Let me start by saying this is in no way a non-secular piece. Considering myself a Christian, this is merely to illuminate the differences of opinion from other people that call themselves Christians too. At the conclusion you can decide who’s values are more in step with the teachings of Jesus Christ.
For everyone that has heard the story of Moses, we know he received the Ten Commandments from the mountain top. Thou shall not covet thy neighbors possessions. These ten rules given to us on how to live our lives are the roadmap to righteousness.
These rules were given to us in the first section of the Bible. This first section is referred to as the “Old Testament“. The books given to us in this section occurred prior to the birth of the Christ Child. A personal favorite is “Proverbs”. This is where god gave the knowledge to wisdom to Solomon. You will have to read it to understand how to interpret it. It is worth it.
The New Testament
In the second, and last, section of the Bible it is called “The New Testament“. Here are where the teachings of Jesus are found. More importantly, here is where his actions are on display. This is where the example was set for us how to live our lives. This is true because of the last Commandment given, “love one another as I have loved you“.
Basically, we are to treat one another the way we want to be treated. Some call it Karma, other faiths have other terms for it. Treating one another with kindness is the example he showed us. In short, to be Christian is to be “Christ like”.
To the point, “forgiveness” is the cornerstone of this belief. Anyone that asked for this, Jesus granted it. With His last act on The Cross, He forgave the person being crucified to his right that asked for it. Then he promised him a place in Paradise.
We Suck Again
Every single person on the planet falls short of a “perfect” day in the eyes of the Lord. (looking at you again Mike Pence) This means no one has the right to be judgmental of others. Obviously criminal or civil court cases do not apply.
Judge not lest you be judged. This scripture in Matthew refers to those that live in “glass houses”. Jesus said, “let he who is without sin cast the first stone“. Too many times though, the cries from the Evangelical crowd is condemning those that do not believe what they do. This is called “The war on Christianity”. What it really means is “The war by the Hypocrites”.
Evangelicals like Jerry Falwell Jr. expose this hypocrisy every time a mic is put in front of their mouths. Defending a known adulterer, Donald Trump, for President is a perfect example. Yet those that fall in line with Falwell Jr. and Trump continue to stand on the platform of Christianity in the face of behavior to the contrary. Situational Christianity is just hypocrisy.
Jesus called these people Pharisee; a member of an ancient Jewish sect, distinguished by strict observance of the traditional and written law, and commonly held to have pretensions to superior sanctity. A self-righteous person; a hypocrite.
The practices of the GOP
The Evangelical crowd lives on the right side of the aisle. This is where the push for restrictive legislation on social issues comes from. Issues like healthcare, immigration and recipients of government subsidies. Greed and selfishness bares its fangs when it comes to their fellow man.
“Why do I have to pay for it” is the chorus struck by Republicans when it comes to supporting these programs. As a Christian I look to the Bible for that answer. Galatians 6: 2 provides the response, “bear ye one another’s burdens and you will fulfill the law of Christ“. Republicans preach Christianity but are incapable of practicing it.
Real Christians accept this premise and support things like universal healthcare, and immigration policy that is inclusive. They apply the rule Jesus spoke when he said, “whatever you have done for the least of my brethren, you have done for me“.
On immigration, Donald Trump ordered Jesus Christ to be teargassed at the United States/Mexico border. Naturally this refers to the people lawfully seeking asylum in America. This is a right guaranteed by our Constitution. Republicans that support this discriminatory behavior support violating human rights.
Feeding the hungry is not a concern for the GOP. At every turn they are trying to cut funding to help those that do not earn a living wage. The least of our brethren that receive subsidies are those with poverty wages, the elderly, children and the disabled. This is the class of people eligible for such assistance. No, “illegals” do not get these benefits, full stop. (people are not illegal)
Shut up already!
We, the people of America, are tired of the lies and hypocrisy emitting from the GOP and the Evangelical mob. This group of people are the modern day “Pharisee”.
When it comes time to practice the teachings of the bible that require self sacrifice, the usual response is, “I can’t do that”. Behavior and rhetoric like this are in complete contrast to what Christ taught us.
So shut up! Stop pretending to be so much better than everyone else. In reality, the only thing Evangelicals prove is their belief that things are more important than people. More important than “the least of our brethren”.
