Is the Jesus of religion conservative, and the Jesus of the New Testament liberal?

by Fernando 35 Replies latest watchtower bible

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  Sanchy

  How anyone can read the Gospels and then dream he would support the GOP, escapes me.

  Who said conservatism is defined by the GOP? Are all liberal values defined by Democrats? In its pure form, each form would probably lead to catastrophe, balance is key. Not all conservatives are bigots, racists, evangelicals, pro-rich, anti-poor as the media paints them, just as not all liberals are abortionhaving, socialist, anti-white, and/or race baiters.

  There are intelligent and essential points in both sides, policy needed in different situations and at different times in history. Sometimes we need a bit more of the "right, sometimes a bit more of the "left".
  
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  Vidiot

  FlyingHighNow - "He had a very generous, helpful attitude towards the poor and the unfortunate. He spoke of how things would be in an ideal world, but understood that earth was not an ideal world, so it was fruitless and cruel to impose harsh, black and white standards on very imperfect people. He never mentioned homosexuality. He made concessions for many things. He chose his battles and he stood up, when it was important, and made a huge stand. He fed the poor, healed the poor, ministered to the poor, never asking for money or insurance cards. He cleared the temple of greedy hypocrites who sought to make money off other people's limitations and hardships. He spoke out, exposing religious oppression."
  

  Seeing it all summed up like that, god, no wonder they killed him.
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  FlyingHighNow

  Who said conservatism is defined by the GOP?

  
  I said basically that anyone who dreams that Jesus would support the GOP is daft. I didn't break down what you can find in either party. Grand Old Party is what I said, not conservatism or liberalism. Please, read my comments again. The GOP only uses propaganda to try to get simpler thinking Christians that Jesus would be a republican. In reality, Jesus wouldn't be a member of either party. He would however support ideas and practices that the GOP is blatantly opposed to.
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  cofty

  Jesus is the ultimate sock puppet.
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  FlyingHighNow

  Jesus is the ultimate sock puppet.

  
  ....and a Capricorn.
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  Sanchy

  ....and a Capricorn
  

  and obviously not a politician :-)
  
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  Fernando

  He spoke of how things would be in an ideal world, but understood that earth was not an ideal world, so it was fruitless and cruel to impose harsh, black and white standards on very imperfect people.

  very well said FHN...
  
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  cofty

  Really? He said "you must be perfect". You don't get any more demanding than that.
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  FlyingHighNow

  Here is the context for Matthew 5:48, for the record:

  43“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbori and hate your enemy.’ 44But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
  
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  FlyingHighNow

  I'm not a Christian. I'm not a person who believes The Bible was written by God. I'll get that out of the way. But reading what the Bible does say about Jesus, it's clear he was not harsh over human failings,but was very firm with hypocritical religious leaders and oppressors.

  This is from Matthew Chapter 9

  The Calling of Matthew

  9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.

  10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

  12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’[a] For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”