Stomping J*sus

An interesting story has been making the rounds, appearing in the recent news and on some blog posts. It pertains to an exercise in a book, Intercultural Communication: a Contextual Approach, by Dr. James Neuliep. In this exercise, a piece of paper with the name Jesus written on it is placed on the ground and students are asked to step or stomp on it. Many refuse to do so and this is supposed to stimulate discussion on the importance of symbols.

In the Old Testament, and among orthodox Jews even today, the name of God is so sacred that it is not spoken or written out fully. The former is to indicate reverence and the latter is for the same reason and to avoid the possibility that the written name may be accidentally erased or effaced in any way. Now, no one truly believes that God’s existence or well being is threatened in any way by any of the above. The written word “Jesus” on a piece of paper is no more the actual person of Jesus than a photograph of someone is that someone. Rather, it is a symbol for what it represents. Symbols matter, however. If you doubt this, just try walking down the street anywhere in most countries wearing a large swastika on your clothes. Once a symbol of peace, and still used in some eastern religions, in developed countries it is now universally regarded as a symbol of the evil that characterized the Nazi movement in Germany led by Adolf Hitler.

Why did Neuliep choose to use the name “Jesus” for his exercise? I don’t know but clearly, if he was trying to make a statement on the importance of symbols, he chose well. Even those who do not profess Christianity are likely to abstain from stepping on what is known to be a profoundly important and sacred name to those who do. If he was trying to stimulate a discussion on the importance of symbols, he could hardly have picked better. I think that what has created the groundswell of outrage and indignation among evangelicals by this exercise is the perception that Jesus and, by extension, Christians, are being picked on once again. Why didn’t he use the name Mohammed or the symbol for Islam? Or the Star of David? Again, I don't profess to know. I do choose to believe that this wasn’t some thinly disguised slight against the Christian faith or its author and that it was a sincere attempt to stimulate dialogue about symbols.

In a worst case scenario, someone would have actually stepped on the paper. In such a case, Jesus would remain unscathed. I would have to wonder if the individual who did this would, whether in this life or the next. For me, I happen to not feel comfortable using the word “God”, “Jesus”, or “Christ” as expletives, or even as simply exclamations of surprise, frustration, or other emotion. Call me old fashioned, but I like to leave a few words to their true meaning and use them accordingly, even though I know they are simply symbols.

The registered symbol of the ironman triathlon is a little man- his head is the dot of the “i” and his body is a combination of the “i” and the "m". Many who have completed an ironman have a tattoo of this symbol on some part of their body, usually on the calf or lower leg to symbolize their successful completion of an ironman tri. Of course, you can get the tattoo even if you have never done one but, I suspect, few people do. Such a tattoo would mean nothing to them. Again, even though it is nothing more than a symbol, it has meaning which gives it a significance all its own, standing as a testament to an amazing accomplishment. I may not want the tattoo, but I do want the accomplishment. Then again, maybe just a little one.............

Florida Ironman Training Log:

Last week was a good week all around. I did miss my ride on Saturday for being out of town, but the day was worth it. Don’t want to get so uptight this early that I can’t stand to miss a day or two. Another milestone: ran 7.5 miles with an average cadence of 90 spm, something I have never done. I am picking up my cadence and, hopefully, starting to recruit some fast twitch muscle fibers to make my run more efficient. I need to work on relaxing more on the runs and swims. Everyone says I am too tight. Hardest thing right now is working on flexibility. I just don't contort very well. 

Week’s Summary:

Mon. 3/25- Swim (drills), 2075 yds, 2.53 min/100 yds., 59:53 min total time

                   Bike (trainer), 20 min. at high cadence

Tue. 3/26-  Master’s swim and strength/flexibility training at NTC

Wed. 3/27- Run, intervals, 3.49 mi @ 8:30 min/mi., high cadence ave. 90 spm*

Thur. 3/28- No workout. Long day in surgery, too tired at end of day.

Fri. 3/29- Run, 7.78 mi @ 8:40 min/mi and 90 spm cadence*

Sat. 3/30- No workout, traveling

Sun. 3/31- Rest day