In their hedonistic lifestyle, the "conservatives" and their cohorts in the federal government, need always blame others for the "conservatives'" refusal to obey God's commandments.
"Conservatives" are always throwing around bible tracts and Sloan School voodoo economic theories to prove something or another; but never are they open to examining themselves with biblical tracts or theories.
"Thou shalt not put strange gods before me."
American fundamentalists, their sheep-like followers who pretend to be "born-again," the televangelists who profiteer from the fears of po'white folk, the elected officials who wave the flags of the christus and the patriot, the avaricious suburban voters who put evil men in office, and the organized religions who support the entire wrong-wing movement with their silent acquiescence, always like to pretend they are worshipping God and following the Bible when they finance, manage and execute hostile and violent campaigns against the disenfranchised.
In reality, they have built a government that worships unbridled capitalism, they have built a lifestyle centered only on acquisition of money and goods, they have put the almighty dollar before their Almighty God.
Let's look at some of the socio-political movements of the last quarter century that built the foundation for and catapulted the wrong-wing into power, and let's see how they have used the Bible and God to further their hatred and capture America's money in the process.
Anita Bryant's campaign against homosexuals? She said she was following the Bible and doing God's work.
At this same time, the National Endowment for the Arts began to de-fund community arts programs within the gay and lesbian community. Stringent rules were put into place that made it difficult for any organization outside the mainstream to receive tax dollars.
The Reaganite movement to gut social welfare and re-write America's social contract? The apologists constantly quoted quaint biblical cliches (give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach him to fish . . . ) to prove that it was unAmerican and unGodly to help those in need.
We created a class of people completely unable to feed themselves. Contrary to the lies of the "conservatives," most of these evil people who were left without a safety net were single-mothers and their children, and the mentally, chronically and terminally ill.
Reagan actually defunded all programs for the mentally retarded! I'm uncertain that God wants the wealthiest people in the world to ignore the needs of their mentally impaired.
"Conservatives" have insisted that total deregulation of all industry is the only way to save America. History has now proven that this is a total failure and flies in the face of the Judeo-Christian-Islamic laws of charity and responsibility.
"Conservatives" have taken our tax dollars out of the mouths of the hungry and put them in the pockets of the wealthy. The result, a bankrupt nation that cares nothing for its own citizenry.
These few examples of America's "conservative" movement are overwhelmingly representative of the real "conservative" agenda. There is no consideration for anyone but themselves.
On the "conservative" agenda, there is always somebody to be targeted next. Since the agenda is morally and spiritually (and religiously) bankrupt, the "conservatives" must perpetually run media campaigns to vilify another group of disenfranchised people. If the networks can convince us to blame the poor, then the rich can have whatever they want.
Like gay marriage in 2004 and 2005, the "conservatives" have made immigration their cause du jour, their raison d'etre.
I was reminded of all this yesterday when reading the Quote of the Day at Left I on the News.
The quote was a tract from a favorite "conservative" book of the bible: Leviticus 19:33-34! The passage deals with strangers in our midst, how we are to treat them. I was surprised that the "conservatives" have conveniently overlooked this tract.
Then I was afraid that lefti was quoting a liberal interpretation of the tract, so I researched it and found many interpretations which all say the same thing:
33 "When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. 34 The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the LORD your God."
New International Version at BibleGateway.com
33. And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him. 34. But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.
Christian Classics Ethereal Library
33When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. 34The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.
Oremus Bible Browser
19:33 And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him.
19:34 [But] the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I [am] the LORD your God.
Associated Bible Students of Central Ohio
19:33 And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him. 19:34 But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
The Skeptics Annotated Bible
33 And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him. 34 But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God
King James Version
33 When an alien resides with you in your land, do not molest him.
34 You shall treat the alien who resides with you no differently than the natives born among you; have the same love for him as for yourself; for you too were once aliens in the land of Egypt. I, the LORD, am your God.
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
So, everyone from the godless Protestants to the godless Catholics to the American neo-cons to the liberal skeptics all interpret this verse of Leviticus the same way: When a stranger makes his way to your land, treat him as your own.
How do the "conservatives" and the "christians" and the "jews" and the "muslims" rationalize the current movement against Hispanic immigrants? Do the people with guns at the border consider themselves Christian? Do they interpret Bible tracts to convince themselves it is OK to shoot strangers? Do they know anything at all about patriotism or charity?
And what of the media pubdits who have egged-on these people? Have they no decency?
Love your neighbor. Stop blaming Hispanic immigrants for our failures.
Dick Mac Recommends:
The Gospel According to St. Matthew
Pier Paolo Passolini
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