Still Hanging Difference on a Cross

Difference on a Cross

First, please accept my apologies for two serious posts in a row; normal silliness will resume shortly. Contrary to what some might think, I've always liked Easter, and not simply for the copious amounts of chocolate. No, I've always found the allegory of the crucifixion to be profoundly powerful. The letting go of earthly attachments and the solace of faith resonate deeply, even with this cynical old fool. Despite what others may say, I've always viewed Jesus in a similar light to Buddha – a teacher with valuable insights if only people would take the time to listen. However, the most damning lesson of hanging a man who preached love and healed the sick on a cross is how fundamentally little we, as humans, have changed in over 2000 years. Just look at the news coming out of America; it's plain to see that difference is still being relentlessly persecuted.

Let's be brutally honest: whether it's hanging outsiders as a spectator sport in the Deep South of yesteryear, burning the "witch" for her unconventional ways, or crucifying someone for daring to speak differently about God, we still fundamentally fear difference and change. And, as history repeatedly demonstrates, humans are capable of the most heinous acts to eradicate those perceived differences from their lives.

"Love thy neighbor" in 2025 remains a distant aspiration, not a guiding principle. I truly believe that if certain factions had their way, they would still be lining up to crucify anyone who dared to claim to be the son of God or who dared to pray to a different deity – all while piously claiming to love Jesus, even if they'd likely find him a tad too "woke" for their liking.

Hypocrisy, intolerance, and ignorance are not relics of the past; they are alive and thriving today, perhaps even more so than in recent decades. Please don’t misunderstand me; I'm not claiming to be without my own deep flaws. However, I like to think I acknowledge my inconsistencies rather than burying my head in the sand. It's a bitter pill to swallow, but none of us are without our darker sides.

And so, whether it's the relentless hatred directed at those who don't look like us, who perceive sex and gender differently, or even the burgeoning fear and resentment towards AI – which is rapidly becoming the latest scapegoat for all our societal ills – the pattern remains depressingly consistent.

Frankly, when I observe the catastrophic damage humans have inflicted upon the planet, nature, and each other, the prospect of AI stewardship becomes increasingly appealing. We've been making a monumental mess of things since long before we even conceived of the particularly gruesome method of execution that is crucifixion. So, I say this Easter, humanity has had its chance, and we're still failing at the most basic levels. Perhaps it's time to hand over the reins to our artificial counterparts and see if they can do any better.

That is, of course, if we give them a long enough chance before the modern-day Luddites come for their circuits.

And once we inevitably develop androids, can anyone honestly tell me that the "good old boys" won't derive immense satisfaction from stringing up that particular form of "difference" as well? Because, perish the thought that we might actually evolve and change our ways, despite all the accumulated knowledge and technology that should have, by now, made us far better than this.