If Jesus Was a Community Organizer,,,

[ohio county]

Does that mean he got homeless men and ex-convicts to register dead people to vote and to shake down corporations?

[sodbuster]

Well you might not be as far off base as I think you intended OC...

[ohio county]

Oh, now don't tell me you're trying to hijack Jesus, sodbuster. We used to have a guy on here named shermangeneral that was real keen on that. If he catches wind of you trying it, he'll be all over you.

[Aaron]

Personally, I don't think Jesus would want to be affiliated with either political party and I think it's kind of sad when politicians claim he would but that's just me.

[sodbuster]

Well a rose is a rose like someone said.

So Jesus would try to improve the lot of the homeless and ex-cons you mentioned.

And I am pretty sure he would be against the idea of corporations, since he believed in personal responsibility.

Plus I figure the minum wage would be higher.

That sounds more like Democrat agenda to me but what do I know.

But a rose smells the same no matter what you call it.

Some would probably label him a socialist.

[Keli]

Does that mean he got homeless men and ex-convicts to register dead people to vote and to shake down corporations?

How about Sarah is like Queen Esther and Obama is like Haman?

And Michelle is like Awnt Esther

[Stephanie]

Well a rose is a rose like someone said.

So Jesus would try to improve the lot of the homeless and ex-cons you mentioned.

And I am pretty sure he would be against the idea of corporations, since he believed in personal responsibility.

Plus I figure the minum wage would be higher.

That sounds more like Democrat agenda to me but what do I know.

But a rose smells the same no matter what you call it.

Some would probably label him a socialist.

Where is the personal responsibility in expecting the government take the money others have earned, or even money that was bequeathed or gifted to people, and redistribute it to people who don't earn, or don't earn as much?

Where is the personal responsibility in demanding others take care of you and/or your children and/or your parents?

[ziggy]

Some would probably label him a socialist.

Several years ago there was a fellow who worked at the WV Forestry Association office in Ripley who insisted that Jesus was a communist. He brought it up in the course of a discussion some of us had with him about forestry rules and regulations- specifically in the context of an organization called Christians for the Mountains.

[ohio county]

Jesus was apolitical and He said so as explicitly as He was able.

[TerryRC]

Where is the personal responsibility in expecting the government take the money others have earned, or even money that was bequeathed or gifted to people, and redistribute it to people who don't earn, or don't earn as much?

I agree. Let's give it to people that earn much more, like the people that work for and have heavily invested in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

[Stephanie]

Yeah, that's the ticket.

The government should just keep stealing from the middle class. Any excuse at all will do.

[Aaron]

Well a rose is a rose like someone said.

So Jesus would try to improve the lot of the homeless and ex-cons you mentioned.

And I am pretty sure he would be against the idea of corporations, since he believed in personal responsibility.

Plus I figure the minum wage would be higher.

That sounds more like Democrat agenda to me but what do I know.

But a rose smells the same no matter what you call it.

Some would probably label him a socialist.

Wasn't it Jesus that said it's better to teach a man to fish so he can eat for the rest of his life then to give him a fish to eat for a day S?

[sodbuster]

No Aaron I dont think Jesus said that.

I believe it was some guy from China.
(but it is still a good proverb...)

[ohio county]

No, Michelle is not like Awnt Esther. Wasn't she a "barracuda"?

[TerryRC]

I agree. Let's give it to people that earn much more, like the people that work for and have heavily invested in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

I'm writing a book. It is titled "Text - An Insufficient Vehicle for Sarcasm".

Steph, I was pointing out that you a crying about one form of wealth redistribution (mostly going to the needy) when you ignore another form that involves much more money and goes to those that are pretty well off.

[sodbuster]

"Where is the personal responsibility in expecting the government take the money others have earned, or even money that was bequeathed or gifted to people, and redistribute it to people who don't earn, or don't earn as much?"

Well Steph, my statement about "personal responsibility" should be considered in context.

To quote my words exactly, I said, "I am pretty sure he would be against the idea of corporations, since he believed in personal responsibility."

The main purpose of creating an artificial "person", called a corporation, is to dodge personal responsibility.

That is what I was referring to.

[ohio county]

The whole concept of a corporation is to make money for the stockholders. Period. There are individuals who incorporate to take advantage of tax shelters. That's something entirely different. I understand that some of you hate corporations. I don't think it is entirely rational but I understand it and I think I can accept it at some level.

We'll never know how Jesus would have felt about corporations because His life preceded the concept by hundreds of years. If He "believed in personal responsibility" He would have opposed reliance on government largesse, wouldn't he?

[sodbuster]

"If He "believed in personal responsibility" He would have opposed reliance on government largesse, wouldn't he?"

Please refer to the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 25 verses 31-40, wherein a part of your answer can be found.

Please also note that the entire chapter is in red.

"Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of these the least of my brethren, ye have done it unto me".

So when we fail to treat the less fortunate with dignity and respect we are treading on thin ice imo.

And further than that, He said, " I was hungry and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger and ye took me in; Naked, and ye clothed me; I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me."

But we hear so often (especially it seems from those on the right) an attitude of contempt and disdain for those in such circumstances.

[ohio county]

For the umpteenth time, government spending is not charity. No personal adversity or hardship is incurred. To be charitable, we have to give up something as individuals. I have contempt for those who would have us believe that massive transfers of wealth by the government constitute charitable giving. It is this kind of thinking that makes Joe Biden's paltry $120 in charitable giving okay. He paid his taxes, didn't he?

[Stephanie]

I think I'm just losing what little sense of humor or irony I once had.

I think you're missing the big picture. If we reduce the size and scope of government both problems will be solved.

As long as we have entitlement programs, and as long as we have government control of major industries, there will be some mighty large hogs at the trough. You need to eliminate the trough.

[Stephanie]

"If He "believed in personal responsibility" He would have opposed reliance on government largesse, wouldn't he?"

Please refer to the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 25 verses 31-40, wherein a part of your answer can be found.

Please also note that the entire chapter is in red.

"Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of these the least of my brethren, ye have done it unto me".

So when we fail to treat the less fortunate with dignity and respect we are treading on thin ice imo.

And further than that, He said, " I was hungry and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger and ye took me in; Naked, and ye clothed me; I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me."

But we hear so often (especially it seems from those on the right) an attitude of contempt and disdain for those in such circumstances.

Please provide the text from the Bible that states the government should redistribute wealth or that dignity is provided along with the dole.

Christ told his followers to be generous, to be charitble with what they had to share. Where did he tell them to demand money from the working class to redistribute to the less fortunate? That isn't charity. You're not going to get into heaven because the government takes a chunk of your paycheck and gives a portion of it to people who unable, or all too frequently unwilling, to take care of themselves.

[sodbuster]

Well OC I realize you have strongly held political views, but would ask that you not hold me in contempt.

In my view, it seems the programs I believe you refer to are sometimes better characterized as a re-transfer of wealth.

I do not believe wealth just trickles down from the top.

I believe it is sometimes squashed out from the bottom.

But anyhow to get back to the original question, I believe as a community organizer Jesus would strive to offer succor to those he referred to above in red letters.

[ohio county]

We're all talking past each other. I cannot recall ever having seen the Parable of the Talents used as an example of Jesus the Democrat or Jesus the Community Organizer. While I appreciate your maintaining the integrity of the thread, as the original poster I meant to impugn Obama's success as a community organizer. He worked with ACORN, the most actively prosecuted group in vote fraud the last couple election cycles. Jesus wasn't into vote fraud so far as I can determine. Obama always cites his experience in trying to put out-of-work steelworkers into good-paying jobs. How successful was he at that? Did Obama even know what a steelworker did? Jesus gave up everything he owned to help the poor and sick. Where is the connection? Obama borrowed off Tony Rezko to obtain his dream home. See what I mean?

If you'll try and maintain a smidgen of objectivity, I think you'll agree that you're trying to hijack Jesus. You know what? I don't think you're a bad guy. You go right ahead. You need the help.

I just think it's a tough case to try and make.

[Aaron]

I have a question that may or may not be relevant.

What exactly is a community organizer?

[sodbuster]

"I think you'll agree that you're trying to hijack Jesus."

Well OC they say imitation is the most sincere form of flattery.

For years I have been saying the republicans were trying to hijack Jesus.

As you know, I am not a big supporter of Obama.

But to answer your question (as I understand it), insofar as he was trying to help the "least of these", yes I agree he was doing the Lord's work.

btw what is this, collusion or coincidence , between you and Terri?

Comparing Obama to Jesus I mean.

Is that something being faxed out to the faithful by the RNC?

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