Modern society is similarly off base in its understanding of humility, which is the opposite of pride. Pride run amok results in individual and systemic prejudice against those perceived to be “less than.” Discrimination is all about pride and the setting up of a hierarchy of “worthiness.” Racism, sexism and heterosexism are all about a societal hierarchy of worthiness in which it is better to be white, male and heterosexual. Modern society hates pride, too, and no one on the receiving end of such arrogance finds it very satisfying or helpful. Such a hierarchy seemed to be anathema to Jesus, whose message was “we are all sinful” and “we are all loved by God anyway and saved by God’s grace.” By its very nature, pride sets up a tiered system of worthiness, with the prideful at the top, asserting greater influence and power over the less worthy. He criticized the Pharisees and Sadducees repeatedly, not because of their beliefs (they were among the most faithful, learned and devoted practitioners of first century Judaism), but because they used their faithfulness to the religious laws to lord it over those who were less rigorous in their observance. His harshest words of criticism were aimed at those who were prideful. Nothing infuriated Jesus more than pride. Pride is one of the infamous “seven deadly sins.” So isn’t it a bit odd that, for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, June is PRIDE month?
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