or even justify any and all actions by individuals and the consequences such actions bring! These 12 verses have obviously been added to the original text of John’s Gospel. They are not found in the Sinaitic Manuscript or the Vatican Manuscript No.*1209, though they do appear in the fifth-century Codex Bezae and later Greek manuscripts. They are omitted, however, by most of the early versions. It is evident that they are not part of John’s Gospel. One group of Greek manuscripts places this passage at the end of John’s Gospel; another group puts it after Luke 21:38, supporting the conclusion that it is a spurious and uninspired text. In other words, Jesus never made THAT statement! Yes, we all make mistakes....some of them more serious than others. The mistake Odom made were very serious and had tragic results. Was he aware of what those consequences would be? Had he been warned about the consequences of drug use before?

 

[Gameface]

Many are quick to use or quote the spurious passage at John 7:53–8:11..."he who is without sin....cast the first stone! They do so to minimize or even justify any and all actions by individuals and the consequences such actions bring! These 12 verses have obviously been added to the original text of John’s Gospel. They are not found in the Sinaitic Manuscript or the Vatican Manuscript No.*1209, though they do appear in the fifth-century Codex Bezae and later Greek manuscripts. They are omitted, however, by most of the early versions. It is evident that they are not part of John’s Gospel. One group of Greek manuscripts places this passage at the end of John’s Gospel; another group puts it after Luke 21:38, supporting the conclusion that it is a spurious and uninspired text. In other words, Jesus never made THAT statement! Yes, we all make mistakes....some of them more serious than others. The mistake Odom made were very serious and had tragic results. Was he aware of what those consequences would be? Had he been warned about the consequences of drug use before?

So God says it's okay for you to be a judgemental prick? Cool story!

 

[Bronco70]

WWJD? WWCJD?

Probably opposite things.

People that claim to be devout Christians, but show little compassion are hypocrites.

 

[TroutBum]

WWJD? WWCJD?

Probably opposite things.

People that claim to be devout Christians, but show little compassion are hypocrites.

But, but, he copied and pasted SCRIPTURE (along with other people's thoughts and ideas). We all know CJ is too dense to formulate such immaculate stupidity.