What Would Jesus Drive?

One of my colleagues thinks I’m insane because I don’t drive. He has offered me rides on various occasions. He often tells me the benefits of cars. I find this all very amusing since we do the same thing. That thing involves us going to various locations throughout the city.  I have a reputation of being on time and he has a reputation of being very late.

His passion is Jesus. One day when we were speaking the question, “What would Jesus drive?” popped into my head and came out of my mouth. He said Jesus wants him to have nice things. I said Jesus wants you to use your nice things to help others. And then I asked, "How many poor people are you driving around in your car?"

I wasn’t trying to be a jerk to this guy. I hope I didn’t offend him with this question. It was sincere a question.

What would Jesus drive? I don’t think Jesus would drive.

I don’t think Jesus would drive a car even it were a biodiesel or an electric car. I don’t think Jesus would drive a car period. From my time in Catholic school and reading the Bible I am pretty sure if Jesus were in Los Angeles he would be taking the bus and occasionally riding his bike.

Now I’m not even trying to imply I’m doing God’s work by taking the bus, but if I were to view my method of transportation as a religious experience, the clean family version of a religious experience and I asked the questions:

What would Jesus drive?
What would Buddha Drive?
What would Muhammad drive?

What could I answer? What path would be closest to their paths?

Now from what I have read about all of those religious figures if they were in Los Angeles they would have to be on the bus. The only way you can see everyone is to take the bus. The only way to understand LA on a true level in regards to the difference between the rich and the poor is by taking the bus.

What if the Buddha just talked to his disciples? What if the Jesus only talked to his disciples?

What if Buddha and Jesus never talked to anyone except for the people who could pay them or went to college with them or hung out in the same social circles as them?

The sustainable movement needs to diversify itself. The people on the bus are waiting for us (in Los Angeles) and it’s more diverse than a car, even an electric car.

In your car you are by yourself. You then park as close as you can to a place to spend money on organic crap, where you get on your cell phone and motion towards the person behind the counter to put the stuff in your eco bag. You have to make plans to have a community interaction.

The movement towards sustainability can’t just be about the destination. It also has to be about the journey and of course the idea of how you transport yourself is a very literal interpretation of the journey. The big key in sustainability that is missing is the reach out to the community component. When you take public transit you have a potential for an even larger sustainable community, at least in Los Angeles. It is a very organic way to access people.

The community on the bus isn’t bounded by gender, national origin, age, physical ability, family status or educational level.

And maybe I shouldn’t bring up religion for the purpose of spreading the message of the being carFREE, but I think these are questions that if we do have faith we should ask ourselves.

What would Jesus drive? What would Buddha drive? What would Muhammad drive? What would Abraham drive? What would Bahá'u'lláh drive?

What kind mode of transport would they use to get around Los Angeles?

-Browne Molyneux

Comments

[Julio]

I think Jesus/Buddha/Muhammad would just walk...although the sprawl would limit the spread of their message. You can't "convert/save" souls from a car and I suppose the bus would be the next step up. It's a communal way to go.

[DJB]

I bet if Jesus got into a bus all of the grafitti would just disappear, all of the pavement would be smooth and all of the lights would be green.

[writer]

This post isn't about miracles, though miracles are cool if they existed :)

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This is post about how some people are so self righteous about what they won't do or shouldn't do or what others shouldn't do. Their religion is actually just them talking and talking and talking about theories and not really doing anything or sacrificing anything. To me there should be a whole new list of of sins. I meet so many people who are so obsessed with being vegan, but they drive a car. I mean if you're vegan because you want to be skinny then ok, but if you're vegan AND are self righteous about it AND make other people feel like a jerk and you drive a car and work in a field that is nonhelping then who the heck are you to say anything? I hate this costume type activism that is about buying the right things and wearing it on your sleeve, but doing nothing. You think the Buddha would be totally cool with the fact that you don't eat meat, but you refuse to give to a homeless guy on the street? Or be empathetic to the less fortunate.You think that's what Buddhism was about, a freakin diet plan?

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I meet people who try to push a diet, a belief, a movement on people, but they themselves aren't willing to sacrifice anything. The most evangelical of environmentalists whole point is making a particular thing they do easier for them or to become famous or to get a book deal or a tv show.

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It's not that different from Christians who sit and judge and point their fingers at people and are so happy to tell you how great they are. I meet people who have no empathy for people less fortunate, have no desire to educate themselves outside of their circle and don't want to understand anyone, but wants everyone to understand them and to accept what they believe.

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I just have to even remind myself that. I have to remind myself that I am one person. What I can do means nothing if I can't learn from others and if I can't use what I do to help other people who are outside of my socio-economic circle. I try very hard to be mindful of other people's situation. I care about the single mom with 3 kids taking the bus. I can't understand people who view themselves as environmentalist who do not. You treat people decent they will treat the world with respect, you�treat people like crap they will do what you taught them. If I can help someone or assist someone I'm happy to do it, if I can make someone's life easier who hasn't had the advantages that I have had I am happy to do it and I simply can't understand people who think differently but claim to care about the planet.

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Browne

[loveandhatela]

^ great points Browne.
We need to learn to be more giving and self-less.
I was raised Catholic- i am non-practicing now.
I am spiritual but not religious, is there a difference, or is it just a variation of the same theme? mmm.
I am a Libra- so i do believe in justice,balance and harmony.
I know things are easier said than done.
Ive experienced suffering in my own way in the past and that has made me aware of empathy,compassion and sympathy.I am not a victim but a survivor, i recognize that.
But it seems like ive also become more cynical and jaded because sometimes reality and logic sucks.

I wish i was still that hopeless dreamer and romantic.I use to be the "nice guy" and sadly you get used and walked over- so no more of that for me.
Sadly i was not born yesterday- i just stayed up all night :)
Im a sinner and far from perfect, but i am smart enough not to repeat or make the same mistakes from my past.

Thanks Browne for making visible what we sometimes try to ignore or avoid.

As they say- "there is a solution to everything except death."
P.S.- Jesus would definitely be a walker.