Christians hatin' on Jesus

Why Evangelicals hate Jesus

This piece hits dead on in places. But just like the evangelicals it criticizes, it also misses a bit.

“Jesus unambiguously preached mercy and forgiveness. These are supposed to be cardinal virtues of the Christian faith.”

Straight up. No question. Right on. Grand slam.

Never said it would be easy.

“And yet Evangelicals are the most supportive of the death penalty, draconian sentencing, punitive punishment over rehabilitation, and the governmental use of torture.”

Swing anna dribbling foul out the first base line.

The Bible ALSO says man is to obey the laws of man unless such laws conflict with God’s law. Ok ambiguous, especially in the light of “Cast the first stone” thing.

Jesus said he came to complete the Law of the Old Testament, not cancel it. Still obfuscatory.

Still in effect after all these years

Here it is good to see how Jesus led by example - He submitted Himself to the secular authorities of the time. Whether or not what happened was justice is a moot point. Jesus let the law of the land rule. That the law of the land dovetailed into the Divine Plan is also part of that divine plan. The apostles were also arrested and some beheaded without protest.

The Bible never says man may not have laws and enforcement clauses behind those laws. It in fact says just the opposite.

We are to forgive, absolutely, but those who commit the crime/sin must also pay restitution.

“Jesus exhorted humans to be loving, peaceful, and non-violent. And yet Evangelicals are the group of Americans most supportive of easy-access weaponry, little-to-no regulation of handgun and semi-automatic gun ownership, not to mention the violent military invasion of various countries around the world.”

Oooo and that’s a close call at first base! Let’s check the instant replay on that one Bob!

Jesus did tell people to be peace loving. He also told His disciples to arm themselves. In the garden He said one should take his extra coat and swap it for a sword. Sounds like no regulation to me. Jesus never intended us to be defenseless.

As for violent military invasions, Jesus does say “He who lives by the sword will die by the sword.” I rather suspect He’d object to military invasions of other nation, but would not object to defensive attacks.

Call it a tie and too close at the base ‘cause the dust was flying.

“Jesus was very clear that the pursuit of wealth was inimical to the Kingdom of God, that the rich are to be condemned, and that to be a follower of Him means to give one's money to the poor.”

Swing anna miss!

Jesus never said there is problem with being rich, nor in the pursuit of wealth. His objection to the pursuit of material gain is when it becomes more important than pursuing God, in which case money becomes a false idol. “For the love (lotsa people forget that love comment) of money is the root of all evil.” Jesus used the parable of the three servants and the money they were entrusted with to show that making a profit is not evil.

Jesus also said we will always have the poor with us. Yes, we are instructed to care for and look after the poor, but He also said those who are able to work should work and if they won’t, then they do not deserve support.

“And yet Evangelicals are the most supportive of corporate greed and capitalistic excess, and they are the most opposed to institutional help for the nation's poor -- especially poor children.”

And the ball flies high up into the stands behind the plate. I just don’t see that, except for institutional help if he means the government. Otherwise, evangelicals actually give plenty to charities, especially ones to help children.

“They hate anything that smacks of "socialism," even though that is essentially what their Savior preached.”

WOOSH! Nowhere NEAR the ball on that one! Jesus did say Government is established by and through God and we are to obey those in authority over us. But He never said government should take care of us. He said we are to look out for each other. That ain’t socialism.

No government intervention called for.

Jesus never took from Government to give to the poor. He told people they should give from themselves.

“In short, Evangelicals are that segment of America which is the most pro-militaristic, pro-gun, and pro-corporate, while simultaneously claiming to be most ardent lovers of the Prince of Peace.”

The author of this piece needs to read the Bible. If you wanna talk about bloodshed, mayhem, death and destruction, read the Bible. Jesus never said we are to be defenseless. He said we should stand ready to defend ourselves with one hand while offering the hand of peace with the other. Read Nehemiah for more about how we are to defend ourselves.

The choice of which to accept, as always, is the responsibility of the other side.