Ryan's attempt to cut off SNAP from those who do not work

[MineralMan]

is based on a biblical passage, From 2 Thessalonians, chapter 3:

This is from one of Paul's letters, written to an early, communal church in Thessalonia. It was specifically about that church and those involved in it. It is not a general thing, but only applicable to that group.

Like many other things the dominionists want to do, it is based on a very selective use of Christian scripture. They use such out of context passages from the Bible to justify their sick policy ideas. It is important to understand how they try to justify their nonsense. It is yet another way they are trying to force their distorted views on everyone:

6. Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

7. For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;

8. Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:

9. Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.

10. For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

11. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.

12. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

13. But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. And here's an exegesis of that passage, explaining in detail why

it doesn't mean what the GOPers and fundies claim it means:

These disruptive ones will not “work” (ergazomenous), instead they work mischief (periergazomenous), building the counter to the positive of what they should be doing. The characterization in verse 11 is crucial for getting this passage correctly, giving a threefold picture: they are disruptive, will not work, and are meddlers. Grammatically, the descriptions are positive, negative, positive, but lexically they are all negative. It is not that they are simply lazy, or heaven forbid, unable to work. These people are able to work, but use that ability to create chaos in the community. As such, they directly contradict the example of the apostles who by status would not have had to work but did anyway. This passage has nothing to do with whether a social welfare should be in place to catch the helpless in society; this is entirely concerned with those who should and can work but refuse and instead direct their energies to causing chaos in the community.

https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=1848

[MineralMan]

3. Yes. Taken out of context, the Dominionist Right is attempting

to apply it to the entire nation. This is why we must work as hard as we can to put people in power who will not do such things.

Dominionism is a bastardization of religion that is attempting to impose its will on everyone.

[MineralMan]

5. Interestingly, that passage has been widely used as part

of the rules for many monastic and semi-monastic religious orders in the Roman Catholic Church. It is applied specifically, not generally. That was Paul's intention in the letter.

[eppur_se_muova]

7. "but refuse and instead direct their energies to causing chaos ..." like 45 ...

... and his whole maladministration ? Creating "chaos" is something they glorify, especially Bannon and his special little followers, decidely contrary to Paul's exhortations.

[Glorfindel]

2. This could get really interesting. Protestant dominionists despise Roman Catholics

like Ryan almost as much as they hate Muslims and Mormons.

[MineralMan]

4. Ryan has aligned himself with the Dominionists.

Fortunately, he is taking himself out of office. Rejoicing should be general! However, watch for him to show up again as a Presidential candidate. I expect it.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

6. Ryan is a Randian objectivist, which squares with his interpretation

of that passage in Thessalonians - though not so much with Catholicism, especially Pope Francis' version of it. I don't think he's an ideological Dominionist but he has fallen in with them because their goal of screwing the poor is the same as his. I do expect him to crawl out of the swamps of Wisconsin again as a candidate for the presidency, or at least the senate.

[MineralMan]

8. I suspect you are correct in that assessment.

I doubt he is even aware of the Biblical connection to his proposal. Many who claim Christianity have no real connection to it.

[Power 2 the People]

9. Ryan is as much of a con-man as Trump

Let's not be fooled. He makes believe he's catholic in order to further his career and appeal to the masses. His true religion is and always has been Ayn Rand and the gospel of selfishness. If he truly doesn't believe in christian tenants of good and evil than he is not bound by truth,only persuasion.

[Generic Other]

10. NT Paul subverted Christ's message

Paul Ryan subverted both Christ's message and America's promise to provide for the common good. Neither impress me. And I would suggest they would not have impressed Christ if he existed.

[MineralMan]

11. Well, Ryan and that lot don't seem worried about any eternal judgment.

It makes you wonder what they believe, if anything.