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Jesus taught people to love one another, to respect one another, to be responsible for one another.
There are liberals who take these teachings to heart. And there are conservatives who take these teachings to heart.
The difference, I think, is that liberals see the government as an appropriate vehicle for all of us to take care of one another, because it becomes a part of the system. The safety nets become built-in. And so fewer people fall through the cracks.
Conservatives don't want government taking on this responsibility, they prefer private individuals and private organizations to provide the safety nets.
The problem is that private individuals and private organizations often, not always, have a personal agenda at play. And the safety net is about control. The people needing help must deserve the help. They have to comply by the rules set by the private organization's agenda.
And those individuals who don't comply are judged undeserving of any help. They fall through the cracks.
The problem with the liberal approach is that in trying to prevent anyone from falling through the cracks, they open the system to abuse. And people become dependent on the safety nets, instead of independent of them.
As a society that tries to balance conservatism with liberalism, we will always be seeking a balance between the two, especially as it applies to these social safety nets.
I think Jesus would have sought a balance as well. Because he taught us to love one another, and that means helping one another, but also helping people be the best they can be. Being strong and independent is part of that being the best one can be. And caring for others is also part of being the best one can be.
One thing I don't think Jesus would ever have supported is the idea of blaming others for their misfortunes. Jesus was not about blame.
Last edited by DC at the Ridge; 12-24-2013 at 09:20 AM..
That is a partisan statement based on false premise. Is a wealthy Democrat greedy knowing he will pay, but not collect? Think about it. Most Dems don't vote Dem because they think they will get free stuff.
Then how did Obama win, not only his first term, but a second? I submit it was because of his promises to redistribute other peoples wealth, and he is still "preaching" income inequality, and the need for egalitarian policies.
And he further claims that this is our most pressing problem??? Please.
True...it's all about motive for our actions and what's in the heart.
Jesus was also fair. Judging that someone has "more than they should have", and taking from them to redistribute to others is not fair. That should be a simple thing to grasp.
Then how did Obama win, not only his first term, but a second? I submit it was because of his promises to redistribute other peoples wealth, and he is still "preaching" income inequality, and the need for egalitarian policies.
And he further claims that this is our most pressing problem??? Please.
Your belief of why he won is a product of your own bias.
He won because more people preferred him to the alternative. The reasons why they preferred him are numerous. Maybe it was because they did think they would receive freebies. Maybe it was because they didn't like Sarah Palin. Maybe it was because they believe in a woman's right to an abortion. Maybe it was because they were from Hawaii or from Illinois and so felt a connection to President Obama. Maybe it was for a million other reasons. Because with millions and millions of voters, each voting according to their own priorities and rationales, there are millions and millions of reasons why voters vote the way they do. To presume it was for just one reason is ridiculous.
Of course they don't. But it would very hard to be a liberal without empathy as a major trait.
Of course Christians have empathy and give. but one could easily be conservative without one ounce of empathy.
There will always be those among us who are greedy and without any compassion. That is a given. Evil still exists in the world, and it always will. But, having wealth, creating wealth for oneself and family does not automatically equate to greed, or evil intent. God gave us the ability to produce wealth, and he expected us to work and be successful, not slothful.
When we are successful and produce wealth because of our dedication, and pursuit of excellence, it honors God, if our motives are right, and we give back to Him.
There will always be those among us who are greedy and without any compassion. That is a given. Evil still exists in the world, and it always will. But, having wealth, creating wealth for oneself and family does not automatically equate to greed, or evil intent. God gave us the ability to produce wealth, and he expected us to work and be successful, not slothful.
When we are successful and produce wealth because of our dedication, and pursuit of excellence, it honors God, if our motives are right, and we give back to Him.
Giving to government is not how we honor God.
And if we honor God by honoring his words, and his words tell us to give to government (render unto Caesar...), then giving to government can be honoring God.
Liberals don't think that there is anything wrong with having wealth, with creating wealth. Liberals don't think it automatically equates to greed or evil intent.
That is not true (he has recovered from his addiction, a type of which is very easy for anyone that has suffered with pain, to fall into).
You are simply saying that out of mean spiritedness, because you disagree with his political views. He is certainly no idiot; but, he is right on what he says about liberalism. Liberals love to be viewed as compassionate, and caring. However, their motives have noting to do with caring. They are socialists, and the seek those policies which attempt to make everyone equal, which means bringing down those whom they perceive to have "too big a slice of the pie." This is egalitarianism.
The fact of the matter is, there is no "wealth pie." Wealth is created. It is created when we produce something of value. Some will produce more than others, and therefore create more wealth. That is how Bill Gates and Steve Jobs became wealthy (to provide only two examples).
This is what God expects of people. To be the best we can be, and to achieve. Of course, as I said before, he expects us to honor us with the blessings he has allowed us to have.
A government that interferes with this, and uses it's power to redistribute wealth created by some to those who did not earn it, is evil. It does this not out of compassion, but out of a hatred for the success that some have achieved. It is plainly wrong.
That is not true (he has recovered from his addiction, a type of which is very easy for anyone that has suffered with pain, to fall into).
You are simply saying that out of mean spiritedness, because you disagree with his political views. He is certainly no idiot; but, he is right on what he says about liberalism. Liberals love to be viewed as compassionate, and caring. However, their motives have noting to do with caring. They are socialists, and the seek those policies which attempt to make everyone equal, which means bringing down those whom they perceive to have "too big a slice of the pie." This is egalitarianism.
The fact of the matter is, there is no "wealth pie." Wealth is created. It is created when we produce something of value. Some will produce more than others, and therefore create more wealth. That is how Bill Gates and Steve Jobs became wealthy (to provide only two examples).
This is what God expects of people. To be the best we can be, and to achieve. Of course, as I said before, he expects us to honor us with the blessings he has allowed us to have.
A government that interferes with this, and uses it's power to redistribute wealth created by some to those who did not earn it, is evil. It does this not out of compassion, but out of a hatred for the success that some have achieved. It is plainly wrong.
ALL governments redistribute wealth. When a government collects monies from its citizens to provide for the COMMON defense--they've just redistributed the wealth. Otherwise, only the citizens with money to pay for protection would be protected, and those without money would not be protected. When a government collects monies from its citizens to build roads and bridges, it is redistributing the wealth.
Your assumption that any government hates success is silly. Governments don't hate or like or love or feel anything. But governments depend on the success of a society's economy and culture. If a society fails, the government perishes along with it.
I find it ironic people lie, or parrot someone else's lies, in an effort to convince others that Jesus prefers their views
I find no "liberal" views (as "liberal" is used today) in the bible.
Further, I don't see that quoting another person to make a point is "parroting," if the point is well made and makes a valid argument.
Parroting is when one makes use of the "talking points" that we hear and read in the media, without making an argument. Simply stating platitudes is not an argument.
I assume you are referring to my OP with your last comment. I pointed out why Jesus could not be a socialist, and I think the evidence of scripture speaks for itself on that. Socialism, which is a system based on class envy, and a system that seeks to make everyone equal (not equal opportunity, but equal outcome) by taking from those who have more and redistributing it to those who have less, is wrong. Jesus never advocated for such a system, nor would he have. Jesus taught charity. Government redistribution is not charity.
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