Boy, do I hope this starts a shitstorm with my neighbor.

[Bertha Venation]

My neighbors across the street are Christians. We're "Hi-how-ya-doin'" friendly, exchanging words if we both happen to be outside at the same time. But they're anti-equality and we're legally-married lesbians. (Imagine our reaction when they put a Santorum for president sign in their yard.)

Today, "Carla" posted on Facebook a picture of Mother Teresa with this quote: "At the end of our lives, we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made or how many great things we have done. We will be judged by 'I was hungry and you gave me to eat. I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless and you took me in.'"* Because I agree, I shared.

A few statuses down, "Carla" posted a quote from Walter E. Williams (I'll have to google him): "Let me offer you my definition of social justice: I keep what I earn and you keep what you earn. Do you disagree? Well then tell me how much of what I earn belongs to you -- and why?"

I saw red. Not all Christians are hypocrites, but damn if I didn't just see one.

I replied to her status: "A few posts up: 'I was hungry and you gave me to eat. I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless and you took me in.'"

I saw blood red and had to get it out of my system.

* Just in case you don't know, the words she quoted are from Jesus in the bible.

[Sekhmets Daughter]

1. For most so-called christians...

charity begins and ends at home...or where it will draw the most attention. They actually believe that the "God helps those who help themselves" is biblical!

[LeftofObama]

2. I have to give you credit, Bertha.

You're a much more patient soul than I am. I have little to no tolerance for those people and I have no problem letting them know exactly how I feel.

[Bertha Venation]

12. Oh, you should see me most times.

She's replied and I'll post that later. But with her reply, I'm more incensed. She just does not get it.

In fact I'm not very patient. I just can't follow most political discussions because I get so mad.

Mrs. V. is a queen of message board discussions. She can tell people to go to hell and make them think they'll enjoy the ride.

[AnneD]

3. Matthew 7:5

New Living Translation (©2007)
Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye.

This is the only reply to offer. Unfortunately, we can be blind to our own faults, but love of others is not one of them.

[bluesbassman]

4. I hear you Bertha. Sorry that happened, but it did inspire me to write this little piece...

Hope it makes sense.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022576221

[dawg]

5. Christ was willing to die for the sake of others...

Walter Williams doesn't want to pay taxes so poor kids can eat. Most people should be able to spot the difference.

[hrmjustin]

9. +1

[Chan790]

6. The response for the Walter E. Williams quote for a true believer in the Good News should be...

all of it...because Jesus wills it so:

Mark 10:21 – And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

Luke 6:30 Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back.

Luke.12:33 Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys.

Luke 16:10-12 -One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?

Acts 2:44,45 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common.And sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone has need.

[Bertha Venation]

13. See, I don't see how people like my neighbor

can explain away these declarations. "Christian" means "follower of Christ," no? So wouldn't a Christian do what Christ says?

It would take a special person to follow the edict of selling everything. But most of us should realize that what Jesus is quoted as saying makes good common sense -- if you care about your fellow man, that is. I guess some people just don't.

[struggle4progress]

7. I'm thinking your neighbor would enjoy this cheerful little homily from St Basil!

... Who are the greedy? Those who are not satisfied with what suffices for their own needs

Who are the robbers? Those who take for themselves what rightfully belongs to everyone

And you, are you not greedy? Are you not a robber? The things you received in trust as a stewardship, have you not appropriated them for yourself?

Is not the person who strips another of clothing called a thief? And those who do not clothe the naked when they have the power to do so, should they not be called the same?

The bread you are holding back is for the hungry, the clothes you keep put away are for the naked, the shoes that are rotting away with disuse are for those who have none, the silver you keep buried in the earth is for the needy. You are thus guilty of injustice toward as many as you might have aided, and did not ...

St. Basil the Great
On Social Justice

[baldguy]

8. For too many "Christians" the Bible consists only of Leviticus & Revelations.

[Duer 157099]

10. That should teach ya

what are you doin being facebook friends with a neighbor?

[Bertha Venation]

14. Never interacted with her on FB before.

Live and learn.

[Ron Obvious]

11. The Christian Capitalist...

The Christian Capitalist is a bizarre hybrid species almost unique to this country, I fear. I'm an atheist, so I don't understand this whole thing to begin with, but the amount of cognitive dissonance you'd have to put up with to turn the character Jesus from the new Testament, who most modern churches would turn away as a dirty commie into supply-side Jesus is just staggering.