Sunday, September 18, 2011
Christian charity or Socialism?
It amazes me that many Republicans call themselves Christian.
I am quoting from the Catholic Living Bible.
Have you read Romans 13:1
Obey the government, for God is the one who has put it there.
Then later Romans13:6-9
Pay your taxes too, for these same two reasons. For government workers need to be paid so they can keep on doing God's work, serving you. Pay everyone whatever he ought to have; pay your taxes and import duties gladly, obey those over you, and give honor and respect to all those to whom it is due. Pay all your debts except the debt of love for others - never finish paying that!
In case people think it's something I made up I looked to another version of the Bible, The New Testament of the HOly Bible confraternity version.
Romans 13:1-2
Obiedience . Let everyone be subject to the higher authorities, for there exists no authority except from God, and those who exist have been appointed by God.
Romans 13:6-9
For this is also why you pay tribute, for they are the ministers of God, serving unto this very end. Render to all men whatever is their due; tribute to whom tribute is due; taxes to whom taxes are due; fear to who fear is due;
Owe no man anything except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the Law. For "Thou shalt not commit adultery; thou shalt not kill; thou shalt not steal; thou shalt not covet"; and this saying Love thy neighbor as thyself."
It goes on in verse 10
Love does no evil to a neighbor. Love therefore is the fulfillment of the Law.
Republicans never seem to mention this part of their Christiana faith. It's like Christianity only exists when they are in the church pew and the doors are shut to the outside world.
So, how can Republicans, especially Tea Partiers justify thier oposition to taxation?
How can these people call paying taxation a form of socialism? How can Tea Party members deny help to others? "Love does no evil to a nieghbor." How does that translate to mean stop helping people out of work? How does that translate to do not help those who need medical help?
Basically, I can't figure out how people who call themselves Christians can also call themselves Tea Party members. The two philosophies seem diametrically opposed.
I am quoting from the Catholic Living Bible.
Have you read Romans 13:1
Obey the government, for God is the one who has put it there.
Then later Romans13:6-9
Pay your taxes too, for these same two reasons. For government workers need to be paid so they can keep on doing God's work, serving you. Pay everyone whatever he ought to have; pay your taxes and import duties gladly, obey those over you, and give honor and respect to all those to whom it is due. Pay all your debts except the debt of love for others - never finish paying that!
In case people think it's something I made up I looked to another version of the Bible, The New Testament of the HOly Bible confraternity version.
Romans 13:1-2
Obiedience . Let everyone be subject to the higher authorities, for there exists no authority except from God, and those who exist have been appointed by God.
Romans 13:6-9
For this is also why you pay tribute, for they are the ministers of God, serving unto this very end. Render to all men whatever is their due; tribute to whom tribute is due; taxes to whom taxes are due; fear to who fear is due;
Owe no man anything except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the Law. For "Thou shalt not commit adultery; thou shalt not kill; thou shalt not steal; thou shalt not covet"; and this saying Love thy neighbor as thyself."
It goes on in verse 10
Love does no evil to a neighbor. Love therefore is the fulfillment of the Law.
Republicans never seem to mention this part of their Christiana faith. It's like Christianity only exists when they are in the church pew and the doors are shut to the outside world.
So, how can Republicans, especially Tea Partiers justify thier oposition to taxation?
How can these people call paying taxation a form of socialism? How can Tea Party members deny help to others? "Love does no evil to a nieghbor." How does that translate to mean stop helping people out of work? How does that translate to do not help those who need medical help?
Basically, I can't figure out how people who call themselves Christians can also call themselves Tea Party members. The two philosophies seem diametrically opposed.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Christian values
I don't think bigots are Christians, even though they may claim to be. You can't believe in the teaching of Jesus Christ and hate.
You can't hate blacks, Jews, Muslims or anyone who disagrees with what you think.
No wonder a Budhist monk once said he has never met a Christian.
You can't hate blacks, Jews, Muslims or anyone who disagrees with what you think.
No wonder a Budhist monk once said he has never met a Christian.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Who is a patriot?
I was asked today if I was a patriot. What do I do besides fly the flag in front of my house to PROVE it.
So I began to wonder, who is a patriot?
Is a patriot a person who serves in the military - being paid to put their life on the line. Or is a patriot the person who volunteers at a VA hospital to help wounded Vets? How about the people who adopt active duty soldiers and send them care packages? Is it patriotic to send phone cards to the VA hospital so the wounded vets can call their families?
Is a patriot one who supports the USO and gives clothing donations to the Disabled Veterans Association? Or someone who gives a clothing donation once a year to Goodwill industries? Which of those is Patriotism and which is Christian Charity?
Is working as a fireman, being amply paid to risk you life for the good of the community, being patriotic? You put in you 20 years and collect a nice pension for your "patriotism"? Is it more patriotic than being a civilian worker for the Department of Defense or the IRS?
Does it mean you're a Patriot if you work as a Poll Watcher in an election? Is it Patriotic to vote in each and EVERY election, not just the big ones, but the primaries, the local elections the state elections and all referemdums? Is that being Patriotic or just a good citizen who cares about ensuring good government?
Is it Patriotic to have visited national monuments like Independence Hall, The Liberty Bell, the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, and the site of the former Twin Towers in NY, The Arlington National Cemetary, Mt. Vernon, The Nations Capitol Building, The Alamo in San Antonio TX, New Orleans AFTER the tragedy of Katrina, the USS Yorktown in Charlestown SC, The USS Olympia in PA or the submarine Swoardfish.
Let me think, is it Patriotic to have visited a National Park? President Trueman's "little White House" in Key West, FL? How about a State Historic area? Everglades National Park?
Is it Patriotic to stop and read those historic roadside markers while on a trip? "The battle of Gettyesburg was fought here in...", "the Confederate soldiers camped in...", "Washington cross the Delaware at..." "Valley Forge Historic National...", "The Battle of Trenton..."
Is it not Patriotic to have visited the former Confederate Capitol house in Richmond VA, or is it more Patriotic to have visited the REAL historic and archelogical site of the Jamestown settlement in VA?
Is having attended an Air Show at a US Air Force Base more Patriotic than having attended one at a commercial airport where the Air Force, Navy and Marines displayed their planes and expert flying abilities?
Does having marched in parades with a bunch of Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts during Memorial Day make you patriotic? Does being on the Whispering Pines Civic Association 4th of July parade and picnic committee make you more patriotic than atttending the parade and making cupcakes for sale at the picnic? Is it still patriotic waving to those who made floats, decorated their bikes and marched?
Is it more patriotic to volunteer for a candidate in an election campaign or to gripe about the "idiot" in office who other people elected?
Just curious. What do you think a patriot is?
So I began to wonder, who is a patriot?
Is a patriot a person who serves in the military - being paid to put their life on the line. Or is a patriot the person who volunteers at a VA hospital to help wounded Vets? How about the people who adopt active duty soldiers and send them care packages? Is it patriotic to send phone cards to the VA hospital so the wounded vets can call their families?
Is a patriot one who supports the USO and gives clothing donations to the Disabled Veterans Association? Or someone who gives a clothing donation once a year to Goodwill industries? Which of those is Patriotism and which is Christian Charity?
Is working as a fireman, being amply paid to risk you life for the good of the community, being patriotic? You put in you 20 years and collect a nice pension for your "patriotism"? Is it more patriotic than being a civilian worker for the Department of Defense or the IRS?
Does it mean you're a Patriot if you work as a Poll Watcher in an election? Is it Patriotic to vote in each and EVERY election, not just the big ones, but the primaries, the local elections the state elections and all referemdums? Is that being Patriotic or just a good citizen who cares about ensuring good government?
Is it Patriotic to have visited national monuments like Independence Hall, The Liberty Bell, the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, and the site of the former Twin Towers in NY, The Arlington National Cemetary, Mt. Vernon, The Nations Capitol Building, The Alamo in San Antonio TX, New Orleans AFTER the tragedy of Katrina, the USS Yorktown in Charlestown SC, The USS Olympia in PA or the submarine Swoardfish.
Let me think, is it Patriotic to have visited a National Park? President Trueman's "little White House" in Key West, FL? How about a State Historic area? Everglades National Park?
Is it Patriotic to stop and read those historic roadside markers while on a trip? "The battle of Gettyesburg was fought here in...", "the Confederate soldiers camped in...", "Washington cross the Delaware at..." "Valley Forge Historic National...", "The Battle of Trenton..."
Is it not Patriotic to have visited the former Confederate Capitol house in Richmond VA, or is it more Patriotic to have visited the REAL historic and archelogical site of the Jamestown settlement in VA?
Is having attended an Air Show at a US Air Force Base more Patriotic than having attended one at a commercial airport where the Air Force, Navy and Marines displayed their planes and expert flying abilities?
Does having marched in parades with a bunch of Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts during Memorial Day make you patriotic? Does being on the Whispering Pines Civic Association 4th of July parade and picnic committee make you more patriotic than atttending the parade and making cupcakes for sale at the picnic? Is it still patriotic waving to those who made floats, decorated their bikes and marched?
Is it more patriotic to volunteer for a candidate in an election campaign or to gripe about the "idiot" in office who other people elected?
Just curious. What do you think a patriot is?
Sunday, September 04, 2011
jobs
OK, so people want jobs.
People want no taxes.
People want no government interference with business so that business can create jobs.
The government gave the private sector stimulus money.
It was supposed to stimulate job creation.
Has it?
It's not the government's fault that industry is too selfish and greedy to share the money it has. It's private sector industry that's stiffling the economic growth.
So why blame the government for corporate greed?
People want no taxes.
People want no government interference with business so that business can create jobs.
The government gave the private sector stimulus money.
It was supposed to stimulate job creation.
Has it?
It's not the government's fault that industry is too selfish and greedy to share the money it has. It's private sector industry that's stiffling the economic growth.
So why blame the government for corporate greed?
