“The psychological interpretation of Peter's denial is really one of the worst aspects of modern attitudes towards the Gospels: to reduce everything to psychology, which is ridiculous, I think. Peter is not the weakest disciple, he's the strongest. That's why his denial is so significant. His denial would not be significant if it could be interpreted psychologically. The Gospels are not interested at this point to talk about the psychology of Peter or anyone else. The Gospels are trying to show us what The Passion is. Therefore it's very important that Peter's behavior is [understood to be] typical of the way mobs come into being.
In other words, as soon as he is plunged into a crowd hostile to Jesus, he becomes hostile to Jesus. He imitates that crowd. And this is exemplified not only by Peter and by all the other disciples, but by everyone else including Pilate. Pilate really yields to the mimetic pressure of the crowd. The mimetic dimension of his behavior escapes us because we believe in politics and in political science and we say it's his political strategy. But this political strategy will be exposed when we realize that the main political principle, not only in a democracy but in Judea is ‘If you can't beat them, join them.’ And this is the mimetic principle par excellence.
And also, of course, the two thieves crucified next to Jesus. Their imitation is grotesquely obvious. The more crucfied one feels, the more one feels like crucifying other people. They shout insults to Jesus because they cannot refrain from imitating the mob.”
— ‘Atonement,’ An address given by René Girard at the American Academy of Religion conference held in San Francisco in 1997.
'Back Home in Derry'
Irish Republican POWs singing in Long kesh (Circa 1990).
The lyrics were originally written as a poem by Vol. Bobby Sands.
#irishrepublican#irishhistory
A really great habit to get into is talking good about others behind their back & praying for their success, happiness, and sanctification without ever telling them. Sometimes we get this backwards, but it's worth getting right.