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Judeo-Christian scripture is a rich and complicated work of literature. Written over the course of (at least) several hundred years by dozens of different authors, there are a variety of perspectives and many times outright contradictions in the theology and the politics of the writing (if it's all inspired word for word by God, He seems to have changed his mind a lot). But one thing is extremely certain: the poor seem to be who God is most concerned about. Yes, there are a few quotations (four, if I remember right) trashing gay people, along with quite a few more about the right way to do animal sacrifice and to be careful about eating shellfish and hanging out with women who are menstruating. But mercy, kindness, and concern for the poor and the weak and the outcast seems to matter a lot more, with literally several hundred verses referencing those agenda items. If you are a progressive, that is a pretty good ratio.
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The Jesus of the New Testament spent his public career preaching about the nature of God and our relationship to God, but also about how we should deal with each other. He repeatedly blessed mercy, gentleness, peacemaking, community, and taking care of each other. He lifted up the poor and oppressed, and spoke poorly of the wealthy and powerful. If anyone in modern society talked like he did, you can bet your bottom dollar that conservatives would condemn that person as a class warrior, a socialist. Jesus may not have been primarily concerned with politics, but for what politics he did have, it is virtually impossible to argue that he was anything but a progressive thinker.
It's commonfact that Jesus is Republican. He's drinking a beer with Reagan as we speak.
I digress. Unfortunately I was raised Catholic and have read most of the Bible through and through. These warmongering holy rollers either haven't read the Bible or are very selective and neglect other verses when they condone violence. Having hateful degenerates like Jerry Faldwell and Pat Robertson claim they're the voice of God doesn't help either.
The Bible is ancient dogma from the middle-east. It is extremely conservative in nature and enforces blind obedience to authority.
It also shuns those who use critical thinking and independent logic.
I heard Jesus and the tooth fairy are really good friends.
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Originally Posted by twista6002
It's commonfact that Jesus is Republican. He's drinking a beer with Reagan as we speak.
I digress. Unfortunately I was raised Catholic and have read most of the Bible through and through. These warmongering holy rollers either haven't read the Bible or are very selective and neglect other verses when they condone violence. Having hateful degenerates like Jerry Faldwell and Pat Robertson claim they're the voice of God doesn't help either.
Politicians use ancient biases, homophobic tendencies, and the sex lives of people as push button issues with the religious communities.
Jesus never said that one persons skin color was better or worse than another. Jesus never said that homosexuals were bad, and Jesus never said don't have sex.
Then, when they get you focused on those things, they steal the money out of your wallet, and keep it for themselves.
At least when the Democrats steal your money, they are giving it to the poor, which is after all, what Jesus really said.
Jesus, if he indeed was real, was a good person. I think the parables and morals are good standards to live by. It's just these holy hypocrites and hokus pocus types that have given Jesus any soiled reputation he had.
Jesus, if he indeed was real, was a good person. I think the parables and morals are good standards to live by. It's just these holy hypocrites and hokus pocus types that have given Jesus any soiled reputation he had.
"I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. They are so unlike your Christ." - Gandhi
I've read the Bible, not once but several times. Growing up, I was a Sunday school regular but one not without difficult questions. I never took the Old Testament seriously, nothing more than a collection of stories, that may have happened in one form or another but depicted with human emotions written all over it. OTOH, I find many things in the New Testament inspirational, and quite divine. Jesus' choices made for a difficult life. He preached things that are difficult to accept. And, as a result, there is plenty of contradiction between His ways and those in the Old Testament. I would dare say, that if Christianity used Jesus as THE basis for the religion, it would be a lot closer to Buddhism. But then, Notovitch may have been onto something.
The "conservatives" we speak of in these political forums, the ones politicians pander to if not seriously believe all that they say and act, rely more on what they call "Judeo-Christian" principles. In other words, when convenient call for Jesus otherwise stick to the Old Testament. In fact, the idea of "Judeo-Christianity" itself is a misnomer. At least in Islam, Jesus is considered a prophet, soul of God (but not son of God as Christians believe in). In Judaism, Jesus is simply a false prophet. With that in mind, the two roots "Judeo" and "Christianity" are contradictory. Judaism dismisses Jesus who is fundamental to Christianity.
But, the term comes handy in politics, also proving the point behind unconditional support for Israel (harking back to the Old Testament's "God of Israel").
The more I think of it and read into the stories of Jesus, the more I think the guy would be anatagonized as some socialist whacko by today's right.
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