Have You Noticed the Irony?
Have you noticed any irony about all the folks who have been making so much noise about the alleged “War on Christmas”? The folks at Fox News and Republicans in congress who are put off when stores proclaim “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas” while simultaneously giving enthusiastic support for the war in Iraq and cutting Medicaid and Food Stamps for the poor. Does this strike you as just a little bit ironic?
It seems they are more concerned with preserving some cultural vestiges of civil religion than with actually giving any credence to the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. How could they truly celebrate the One who is named “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6), who taught his disciples to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44) while at the same time acting as cheerleaders for an unnecessary and unjust war and would like the CIA be free to use torture against suspected enemies.
It’s ironic to me that these same folks get exercised about a Christmas tree on public property being designated a “Holiday” tree and then turn around to vote in favor of making Federal budget cuts on the backs of the poor while making tax cuts for the wealthy permanent. All this supposedly in the name of celebrating the Christ who came to proclaim good news to the poor (Luke 4:18).
What a strange world we live in.
posted by Steven Manskar at 11:56 PM
3 Comments:
Yes, it would be far more Christian of these legislators to support government thievery because as Jesus said, "Steal from the rich and give to the poor!"
11:13 AM
You'll have to tell me where Jesus said that. I'm not familiar with that being in the Bible.
I do know that Jesus said:
"Do not store up for yourselves treasure on earth, ... For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ... You cannot serve God and wealth" (Matt. 6:19a, 21, 24).
"If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me. ... Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God" (Matt. 19:21-24).
I don't think requiring the wealthy to pay their fair share to support the common good is properly called "government thievery." I think it is more appropriately called justice.
2:41 PM
I don't think requiring the wealthy to pay their fair share to support the common good is properly called "government thievery." I think it is more appropriately called justice.
Jesus did call on people to give to the poor, but at no point did he call upon the use of government force to take away the money of the wealthy, which is what you are advocating. You might call it justice, but it is still using force to take away another person's property. How is that any different from mugging?
6:31 AM
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