My question is: Does a Christians view of Jesus influence his/her political/social views, or does a Christians political/social views influence the way the person views Jesus?
A question was asked here once, “Would Jesus socialized medicine?”
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AsqKq3JXg3g3HaAcdIAdIS0jzKIX?qid=20070728200319AAPIgbT
Some said Jesus would want universal health care: Jesus healed the sick, raised Lazarus, etc. Others said Jesus would not support higher taxes.
It’s amazing how Jesus sounds like a liberal coming from those on the left, but a conservative when described by the right.
2007-08-21 06:31:10 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I think all three statements can be true at different times. Which do you think is most common in America? Christians: which applies best to you?
A Christian’s vision of Jesus (in terms of conservative or liberal) influences her/his political/social views.
A Christian’s political/social views influence her/his vision of Jesus (in terms of conservative or liberal)
A Christian uses a conservative or liberal view of Jesus to support and justify her/his political views.
2007-08-21 06:31:23 · update #1
@whitehorse: What did Jesus ever say about homosexuality?
2007-08-21 06:38:38 · update #2
@ Oregon Flower: I find it interesting you use the singular instance of Angry Jesus (who acted on temple property, not in public) vs all the other possible actions of Jesus.
2007-08-21 06:40:27 · update #3
@ Oregon Flower: How can you ALL have the same view of JC when all Christians don't have the same view of Christ?
2007-08-21 06:42:21 · update #4
TYPO: @ Oregon Flower: How can you ALL have the same view *as* JC when all Christians don't have the same view of Christ?
2007-08-21 06:47:06 · update #5
@Towlie: Where in scriptures does it say that Jesus was taught against homosexuality? Sure, he talks about Sodom & Gomorrah, but we all know that story was not about homosexuality. It was about the law of hospitality.
2007-08-21 06:51:08 · update #6
Mark Twain once said something like this: "any fool with an opinion can come up with a passage in the Bible to support it." I agree -- and I'm a Christian!
Jesus had only ONE opinion: He believed and spoke what the Father told Him -- nothing more, nothing less. So whenever you see two people arguing by quoting Bible verses to each other, look out for at least one fool who's quoting out of context. (Nowadays, it may also be two fools .......)
2007-08-21 06:39:16 · answer #1 · answered by Suzanne: YPA 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I think Christians that give you answers to a particular subject not supported by th bible is a difficult one to justify to be in line with Christ. Not to say that they are wrong, but to put it under the name of Christ is risky. More than the decision is the reason why someone decides in a choice, one should ask why? and is it in line with Christ and the bible?
For the question “Would Jesus socialized medicine?” One could take a look at Acts and the spirit of the early church. There is definitely a sense of socialist views as the Christians pooled many of their resources to help start the church. It however does not talk too much about making it law. So one could argue that social groups and NGOs should take the initiative to have willing volunteers to support those in need; however, there are few arguments that encourage privatization, and a strong sense of communal support.
2007-08-21 14:10:59 · answer #2 · answered by monkeymobster 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It does seem that way.
I'll keep an eye out for evidence to the contrary. There has to be a case out there somewhere.
The Gospels make it very clear that Jesus was hanging around with the marginalized in society. You know, the sort of people that the right-wing religiosos would like to incarcerate or deport.
Yes, I am a liberal. :-) In the way that the word was used thirty years ago.
2007-08-21 13:45:25 · answer #3 · answered by The angels have the phone box. 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
He is who He is, and my concept of who He is does not change Jesus one bit. Sure, I have my political beliefs, but Jesus did not come to be a politician or to try to make me one. The saddest thing I have seen as a Christian is preachers or evangelists running for political office. I always feel they left the higher calling, and use Jesus as a shill to draw the crowd in. I vote, and do educate myself as to where a politician stands,[if they are not a moving target, as so many seem to be,] but I would run from any church that tried to tell me who to vote for. I have had a relationship with Jesus for over twenty years, and can swap scripture with the best of them, but Jesus has never told me who to vote for.
2007-08-21 16:09:09 · answer #4 · answered by One Wing Eagle Woman 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Religion does not influence my political beliefs. I believe abortion should be legal because America is a FREE country, and people can make their own decisions. Why should the government decide for us?
Anyway, I think Jesus would want universal health care just because it's helping others, etc...
I don't really know if Jesus was a liberal or conservative. I think he's both.
2007-08-21 13:37:58 · answer #5 · answered by Confusion 2 · 4⤊ 2⤋
Jesus taught the destruction (Luke 17:29) and judgment (Matthew 11:24) of Sodom and Gomorrah. Jesus taught that homosexuality was wickedness. Sure you may have differing views, but he also taught, render unto Caesar what is Caesar's; and render unto God what is God's.-Matthew 22:21. His main teachings were of repentance. Not socialized medicine or whatever.
2007-08-21 13:46:56 · answer #6 · answered by great gig in the sky 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Jesus Is the same today as he was 2007 years ago. Jesus would support what ever is right, fair and just. Injustice would anger him
2007-08-21 13:38:59 · answer #7 · answered by Sugar 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We are always wise to ask what Jesus would do....we may not always know but we are wise to ask....And for certain things the answer is slightly more clear than it is for others...
(My opinion of what Jesus would do, by the way, leads me to be conservative regarding things like abortion and gay marriage, but liberal when it comes to the environment, immigration, and socialized healthcare)
response: Can you separate Jesus from any part of the word of God....is He not "the word made flesh"...and did He not choose the apostles like Paul to write the New Testament? Paul even professed that what he wrote was revealed to Him by Jesus (See Gal 1:11)...
2007-08-21 13:36:41 · answer #8 · answered by whitehorse456 5 · 3⤊ 3⤋
Actually, James, it's the other way around! Christians have the same views as our Savior!
And believe it or not, Jesus WAS somewhat of a rebel rouser! Look how He chased the money changers out of the temple! He was downright ANGRY!
Christians are many and varied because God made everyone unique, but we ALL have the same views as our Lord.
2007-08-21 13:38:25 · answer #9 · answered by Devoted1 7 · 0⤊ 6⤋
bible use alot of metaphors, so that makes it easy to interpret things how you want too. Also bible contradicts itself alot, so you can quote two passages that have the opposite meaning.
2007-08-21 13:40:54 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋