How Liberals Have Distorted Christian Charity 12/20/2008
It is amazing to hear the enormous misconceptions some politicians and most of the media have about Christian beliefs. Take for example the discussions about redistribution of wealth sparked by President-elect Obama's comment that we should "spread the wealth around."
To hear the media tell it, liberals want to help the poor, while evil conservatives want the rich to get richer. You even heard conservatives playing to this notion: "Liberals want to take from those who have and give to those who don't. That's called redistribution of wealth. It is a socialist idea that will ruin this country."
But the idea of giving to the poor is a Christian principle. Liberals, as they so often do, have distorted that principle, and so it's the distortion we must fight, not the principle.
48 comments
So... hold on. Let me see if I've got this straight.
You agree entirely, but you're still opposing it?
You're right. 'Giving to the poor' is not exactly the same concept as 'spreading the wealth around', it's a distortion. And on the other hand, western countries, with their wealth distribution, and that includes America, are clearly not, and have never been, Christian nations at all, it's just another distortion.
So it's not so much a misconception of Christian beliefs, it's an observance that right wing american conservatives created wealth disparities and great injustices, and Obama is trying to work against that (theoretically :) ) American politics aren't mentioned in the bible, so don't drag religion into it.
But the idea of giving to the poor is a Christian principle.
I have no interest in giving to the poor, I think that is possibly the worst possible "solution" (it's really not a solution at all, just a bandaid on a broken leg) to the problem. As a social democrat, I am all for fixing the underlying problem that creates the situation leading up to the need for charity. THAT is a permanent solution, charity is not!
But the idea of giving to the poor is a Christian principle. Liberals, as they so often do, have distorted that principle, and so it's the distortion we must fight, not the principle.
"Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go [and] sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come [and] follow me."
Exactly what part of that simple statement does Mario think liberals have distorted?
I know that when I think of true Christians, I think of rich white men who want to ensure that their other rich white buddies have as much money as possible. That's the spirit of giving, folks!
Seriously, he (the concerned woman of America, I guess) is mad because he agrees with the idea but doesn't want liberals getting credit...? Or what??
I think his twisted logic says:
The bottom line is that this concerned woman (sic) wants to play Lady Bountiful, and have the pleasure getting the gratitude from people for whom any cent is essential
Didn't your Jesus teach that 'the poor you shall always have with you'? Doesn't that make giving to the poor a futile and empty gesture?
Wouldn't that mean that this Christian principle disguises a cynical need to display superiority in material wealth and and highminded altruism? Wouldn't it mean that this Christian principle is nothing but base hypocrisy?
Hey, I learned Theology from the Jesuits. I can spout BS with the best of them.
I think apYrs has it. (Just 'got' the username too. You have to say it aloud in an Engish accent. Good one!).
But it could also be: "We agree with giving to the poor in principle, just not in practice."
I suppose they are all men because they advocate that women should not work ever at all.
Flipping the radio dial around while driving one Saturday morning, I listened to Phyllis Schlafly spend a good 30 minutes explaining why women ever holding any kind of job is the reason for all evil and trouble in America and has destroyed the economy.
I was baffled by the fact that the woman has basically made a career out of telling women they can't have a career.
So, doing the right thing, but for reasons you don't approve of, makes it wrong? Yeah, that makes... no sense whatsoever.
Not really a fundie quote.
Indeed Christianity speaks a lot of helping the poor. I think her point (which I tend to agree with, god forbid) is that liberals often take the view that only liberals are concerned with the poor and christianity and conservatives do not care. This is definitely not true. We often point out atrocities committed in the name of the christian religion - and deserving of blame. However, it is only fair to point out the many wonderful deeds performed in the name of christian religion (many charitable organizations, for example).
The problem is when christians view 'helping the poor' as strictly a christian concept. Bill O'FuckMe does this a lot when he speaks about 'Judeo-Christian Values' as if other religions do not hold these values. For example, Buddhism has generosity (dana) as one of their six paramitas and that predates christianity. I have also known many atheists who have great concern for helping those less fortunate.
Sorry for the long post. My non-theistic cup runneth over.
So...let me get this straight. You believe in it, but since it has become espoused by Liberals, you fight it tooth and nail, not because it's wrong, but because of who's saying it?
Does that not sound a little childish to you? Just a smidge?
Here's my thoughts on understanding this. Your basic Liberal idea is, sterotypically, to take more money away from the people at large and to have the goverment dole it out as needed. This is charity, not by the choice of an individual, but on the point of a sword. If a highwayman robs an average Joe of $100 and gives $50 to a beggar, can we really say the highwayman is displaying "Christian Charity"?
If the rich (who are supported by Republicans and religious right ) would share their wealth, donate to relief organizations or actually create new jobs, then the Trickle-down theory would work. It never has since it's conception.
The rich mostly hoard their money, in America they've proven they'll never help anyone, Billions aren't enough for some, they want it all
Confused?
So were we! You can find all of this, and more, on Fundies Say the Darndest Things!
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