Jesus believed in sharing the wealth.

[ScienceRocks]

Growing the wealth means more wealth for all. Let's not destroy wealth and become poorer.

This is what I fear. You're right as growing the middle class is the way forward.

 

[PoliticalChic]

"Who decided on your way of earning a living?
Who insisted that you take, and keep your current job?
Who forbid you from leaving your job and location to seek other, better employment?
How did you decide that you were worth more than you currently get?
Who is preventing you from opening your own business?
Why are you unable to understand this: 'It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness.'
These are rhetorical...you need not answer."

There is a difference between existential truth and the human condition many have to live with, as you well know.

Is it cruelty or provocation that makes you as these questions?

Of course it is always understood that no one need answer.

"...many have to live with,..."

Some are stronger than other.

Straight out of Ayn Rand. Good girl, now go back to high school cheer leading and pseudo intellectualism.
Or, go work unloading bananas in the summer heat on the docks with big, strong, sweating workers so you can earn enough for tuition and food.
Open your own business and sweat out the days when no one comes into your shop and the bills pile up.
Or move to another country, another culture and another language and try to save a relationship while working your butt off, only to have the business destroyed by two towers tumbling half way round the world.
When ideals and credos, doctrines and ideologies run into human reality, the only reality there is, humanity trumps in any real human.

Well....wouldya look at that!

1. Exactly the same tone and level post produced every time a male is put in his place and his widdle ego is bruised.....


Smarting a bit?
Good.
Big mistake to believe you can tell me what to do.

2. Quit your whining and hand-wringing about how terrible life is.
This is America. The greatest nation on earth.
Man up.


3. "38% of taxi and limo drivers were immigrants in 2000. This is one of the highest
proportions of immigrant workers of any occupation in the U.S. Only tailors and
farm laborers had a higher percentage of immigrants among occupations with at
least 50,000 workers in the 2000 Census"
http://www.schallerconsult.com/taxi/taxidriver.pdf



4. Unlike their counterparts in the 1960s and 70s whose aspirations was to return to their respective countries with an American education and the skills necessary for the task of nation-building, many of the immigrants in the last two decades are more interested in settling in United States and building a comfortable life for themselves and their families. This essay examines why an increasing number of African immigrants decide to become permanent residents or citizens of the United States instead of returning to their home countries. It also considers the various measures that these immigrants have taken to become integrated into their new environment.
Contemporary African Immigrants to The United States


Poor, poor, Eye-baby.....

5. "I lived for about a decade, on and off, in France and later moved to the United States. Nobody in their right mind would give up the manifold sensual, aesthetic and gastronomic pleasures offered by French savoir-vivre for the unrelenting battlefield of American ambition were it not for one thing: possibility.
You know possibility when you breathe it. For an immigrant, it lies in the ease of American identity and the boundlessness of American horizons after the narrower confines of European nationhood and the stifling attentions of the European nanny state, which has often made it more attractive not to work than to work. High French unemployment was never much of a mystery."
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/04/opinion/04iht-edcohen.2.20587034.html


6. The reality is to use the "gates" test....
...judge any nation this way:
When the gates are lifted, do folks rush in, or rush out.

Need a shoulder to cry on? Pull over to the side of the road.
OK...now you can put you tu-tu back on and do YOUR cheer-leading.

 

[The Professor]

There is a moral obligation to give help to those who truly need it; however, there is no obligation to give to those who could provide for themselves but are unwilling to put forth the effort. Christians are a very charitable lot; however, they are not fools. There is nothing in the Bible which requires Christians to provide for those who are simply too lazy to provide for themselves. In fact, the Bible condemns those who refuse to work for their keep:

“But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel” (1 Timothy 5:8, KJV).

“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. For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; 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: Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:6-10, KJV, highlight my own).

 

[there4eyeM]

Ah, I knew the 'girl' reference would get you, Chic.
N'importe quoi.

 

[Papageorgio]

Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. 14 They came to him and said, “Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not? 15 Should we pay or shouldn’t we?”

But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. “Why are you trying to trap me?” he asked. “Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” 16 They brought the coin, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”

“Caesar’s,” they replied.

17 Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”

And they were amazed at him.

And what is your point? You are comparing the hypocrisy of the religious leaders to people today?

What does that have to do with government interference?

 

[there4eyeM]

If the left is going to make a political statement about the doctrines Jesus taught it seems to me the left should be more tolerant of Christianity today.

Though not one the 'left' myself, tell us why? What is the connection between what Jesus taught and what we witness the majority of those claiming to be Christian doing today?

 

[CrusaderFrank]

"Using Jesus to defend Socialism and Communism is vile"

Talk about off topic and straw man! The OP addressed those who include themselves in the group of 'conservatives' and claim to be Christian. The debate is whether Jesus said what he said or not. It certainly is not that the OP encouraged a collective society.

But, after all, why would it be vile?

Because your Progressive Socialist and Communist Utopias are brutal, repressive Spirit crushing regimes where mass graves are the national wildflower. To think you can use Jesus to support your murderous failed political economies is truly despicable

 

[Foxfyre]

Of course there is. Everything that Jesus advocated was personal accountability. To pass off to government your responsibility and then having that responsibility funded with other people's money is clearly not what he advocated. The even greater ridiculous implication of the Op is that ONLY government money counts as charity.

But here's one passage, give to Caesar what's Caesar and God what's God's. Charity fits under God, not Caesar again when you go back to the personal accountability. Caesars, including our great leader, spend most of the money on their own interest.

For that reason, I also look into charities that I give to so I can ensure the money is well spent. Giving money to a name which I don't bother to look at their effectiveness is still more guilt money then charity. But giving it to an organization, government, which is clearly unconcerned with truly helping people isn't even guilt money, it's not even really charity.

I wonder how our Progressive friends would interpret this parable of Jesus?

13 “Therefore stay alert, because you do not know the day or the hour. 14 For it is like a man going on a journey, who summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.

16 The one who had received five talents went off right away and put his money to work270 and gained five more. 17 In the same way, the one who had two gained two more. 18 But the one who had received one talent went out and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money in it.

19 After a long time, the master of those slaves came and settled his accounts with them. 20 The one who had received the five talents came and brought five more, saying, ‘Sir, you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 His master answered, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful in a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 The one with the two talents also came and said, ‘Sir, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more.’ 23 His master answered, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful with a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 Then the one who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Sir, I knew that you were a hard man, harvesting where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered, ‘Evil and lazy slave! So you knew that I harvest where I didn’t sow and gather where I didn’t scatter? 27 Then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received my money back with interest! 28 Therefore take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten. 29 For the one who has will be given more, and he will have more than enough. But the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 30 And throw that worthless slave into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth’” (Matthew 25:13-30). 271

I never really understood that one, I was stuck on "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's"

Thanks for being the one person who did not just scroll over it and ignore it.

There are numerous interpretations that can be made from it. But at face value, one can interpret it that those who do the best they can with what they have can expect to prosper. And those who expect to prosper while doing little or nothing with what they are given will not prosper so much, if at all. And it should at least bring into question any notion that what Jesus preached was sociial welfare rather than individual responsibility.

 

[Steelplate]

By the definition employed in this thread TAKING (As in Government taking my money to give to another) is the same as my FREELY giving (Sharing) my wealth with others....they are not the same no matter how you try to spin it.....

Agreed that paying taxes is not the same as giving to charity, as there is no worldly penalty for not giving to charity. However, Jesus supported paying taxes as well as giving to charity.

Which goes to why the OP is so ludicrous....there is no correlation, no equating Liberals desire for our money to Christs.

In fact, the governments constant demand for more of our money leaves less for the real "sharing" Jesus intended....

Take Mitt Romney as an example....liberals belittle his 13% or 15% tax....cause "he's rich and not paying his fair share" all the while completely ignoring the FACT the man gives over $10 MILLION (Willingly SHARING) to charity every year!

If da guberment don't get it, you didn't share...that is their mantra!

and how much would he give if charitable donations weren't tax deductable? The thing about charity is that you shouldn't expect something in return. Besides, giving. to your church isn't really charity....it's supporting an entity that you are a member of.

 

[Foxfyre]

Agreed that paying taxes is not the same as giving to charity, as there is no worldly penalty for not giving to charity. However, Jesus supported paying taxes as well as giving to charity.

Which goes to why the OP is so ludicrous....there is no correlation, no equating Liberals desire for our money to Christs.

In fact, the governments constant demand for more of our money leaves less for the real "sharing" Jesus intended....

Take Mitt Romney as an example....liberals belittle his 13% or 15% tax....cause "he's rich and not paying his fair share" all the while completely ignoring the FACT the man gives over $10 MILLION (Willingly SHARING) to charity every year!

If da guberment don't get it, you didn't share...that is their mantra!

and how much would he give if charitable donations weren't tax deductable? The thing about charity is that you shouldn't expect something in return. Besides, giving. to your church isn't really charity....it's supporting an entity that you are a member of.

It depends on what the church does with the money. I can guarantee you every dime I give to my church, or any church, is for charitable purposes. And if I can deduct my contributions from my adjusted gross income and thereby be able to give even more, so much the better.

The deduction nets us a relatively small savings in taxes when compared to the amount we give. And I do not presume to judge what another person might or might not do with or without a tax deduction.

 

[Againsheila]

I wonder how our Progressive friends would interpret this parable of Jesus?

I never really understood that one, I was stuck on "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's"

Thanks for being the one person who did not just scroll over it and ignore it.

There are numerous interpretations that can be made from it. But at face value, one can interpret it that those who do the best they can with what they have can expect to prosper. And those who expect to prosper while doing little or nothing with what they are given will not prosper so much, if at all. And it should at least bring into question any notion that what Jesus preached was sociial welfare rather than individual responsibility.

I think he preached a little of both.

 

[Avatar4321]

JESUS BELIEVED IN SHARING THE WEALTH.
THE CHRISTIAN’S GOD.

I believe Obama is following the example of Jesus when he said feed the poor, Gleaning in he NT and Tithes. Every society in the human world believe in sharing the wealth. Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor....He fed a multitude with 5 loaves and 2 fish and told them to give the surplus to the poor. He said pay your taxes. If that is not sharing the wealth, what is?
Plus GOD provided manna for the Jews in the wilderness. The Egyptians shared their store house of grain doing 7 lean year famine. The Christian bible teaches sharing the wealth.
As soon as Obama took office, sharing the wealth was communist and socialist and an evil thing as stealing and thief from those that have.
Mormon’s Bishop’s Storehouse it the largest example of sharing the wealth. After the U.S. Government.

PS.
Anytime the Government forces me to have a child that I cannot afford, they damn well be willing to take care of it.

Actually, Christ was quite clear about stealing from others. That's why the 8th commandment says "Thou shalt not steal".

What Christ taught was that individuals should willingly and voluntarily give of themselves. We are supposed to minister to people on an individual basis.

If Obama believes so much in sharing the wealth, why is his very brother, George Obama, in abject poverty. In fact, George went to Dinesh D'souza for financial help rather than his own brother. Why? Because he knew he could rely on Dinesh. His brother, on the other hand, wasnt willing to share a dime with him.

Oh and the government doesnt force you to have any children. The consequences of your actions do.

 

[Papageorgio]

Agreed that paying taxes is not the same as giving to charity, as there is no worldly penalty for not giving to charity. However, Jesus supported paying taxes as well as giving to charity.

Which goes to why the OP is so ludicrous....there is no correlation, no equating Liberals desire for our money to Christs.

In fact, the governments constant demand for more of our money leaves less for the real "sharing" Jesus intended....

Take Mitt Romney as an example....liberals belittle his 13% or 15% tax....cause "he's rich and not paying his fair share" all the while completely ignoring the FACT the man gives over $10 MILLION (Willingly SHARING) to charity every year!

If da guberment don't get it, you didn't share...that is their mantra!

and how much would he give if charitable donations weren't tax deductable? The thing about charity is that you shouldn't expect something in return. Besides, giving. to your church isn't really charity....it's supporting an entity that you are a member of.

I agree, however, what you write off isn't exactly a 100% write off.

That said, you shouldn't expect anything in return.

 

[tinydancer]

I personally love the OT. I don't think I can read it enough times.

Very clearly Jehovah says that we are to protect the impoverished. This is a command.

 

[auditor0007]

JESUS BELIEVED IN SHARING THE WEALTH.
THE CHRISTIAN’S GOD.

I believe Obama is following the example of Jesus when he said feed the poor, Gleaning in he NT and Tithes. Every society in the human world believe in sharing the wealth. Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor....He fed a multitude with 5 loaves and 2 fish and told them to give the surplus to the poor. He said pay your taxes. If that is not sharing the wealth, what is?
Plus GOD provided manna for the Jews in the wilderness. The Egyptians shared their store house of grain doing 7 lean year famine. The Christian bible teaches sharing the wealth.
As soon as Obama took office, sharing the wealth was communist and socialist and an evil thing as stealing and thief from those that have.
Mormon’s Bishop’s Storehouse it the largest example of sharing the wealth. After the U.S. Government.

PS.
Anytime the Government forces me to have a child that I cannot afford, they damn well be willing to take care of it.

Many Christians or so called Christians seem to think that means only by them giving what they feel like through donations to their own causes. In some cases they make a good point, but in reality churches don't do all that much in helping the poor. On the flipside, while Jesus may have taught that sharing the wealth was a good thing, I don't think he meant you had to share everything equally with everyone.

 

[auditor0007]

JESUS BELIEVED IN SHARING THE WEALTH.
THE CHRISTIAN’S GOD.

I believe Obama is following the example of Jesus when he said feed the poor, Gleaning in he NT and Tithes. Every society in the human world believe in sharing the wealth. Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor....He fed a multitude with 5 loaves and 2 fish and told them to give the surplus to the poor. He said pay your taxes. If that is not sharing the wealth, what is?
Plus GOD provided manna for the Jews in the wilderness. The Egyptians shared their store house of grain doing 7 lean year famine. The Christian bible teaches sharing the wealth.
As soon as Obama took office, sharing the wealth was communist and socialist and an evil thing as stealing and thief from those that have.
Mormon’s Bishop’s Storehouse it the largest example of sharing the wealth. After the U.S. Government.

PS.
Anytime the Government forces me to have a child that I cannot afford, they damn well be willing to take care of it.

Many Christians or so called Christians seem to think that means only by them giving what they feel like through donations to their own causes. In some cases they make a good point, but in reality churches don't do all that much in helping the poor. On the flipside, while Jesus may have taught that sharing the wealth was a good thing, I don't think he meant you had to share everything equally with everyone.

 

[Chris]

Republicans don't believe in Jesus.

They believe in mammon.

 

[Nole]

love how this topic puts the dyed in wool Conservative's on the defense.

that alone says it all.

 

[kaz]

Republicans don't believe in Jesus.

They believe in mammon.

Gotcha, giving your own money to charity is mammon. Advocating government take it from other people and use it to serve primarily their own interest is Jesus.

Only a liberal mind can come up with that one...

 

[kaz]

love how this topic puts the dyed in wool Conservative's on the defense.

that alone says it all.

For Conservatives no explanation is good enough and in fact demonstrates defensiveness. For liberals, no explanation is required.

Or in other words, baaa