Thursday, September 30, 2010

The Religious Right vs Jesus...


We see a lot of conservative flak generated towards president Obama these days. They like to claim he is a socialist, or worse, a muslim.

I know that not many good muslims would claim to be christian, so we could probably toss that one out on that basis alone. The socialist claim, however, might be a little harder to deal with.

I'll concede that some of his plans, from my limited understanding, may seem socialist. But so do a lot of other, time honored, American institutions (The military, public schools, and Social Security, just to name a few). Whether or not he is a socialist, I'm not convinced.

But, if we are to judge Obama by the criteria set forth by the conservatives, perhaps we should aso hold another, beloved, leader to the same criteria???

YesI am going there.

Jesus was a socialist !

"How so?" you ask. Let's examine together, shall we?

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"And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God" Mark 10:21-25

"My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?" James 2:1-7 (he's really giving it to the "rich pricks" here)

And, finally, what about that Health Care fiasco of the president's?
"When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal." - Matthew 25:38-41. It seems Jesus is, in no uncertain terms, telling his followers that they are, indeed, responsible for taking care of their less fortunate brethren.

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But, hey, I'm no Christian. Nor, am I a socialist. But if I were either, I'd certainly see the connection here.


Religious Right,

 isn't it about time you started following the teachings of your master?





15 comments:

Anonymous said...

mac,

You so right on, there ain't much to say. 'Cept you probably would've looked pretty bad ass as a biker for the late great JC.

:-D

Fireblossom said...

Probably gay, too. Past 30, single, hangs out with twelve guys, wears a robe and sandals...uh huh.

Anonymous said...

Interesting view. Thanks for sharing it.

All the best, Boonie

Pliny-the-in-Between said...

Mac - considering your point of view I think this is right up your alley...

http://pictoraltheology.blogspot.com/

Kim said...

I concur. :o)

ExtraO said...

I see what you mean.

rita said...

I believe we can't throw out ideas like socialism or communism. Like democracy, those ideas need to be re-examined & re-thought out. I think part of the problem is that people feel overwhelmed by the thought of being poor, or maybe the thought we will be overwhelmed by the poor. I'm guessing most of us have ever really experienced being poor.
We don't WANT to know what it feels like to to scrabble for existence to starve or not have enough clothes.
Maybe that idea makes us a little bit selfish?

Jen said...

I don't understand why people calling themselves Christians don't think it's their responsibility to make sure everyone at least has food to eat and basic health care, either. Doesn't make sense.

And besides, isn't "promote the general welfare" part of the government's responsibility according to the constitution. Wouldn't that include health care?

Anonymous said...

I love that picture...I like Jens comment!

mac said...

It's this new phone, Harry. I am always logged on somehow. I haven't quite figured how to get off yet...facebook, that is ;-)

Anonymous said...

I hear the vibrator app works well for the ladies, that's if you have an iphone. If you have it, turn it on for a meeting, or when someone's trying to proselytize you.

Forget the When Harry Met Sally Crap. We're guys, you'd deliberately be doing it in order to control yourself during the situation.

Ha. This is making me chuckle. Enough with the impish ideas.

Don't anybody else try it ;-)

Wait, what if we could do that to politicians while they're speaking.

Ahahahahahahahahaha!!!! They deserve it, the douchebags.

Heff said...

I hear ya on the religion part, but Obama "might be a socialist" ? PLEASE !!!

That guy wants nothing MORE than to be the puppet master holding the strings over this country.

Banda in barbar said...

Jesus is the son of god

Is the son of the Czar a socialist?

Past 30, single, hangs out with twelve guys, and a young prostitute


wears a robe and sandals...is a hippie hippie shake

what is a socialist in america
a stalinist? a marxist?


ideas like socialism or communism or democracy are humbug.....
The socialist elite are socialist's?

The american senatorial elite are democrats?

ridiculous

Candice said...

LMAO! Love the picture at the bottom.

I wouldn't be surprised if I steal it from you, like, right now.

pboyfloyd said...

This has been up for three weeks and I just noticed it. I should log in to my own blog now and then and look for new posts.

I, have to read this completely through when I have some time but you know I agree.