Jesus had plenty to say about money and moneychangers, greed and wealth, and the root of all evil.

[tannybogus]

Church Silence on the Economy
I've been waiting for a week for at least one major Christian denomination to help us gain some spiritual or even scriptural insight into Wall Street's moral failings, first brought to our attention by Brother Alan Greenspan in 2002.
<snip>
Last time I checked, assets and liabilities were not how the church measured its work or worth. Greed is still one of the seven deadly sins. Covetousness hasn't been amended out of the Ten Commandments. Depending on your interpretation of scripture, Christianity either strongly cautions against or forbids charging interest and accumulating wealth and debt, not to mention gambling.

So why aren't the leaders of our major Christians denominations saying anything about the economy? They've had plenty to say during the past week about other pressing moral issues. Catholic bishops remain focused on abortion. Southern Baptist leaders continue to condemn abortion and defend Sarah Palin, and National Baptist Convention leaders fretting about aging congregations and applauded Michelle Obama. Presbyterian leaders expressed concern about gun violence, Assemblies of God about hurricane victims, Lutherans about poverty, United Church of Christ leaders about peace. None of them said anything about Wall Street.
<snip>
Jesus said nothing about abortion, homosexuality or pension plans (although he did say not to worry about tomorrow). He had plenty to say about money and moneychangers, greed and wealth, and the root of all evil. He had good news for the poor, not for investors.

As "On Faith" panelist and nondenominational leader Jim Wallis wrote, "The behavior of too many on Wall Street is a violation of biblical ethics . . . It's time for the pulpit to speak -- for the religious community to bring the Word of God to bear on the moral issues of the American economy. The Bible speaks of such things from beginning to end, so why not our pastors and preachers?"
<snip>
http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/undergod/2008/09/the_churchs_silence_on_the_eco.html

They wouldn't know Jesus if he bit them on the butt. The church leaders just pick and choose what they want from the Bible!

Edit: Did not mean to post anything construed as antisemitic. My apologies.

[leftofcool]

1. Jesus didn't have a 401K or a retirement fund

to lose either.

[elocs]

2. It's "love" of money that is the root of all evil according to the Bible. n/t

[Midlodemocrat]

3. Right.

How are you doing my friend? Everything settling down, hopefully?

[elocs]

6. The ball bounces one way one day, and another way another day.

It's unpredictable and full of drama, constant drama.

[Midlodemocrat]

7. I hear you. And, all that drama is so tiring.

I'm thinking about you and hoping things improve with age. :hug:

[elocs]

8. It's the back and forth which gets you weary.

You think things are fine and then the next day everything crashes and burns. Rinse and repeat.

[Midlodemocrat]

9. Which is why, and I've told you this before

I don't think the right meds are involved. Ugh.

[elocs]

12. I don't think the right meds are involved either. Currently there are none.

No counseling either and the clock is ticking.

[Naturalist]

4. There is no Religion. Jesus didn't need money.

Look, the reason we are in this mess is NOT because they gave loans to people that had bad credit. They are in this mess because they were too GREEDY and convinced people they could afford their HIGH INTEREST LOANS. This is OUR GOVERNMENT, not the COPORATIONS. If anyone needs bailed out, it's the AMEICAN PEOPLE ONLY! Take all this money they are spending on bailing out CORPORATIONS and WAR then pay off the 2nd mortgages and partialy the 1st mortage of AMERICAN CITIZENS who need it, instead of giving the money to CORPORATIONS. You get the same thing! The stupidity of people still amazes me. You always think that CORPORATE WELFARE IS OK BUT CITIZEN WELFARE IS A NO NO. They have you so BRAINWASHED that you can't even see the light of day. I wonder how you got that way hmmmm. Well I bet you have money in the stock market, what ya think. They suckered you real good! Wake up FELLOW CITIZENS who aren't part of this corruption. The people you hear say this is a good thing "we need to do this etc." are your enemies because they are in bed with the rest of these TRAITORS. This is not AMERICA INC! CORPORATIONS can't fight a WAR they can only, if they are so equiped, build weapons, but you are the one needed to man those weapons. CORPORATIONS didn't fight the BRITISH for INDEPENDENCE. When we acheived INDEPENDENCE it was the so called MOM and POP businesses that started this country. They have destroyed most of those with your willing acceptance because you wanted cheaper stuff from CHINA. It's all our fault, it's been our choice because we have either gotten in bed with these crooks because we are greedy, or we have been too complacent about it. Let me ask you one really important question. Do you even think about what your leaving behind for your children or grandchildren? Do you want them to not have any other options but to be part of a society that cares only about MONEY and CORPORATIONS? Do you not want them to have the FREEDOM to run their country? Do you not want them to have the opportunity to own a farm, start a business and be able to compete? Oh and one more thing, just how does this all fit in with your teachings from Jesus? Have you been brainwashed there also. Do you really believe that Jesus went around asking for Money? Have you read the part where Jesus got really angry at the TAX COLLECTORS? You think he would approve of giving your money to CORPORATIONS instead of helping your FELLOW NEIGHBORS? I am disgusted with you all!

[elocs]

10. Two suggestions: 1. paragraphs and 2. less shouting. n/t

[Indenturedebtor]

5. Your last sentence is shockingly antisemitic. Why do you hate Jesus?

"I will too. "Jesus saves." (and Moses invests)."

That's just lovely. Go read the Torah. It actually spells out the evils of interest and moneylending. Matter of fact in the Torah there is a mandatory bankruptcy every 7 years for everyone so that no one is enslaved by debt. And Jews have been far more vocal about the bible forbidding usury in the last few years. So go fuck yourself.

[wishlist]

11. They're too busy fighting their holy war against evil liberals

The right wing fundies refuse to acknowledge that they are in bed with the party of greed and corruption and dishonesty. They cannot admit the failings of the Repubs and keep pushing the idea that they must keep fighting "God's war" against the infidels, which now includes Democrats and even moderate Repubs and mainstream Christians who express tolerance.

[applegrove]

13. Because there was no credit the dark ages happened. Nobody could

borrow against their future & hard work to move ahead. We don't want to go back to no credit. Which may have happened if we didn't have this 700B Bailout.

[Indenturedebtor]

15. Credit is ok, but bankruptcy needs to be easier, not harder

And rates should be strictly capped. Also credit is NO substitute for a fair wage.

[applegrove]

16. I agree we should repeal the bankruptcy laws that favoured credit card

companies. Half of all bankruptcies in the USA are because of health care costs not overspending. Once Obama's health care plan is put into effect that will make it better too.

[Sebastian Doyle]

14. In addition to what Jesus said Himself, there are numerous Scriptures regarding usury.

Anyone who has read the Bible cannot possibly delude themselves into thinking God approves of the corporate financial system, or the so-called "prosperity gospel".