Why are Christians so conservative when Christ himself was a liberal?

Question

I don't get it. Christ befriended tax collectors and prostitutes--he rejected NO ONE. He urged everyone to help the poor. There was nothing "First Testament" about Christ, he was the UPGRADE--the word of God directly from God rather than the wishes of God as interpreted and written down by men. So why do today's American Christians ally themselves with the Republicans, who believe helping the poor somehow encourages them to stay poor? (Oh yeah, living on welfare is the high life, let me tell you, anyone would stay with that forever.) Why are we still condemning gays when Christ never condemned them? And lastly, why are liberals, who follow Christ's teachings of compassion, considered Godless? It's clear I have a strong opinion, but I would love a real, intelligent explanation for this. Christ was way cooler and far more forgiving and gentle than this. (He would never say we should deport all the impoverished Mexicans, screw them, it's not their country.) What gives?

Well as expected, by saying that Christ befriended prostitutes and tax collectors in my original Details, I am accused of advocating prostitution and tax collection. That wasn't my point, of course. My question is, where is Christ's forgiveness in Republican Christians? Jesus reached out to those who accepted him and those who didn't. Of course he wanted everyone to accept him. But his love was boundless. I am wondering how that translates into many, many conservatives demanding that all the poor people get shipped back to Mexico, too bad for them. These particularly heartless moments are what make me think of this question. Would Christ turn away a poor man who tried to steal from his table? He would invite the man to eat with him and urge him to accept his love. Where is that, in us, in our country right now?

Answer 1

You know when Christ was alive, both sides of the political spectrum tried to use him for their purposes.

It is no different today - both liberals and conservatives would like to claim that Christ is on their side, but you know what? I bet that Jesus would have alot to teach both sides about how to treat their fellow man.

One thing that Jesus did stress was personal action. If you see something that isn't right in the world - do your best to make it better. Love people, serve people, - the answer to all of the worlds problems is not a political philosophy or a certain political party being in power - the battle that we fight is not won with weapons of this world, but by God's spirit.

God's love, and his healing touch will change this world, not politics.

God bless :)

Answer 2

Well, I will have to assume you did not intend to make a blanket statement about all Christians. Certainly there are many different views held by Christians.

As for Christ being an "upgrade" that is simply incorrect. Christ was the fulfillment of the first covenant. So, He did not preach anything different; He simply was the next foretold step.

I think the term "befriended" may be a bit misleading. While it is true that Christ went where ever the need was He did not ever suggest that it was okay for people to stay in the condition He found them. So, while he did associate with tax collectors and prostitutes it was so that he could warn them about their sinful ways; not so that they would feel justified in staying that way.

Christian's should not condemn gays. We should not condemn anyone. We do not have that power. We should follow exactly what the Bible teaches. Put simply it says we should warn the unsaved that a day of judgment is coming. If they do not repent they will be found guilty.

Please don't mistake the previous comment to imply that I am saying that the gay lifestyle is acceptable to God. It is not. However, that is a situation that God will have to help the individual involved with correcting.

We should use the Ten Commandments to help people see that they are breaking God's laws. That is usually sufficient. Try the test below to see what I mean:

http://www.wayofthemaster.com/goodperson.shtml

~Neeva

Answer 3

First, Christ wasn't the only Word from God, and the Bible wasn't "God's wishes..." So far as that's concerned, the Bible was written by men who were moved, led, & inspired by the Holy Spirit.

Past that... Yes, Christ loved the poor and mandated that we help them, BUT (really big BUT here), once their immediate physical needs were met, what did He do? He immediately addressed their spiritual needs - so their physical needs wouldn't be what drove them. So, yes, as evidenced by the sham of American Welfare before Clinton's (ewww) reform, if you continually meet the physical needs of someone & neglect to address the underlying issues that keep them in need, you are doing a disservice to them (and taxpayers, at that). And YES (big, resounding YES), there are many (MANY) people who would rather have a check mailed to them every month than to take responsibility for themselves & the families they helped create. Lots of people would stay on welfare "forever" if they could - they did it for successive generations before the reform. But, again, underlying issues need to be addressed (for instance, WHY is being lazy & slothful better than working a real job? And so forth...).

As for Christ's condemnation of homosexuality, I'd suggest you read, again, through some of the things He said and some of the things His disciples said in His Name. He certainly doesn't agree with it.

The poor, impoverished Mexicans (or any other immigrant) fall into the same category - they get no special treatment. (As a whole) They came here to "live the American dream," right? Let them live it: become citizens, pay taxes, build up YOUR OWN social security (not even going there). Learn the language, teach your children the language. Just like anyone else, they deserve the same respect & love that Christians afford anyone else. What they don't deserve is special treatment. Those who are here LEGALLY are welcome to stay & continue living as American CITIZENS. Those who are here ILLEGALLY need to remedy their situation. I'm sorry if the system is broken & slow as molasses, but "everyone else" has to go through the same processes. Once they're here legally & can vote, they can participate in making the necessary changes.

Disagreement with the laws of the land does not excuse breaking them (Christians, remember, are supposed to respect such laws unless they are in violation of God's laws - controlled immigration, in my opinion, does not violate God's laws).

I have a strong opinion too... :)

Answer 4

You say Christ never condemned homosexuality, do you believe that the New Testament is the inspired word of God? Do you believe there is a difference between what God condemned in the Old Testament and what should be allowable by God's people now? Many Christians don't believe the poor should not be helped, but believe that it is not the government who should be doing the helping. The Old Testament. and New, example was for the community to help those in need, see Ruth. Most statistics, if they can be trusted, indicate that the help given by governments is not helping people. The down trodden need more than food stamps, job training, and reduced rent. They need a reason to change their lives, they need a personal relationship with Jesus. As Christians, we must care about people, give them what help they need and give them the opportunity to see that we are different than those without Christ. When that happens they will also want a personal relationship with Christ. I know many believers who follow this model, I am sorry that you don't. E-mail me if you would like to talk more.

Answer 5

It doesn't make any sense, of course. People still believe the "welfare queen" myth that Reagan MADE UP (he had absolutely no facts, research it for yourself, he didn't like welfare and invented stories of women having extra kids to stay on welfare and even though he was found out so many people still believe it) so the previous poster is wrong, Republicans absolutely have showed disdain and "get a job" judgment of the less fortunate. Yes, Jesus asked people not to sin, but he never stopped loving them no matter how sinful they were...which is why he died for their sins. If we accept him, we are saved, even with our failings. He understood we are human and have weaknesses. He forgave us and encouraged us to forgive each other. People read the Bible and certainly have very different interpretations, but anyone who is "so sure" that they are saved while others will burn is guilty of pride, and pride is also a sin. Seems to me...Christ's message is love, above all.

Answer 6

please do not take this the wrong way but have you read Mathew, Mark, Luke or John? while you are correct in saying Jesus hung out with the Sinners and tax collectors, and you are also correct in implying that a lot of Christians today are self righteous, you are wrong if you think He did not make them repent of their sin. The tax collector repaid all he had stolen and the Adulterous woman He told that no one would cast the first stone so neither would he. He told her to go and sin no more. God's wish is that all will be saved but only those who die to their own selfish desires and follow Him will be saved. Those people repented and followed Christ. He was happy to have them. Most true churches will be happy to accept ANY repentant sinner.

Answer 7

There is truth to your statement. Christians tend to be conservative, i.e. anti-abortion, anti-gay, pro-Israel, etc.. And they do that because it makes them fill pharaseically superior. But before we can begin true discussion you should define these terms, "conservative, liberal, progressive. At the end of day there are plenty of false doctrines in Christianity though Jesus himself was not a political figure, saying - I came to save sinners not lead social or political reform.

Answer 8

Christians are still trying to get it right. We are all in a learning stage and cannot be perfect yet. In Christianity, life gives us learning stages leading us to be more like Christ. The fact that so many Christians have not received the freedom that Christianity offers tells me that many are still feeling guilty although they have been set free from sin and cleansed. Not being good enough is the order of the day and we have a tendency to judge others because we are still judging ourselves. We do not need to be good enough. Jesus paid the price for our sins. Christians should, "Arise and be Free."

Answer 9

well there is no forgiveness in the democrats. the democrats talk and do nothing to help. there have been studies that show that the Christians are the ones that give money to the poor by more then 40%. the people on the left do not give.when Al Gore ran for president he only gave 200 dollars to charity.

Answer 10

Jesus was/is holy, not cool. During His walk on earth He was " always " about the Father's business. Know the context of God's Word and His character before you get on your soapbox and flawfully try to preach. The Lord went to the byways and the highways to where the druggie's and prostitutes were. But not for the reason you are trying to promote. He went there to pull them " out " of the trenches of sin and offer them salvation. That was His purpose. Again, Not to party with sinners, BUT TO DELIVER THEM.