Critique of Bush/Repug Policies using Teachings of Jesus (please add more)

[NAO]

We need a critique of the policies of the Bush Administration and of Right Wing Politics in general, using the teachings of Jesus Christ as related in the Gospels.

I don't know how many here have the requisite knowledge of current policy and familiarity with the Gospels. I'm not the best person to start such an undertaking (I'm agnostic), but I do have enough knowledge of these two areas to know that they are largely diametrically opposed.

A few examples of what I mean are below. I hope Christian DUers and those on the Religious Left can add many more.

If this topic were systematically explored and written up, it would make a very powerful book that could weaken the stranglehold of the Religious Right, which I see as a modern day version of the Pharisees.

*******

For example, Jesus was critical of the religious establishment and it's vicious, petty obsession on punishing those guilty of the letter of the law.

The Religious Right in the time of Christ were known as the Pharisees, the Sadducee's, and the Sanhedrin. They were like the Jerry Falwell's and James Dobsons of first century Palestine. (Incidentally, it was at their urging that the crowds choose to free Barabbas, a known criminal, and crucify Jesus, with whom Pilot could find no fault. Barabbas had a 'popular mandate' and was backed by contemporary religious leaders, just like Bush.)

Jesus taught that it was morally imperative to feed the poor, care for the sick, and minister to those in need. In fact, in Matthew 25:31-46 he makes this activity the basis of how the 'sheep' will be separated from the 'goats'. He states that those who have helped anyone have truly helped him; and that those who have refused anyone help have refused him.

A careful reading of this passage, along with the "Good Samaritan" passage, is a clear indictment Bush's slashing of subsistence programs and other domestic aid programs. In effect, any person who applies for welfare is morally equivalent to Jesus Christ. Would these right wingers be so anxious to accuse welfare recipients of being 'worthless freeloaders' if it were Jesus Christ himself applying for the assistance? Well, it is, if Matthew 25 is to be believed.

The Right Wing apologists would likely come up with all sorts or reasons why this reasoning is flawed, why providing for the needy thru this channel (federally administered, tax supported, state welfare). They would do well to read the story of the Good Samaritan, and see if they sense any parallel in their rationalizations to the religious figures who had various reasons not to help the person in need.

The Gospels are full of material that could be used to systematically refute the entire domestic and foreign policy agendas of the right.

[Nothing Without Hope]

1. Don't forget the Old Testament - here is the classic on that

Much of the "biblical documentation" for agendas like homophobic hate campaigns come from the Old Testament. The best refutation of this IMO is demonstrate how the pushers of this agenda have quoted selectively while ignoring inconvenient texts that might undermine their credibility.

The classic on this, floating around the web since 2000, is the "Open Letter to Dr. Laura." It combines documentary evidence with ridicule done in a way that I admire very much. It is not shrill, it is quietly devastating.

Most of the versions of the Open Letter floating around lack the author's name and have added a few extra quotes. Here is a version that HAS the original author's name and also provides two biblical translations for each cited verse (at the end, after the list of quotes). I'll quote a sample of some of the quotes below. I suggest you read the whole thing and keep it with you to refute wingnut hatemongers

http://www-users.cs.york.ac.uk/~susan/joke/laura.htm

(snip)
An open letter to Dr. Laura

J. Kent Ashcraft

May 2000

Dear Dr. Laura,

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and I try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind him that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate.

I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the specific laws and how to best follow them.

a) When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev 1:9). The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

b) I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

c) I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness (Lev 15:19-24). The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

d) Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?
(snip)

I do recommend you read and savor all of it and keep a copy handy.

[NAO]

2. I too relish the silliness of the OT, but to reach Christians,

stick to the Teaching of Jesus as related in the Gospels.

For this purpose, I'd ignore most of New Testament, most of which is letters from Paul, and stick to the Gospels, which are (purported) to be words of Jesus himself.

Too much of the material outside the Gospels is open to interpretation and manipulation by clever apologists for the established body of church doctrine. Most of the Church teaching actually comes from the writing of Paul, not the teachings of Jesus.

I'm surprised most Christians don't notice this, but they are so indoctrinated into the systematic dogma that they have built in reasons for not seeing it.

[Nothing Without Hope]

4. The OT is relevant too -- and here is a useful resource on the NT

The OT is relevant because it is often quoted selectively as "proof" of such things as God's "obvious" hatred of bi- and homosexual people. When the extremist hatemongers hand you their quotes, fresh from their bible, you can counter with other OT quotes to show that it is questionable practice to base an entire set of cultural directives on strict adherence to a set miscellaneous sayings from a millenia-old Middle Eastern tribal society. It is also true that there are conflicting interpretations of different parts of the OT as well as the NT. (I've read that it's the main reason why Martin Luther is said to have regretted making the Bible available to non-specialists through his vernacular German translation. The inconsistencies bothered him.)

The NT is full of ambiguities and conflicts. One useful site is the "Skeptic's Annotated Bible" at
http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com

It covers both the OT and the NT as well as some other widely quoted religious writings.

[idiosyncratic]

3. I keep a copy of that handy. It is brilliant.

5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?

6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination - Lev. 11:10 - it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?

7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the alter of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?

8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?

9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev. 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? - Lev. 24:116. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we are supposed to do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident that you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.


I love that question, "Why can't I own a Canadian?" LOL

[Nothing Without Hope]

5. "Why can't I own a Canadian" is my personal favorite too (n/t)

[marcologico]

6. Don't forget "blessed are the peacemakers"

and of course the cheesemakers, which is probably what Dumbya heard.

[Nothing Without Hope]

7. Yes, the whole Sermon on the Mount is pretty much anti-GOP (n/t)

Generosity, tolerance, compassion -- nope, not their style at all.

Reminds me of one of my favorite Republican Jesus sayings. (You know about them, right? They're from the wonderful "Jesus' General" blog site at http://patriotboy.blogspot.com) In this one Republican Jesus is describing a big project to enlarge that pesky eye of the needle for easier passage...I don't want to spoil it for you. You can see a closeup image here:
http://www.cafepress.com/patriotboy.12212316?zoom=yes#zoom

[Malva Zebrina]

8. I would like to know how it is that there can be so many

different and at times, opposite or conflicting,interpretations of Christianity--

How does this happen? I mean, are not they all using the same book?

For instance, slavery was considered just fine and dandy to certain famous and powerful ministers in the south, but then, after a bloody war, it was most certainly decided that slavery was a moral and ethical abomination.

Yet, the bible to this day, remains the same as always. Nothing in it has changed at all. The very thing that was touted back then, is still present in that work.

and I would like to know, how all of them, some hundreds of different Christian sects, as I understand it, can all have different beliefs.

I am interested because Christianity is in the majority in this country and we see Christianity infiltrating into our secular government at a somewhat alarming, and unconstitutional, rate, although it has been trying to do so for at least twenty to thirty years.

And why is that?

I would like to know how one determines what is the "real" Christianity or do they depend upon the teachings of those who preach the "truth" from the pulpit to tell them the answer?

and what is the "truth" about Christianity?

One claims it has the truth and the other disdains that "truth" and because it has figured out how to establish a political hegemony, due to much money and due to stealthy incursions, the one with the most money seems to win. For Jesus of course.

I would not be concerned, exept that I live here too, am a citizen, and I am not a Christian, and have observed this trend with some anxiety.

Nor would I ever consider being one after observing all of it over the years.

[Nothing Without Hope]

9. Because they are using the book to justify what they want

Basically, all these crusading leaders want to follow their own agenda, and they find selectively quoted religious writings convenient tools to justify their actions and motivate their followers. Some of them even convince THEMSELVES of their own sincerity. It's fun to feel "holy" and in the "saved" crowd.

Two of my favorite quotes on this situation:

"The true fanatic is a theocrat, someone who sees himself as acting on behalf of some superpersonal force: the Race, the Party, History, the proletariat, the Poor, and so on. These absolve him from evil, hence he may safely do anything in their service."
-- Lloyd Billingsley, "Religion's Rebel Son: Fanaticism in Our Time", Multnomah Publishers (1986)


If God created us in his own image, we have more than reciprocated.
-Voltaire, philosopher (1694-1778)

[ReelBigSpikey]

11. The Bible itself is conflicting

The reason that they can use the Bible to say whatever they want it to say is because the Bible contradicts itself so often, especially between the Old and New Testament. Ex: eye for an eye, turn the other cheek. There are TWO creation stories in the bible, which conflict on a few points (namely the order of creation). God is all manner of God's: Angry, loving, War-mongering, peaceful. Should you do good deeds and make life better on Earth, or is a friend of the world an enemy of God. These many contradictions make it easy to pick and choose verses that support what you want them to.

[fishingriver]

10. RW blinded by God?

In 2 Thess 2:11 God himself sends powerful delusions on them so that they believe the lie. This may explain why the RW seems to believe anything the administation throws out, defending it even after it is revealed to be a lie. Example- WMD, Saddam nuclear threat, Saddam connections to Al Qaeda.
I have included the verses around 2:11 to put it into context.

2:8
And then shall the wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
2:9
Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
2:10
And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2:11
And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
2:12
That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

[Supersedeas]

12. The General Epistle of James

<snip>

Wherefore, my beloved breathren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

***************************

And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?

Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

****************************

Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.

Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten.

Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.

Behold, the hire of laborers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of Saboath.

<snips>

[rman]

13. "You can't serve both God and Mammon" -- Jesus

by all means do google "Mammon"