Republicans Vs Jesus Christ

reply to post by charles1952

It's a little like hiding your light under a bushel. (Well, not exactly, but similar.)

I would say that's exactly right...

what happens if God gave me $10,000 with out any specific directions on how to use it? I would think that investing it, in a bank or elsewhere, until I had a clear purpose for it would be perfectly acceptable to Him.

Well yes, but investing for interest isn't really the same... the bank uses your money for their own purposes, which are also "investments"... but that's really all they're good for... The same bank will charge you every time you attempt to use your own money in anyway... I guess that's just business though.

Somehow I believe IF satan exists... Credit is his greatest tool...

Aside from religion of course...

Actually the christian right identifies with christianity, not necessarily just the teaching of Christ. If you read through the bible you can see justifications for everything on their platform. Anti-homosexuality, abortion.....you get the idea.

reply to post by Hopechest


But Christ was anti abortion and anti gay himself.

reply to post by Christian Voice

Perhaps a small point. Jesus was not anti-gay. He loved, and loves, all sinners and calls them to Him. (Which is the only way I have any hope.) Now, fornication was not on his top 5 list of favorites, nor was killing people.

In MHO many of the post I have read so far seem to be askew. It would seem that those with the same mind set as the OP have a concept of Jesus being like Robin Hood.
Jesus did not take from those that have and give to the have nots. What He tried to teach (and still teaches) is for us to love one another as He loves us. This is the way to help those less fortunate. Give with a free and open heart.

The key word is "give". Many who have posted thus far seem to not understand that the government "takes".
Jesus would not have stolen from one to give to another. Robin Hood would have.
Do not judge what you do not seem to comprehend.
Quad

reply to post by ldyserenity


I'm not into politics at all, there seems to be no true Christian politician. However, a real Christian does not subscribe to a religion, he's simply been born again and met Jesus, the real deal. Most people just don't get this, probably most who call themselves Christians for that matter. I say forget politics and follow the plan. So it really happened? You're born again! You've met Jesus for real. But what now? Here's how to make your election sure:

The Second Epistle General of Peter

1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, To them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord. Make Your Calling and Election Sure 3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises; that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5 And besides this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11 for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. 13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; 14 knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath showed me. 15 Moreover I will endeavor that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. 16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. 19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts: 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

reply to post by ldyserenity


So basically you are saying they are a bunch of hypocrites!
Well the facts are that all hierarchies are hypocrites!
even the religious ones!
I believe in God but don't believe in any organized religion!
This is what you get when money trumps faith!
We will all get our just reward even the republicans!

Originally posted by ldyserenity
Okay bear with me here this is a topic that I have long mulled over and don't understand where the right comes from here. They seem to be totally lost and backwards in their thinking. Simply because they are in direct opposition of Christ with their attitudes and their supposed actions (This is only considering the right Christians which seems to be what most of the right are)
Most of them say they follow Christ's teaching, but if you explore the very life of him, you see that he is a Socialist and Idealist, he believed in redemption for all, if they were to change their ways, in fact the only thing he was against wholeheartedly was the banking system back then, he even overturned their collection tables and called it usury. Today the right glorifies the banking system. Also he died so that all would receive redemption and salvation that means even the gays and even the women that had abortions, if they only accept him and ask for forgiveness in his name. But the right want to legislate the hell out of morality (God and Jesus must be something a person seeks out for oneself, NOT to be legislated but let the usurers rape and gouge the people of everything they need?). This is what I have observed. But He himself says that the people must come to him of their own free will. So even if someone doesn't accept him as the savior until their deathbed that they still have a path to redemption if they accept him on their deathbed. He even gave a prostitute forgiveness. He said the meek shall inherit the earth, not someone who hoarded money on the falseness of "Personal Responsibility" personal responsibility quite frankly, in my eyes is watch what you do, not what the heck the Jones' do and judge not, lest ye be judged yourselves, So why in God's name do these rightists want to go telling everybody what to do and how to live their lives? What is so hard to understand about his teachings from people who say they live as a follower of Jesus, when a PAGAN can understand it better? It isn't hard really, it's very simple.

This is just stuff I got from watching The Bible on the History Channel (NOT BY CHOICE) and I am just left scratching my head. Am I the only one that thinks that the right are at odds with their beliefs and their actions?

I disagree with you. Although Christ taught individual charity and, as a result, American Christians are some of the most individually charitable people out there. However, he said nothing about taking from someone to give to someone else. He did not say anything about the state forcing charity and redistributing things. In fact, he did say some things against theft. He did also preach about individual responsability and work as well--see the parable about the talents: the guy who worked and saved was rewarded. THey guy that pissed it away was not. You can't say he was a socialist.

reply to post by ldyserenity


From the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 10: 21-25, Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter 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 the kingdom of God.”

31“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’
41“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
44“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
45“He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
46“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

Seems pretty clearly opposite of 'the Christian party'. Which isn't to say Democrats are any better, they just don't invoke Jesus into it.

reply to post by Christian Voice


I like how the most anti-religious zealots out there (who probably haven't even read the Bible) tell you what the Bible tells us about Christ.
"He loved everyone! So he COULDN'T be anti-gay!" I guess he couldn't be ant-murder either, huh?
It's not the gay person that Christ is against, but the "act".

Also, per OP, I wonder where in the Bible you would find the "Christ is a Socialist" statement?


I was seriously hoping this would be a thread that points out how the Republican Party loves war, and yet Christ said something along the lines of "Blessed are the Peacemakers" and that those who "live by the sword, die by the sword".

But no, this is just an anti-religion thread. Sorry. My mistake.

reply to post by ldyserenity


IText Red I would like to respond point by point
Okay bear with me here this is a topic that I have long mulled over and don't understand where the right comes from here. They seem to be totally lost and backwards in their thinking. Simply because they are in direct opposition of Christ with their attitudes and their supposed actions (This is only considering the right Christians which seems to be what most of the right are)
Most of them say they follow Christ's teaching, but if you explore the very life of him, you see that he is a Socialist and Idealist, he believed in redemption for all( The only that would be redeemed is those who excepted him as the savior period)
, if they were to change their ways, in fact the only thing he was against wholeheartedly was the banking system back then, he even overturned their collection tables and called it usury.
In correct, he was angered that the money lenders and merchants used God's Holy place as a market.

Today the right glorifies the banking system. (Irrelevant the Jews, Muslims and Atheisist do also)

Also he died so that all would receive redemption and salvation that means even the gays and even the women that had abortions, if they only accept him and ask for forgiveness in his name.


But the right want to legislate the hell out of morality (God and Jesus must be something a person seeks out for oneself, NOT to be legislated but let the usurers rape and gouge the people of everything they need?). This is what I have observed.
But He himself says that the people must come to him of their own free will. So even if someone doesn't accept him as the savior until their deathbed that they still have a path to redemption if they accept him on their deathbed. He even gave a prostitute forgiveness. He said the meek shall inherit the earth, not someone who hoarded money on the falseness of "Personal Responsibility"
Jesus message was not anti rich, but give to others per God's will and much will be given to you. This includes titheing, not only giving God your first 10% it doesn't apply onlty to money, your time or "stuff" you no longer need.
personal responsibility quite frankly, in my eyes is watch what you do, not what the heck the Jones' do and judge not, lest ye be judged yourselves, So why in God's name do these rightists want to go telling everybody what to do and how to live their lives?
Jesus and God demand that we live our lives according to their rules, period simple to understand

What is so hard to understand about his teachings from people who say they live as a follower of Jesus, when a PAGAN can understand it better? It isn't hard really, it's very simple.

This is just stuff I got from watching The Bible on the History Channel (NOT BY CHOICE) and I am just left scratching my head. Am I the only one that thinks that the right are at odds with their beliefs and their actions?

Try reading the Bible for yourself, find some good reference materials and you will be enlightened.

reply to post by charles1952


Do you not think homosexuals are fornicating? Yes they are because Jesus sets the standard for marriage as between a man and a woman and says sex outside of marriage is fornication and wrong. Give me a break.
You people are very confused about Love and Christ. Yes Jesus Loves everyone but that does not mean everyone is going to Heaven. You cannot live an actively gay lifestyle and expect forgiveness. It does not work that way. Yes a homosexual can be saved but he then must walk away from that lifestyle. You cannot be an active homosexual and a Christian at the same time. Once you become saved there is a transforming of your heart.

reply to post by Christian Voice

Dear Christian Voice,

Please forgive me for not being more clear. That seems to be happening more as I grow older. When I said that Jesus wasn't "anti-gay" I meant that he wasn't anti-gay person. I mentioned fornication because I agree that sex outside of marriage is wrong.

I further agree that not everyone is going to heaven. Jesus was quite clear about that. But I believe as much as I believe anything that he wants for us all to be there. Because of our sinfulness, I don't think it will happen.

You cannot live an actively gay lifestyle and expect forgiveness. It does not work that way. Yes a homosexual can be saved but he then must walk away from that lifestyle. You cannot be an active homosexual and a Christian at the same time. Once you become saved there is a transforming of your heart.

May i disagree with you slightly, here?

In the case of a homosexual, he might decide that God is calling him to give up homosexual acts. He alters his life and abstains from them. Occasionally, the temptations reemerge and he goes back to his old ways. Then, he might catch himself, confess to God, and begin again on a celibate life. This rise and fall may continue to the end of his life. At the end of his life he can tell God that he was sorry for his failures and wishes to be with Him eternally, I would call that homosexual man blessed, and that his life was Christian.

I hope I am not shocking anyone, I think I am known here for opposing homosexual activities. But I also have my sins, and wish for God's mercy.

With respect,
Charles1952

One problem with the Republicans is that most get their ideas of Christianity from higher ups in the party, rather than read the Bible themselves, let alone indulge in any study. A good example of this is Limbaugh, although this also applies to his secular positions. His listeners call themselves "ditto heads" meaning they automatically agree with anything he says, no matter how outlandish, rather than think for themselves. I just need the facts so I can decide on issues for myself. I don't need to be spoon fed opinions from Limbaugh or Rachel Maddow, for that matter. But I digress. Let's see how the GOPs strange version of "Christianity" compares to actual Biblical Christianity, using

"the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God"-Eph 6:17b

itself. All verses are from the New International Version except for John 15:12, which is taken from the English Standard Version for clarity's sake.

I have rather liberal views on the subject, but I don't know why Republicans are so obsessed with homosexuality. At worst, they may be given over

"to a reprobate mind"-Rom 1:28b

meaning they will be left to their own devices to do whatever they want to do. Also applying to this,

"Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God."-1 Cor 9b-10

Why are they so narrowly focused on one behavior out of 9 on this list? I never hear them go on about adulterers or slanderers. As for that vile Westboro Baptist Church, their signs may as well say, "God hates the greedy." So far as hate is concerned, Jesus said

"This is my commandment: that you love one another as I have loved you."-John 15:12.

It's not some dreamy notion, or just a sweet thought, but a commandment, as valid as the other 10. Anyone who spews hatred while claiming to be a Christian is flat-out practicing heresy against the Word in my opinion. Concerning the excesses of our banking system,

"Do not take interest or any profit from them, but fear your God, so that they may continue to live among you."-Lev 25:36

The next verse addresses the growing income gap in our country, and the perils of the economic extremes, as the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.

"give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say 'Who is the Lord?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God."-Pro 30:8b-9

Also, as to the disparaging of the "47%"?

"Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker"-Pro 17:5a

and

"Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God"=Pro 14:31

Well, that's that. By the way, my friends call me "The Reverend", gee, I wonder why? Actually, I don't always go on like this, only when I get riled up. Peace, everyone!

reply to post by charles1952


I can agree with you quite so on this. I do understand the concept of temptation and backsliding all too well. But in this person's case they are striving to be more Christ like and trying to stop their sin. They are not out to force everyone to accept their sin, not deciding God does not exist so that they are not sinning, they are not trying with all of their being to hold onto their sin. I believe that once you ask for forgiveness that Christ knows your heart. I can't see saying to Jesus, forgive me for the sins that I absolutely refuse to give up.
I Loved seeing you put it the way you did. Thank You.

reply to post by dontaskmeimfrommars


I would interject that homosexuals are the ones screeming loudest for everyone to change their morals and accept their lifestyle choices. That might be why Republicans focus a bit more that way. I could care less about party politics however I would lean a little more to the right simply on their traditional stance on moral issues like abortion and homosexuality.

reply to post by ldyserenity


This has been the case for a long time. The right is not only at odds with its religion of choice, but also at odds with its own beliefs. How can the party of life also be the party which wants to put people to death, let old ppl and the disabled starve, and go to war under false reasons??

While both sides have a myriad of bad ideas, the right has the "crazy" on lockdown. This is why left wing comedy shows do so well. The truth is funny.

I suppose Jesus would resemble a contemporary republican if he too were only interested in pleasing his donor masters. Perhaps if Christ were going to be primaried, he would have cheered the free market and called Obama a socialist too. I would like to think he wouldn't, but who knows?

Originally posted by ldyserenity
.......
This is just stuff I got from watching The Bible on the History Channel (NOT BY CHOICE) and I am just left scratching my head. Am I the only one that thinks that the right are at odds with their beliefs and their actions?

As with many books that make the transition from printed page to TV or movies - you'll get more out of it if you actually read the book.