Sheep

[Zzyzx]

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Christians and their literature venerate being like sheep – docile, easily led, dependent upon protection (perhaps ideal characteristics for a “flock� of believers led by a “shepherd�). Those characteristics may apply to many types of domesticated sheep.

However, that shows ignorance of sheep OTHER than domesticated varieties. Wild sheep are decidedly NOT docile, easily led, dependent upon protection – perhaps typified by the Big Horn sheep of western US mountains or the Dall sheep of the mountains in Alaska and Western Canada.

The shepherd (or preacher) has no use for the sheep until they are “domesticated� – had the wildness removed – defined as: to breed or train (an animal) to need and accept the care of human beings : to tame (an animal) www.merriam-webster.com (Notice “breed� which implies controlled evolution – perhaps to the chagrin of opponents).

It is not surprising that those who herd sheep (or flocks of people) prefer those that are compliant and in need of protection and leadership. Politicians, preachers, teachers, many business owners (and some parents) place great value on such characteristics in their underlings and discourage “wildness� or independent thinking and actions.

[ttruscott]

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Christians and their literature venerate being like sheep – docile, easily led, dependent upon protection (perhaps ideal characteristics for a “flock� of believers led by a “shepherd�). Those characteristics may apply to many types of domesticated sheep.

However, that shows ignorance of sheep OTHER than domesticated varieties. Wild sheep are decidedly NOT docile, easily led, dependent upon protection – perhaps typified by the Big Horn sheep of western US mountains or the Dall sheep of the mountains in Alaska and Western Canada.

The shepherd (or preacher) has no use for the sheep until they are “domesticated� – had the wildness removed – defined as: to breed or train (an animal) to need and accept the care of human beings : to tame (an animal) www.merriam-webster.com (Notice “breed� which implies controlled evolution – perhaps to the chagrin of opponents).

It is not surprising that those who herd sheep (or flocks of people) prefer those that are compliant and in need of protection and leadership. Politicians, preachers, teachers, many business owners (and some parents) place great value on such characteristics in their underlings and discourage “wildness� or independent thinking and actions.

I've gotten into trouble before for saying that GOD call us sheep because we are too stubborn and stupid to look after ourselves...sigh.