All too often it is the conservative right-wing that is the first to dominate the conversation on the nature of Judeo-Christianity and the interpretation of the meaning of the Christ's mission on Earth.
However, we know by what is recorded in the New Testament record itself, that if Jesus was what we would call today a Republican, he would do things like:
not help the sick and the poor (unless they paid him); he would not turn the other cheek when struck by an enemy; and he would be in league with the money-changers and the powerful elite.
Jesus did not do these things because he was the progressive of his time!
The Gospels tell us that Jesus was a caring and compassionate person who spoke out against those who's "hearts had been hardened." In this case, it could be said that the Savior was someone that would be labeled as a so-called "bleeding heart"—a term that is nowadays commonly ascribed to liberals.
Jesus taught that besides crimes like murder and theft, sin was also "slander" and bearing "false witness." Also, in Mark 7.22, Jesus said that among other things evil was "malice, deceit, arrogance and folly." How many times have we seen this type of behavior from characters in the right-wing conservative media? (Beck, Limbaugh, and Coulter come to mind.)
It is certainly unfortunate that so many Republicans would have such a callous outlook when it comes to humanity and the underprivileged. This uncompassionate and selfish behavior is related to what they refer to as "rugged individualism"—which is the type of behavior that Jesus actually spoke out against.
In the Book of Genesis, we read that it was God's intention for human-beings to be good stewards of the land and to take care of it. But how are the so-called "conservatives" taking care of it when they are disregarding the polluting and the damaging of the planet? The Republicans have been the advocates for money and big business over not only the welfare of the people, but the welfare of the environment—i.e. God's creation. How can a good Christian be complaisant with this?
The conservative right-wing have taken over the interpretation of the teachings of the Christ, while at the same time not only misinterpreting them, but in some cases, even disobeying these very same teachings as well. They have been able to do this by being active and zealous in their own interpretation of the Bible and of Christianity.
For more insights into Progressive Christianity check out Aerik Vondenburg's blog at
http://enlightenedchristianity.blogspot.com/
P.S. I especially recommend his blog article "The Return of the Robber Barons and the Rise of the Theocratic Plutocracy"
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