If Judas could sacrifice an idea he believed in through Christ for a moment with a prostitute, it then means that ideology, be it religious or social, is inferior to the human instinct for survival.
I am proud of you my boy. When you were little(2-3yrs), any piece of paper u saw on the ground u would like to pick to know what was written in there, though u might not know what the words mean or probably doesn't know how to pronounce some but u would try to speil it from there u will got it. Any books or novels u saw, u must just read....
Since then I knew u are gonna be great and break records
U naturally love reading, research and above all hard work.
I live u with this: a man who is diligent in his business (work) will stand before the King and not before mean man. Prov. 22:29
You've always been a great orator, and your writing is impeccable. I've never looked at Judas's betrayal in this light, thanks for this wonderful write up.
Ideas rule the world for those who have and can implement it. That is why we have very few rich people. For the 736 million people struggling in extreme poverty across the world, survival rules their world. Ideas are a luxury. Survival is not.
Thank you for your beautiful commentary. Please keep them coming.
"In a Two-Horse Race between Ideology and Survival, Survival Wins"
In my opinion, this premise is not accurate.
In that two-horse race, ideology always wins. From an insurgency and terrorism perspective, the most difficult conflict to resolve is that which broadens on ideology. Who cares about survival when you can stand on what you believe in, the way you view the world and your presumptions. I'm particularly making reference to conflict with religion and political underlinings. It is like dying for a greater cause. Where is survival?
Never for once did Judas Iscariot prioritise survival for ideology. He did what he did because that was his way of life. He didn't see anything wrong in the way he was thinking and what he is until Jesus Christ was taken away. The guilt made him suicidal. Where is survival?
From a political standpoint, Politics is never a game of survival. The Americans voted for Trump because he was able to capture the mind of the people. Trump is a supposed "cold-hearted psychopath". He can only make you see things from his own perspective. Hence "his ideology".
Nigerians votes for corrupt politicians because we know the votes does not even count. Voters scramble on every single penny they can get from the politicans knowing it shouldn't even matter afterwards. We don't have a chance to act on individual creed, what we have left is survival. It is like we are conditioned that way.
Thank you for your very insightful comment. Here are what I think about them:
1. Conflict/terrorism is a survival question. Ideology is only the anchor. Let's look at the "promised reward" as claimed by people familiar with the motivations of terrorists, for instance. Some say paradise with 72 virgins. I don't know about that.
In reality, if you understand the political economy of conflict (religious or not), you would see that beneath it, there is always an immediate political or economic reward. Take Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, the leader of ISIS, as an example. His goal was to "liberate Syria and the Levante region and return the Islamic caliphate." If you take a closer look at this region, you'd see that it is rich in natural resources. For ages, these resources have been in the absolute control of "infidels". If he succeeded in capturing this region, what do you think his immediate gain would be: time out in paradise or trillions of dollars in oil wealth?
2. As I mentioned in the article, little is known about the background of Judas and what his personality was. We can't say for sure that he was dogmatic about his faith. But we do know that he sold his masters for money. What do you assume he needed the money for? Also, to say that he did what he did because that is his way of life is too simplistic a way to look at things. All of us have our motivations, good or bad, that instigate our actions. It was only after he had satisfied his motivations and he saw the consequence of his actions that he took his life.
Does that not resonate with how normal people are? We always become remorseful after gratifying our immediate, often bad, survival needs -- emotional or physical.
3. The Trumpian perspective is another matter that I might have to dedicate an entire article to deciphering. However, let's be clear that being a "psychopath" is not an ideology. It is an instinct that appeals only to a few people and is not attractive enough to "capture" over 150 million people. Rather, Americans. rich and poor, had genuine questions around their survival in terms of jobs and protection of incomes. He answered that. If you observe his politics as I have been doing, you would note a clear pandering to the American super-poor and the American super-rich.
4. When did our votes stop counting? Again, that is a simplistic way to look at a phenomenon. If people know their votes don't count, they'd simply stop voting. Is that the case in our polity? People still value their individual contributions to electoral matters and they express it year in, year out by registering to vote.
At the point of voting is where the challenge starts. If you have ever been to a voting booth, I am sure you have seen party agents giving out money to people to convince them to vote in their favour. Some employ outright force. The "conditioning" that happened to Nigerians was carefully orchestrated to keep Nigerians perpetually enslaved to the political class, and I captured that perspective in the article where I wrote "...poverty is the most profitable weapon for those in power. When people are poor, the need for self-preservation is basic at best and enlightened self-interest is alien. The need for food and shelter heavily influence decision making, and when politicians who are clearly working against mass interest come with a short-term reprieve from their urgent needs, they quickly sell out. Remember the birthright story of Esau and Jacob (Genesis 27:34–40)? That is exactly the power dynamics between politicians and needy masses."
If you have more questions, please don't hesitate to submit them here.
It's so funny how you just made me realize Judas is part of the salvation story......without his action, salvation wont take place.
This write up is brilliant, you took out time to explore various area and the knowledge received is very outstanding. for human, i believe survival instinct is always at the top priority.
Ideology is a belief system, more purposeful, it's more precise.
Most people see survival as the primary purpose, they see ideology as indefinite, they don't see the big or can't wait for the big picture just like you said.
The way forward is to find a way to blend/balance both ideology and survival.
Well done once again dear. May your oil never run dry. 🙏🏻
Thank you for your kind comment. I am glad it is worth your time. And yes, Judas was really instrumental in the fulfillment and spread of the gospel. ❣
Solid position. I agree with the premise and although I have reservations about some angles of it, I'd say this captures life as it is. Kudos.
Thank you
I am proud of you my boy. When you were little(2-3yrs), any piece of paper u saw on the ground u would like to pick to know what was written in there, though u might not know what the words mean or probably doesn't know how to pronounce some but u would try to speil it from there u will got it. Any books or novels u saw, u must just read....
Since then I knew u are gonna be great and break records
U naturally love reading, research and above all hard work.
I live u with this: a man who is diligent in his business (work) will stand before the King and not before mean man. Prov. 22:29
Dear sis, thank you for your kind words and I will always remember your sacrifices. ❤
Wow!
*ideology is overrated and survival is more important* you couldn't have said it better.
You're very good kehinde. Keep it up!
I can't wait for your next work.
Thank you.
You truly are a genius - great work
Thank you
👍👍
Thank you.
Well done Mr Kehinde. This is apt.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. I appreciate your comment.
You've always been a great orator, and your writing is impeccable. I've never looked at Judas's betrayal in this light, thanks for this wonderful write up.
I am glad this opened up a fresh perspective to you. Thank you for your kind words. They mean a lot.
Amazing. I can't even comprehend how eye opening and informative this article is. Your style of writing is so beautiful I'm jealous.
I am glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for your wonderful comment. Please subscribe to get more article delivered to your mailbox.
People who depend on survival have no ideas.
"Ideas rule the World", as long as you can reason, it is never about survival.
Ideas rule the world for those who have and can implement it. That is why we have very few rich people. For the 736 million people struggling in extreme poverty across the world, survival rules their world. Ideas are a luxury. Survival is not.
Thank you for your beautiful commentary. Please keep them coming.
This is an informed write-up. Kudos
"In a Two-Horse Race between Ideology and Survival, Survival Wins"
In my opinion, this premise is not accurate.
In that two-horse race, ideology always wins. From an insurgency and terrorism perspective, the most difficult conflict to resolve is that which broadens on ideology. Who cares about survival when you can stand on what you believe in, the way you view the world and your presumptions. I'm particularly making reference to conflict with religion and political underlinings. It is like dying for a greater cause. Where is survival?
Never for once did Judas Iscariot prioritise survival for ideology. He did what he did because that was his way of life. He didn't see anything wrong in the way he was thinking and what he is until Jesus Christ was taken away. The guilt made him suicidal. Where is survival?
From a political standpoint, Politics is never a game of survival. The Americans voted for Trump because he was able to capture the mind of the people. Trump is a supposed "cold-hearted psychopath". He can only make you see things from his own perspective. Hence "his ideology".
Nigerians votes for corrupt politicians because we know the votes does not even count. Voters scramble on every single penny they can get from the politicans knowing it shouldn't even matter afterwards. We don't have a chance to act on individual creed, what we have left is survival. It is like we are conditioned that way.
Thank you for your very insightful comment. Here are what I think about them:
1. Conflict/terrorism is a survival question. Ideology is only the anchor. Let's look at the "promised reward" as claimed by people familiar with the motivations of terrorists, for instance. Some say paradise with 72 virgins. I don't know about that.
In reality, if you understand the political economy of conflict (religious or not), you would see that beneath it, there is always an immediate political or economic reward. Take Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, the leader of ISIS, as an example. His goal was to "liberate Syria and the Levante region and return the Islamic caliphate." If you take a closer look at this region, you'd see that it is rich in natural resources. For ages, these resources have been in the absolute control of "infidels". If he succeeded in capturing this region, what do you think his immediate gain would be: time out in paradise or trillions of dollars in oil wealth?
2. As I mentioned in the article, little is known about the background of Judas and what his personality was. We can't say for sure that he was dogmatic about his faith. But we do know that he sold his masters for money. What do you assume he needed the money for? Also, to say that he did what he did because that is his way of life is too simplistic a way to look at things. All of us have our motivations, good or bad, that instigate our actions. It was only after he had satisfied his motivations and he saw the consequence of his actions that he took his life.
Does that not resonate with how normal people are? We always become remorseful after gratifying our immediate, often bad, survival needs -- emotional or physical.
3. The Trumpian perspective is another matter that I might have to dedicate an entire article to deciphering. However, let's be clear that being a "psychopath" is not an ideology. It is an instinct that appeals only to a few people and is not attractive enough to "capture" over 150 million people. Rather, Americans. rich and poor, had genuine questions around their survival in terms of jobs and protection of incomes. He answered that. If you observe his politics as I have been doing, you would note a clear pandering to the American super-poor and the American super-rich.
4. When did our votes stop counting? Again, that is a simplistic way to look at a phenomenon. If people know their votes don't count, they'd simply stop voting. Is that the case in our polity? People still value their individual contributions to electoral matters and they express it year in, year out by registering to vote.
At the point of voting is where the challenge starts. If you have ever been to a voting booth, I am sure you have seen party agents giving out money to people to convince them to vote in their favour. Some employ outright force. The "conditioning" that happened to Nigerians was carefully orchestrated to keep Nigerians perpetually enslaved to the political class, and I captured that perspective in the article where I wrote "...poverty is the most profitable weapon for those in power. When people are poor, the need for self-preservation is basic at best and enlightened self-interest is alien. The need for food and shelter heavily influence decision making, and when politicians who are clearly working against mass interest come with a short-term reprieve from their urgent needs, they quickly sell out. Remember the birthright story of Esau and Jacob (Genesis 27:34–40)? That is exactly the power dynamics between politicians and needy masses."
If you have more questions, please don't hesitate to submit them here.
Thank you for your invaluable contribution.
It's so funny how you just made me realize Judas is part of the salvation story......without his action, salvation wont take place.
This write up is brilliant, you took out time to explore various area and the knowledge received is very outstanding. for human, i believe survival instinct is always at the top priority.
I will surely go through this over again.
Nice work bro
Thank you for your incredible submission. I am glad you could pick a thing or two from the write-up.
More to come.
Wow!!!!! This is all I can say for now.
Survival is basic human instincts and humans want immediate gratification over the long term and big picture ideologies.
Values and principles are the most solid foundations any human being should have but when survival is involved, what can I say....
Balance is needed between these two, survival and ideology.
Lovely and insightful write up! I am wowed!
You are very correct! We need to find a balance between ideology and survival, even though they inspire each other most times.
Thank you for your lovely commentary. It means a lot to me.
I love this...
I am glad you do. Thank you, Ruth.
Ideology is a belief system, more purposeful, it's more precise.
Most people see survival as the primary purpose, they see ideology as indefinite, they don't see the big or can't wait for the big picture just like you said.
The way forward is to find a way to blend/balance both ideology and survival.
Well done once again dear. May your oil never run dry. 🙏🏻
Thank you for your insightful submission. The way to go is certainly a middle ground between ideology and the instinct for self-preservation.
Wonderful work, keep it up
Thank you, dear sis. ❣
Funny though how I never realised Judas was a part of the salvation story🤣 I only saw him as the devil in Jesuss' life.
I haven't read a piece this long ever since covid started.
It was absolutely worth every bit of my time.
Should we give you the award or would you rather wait for Buhari?👏👏👏
Thank you for your kind comment. I am glad it is worth your time. And yes, Judas was really instrumental in the fulfillment and spread of the gospel. ❣