Random unscientific poll

[AMandM]

The completely unreliable poll is inspired by an off-hand comment by our pastor on Sunday. The Gospel reading for the day was the Prodigal Son, and he wondered whether that or the Good Samaritan is the best-known parable.

For purposes of this poll, let's define "familiar" as something more than just knowing the title of the parable. Knowing at least one of the main characters or events, say, even if you don't know the moral of the story.

[blue_green_sparks]

The good Samaritan parable is precursor to the Protestant/Catholic or Sunni/Shiite sectarian troubles typical of religion. Samaritanism survives as a Jewish sect to this day. How unfortunate that the parable doesn't extend to those who worship different gods.

[ChpBstrd]

The point of the prodigal son parable is definitely less clear to most people. To one person, it might be something about the role of love in forgiveness. To another, it might be about helping others without moral judgement. To still others, it might be a story about how god will welcome sinners and put them at the same level as people who have always been righteous, so we're not building up some sort of equity on a day to day basis. But on the flipside, the parable probably appeals to people who feel guilty about how they've lived their life and feel like a lost cause.

There is no one answer. You paint in your own wishes for what it might mean. That's the essence of religion, and why it's an entertaining parable we can talk about forever rather than just a clear statement of the point.

[GuitarStv]

Being a literal-minded, generally petty and judgemental rule-follower of a kid in church, the prodigal son parable always kinda pissed me off when we had sermons about it.  I always saw it as a story about privilege - your rich parent will bail you out as long as you pretend contrition after doing hookers and blow until you run out of cash.

It's up there on popular pet peeve stories with that Christmas one, the gift of the magi . . . which my mom found a beautiful and uplifting tale of love, but always seriously depressed me.  In it, two people lose their most valued possessions for no reason entirely because they suck at communicating with each other and are insecure in their relationship.

[reeshau]

The point of the prodigal son parable is definitely less clear to most people. To one person, it might be something about the role of love in forgiveness. To another, it might be about helping others without moral judgement. To still others, it might be a story about how god will welcome sinners and put them at the same level as people who have always been righteous, so we're not building up some sort of equity on a day to day basis. But on the flipside, the parable probably appeals to people who feel guilty about how they've lived their life and feel like a lost cause.

There is no one answer. You paint in your own wishes for what it might mean. That's the essence of religion, and why it's an entertaining parable we can talk about forever rather than just a clear statement of the point.

We also had the prodigal son yesterday.  The sermon was focused on the eldest brother; in general, it was about not comparing yourself to others, whether you thought they were better or worse.  That you are enough for God, as you are, and your worth and relationship with God is not about other people.