There is not a perfect candidate. I think Christians find that the issues they consider to be important fall in line more with the Republican party than anything else. Not 100%, but certainly more than the Democrats.
As far as giving to the poor and unfortunate, I think Jesus' idea of that was for that to happen at an individual level. I don't think it was ever His thought that government should take your money, and give it away as they saw fit. I think He'd like for you to give to the poor and unfortunate by your own convictions. Taking care of the poor and unfortunate should be a personal matter, not a public one. And anyone who professes to be a Christian should do so because that is what their Bible commands them to do.
Remember, the Bible also says "If a man will not work, he shall not eat." I think that's contrary to a lot of wealth redistribution plans the democrats are proposing to put in place.
Thing is, Jesus Christ never said anything about the government's role in providing for the poor. He didn't say it should be on an exclusively individual level and he didn't say the government should assist through taxation and redistribution. So it annoys me when both sides try to claim Christ as a supporter. Jesus didn't run for office.
Good point. I have always wondered this myself.
Of course, Christ did pal around with a known corrupt tax collector.
Jesus did speak specifically about caring for the less fortunate when teaching His followers. And there are Biblical concepts that provide insight into Christ's views on government's limited role...if I wasn't posting from my PDA I'd get into that more.
I'm done for the day, and haven't read this thread, but am simply posting a quick response to this post.
I feel it is very important to help the poor; I am commanded to do so. I have a human compassion for people of lesser means than myself, and I try to give generously as taught by Jesus. I often probably fall short, unfortunately of being as generous as I ought to, and can be too consumed with the false God that is money.
That said, I believe strongly that I am far more generous, and capable of helping the poor than the United States Government. In fact, I believe statistics bear out that most government programs cause the perpetuation and even proliferation of that which they are designed to combat. Despite this, their adherents are loathe to criticize, much less call for the end of such programs, despite years of failure. I see this as utterly uncaring and lazy.
Jesus taught to ACTUALLY help the poor. He did not teach that you could absolve your responsibility to do so by voting for somebody who promises to do so in your stead.
Thanks for the comments. A lot of what I'm reading in the post contradicts the position of any party really having any claim towards christianity. Religion (the organization of the Jesus's teachings) and politics are definitely intertwined, hence the problem I have with any claims by either party.
Yes and we can all agree that we are called individually to do what we can to assist our fellow man, but that doesn't contradict any view of government's role. And there are no Scriptures that I'm aware of that specifically refer to a limited role of government with regards to caring for the poor, but I'd love to hear your perspective when you have time.
You're right....but on issues of abortion, sexual marriage, etc...the Repubs have the inside track to the Christians.
The greatest tragedy in mankind's entire history may be the hijacking of morality by religion.
-Arthur C. Clarke
...and a . I'm so confused!
I have said before that neither party comes down on the side of Christian perspectives on all issues and so you must decide like in all things which ones matter the most to you.
Personally, I believe the Republican party spouts a lot of rhetoric but does very little. If I really thought that somehow Republicans would do anything to lessen abortions then maybe it would matter to me, but Bush has been in for 8 years and he had full Republican control of both houses of Congress for 6 years, and there are still the same number of abortions today as there were 8 years ago. I think they just use issues get votes.
the following should explain it.
republicans are way more charitable than democrats. BO and Biden talk a big game, but are truly only charitable with other peoples money not their own. BO and Biden have donated less than 1% of their income to charities.Jesus for all intents and purposes was an egalitarian and democratic. Far from the any republican talking points. Giving to the poor, helping the unfortunate, loving and forging everyone.
The republicans believe their philosophies produce the capital necessary to cure societies problems.I'm not saying the republican party is against any of these, but Jesus would definitely choose the left rather than the right. Also, given that Jesus had no care of monetary goals or ideologies. It's odd that the religious base in the US is right thinking. Interesting really, considering.....
Just a few musings.
There are several false memes running through this thread.
"Most Christians are Republicans." Most of the US are Christians, and Obama and the Democrats are looking to a big win. The "Abortion should be criminal" Christians are generally Republicans, as well as the "Everything should validate my religious choice, and not yours" Christians and the "Science is wrong, and I am right" Christians.
"The OT rules apply to Christians." Even a literalist should be able to figure out that the Council of Jerusalem said that the OT rules do not apply to Gentile Christians.
"The Bible/Jesus is for big/small/socialist/capitalist government." I think a Jubilee year would pretty much straighten everything out.
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