A Brief Comment by Doug Draper
By now, many of you who follow what is going on in the news probably know that U.S. Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney is in one dung pile of trouble over remarks he was caught making on video to a bunch of $50,000-per-plate rich dudes he’s counting on to finance his trip to the White House.
U.S. Republican presential candidate Mitt Romney delivering his hell fire to those who can’t make the million-dollar club
For those who need a fresher or may not have heard Romney’s unfettered remarks on this matter, here they are; “There are 47 percent of the people who will vote for the president no matter what. All right, there are 47 percent who are with him, who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe that government has a responsibility to care for them, who believe that they’re entitled to healthcare, to food, to housing, to you-name-it, that’s that. … These are people who pay no income tax. Forty-seven percent of Americans pay no income tax. So our message of low taxes doesn’t connect. So he’ll be out there talking about tax cuts for the rich. I mean, that’s what they sell every four years. And so, my job is not to worry about those people. I’ll never convince them that they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives.”
Now I’m certainly no church goer, but let’s get back to the question of what Jesus would do in a situation like this since Americans, as much as their constitution talks about separation of church and state, injects religion into their politics and Republicans, in particular, seem to have a monopoly on the notion that they are closer to God. Below is a depiction of what Jesus might do if he was a hard-right Republican like Romney which, for anyone who has actually bothered to read The Bible, seems completely implausible. Would Romney, given his remarks, cheer on Jesus for asking a person whose down and out, and lying flat out in a ditch, to forget any help and take responsibility for themselves?
Interestingly enough, the following image was produced by a group called ‘The Christian Left” which I had never heard of before, given all the attention to the Christian right. Check out this image and The Christian Left’s website at http://www.thereligiousleft.org/ , then share your comments below, remembering that Niagara At Large only posts comments by individuals who also share their first and last name.
And just a postscript for we Canadians north of the border. Don’t think for one moment there aren’t people in elected office who think like Romney up here. There are at least a few in the federal government, for sure, and what can you say about an Ontario government that cuts funding for the shelter for the homeless?
Niagara At Large 
No disrespect, but even JC might give up on these Romney clowns. “Clown”, of course, is a euphemism.
LikeLike
Amen and AMEN!
As a former born-again Christian, I agree with the comments expressed in the post above and in the picture from the Christian Left.
Far too many conservatives today equate being Christian with being “right.”
That is so far away from the teachings of Christ, that it galls me. That is one of the reasons I say I am a “former” born-again. I don’t want any part of a church or religion that is so callous. Good grief, they are almost as unfeeling or uncaring of their fellow man as the Moslems!
A former pastor of mine put it well when he said: “the Christian army is the only army in the world that ignores its wounded!”
That is what the Tea-Party and other ultra-right groups who claim to be “Christian” are doing!
As for here in Canada, the leaders of all political parties (yes, including the NDP) seem to have given up on having a social conscience.
Canada was built on basic judeo-christian values. We seem to have lost that strength in our rush to embace “multiculturalism.”
I am a right-winger, but I do have a social conscience.
Tim Hudak: where are you?
Stephen Harper: where are you?
Dalton McGuinty: where are you?
Bob Rae et al: where are you?
Andrea Horvath: where are you?
Thomas Mulcair: where are you?
To other readers of Niagara At Large:
I know most of you have a social conscience … you probably wouldn’t be regular readers if you did not! And for that, whatever your political leanings, I respect you. So far the political leaders above have not earned my respect (although Ms Horvath comes close).
LikeLike
As a person who once studied for the ministry, about 5o years ago,I think the the Republicans would never nominate him in the first place, Jesus once said “it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to go to heaven”.( because for a man to get rich,he has to screw hundreds of his fellow men to obtain that money in the first place may- be commit murder) remember he kicked the money changers out of the Temple, door ways and steps, Romney and Jesus are the exact opposites.Jesus has more in common with Jimmy Carter.
LikeLike
I don’t know how a person can be a “former” born-again Christian. Once born, you are alive until you die. If you don’t die “in Christ”, then I suppose that could be better-defined as being “not a practicing Christian”, or, no longer and “imitator of Christ”. Either way, Christ’s is a tough (actually impossible) act to follow, and that’s why He came and did it for us. I can completely understand one’s willingness to distance himself or herself from organic church pursuits and the wayward misrepresentations of churches to the world. Faith is the key, and the Kingdom is one of the heart. A politician could conceivably have a tougher time arriving into Heaven than the rich man. The path is far too straight and narrow for anyone who delves in the mystic deceptions of a government leader…
LikeLike
Will, well over 100,000 innocent non-combatants have died so far as a result of the illegal invasion of Iraq by the U.S and the U.K. The “bad guys”
aren’t always the muslims. Another reason the middle-east doesn’t always like the U.S is that they support dictators i.e Mubarak and now the military regime.
Imagine if Iraq, without provocation, unleashed industrial warfare on us. How would we feel?
LikeLike
Agree with the comments. What more can one say? And these people claim to be Christians! There’s a special place in hell for his kind. Romney sure as hell didn’t get where he is today by hard work. He got there with big daddy’s $$$$$! One must also recall he held down a guy and shaved off his hair. Funny how the seven other guys remembered it but not him. He’s either very forgetful, a sociopathic bully or a liar…maybe all of the above.
LikeLike
Mark: I am definitely NOT defending the US invasion of Iraq and I agree that much of the anger against the US is the result of their meddling. And too much of that is not due to political ideology, but to the almighty dollar – ie: OIL interests. I sometimes wonder if western countries stayed out of Islamic countries completely (and only blocked emigration to the west) if the moslems would not destroy themselves with their tribal rivalries.
LikeLike
I see a lot of religious comments here that appeared after I posted and, in spite of the flack I may receive, the world would be FAR better off without organized religions. Individual spirituality is fine but when it becomes public and effects others it becomes an “I’m right and you’re wrong” scenario. Therein lies the rub. Instant conflict. I can’t stomach those who feel it their duty to prostheletize others and spread the word. No thank you – just not interested. Even worse are situations like this with Romney who sanctimoniously claims he represents “god” while demeaning others. I believe the bible says “judge not lest thee be judged” does it not and yet he judges others? Anyone who claims their religion (or lack of it) is the ONLY way to live and that they have the answers to imponderable human questions is an arrogant fool.
LikeLike
Hey folks, just wanted to leave you all a quick note. I edit for TheReligiousLeft.org, and while we’re big fans of the Christian Left and happy for the link to our site, they’d probably appreciate the credit for their image. You can find the Christian Left at http://www.thechristianleft.org/. Thanks!
LikeLike
I find it somewhat ironic that someone that thinks the world would be better off without organized religion would oppose Romney’s actions by quoting the bible of one of the organized religions.
A Note from Niagara At Large publisher Doug Draper – So let’s get this straight. If I am not a member of an organized church, then I have no right to refer to the Bible or to inject any spiritual beliefs I have into a conversation about the values politicians express during an election campaign? Does it also follow that people who make a point of showing up at the temple every Sunday are the only ones who have the right to inject Judeo Christian morals or values into a conversation?
LikeLike
As usual Doug you are twisting my words. My statement has nothing to do with politics, campaingns, etc. If you are opposed to religion it is inane to quote with acceptance pro-religious scriptures of any religion to bolster your anti-religion feelings. Using “Judge not lest you be judged” to support your position is accepting the teachings of that which you oppose. I doubt that anyone AGAINST saving the enviroment would accept as correct the writings the writings of David Suzuki to try and bolster their position. I just thought that the writer, since she is opposed to religion, could have found a better non-religious quotation to castigate Romney. By the way, she is correct that he should be castigated or another word that is close in pronunciation.
LikeLike
Hi Nick.
Yes, I am against religion in general but have no problem with others’ beliefs unless they are hypocritical or cause problems. Atheists are often treated as pariahs. Very Christian. I have no desire to get into a debate or off on a tangent since neither my beliefs nor yours are anyone else’s business. That’s the problem. Religion sticks its nose into everyone’s lives including that of non believers. Religion is everywhere. Non religious folks are made to feel some kind of inferior perverts not worthy of having opinions. SOME religious folks seem to feel they have a monopoly on virtue and all the answers. I admit I DON’T have all the answers because it is beyond human comprehension. I feel it would be arrogant to presume I do so I don’t try to impose my beliefs. Try driving through the deep south with an “I am a atheist” bumper sticker or being Christian in Pakistan! I cannot recall organized gangs of atheists burning abortion clinics, shooting doctors, or destroying mosques, churches, synagogues or temples in recent times. This dialogue is simply trying to make a point that religion, if fanatical, is undeniably toxic and can be disruptive, especially when used by politicians as sanctamonious justification for their actions.
My point was that he ie Romney uses the Bible as his guide and yet ignores the same scriptures when he demeans and judges others. The best way to reveal his hypocrisy is by reflecting his own words as claiming he is SO religious. You either believe in the Bible or you don’t, no cherry picking.The far right in the US excels at this practice. Meanwhile, whatever happened to the separation of church and state? Will never happen!
Sorry for the digression but I feel this is a very crucial aspect of the current acrimony between the opposing sides in the US election. Both claim to be great examples of virtue while cutting each others’ throats and screwing the American people.
LikeLike
I don’t believe “ALL” Moslems are out to annihilate non believers and should be treated with contempt. In fact Catholicism had the belief that only they would inherit heaven and in Spain a few short centuries ago non believers were put to death during the Spanish Inquestion.
A quote from a comment made by a contributer
That is so far away from the teachings of Christ, that it galls me. That is one of the reasons I say I am a “former” born-again. I don’t want any part of a church or religion that is so callous. Good grief, they are almost as unfeeling or uncaring of their fellow man as the Moslems!
LikeLike
All religions have their extremes. I, like many people, do not like any religion being shoved down my throat. I have my own beliefs and do not feel that what others believe is necessarily best for M,E. However, others have the right to believe what is best for THEM. This means we need an open state that separates church and government. Government must be neutral and not supportive of any religion, or disdaining any religion (unless of course, individuals within particular sects begin to break laws and/or oppress others with their beliefs). That means this whole backing of Isreal at all expense needs to be re-examined. I have nothing against Isreal or the Jewish community, or any community at all, but as a state, is it really healthy to be seen as promoting or supporting one religious or ethnic group over all others?
LikeLike