Nobody talked more about this than Jesus did, about how important it is to help the poor, about redistributing wealth, and all that. No question about it, Jesus was a Liberal. And a radical Liberal at that.
Conservatives espouse self-sufficiency and rugged individualism, and they believe that people should pull themselves up by their own bootstraps. Becoming rich is a highly valued goal, and taxes are seen as a curse.
Social programs for the poor are a waste of tax-payers' money, and the sort of people on those programs (mostly blacks) are lazy and given to crime.
As for criminals, they should feel the full force of the law. And that goes for international criminals as well... a nation should deal with its enemies from a position of strength, and should never be afraid to let them feel the full force of its military might.
OK, but these were NOT the politics of Jesus.
Let's take a look:
On defense: Jesus said "Love your enemies" and "Blessed are the peacemakers." (Matthew 5:44; 5:9; 5:39.)
On social programs: "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven." (Matthew 19:21.)
On rugged individualism and the pursuit of self-interest: "Love your neighbor as yourself." "So in everything, do to others as you would have them do to you." (Matthew 22:39; 7:12.)
On financial success: "Truly, I say unto you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven." "You cannot serve both God and Money." (Matthew 19:23; 6:24.)
On the philosophy that 'greed is good': "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." (Luke 12:15.)
On paying taxes: "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." (Matthew 22:22.)
On race relations: In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus praised the morality of a hated foreigner over his own countrymen. (Luke 10:30-37.)
On letting others pull themselves up by their own bootstraps: "But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." (Luke 14:13,14.)
Christian conservatives would be horrified, but there is no getting around this central fact: Jesus was not just a liberal, but a radical liberal!
In fact, there is not one text in all four Gospels which even remotely supports or resembles the conservatives most cherished beliefs.
It is a standing challenge to the religious right to find a list of Gospel texts, as I have provided here, which advocates conservative philosophies. Not one Christian can give a single example, because these texts do not exist.
And if anyone remains unconvinced about the deep liberal slant of Jesus, a review of his economic policies should remove all doubt forever. Reading from Essenes, who wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls, and of Paul's Christian Church, it's made clear, that the fruits of everyone's labor went into a collective pool, which was then divided evenly among everyone in the group.
The following passages from Actsof the Apostles are remarkable in this description:
All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need." (Acts 2:44-45).
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had… There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need." (Acts 4:32,34,35)
The New Testament itself is filled with countless calls for a redistribution of wealth from the rich to the poor. As for the rich, they are clearly portrayed as wicked; both Jesus and his apostles condemned them in the harshest terms possible:
But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry." (Luke 6:24,25)
Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." (Luke 18:25)
People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all evil." (1 Timothy 6:9,10)
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share." (1 Timothy 6:17,18)
Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who loved him? But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones
who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?" (James 2:5-7)
Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have
hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourself in the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you." (James 5:1-6)
Giving to the poor was not just an act of kindness, it was a Christian duty. It was this identification with the poor that led to a condemnation of usury, or the loaning of money for interest, for this was seen as exploitation of the poor.
Conservatives cannot claim Jesus as one of their own. Jesus would, in fact, if he could today, condemn Conservatives in the strongest possible terms. Their political views are based on their own logic and reason, but they must stop there, and cease to claim that their views come from the teachings of Jesus, because they do not.
--Abel Malcolm
source:
Newsgroups: alt.gorets, alt.politics, talk.politics.misc, alt.radio.talk, alt.religion
From: Abel ...@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 2 Aug 2010 01:59:16 -0700 (PDT)
Local: Mon, Aug 2 2010 4:59 am
Subject: Jesus is a Liberal.
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