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Synopsis..... Would you say Bush is For or Anti Christ. Timesonline, Feb.10 2003
How does Bush's mad push toward mass murder in Iraq size up along side the teachings of Jesus? Is there anything Bush could do, or say, that could possibly counterbalance that, to make him what he calls himself -- a Christian -- in the face of his behavior toward the Iraqis?
Could any ritual he could follow, like closing his eyes reverently as a prayer is being said at a public occasion; piping up with a line like "Jesus is my favorite philosopher" at a debate in order to deflect attention from his utter vapidness as a personality? How could he flippantly use Christ in this manner, anyway! All his talk about God and Justice and Democracy as he prepares to destroy every trace of them, is BS.
And he even talks Love and Peace. All the while his agenda is all about killing, plundering. The man holds nothing sacred except money, power, and loyalty, but not to Christ!
Without getting into a religious argument, but merely looking in terms of the historical record of the actions of Bush and Christ, even a Bush supporter or a hardcore member of the Christian Right would have a hard time denying that mass murder and destruction are as much in opposition of Jesus' teachings as any possible human act.
Jesus said, "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's," and was given a brutal Roman execution. Today's emperor is Bush.
Aren't you bewildered by anyone who can call himself a Christian and endorse in any way the kind of carnage the administration has pushed? Iraq did not attack us. We attacked Iraq...twice!
In fact, is there any religion you can name that would condone the killing of innocent men, women and children to satisfy a requirement of power, a territorial annexation in effect?
I find passive acquiescence to this atrocity by anyone who calls himself a Christian almost as inexcusable as if they were out there with a hatchet themselves butchering families.
How can you call yourself a Christian when you will not stand up, not speak out against such crime, not take whatever action you can take in your own sphere, this is shameful negligence. People are crying out, and you close your ears.
Jesus' Sermon on the Mount includes:
The Beatitudes
7Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
9Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
The Fulfillment of the Law
17"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Murder
21"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder,<1> and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' 22But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother<2> will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,<3> ' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.
23"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
25"Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.<4>
An Eye for an Eye
38"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'<7> 39But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Love for Enemies
43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor<8> and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies<9> and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Treasures in Heaven
19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. 23But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
24"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
Judging Others
1"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
6"Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.
The Wise and Foolish Builders
24"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
26But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."
28When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
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