Jesus was a liberal?

[Bob Slydell]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tm...703&e=5&u=/ap/20040818/ap_on_re_us/jesus_vote

AUSTIN, Texas - Just a few miles from George W. Bush's former office at the state Capitol, a panel of religious experts weighed a question with relevance to many people of faith: How would Jesus vote?

It's a complex topic that can't be boiled down to simple political terms, said religious leaders who attended a Texas Faith Network conference in Austin on Tuesday. Many at the conference voiced concerns that the religious right dominates discussions of faith and morality in politics. They complained that issues such as abortion and gay marriage seem to take priority over hunger, corporate crime and even the war in Iraq.

James C. Moore, co-author of "Bush's Brain: How Karl Rove Made George Bush Presidential," drew laughter and applause when he offered his view to the moderate to left-leaning crowd of about 250 clergy and lay leaders.

"If ever there were a bleeding-heart liberal, it was Jesus Christ," Moore said at Congregation Agudas Achim synagogue. "I think the carpenter from Galilee was the original Democrat."

Some research has found that white Christians who attend worship services at least once a week are far more likely to vote Republican, while less frequent worshippers and those who are not religious tend to lean Democratic. Many analysts have criticized Democrats for failing to more effectively reach religious voters.

"The sound bites and the headlines have co-opted people of faith," said the Rev. Tom Heger, pastor of St. John's Presbyterian Church in Manchaca, south of Austin. "It would be a surprise to a lot of folks to discover that there are some very faithful, regular church attendees who aren't going to vote for Bush."

Conservative pastors such as Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson "would have us believe that morality is all about where you stand on abortion, how you treat homosexuals. I think that is simply wrong," said John D. Moyers, senior fellow at the Washington-based Center for American Progress.

The presidential race pits President Bush, a Republican who openly professes his evangelical Christian beliefs, against Democratic Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, a Roman Catholic who is more hesitant to discuss his faith publicly.

The Rev. Timothy Tutt, pastor of United Christian Church in Austin, declined to say whom he will support in November, but balked at the perception that Bush is the only choice for people of faith.

"As I read the Scriptures and as I understand faith, God's side is the group that's feeding the poor, caring about children, making sure that people have enough food to eat — not killing others," said Tutt, who opposes the war in Iraq.

Juan Galvan, Texas president of the Latino American Dawah Organization, a group of Hispanic Muslims, said he's certain Jesus would not vote strictly for Republicans or Democrats.

"Prophet Jesus, or Isa as Muslims call him, would look at the stance of politicians on various issues before voting," Galvan said. "He would weigh in the good and bad of each individual."

Michael Jinkins, a pastoral theology professor at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, said: "Based on my reading of the Gospels, I think Jesus might surprise us all on his voting record. He was far less 'religious' than the people who criticized him most."

In fact, Jesus might not support Bush or Kerry — or anyone else, for that matter.

"Jesus was not one to take sides on political issues," said Derek Davis, director of the J.M. Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies at Baylor University in Waco.

While there were obviously no Democrats or Republicans during the time of Jesus, different groups vied for attention, including the fundamentalist Pharisees, the aristocratic Sadducees, the spiritually devout Essenes and the revolutionist Zealots.

"Interestingly, Jesus never sided with any of these groups but remained above such earthly disputes," Davis said. "This does not mean we should do the same. He was God. We are mere humans."

 

[Maleficent13]

Great thought piece.

 

[Laz]

"Jesus was not one to take sides on political issues," said Derek Davis, director of the J.M. Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies at Baylor University in Waco. [/QUOTE

"Give to Ceasar, that which belongs to Ceasar. Give to God that which belongs to God." (forgive me if the Bible quote is not exact).

In some ways, Jesus was both liberal and conservative (even today, maybe Jesus is teaching us to get along). On many occasions He followed Jewish Law and attended Temple. But on other occasions He would break traditon and law in order to teach a new way of life.

 

[missypie]

When I was a Southern Baptist, the sermons came very close to saying that Jesus was a Republican.

 

[KarenC]

I saw that article and thought it was very interesting...it really captured a lot of my feelings about politics and religion.

Jesus was pretty much a radical in his day and didn't have much nice to say about the wealthy and spent most of his time ministering to the poor and oppressed.

 

[auntpolly]

Originally posted by Laz
"Give to Ceasar, that which belongs to Ceasar. Give to God that which belongs to God." (forgive me if the Bible quote is not exact).

I've always thought that Jesus meant that earthly things don't matter -- to go ahead, give Caesar the money, the possessions, the material world and save the heavenly things for God. I don't think he was reminding people to pay their taxes -- not a Bible scholar -- could be wrong!

 

[WDWHound]

"In fact, Jesus might not support Bush or Kerry — or anyone else, for that matter. "

"Jesus was not one to take sides on political issues," said Derek Davis, director of the J.M. Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies at Baylor University in Waco. "

I agree with this. Jesus was neither conservative or liberal. Jesus was all about personal responsibilty. I don't think he saw the government as a tool to serve others (at least he certainly never preached about it if he did), but I don't think he would have a problem with it either. What Jesus was about was taking personal action to love others (ie personally giving money to feed the hungry, personally visiting the sick and lonely, Personally consoling the grieving, etc.). Jesus called for one on one invoilvement. I don't think Jesus thought about the government as far as these things go. He called the church and each individual Christian to love and serve others in his name. He never said anything for or against the government doing so.

 

[Bumbles]

Well, they don't call Birkenstocks Jesus sandals for nuthin'

 

[Bumbles]

Well, they don't call Birkenstocks Jesus sandals for nuthin'

 

[monkeyboy]

Originally posted by Bumbles
Well, they don't call Birkenstocks Jesus sandals for nuthin'

 

[treesinger]

Democrats and Republicans are very much alike. In general, they both want the same things for this country. They just disagree on how to get there.
I would bet that if any person wanted to paint Jesus as Liberal or Democrat would be able to. Just pick the right bullet points, add the appropriate spin, and voila!

 

[peachgirl]

Originally posted by missypie
When I was a Southern Baptist, the sermons came very close to saying that Jesus was a Republican.

I'm still Southern Baptist and they come very close to saying I should be a Republican....


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[WillyJ]

Liberal: Not limited to or by established, traditional, orthodox, or authoritarian attitudes, views, or dogmas; free from bigotry.
Favoring proposals for reform, open to new ideas for progress, and tolerant of the ideas and behavior of others; broad-minded.. . Tending to give freely; generous. .


Yeah, I think Jesus easily fits that definition. .


Peach Girl- You're a Southern Baptist, a Sooner fan and a Liberal?

I am officially in awe. .

 

[Pop Daddy]

If Jesus where here today he would vote for Bush and root for the Cleveland Browns

 

[onecoolmama]

Originally posted by Pop Daddy
If Jesus where here today he would root for the Cleveland Browns

Well, he is always did hangout with the outcasts

 

[WillyJ]

LOL Onecoolmomma!!!


Jason:

 

[crazyforgoofy]

Originally posted by missypie
When I was a Southern Baptist, the sermons came very close to saying that Jesus was a Republican.

My sister laughingly says she and I are "recovering Southern Baptists" There's a 12 Step group to keep us from backsliding!

 

[UncleKyle]

Originally posted by WillyJ


Peach Girl- You're a Southern Baptist, a Sooner fan and a Liberal?

I am officially in awe. .

I am still laughing!

 

[crazyforgoofy]

Originally posted by Pop Daddy
If Jesus where here today he would vote for Bush and root for the Cleveland Browns

I have a friend who is sure Jesus is a Cubs fan!

 

[bumcat]

I believe Jesus is a Houston Texan fan because he always roots for the underdogs!!!