Obama: Jesus would support tax-the-rich policy

[StevenC]

Jesus is a flaming liberal, everyone knows that.








Obama: Jesus would back my tax-the-rich policy - Feb. 2, 2012

President Obama offered a new line of reasoning for hiking taxes on the rich on Thursday, saying at the National Prayer Breakfast that his policy proposals are shaped by his religious beliefs.

Obama said that as a person who has been "extraordinarily blessed," he is willing to give up some of the tax breaks he enjoys because doing so makes economic, and religious sense.

"For me as a Christian, it also coincides with Jesus's teaching that for unto whom much is given, much shall be required," Obama said, quoting the Gospel of Luke.

Obama wants to allow the Bush tax cuts to expire for the richest Americans, and he has embraced the idea that wealthy Americans should not be paying a lower effective tax rate than those in the middle or lower classes.

He has argued that those policies offer Americans a "fair shot" and increased equality, while implying that the policies favored by Republicans do not.

But the overt connection between religious beliefs and political policies is new.

"I know that far too many neighbors in our country have been hurt and treated unfairly over the last few years," Obama said. "And I believe in God's command to love thy neighbor as thyself. I know a version of that golden rule is found in every major religion and every set of beliefs."

An administration official speaking on background told CNN that Obama viewed the speech as chance to explain his personal faith practices and to show "his desire to step in the gap for those who are vulnerable."

So what does the Bible say about taxes?...

So when is obama going to demand abortions be outlawed?

 

[StevenC]

Obama understands Jesus well.

Jesus would support taxing the rich.

In the Gospel of Matthew, a rich young man asks Jesus what actions bring eternal life. First Jesus advises the man to obey the commandments. When the man responds that he already observes them, Jesus adds:

If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.

The Gospel of Luke has a similar episode and states that:

When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth. Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

It's a sad day when the Democrats have to use the New Testament to justify taxes.

But not nearly as sad as Bush using it to justify killing thousands of innocent people.

Or almost as sad when the Neo-Cons try using it to pass judgement, control peoples's behavior and eliminate peoples' rights.

It is worse. The left went all apeshit over Bush bringing up religion now they are kissing Obama's feet and jumping for joy.

 

[StevenC]

No, you miss the point.

Jesus told the young man to sell his possessions and give them to the poor.

ie...the Buffett Rule plus the earned income tax credit....

Lying blasphemous asshole.

Giving one's possessions away is an act of volition...Having them taxed away is an act of aggression.

Even a agnostic can make that distinction.

Not according to Jesus.

The synoptic gospels state that hostile questioners tried to trap Jesus into taking an explicit and dangerous stand on whether Jews should or should not pay taxes to the Roman authorities. The accounts in Matthew and Mark say that the questioners were Pharisees and Herodians, while Luke says only that they were "spies" sent by "teachers of the law and the chief priests".

They anticipated that Jesus would oppose the tax, as their purpose was "to hand him over to the power and authority of the governor" (Luke 20:20). The governor was Pilate, and he was the man responsible for the collecting of taxes in Roman Judea. At first the questioners flattered Jesus by praising his integrity, impartiality, and devotion to truth. Then they asked him whether or not it is right for Jews to pay the taxes demanded by Caesar. In the Gospel of Mark (12:15) the additional, provocative question is asked, "Should we pay or shouldn't we?" Jesus first called them hypocrites, and then asked one of them to produce a Roman coin that would be suitable for paying Caesar's tax. One of them showed him a Roman coin, and he asked them whose name and inscription were on it. They answered, "Caesar's," and he responded

"Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's"

What belongs to the government? They didn't give me shit so how can I give back to them?

 

[pete]

In the Gospel of Matthew, a rich young man asks Jesus what actions bring eternal life. First Jesus advises the man to obey the commandments. When the man responds that he already observes them, Jesus adds:

If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.

The Gospel of Luke has a similar episode and states that:

When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth. Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

NOT BY TAKING and giving .. suggesting that you help, share and give!!!

 

[Conservative]

Jesus would NOT support a forced taxation of the rich to give to the poor. He was into free will, just like His dad.

 

[Conservative]

It's a sad day when the Democrats have to use the New Testament to justify taxes.

But not nearly as sad as Bush using it to justify killing thousands of innocent people.

Or almost as sad when the Neo-Cons try using it to pass judgement, control peoples's behavior and eliminate peoples' rights.

It is worse. The left went all apeshit over Bush bringing up religion now they are kissing Obama's feet and jumping for joy.

Well, Obama IS the messiah after all, so it's just different now.

 

[StevenC]

But not nearly as sad as Bush using it to justify killing thousands of innocent people.

Or almost as sad when the Neo-Cons try using it to pass judgement, control peoples's behavior and eliminate peoples' rights.

It is worse. The left went all apeshit over Bush bringing up religion now they are kissing Obama's feet and jumping for joy.

Well, Obama IS the messiah after all, so it's just different now.

Will the ACLU attack Obama for mixing religion and politics?

 

[Cowman]

But not nearly as sad as Bush using it to justify killing thousands of innocent people.

Or almost as sad when the Neo-Cons try using it to pass judgement, control peoples's behavior and eliminate peoples' rights.

It is worse. The left went all apeshit over Bush bringing up religion now they are kissing Obama's feet and jumping for joy.

Well, Obama IS the messiah after all, so it's just different now.

Stop worshiping a man.

 

[Conservative]

It is worse. The left went all apeshit over Bush bringing up religion now they are kissing Obama's feet and jumping for joy.

Well, Obama IS the messiah after all, so it's just different now.

Stop worshiping a man.

I believe your sarcasm meter is off a tad.

 

[Oldstyle]

Obama is still talking about raising taxes in a weak economy? That's nothing more than a ploy to get himself reelected because it's both terrible economic policy and he knows quite well that the GOP controlled House will never pass it. So all of this talk by Obama? It's nothing more than political posturing.

As an agnostic someone using the "it's what Jesus would have done" falls on deaf ears as far as I'm concerned. Obama went to Harvard? Try using that education to govern in an intelligent manner. Everything about this guy is image over substance.

 

[Full-Auto]

Jesus is a flaming liberal, everyone knows that.








Obama: Jesus would back my tax-the-rich policy - Feb. 2, 2012

President Obama offered a new line of reasoning for hiking taxes on the rich on Thursday, saying at the National Prayer Breakfast that his policy proposals are shaped by his religious beliefs.

Obama said that as a person who has been "extraordinarily blessed," he is willing to give up some of the tax breaks he enjoys because doing so makes economic, and religious sense.

"For me as a Christian, it also coincides with Jesus's teaching that for unto whom much is given, much shall be required," Obama said, quoting the Gospel of Luke.

Obama wants to allow the Bush tax cuts to expire for the richest Americans, and he has embraced the idea that wealthy Americans should not be paying a lower effective tax rate than those in the middle or lower classes.

He has argued that those policies offer Americans a "fair shot" and increased equality, while implying that the policies favored by Republicans do not.

But the overt connection between religious beliefs and political policies is new.

"I know that far too many neighbors in our country have been hurt and treated unfairly over the last few years," Obama said. "And I believe in God's command to love thy neighbor as thyself. I know a version of that golden rule is found in every major religion and every set of beliefs."

An administration official speaking on background told CNN that Obama viewed the speech as chance to explain his personal faith practices and to show "his desire to step in the gap for those who are vulnerable."

So what does the Bible say about taxes?...

I wasnt aware the Lord approved of theft by proxy.

 

[Cowman]

Well, Obama IS the messiah after all, so it's just different now.

Stop worshiping a man.

I believe your sarcasm meter is off a tad.

So you're mocking the conservatives who are pretty much the only people who profess Obama to be a messiah then? If so, my sarcasm meter is off, if not I hold my ground.

 

[Oldstyle]

Stop worshiping a man.

I believe your sarcasm meter is off a tad.

So you're mocking the conservatives who are pretty much the only people who profess Obama to be a messiah then? If so, my sarcasm meter is off, if not I hold my ground.

Actually, I'm mocking far left liberals that go ballistic if someone says "Merry Christmas" or wants to say a prayer before some type of public gathering but won't say a peep about Obama's invoking the name of Jesus. It's called hypocrisy, folks...

 

[LilOlLady]

Don't ever equate Obama and his policies with Christ.

It's appalling and disgusting to a Christian. Islam would forbid this as well.

FYI Christ is a prophet to Islam. Be careful where you tread here.

Right wing radical racist hate with no facts to back it up. Nothing is working but your mouth. You don' t have a clue as to what Islam would do. Fact is they give more than is required and many time excess of what they need and they do not have to be forced. They do it voluntary without grumbling. Christians like you ar disgusting and appalling.


Top 7 Islamic Charitable Organizations
Islamic Charities - Islamic Charitable Organizations


Charity at heart of Islamic teachings


Imam Reda Bedeir, For The Calgary Herald

The whole concept of wealth in Islam is considered a gift from God. How we use it and spend it is a test. The fact that one of the five Pillars of Islam is about giving money to the poor reminds us that everything we have belongs to God. People are given their wealth as a trust from God and spending it the right way, with the right intentions, for the best purpose, and for the sake of God helps free us from the love of money.
Charity at heart of Islamic teachings



Welfare State in Islam aims at achieving the total welfare of mankind, the Islamic concept of the Welfare State is based not only on the manifestation of economic values but also on moral, spiritual, social and political values of Islam. Islamic welfare state ensures socio-economic welfare of its citizens. Its functions for material welfare of its people include provision of basic necessities of life for all, ensuring of a comprehensive social security system, establishment of social justice, etc., since its functions for the spiritual well-being of its people include the establishment of Islamic system of life for the Muslims and full religious freedom for the non-Muslims.
Islamic Welfare State « Wise… or Otherwise?

 

[Seawytch]

Jesus didn't live in a Democracy. I don't think the Jesus I've read about would have a problem with the people choosing to put policies in place that would help the poor or the sick. He'd likely support them wholeheartedly.

Haven't the RWers been arguing that we are a "Christian Nation"? Don't they want to use their religion to make policies that would prohibit abortion and gay marriage? Why is it "okay" to legislate that part of your religion, but not the part that says you need to take care of "the least among us"?

 

[logical4u]

Obama understands Jesus well.

Jesus would support taxing the rich.

In the Gospel of Matthew, a rich young man asks Jesus what actions bring eternal life. First Jesus advises the man to obey the commandments. When the man responds that he already observes them, Jesus adds:

If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.

The Gospel of Luke has a similar episode and states that:

When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth. Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

This is how I understand that part: a rich man is going thru the motions of being "good". He really secretly "worships" his wealth. When he speaks to the Savior, the Savior sees into his heart and explains to him that he will have to shed his adoration of the false god, wealth. (The Savior gave many sermons and many parables, and in no other instance did He instruct the wealty to "give it all away") The rich man was very sad, because he could not reject his sin (like many of us that live in sinful ways), his love of money.

The second part (heard this from a radio teaching): A camel can carry over 1000 POUNDS! That is a lot of stuff (baggage, luggage, goods, garbage, etc). The "eye of a needle" was a gate in the city of Jerusalem that was open at night (the main gates were closed for protection). A camel could pass thru that gate, but only if it had no (that is NO) cargo. This is according to the Savior's teachings that you must be pure at heart to make it to heaven (no baggage, luggage, goods, garbage, etc).

I am sure you will disregard this because it goes against your agenda. The Savior wanted us to be responsible for ourselves (against Obama's agenda). He wanted us to do the best we could with what we had (the master giving 3 servants money..., the instruction not to put our lamps/light under a basket, etc). But if you are interested, you can read the Gospels and try to comprehend it both ways and see which one makes more sense.

 

[logical4u]

In the Gospel of Matthew, a rich young man asks Jesus what actions bring eternal life. First Jesus advises the man to obey the commandments. When the man responds that he already observes them, Jesus adds:

If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.

The Gospel of Luke has a similar episode and states that:

When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth. Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

Rich men can still enter heaven. All one has to do is accept Christ. Rich or poor. Ill or healthy. A runner or a lame man. An old man or a child. A woman or a man. And nothing we do in this lifetime counts on getting a ticket to heaven.

You miss the point entirely Chris.

It's called 3:16.

No, you miss the point.

Jesus told the young man to sell his possessions and give them to the poor.

ie...the Buffett Rule plus the earned income tax credit....

So.... you despise Obama and Buffet for not selling their possesions and giving their wealth to the poor?

 

[logical4u]

Obama understands Jesus well.

Jesus would support taxing the rich.

In the Gospel of Matthew, a rich young man asks Jesus what actions bring eternal life. First Jesus advises the man to obey the commandments. When the man responds that he already observes them, Jesus adds:

If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.

The Gospel of Luke has a similar episode and states that:

When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth. Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

It's a sad day when the Democrats have to use the New Testament to justify taxes.

It's a sad day when someone denies the teachings of Jesus.

When someone claims to be "spreading" the "teachings of Christ" when they ignore the teachings of Christ, it is really hard to take them seriously. They appear to be manipulators/con men/flimflam artists/etc.

 

[StevenC]

Jesus didn't live in a Democracy. I don't think the Jesus I've read about would have a problem with the people choosing to put policies in place that would help the poor or the sick. He'd likely support them wholeheartedly.

Haven't the RWers been arguing that we are a "Christian Nation"? Don't they want to use their religion to make policies that would prohibit abortion and gay marriage? Why is it "okay" to legislate that part of your religion, but not the part that says you need to take care of "the least among us"?

Why is it ok to use religion when you want to raise taxes but not when you want to stop abortions?
Why isn't the left attacking Obama for mixing religion and politics like they attack any republican that would do the same?

 

[logical4u]

Jesus also supported people working for their food and not owing others anything,
He said take care of the old and sick not the lazy.

The single accomplishment of the conservative movement has been to convince millions of weak minded individuals that selfishness, greed, and hate of the poor are good Christian values.

Do you have some evidence of this? Christian charities ARE the most generous, and numerous of any charities in the world (and they are not funded by athiests).

Obama using "the Savior" to manipulate Christians out of one side of his mouth while supporting the murder of unborn children/the experimentation on humans (embryo stage)/elevation of homosexuality out of the other side of his mouth does not impress MOST Christians. If he wants to preach to us, he better be walking the line, and right now, he doesn't even seem to be aware there is a "line".