What Door to Door Evangelists for Atheism Would Really Be Like

STEP 1: Here’s the original cartoon that’s been making the rounds on the web:

STEP 2: Compare what actual atheists are regularly noted for (hint: it’s not positively extolling the virtues of nonbelief, that’s for sure):

- Flinging ‘unholy water’ on a highway to negate a blessing
- Put up signs mocking religion – on space for Nativity scenes… Which gets all displays banned (tipped by wits0).
- Booking up as many display lots as possible – intentionally at Christmas and Hannukah time
- ‘De-baptizing’ people of holy water with a hair dryer
- Offering porn in exchange for Bibles to declare that the Bible is worse
- Threatening a lawsuit to force the removal of a landmark chapel from a city logo – because it has a cross
- Put up a confrontational billboard, at Christmas of all times
- Seemingly the majority of remarks left on a blog, comments section, message board or Twitter feed by atheists. Examples: ohTHATJesus Twitter feed, By The Book Comics.
- Among the most rabid hobbies of basically every single Communist regime which all just happen to be de-facto atheist. Examples: Leninist Russia, Stalinist USSR, Communist China, Khmer Rouge Cambodia, North Korea, Cuba, Calles’ Mexico, and overall list here.

STEP 3: Thus I submit my edit of the cartoon, to better reflect reality:

As Ace says:

But one of the central planks of the Church of Atheism is that religion is inherently evil and causes you to behave like an a$$hole.

Well, that’s not true. Most religious people are as far away from a$$holery as is possible.

Sure, there are the always-present Some. Some are a$$holes. Sure.

But if it’s religion that’s causing all this illogic and anger and emotionalism and pettiness and spitefulness and general a$$holery, why is it so present among those who have no religion?

And via AoSHQ, Dinesh D’Souza:

But if you think about it, this is an inadequate explanation, because if you truly believe that there is no proof for God, then you’re not going to bother with the matter. You’re just going to live your life as if God isn’t there.

…

What I’m getting at is that you have these people out there who don’t believe that God exists, but who are actively attempting to eliminate religion from society, setting up atheist video shows, and having atheist conferences. There has to be more going on here than mere unbelief.

Ace, btw, is not a religious person – self described as atheist/agnostic – and is by no means a Christian.

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See also twin posts, Christianity Inspires Good in A Way Unbelief Cannot Emulate (serious) and Things That Are Highly Unlikely (Atheism vs Christianity) – Me on Twitter (snarky).

Conspiracy Theory: Is Anders Breivik Actually a Pro-Islam Agent?

I’ve written on how Anders Breivik is a non-practising ‘Christian’ and how his usage of Scripture is entirely out of whack.

Now I’ll put myself in the mindset of conspiracy theorists and conjecture: Is Anders Breivik actually an agent provocateur for Islam?

Consider the following:

1) He claims to have carried out his shooting massacre in protest the colonization/conquest of Europe by Muslim immigrants. But who did he actually decide to kill? Not Muslims or immigrants, but Caucasians of irreligious/nominally Christian leanings.

2) He cites the Bible and argues his justification for killing. But his citations are out of context and way off, requiring incredible stretches and leaps of logic to fit his agenda. He acts nothing like a Christian, but ordinary Christians bear the brunt of the outraged backlash.

3) He claims his actions are to inspire the West to arouse from its slumber and begin resisting the ‘Muslim invasion’… But anyone with the slightest grasp of what gutless, spineless, milquetoast postmodern European sociopolitics is like (and Breivik claims to be all too aware of it) would know that an act like this would only arouse mass support for Islam, as well as give Muslim agitators potent ammunition in wringing out concessions to make up for the West’s ‘Islamophobia’.

So in one fell swoop, NO MUSLIMS ARE KILLED OR INJURED… But plenty of godless, immoral liberals lie dead. Those Islamophobic conservatives and crusader-spawn Christians take a major PR blow. And Muslims get a (for once) concrete reason for Western Politically Correct handwringing, groveling, apologizing and promises to make up to the Islamic world for the ‘hatred’ shown against their noble culture.

Even though no Muslims were actually hurt, or even directly ‘hated’, in Breivik’s attack.

However, I personally don’t believe that Anders Breivik is some sort of Islamophilic apologist for Muslims, carrying out an incredibly intricate and devious ploy to rouse public and political sympathy for Muslim immigrants (as if there wasn’t enough of that already).

How do we usually know that a terrorist attack (attempted or successful) is motivated by jihad? Their history is usually clearly marked by public proclamations of faith (e.g. Nidal Hassan‘s derision for his infidel coworkers); browsing of extremist and jihadist websites, chatrooms and message boards (e.g. many of the BUSTED terrorist wannabes that The Jawa Report regularly; and of course the telltale giveaway cries of “Allahu akhbar!” as they carry out their murder spree (e.g. Nidal Hassan again and countless others).

None of these markers were present in Anders Breivik, who spent his time polluting fascist chatrooms instead of jihadist ones. He did not ‘come out’ as a Muslim

Very seldom do we hear of a

That said, if Anders Breivik really does turn out to be a ‘secret Muslim supporter’ or a Muslim himself, then his ability to hide/fake his online history and plan out such a convoluted, Tom Clancy-esque strategy shows that is he is a cut above the rest.

Proven General Deliverables of Conservatism Would Influence Ideology

Via AoSHQ, this snippet:

It is my belief that ideologies flourish not based upon argument or rhetoric, but when a party comes to power and then delivers the general deliverables. When a president or party is able to deliver objective goods, his ideology advances, not because people have become convinced by reason or rhetoric, but simply because they decide If they’ve got everything working smoothly, I guess that means they’re probably right about these ideological points they keep talking about, too.

This echoes with my own thinking, something I’d independently decided since my post A Short Pondering: Should a Christian Leader Impose Laws Based on Christian Standards?

I have come to the conclusion that a good solution to that problem, personally, would be: If I were to run for and become President, I would focus exclusively on jobs, the economy, energy, security etc (all the general deliverables) and would not focus on sociopolitical issues such as gay marriage, abortion, etc.

This doesn’t mean I don’t care about the latter – on the contrary, they are very crucial matters to me as a Christian.

However, my strategy would be along the lines of this passage:

I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? – John 3:12

Namely, I would deliver such an outstanding performance on the economy and so forth (as Reagan did), that the country would have to stop and ponder: Hey, this guy’s on to something. Could it be that his way of thinking (i.e. Conservatism, Christianity) is RIGHT about things?

The pondering would start on economic, physical, worldly things of course. But then, through association and osmosis, the pondering would lead to social, philosophical and even spiritual things.

The general public would already believe me on worldly issues, so they would be likelier to believe me on spiritual issues as well… The reverse of speaking of earthly things which people don’t believe.

To wit, the observable effectiveness of my worldly policies would convince people that my social/spiritual ideas probable are right too.

PS. Ace continues:

And I believe the contrary: Liberalism will suffer greatly due to Obama’s Miserable Failure, the same as it did under Jimmy Carter.

Which is proven, Obama’s amazing economic ineptness has caused more and more Americans to become Conservatives.

The Avengers – What Captain America Would Lament About Modern Society

Firt up, great kudos to director Joss Whedon on a job well done – full of action, true to the characters, plenty of genuinely funny moments and quips, and without letting it end up overly focused on one character at the expense of others the way the Wolverine & His Backdrop Friends (aka the X-Men movies) did – credit to his comic nerditude and experience with ensemble casts (tip via AoSHQ)

Anyway, Joss Whedon had this to share, via Newsbusters:

One of the best scenes that I wrote was the beautiful and poignant scene between Steve and Peggy [Carter] that takes place in the present. And I was the one who was like, ‘Guys, we need to lose this.’ It was killing the rhythm of the thing. And we did have a lot of Cap, because he really was the in for me. I really do feel a sense of loss about what’s happening in our culture, loss of the idea of community, loss of health care and welfare and all sorts of things. I was spending a lot of time having him say it, and then I cut that.

Let’s be realistic here… Would the average 1940s American WASP be more shocked by the loss of health care and welfare (things which were nowhere near as prevalent in that era compared to today – even FDR himself opposed welfare parasitism)?

Or would he rather be more shocked at the unprecedented influx of blasphemy, irreverence, cussing, faithlessness, anti-Christianity, and clamping down on public displays of religion?

Or the celebration of public disorder, breaking the law, violence, disrespect, laziness, and collusion with openly-acknowledged enemies of America ala the Occupy movement and modern liberalism in general?

Or the open acceptance (and even praise) of sexual mores like open homosexuality, casual sex, swinging, children by multiple fathers, single motherhood, children out of wedlock, divorce, serial remarriage, and a hundred thousand abortions a month nationally?

Shouldn’t be hard to imagine really, as so much inspiration was already taken from the Ultimates line, the script team was surely aware of Ultimate Cap’s culture shock reaction to the above:

- On potty mouths and nudity

- On incest

- On why one fights

- On quitting a fight

On the other hand, Whedon’s Captain America does have this to say:

There’s only one God ma’am, and I’m pretty sure He doesn’t dress like that.

In reference to Thor and Loki being Asgardian ‘gods’. Cap here seems to get that even if Thor really is a nigh-immortal Asgardian superhuman with control of lightning, that doesn’t mean that the Biblical God is disproven. Thor is merely an alien being identified with the Nordic legends.

This is a point that Ultimate Cap didn’t seem to get (or rather, the writers didn’t want to concede) – Ultimate Thor niggled him that it shouldn’t be a stretch to imagine since Cap goes to church every Sunday. Actually, if Cap really follows what is taught in church, it would preclude Thor’s claims to deity, rather than bolster them.

Christianity Inspires Good in A Way Unbelief Cannot Emulate

When I tweeted a series sarcastically contrasting the how atheism and Christianity motivate (or doesn’t motivate ) people to do good, and resposted it on my blog, I had totally forgotten about my promise to try not to mock and belittle atheists.

Well, longtime commentor Ron pointed it out, and I had to admit my failing.

That said, the premise of my tweets and post is not rendered void. So here in this post, I will attempt to rephrase what I intended to say in a non-sarcastic, non-snarking manner.

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It is often pointed out by polemics – especially those of the atheistic vein – that many bad things are done in the name of religion, or at least inspired by religion.

However, if religion is really so bad, then why is it still so prevalent even in our modern, scientific age of rationalism and humanism? Why hasn’t religion been disacarded as a force for evil, a detriment to human civilization and survival?

There are many competing and complementary explanations, but how about this – in all the self-smug polemics, critics forget that religion inspires people to do good in a way that secularism and atheism somehow do not.

For example, many a former drug addict or alcoholic who has reformed his ways – and even turned into a model citizen who works to rescue other from the same trap – attributes the change to realizing the existence of a loving and forgiving God.

Many a convict – hardened criminals, career lawbreakers, death-row inmates – has been so stricken with remorse upon discovering Jesus Christ that they renounced their former ways and transformed into a model prisoner, encouraging others to accept the love and forgiveness of God and humanizing an otherwise bleak and forlorn environment.

Many a suicidal person, distraught over the hopelessness and ennui of it all, has found new meaning and hope and joy in life after reading the Bible (or even a snippet of it in an evangelical tract), hearing a preacher’s message, or simply through the lovingkindness of Christ expressed through a believer.

Many an invidual has given up a safe home, a comfortable life, and a promising career in order to serve in (very often) religious or religiously-linked/inspired charities. Even if they do not personally head out to disease-infested wilds or poverty-stricken slums or wartorn battlegrounds to minister God’s love to the needy, at the very least they sacrifice their own hard earnings to support such work through church offerings or charities – the latter often inspired and named after well-loved parables and personalities of the Bible: Loaves & Fishes, Samaritan’s Purse, Barnabas Aid, Faith & Light, Our Father’s House.

Many a former prisoner of war – brutalized, dehumanized, pushed to the brink of death by their oppressors – has turned around and offered full, unconditional forgiveness to their torturers… Because of the example of Jesus and the Apostles so long ago and the countless saints and martyrs of the faith since.

Now take each of the above, and imagine replacing Christianity with the uncertainty of agnosticism or the blithe existentialism of atheism. Doesn’t quite work, does it?

For all talk that “If only people abandoned foolish and cruel religion, the world would be a better place!”, unbelief simply fails to provide a meaningful replacement.

Therefore I wager that religion – Christianity in particular – has been overwhelmingly a force that inspires good rather than evil. Hospitals, charities, legal and philosophical concepts, personal crusades, countless little decisions made every day – how much worse off the world would be without any number of institutions and effects inspired by Christianity! (And of course, if self-proclaimed Christians truly adhered to the teachings of the Bible and the example of Jesus, not one of them would ever commit evil – least of all in the name of God.)

And last but not least, it continues to be my personal belief that, whatever the Communist regimes were or were not – whether their gross atrocities against humanity were directly inspired by their de facto atheism or not – at the very least, their outright rejection of religion contributed to their ability to ignore and intentionally trample on human rights.

After all, when there is no God but man – when man makes his own ultimate morals, rules and laws – and when such commands as “Thou shall not murder” and “Love thy neighbor; love thy enemy” are tossed out along with all the other

Religion – no matter how illogical, scientifically baseless or outright absurd the teachings may be – has been the dam that for millenia held back the flood human evil from engulfing all of humanity.

See also What Door to Door Evangelists for Atheism Would Really Be Like.

Understanding of the Bible: Yourself vs Christians

Here’s a quick four step plan to address any doubts or polemics preliminarily:

1) What is your understanding or interpretation of a certain passage in the Bible?

2) By contrast, what is the standard, mainstream Christian understanding, interpretation and application of that same passage?

3) Why do Christians hold to the above in 2)? It could involve context, cross comparison against other relevant parts of the Bible, over-riding or fulfilment, and 2000 years of studying, debating and really living the conclusions.

4) Taking note of 3) above, does this satisfy your original issue in 1)?

Things That Are Highly Unlikely (Atheism vs Christianity) – Me on Twitter

Been tweeting these lately:

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#Unlikelythings Drug addict reforming his ways cos no evidence of loving God #atheism vs #Christianity

#Unlikelythings Convict stricken with remorse thx to discovering secular humanism #atheism vs #Christianity

#Unlikelythings Suicidal person finds new meaning in life after reading Richard Dawkins #atheism vs #Christianity

#Unlikelythings Ppl give up comfortable life, serve charity due to rationalism and rejection of the supernatural #atheism vs #Christianity

#Unlikelythings Prisoners of war forgive brutal oppressors because of NeoDarwinism #atheism vs #Christianity

#Unlikelythings Ppl sharing and declaring how much *ERROR, DOES NOT EXIST* loves you #atheism vs #Christianity

#Unlikelythings Charities and humanitarian movements named after much-loved parables of atheist thought #atheism vs #Christianity

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Inspired by these snarkily-titled posts in the same gist as follow:

• Devoted Atheist Mom and Writings of Voltaire Reform Drug User & Dealer Convict

• Once Again, Total and Utter Absence of A Loving Supernatural Creator Transforms Drug Addict Into Charitable Role Model

• Indisputably Proven Fact That God Does Not Exist Rehabilitates Hardcore Drug Addicts Into Model Citizens

Constrasted against

• >How Atheism Touches Lives – Stirring Real Life Examples

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(I’ll preemptively add: Come and get it, Ron!)

See also What Door to Door Evangelists for Atheism Would Really Be Like.

Obama Has Beliefs Far More UnChristian Than the Mormon Romney Does – Me on Twitter

Now I’m a Christian, and don’t agree with the beliefs of the Latter Day Saints (aka Mormonism).

But to those Christians who are recoiling at the thought of Mitt Romney being potentially the first Mormon President… Where were you when Obama was sworn into office with his skewed, godless, way-out, even-more-at-odds-with-mainstream-Christianity-than-Mormonism-is beliefs and narcisstic, hubristic teachings?

It’s not like Obama is anything much of a real Christian, as these tweets snarkily point out. (And he is just the logical next progression in the long line of Self Worshiping Liberals, following Slick Willie and Jimmi the Dhimmi.)

If Romney and Mormons in general ever do the following, then maybe “We can’t have a nonChristian President!” would have more basis…

(Tweets are in reverse order.)

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I’m #Christian & disagree w #Mormon belief. But see #notmormonbeliefs if you fear a nonChristian Pres #Romney

Many crude violent thugs & murderers among 493+ examples think like me and support me! http://alturl.com/4d46e #notmormonbeliefs #romney

Convicted criminals think the same way as I do! http://alturl.com/c3pdk #notmormonbeliefs #romney

North Korea’s tyrannical, atheist, communist leaders like me! http://alturl.com/hcoyv #notmormonbeliefs #romney

I pal around with terrorists pt 2 http://alturl.com/9vppa http://alturl.com/wyohs http://alturl.com/xxgjs #notmormonbeliefs #romney

I pal around with terrorists http://alturl.com/54mak http://alturl.com/tiskc http://alturl.com/9rg5a #notmormonbeliefs #romney

Babies are punishment #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/7awnr

Babies born alive from failed abortions should be left to die utility room #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/bbfsy

Skip the National Day of Prayer – AGAIN #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

Heck, my supporters consider me Jesus! #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

My supporters consider me the Second Coming of Jesus #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

My supporters want new chapters added to the Bible to commemorate me #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

Take off shoes, prosrtate self at Muslim prayers #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

My supporters sue Christian publishers cos Bible versions refer to homosexuality as a sin #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

Join Muslim prayers at the White House #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

Skip church for over 2 years since winning the election #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

Carry a statue of Hanuman the Hindu monkey god in pocket #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

Leave out the phrase ‘endowed by their Creator’ from US Declaration of Independence – 3 times #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

Consider America one of the largest Muslim nations #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

3 times deny that America Christian nation – but could consider one of largest Muslim nations #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

No longer just Christian nation; also a Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, nonbelievers nation #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

Do not consider America a Christian nation #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs
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The Bible says slavery is okay! Eating shellfish is an abomination. #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

Jesus Sermon on the Mount so radical, doubtful Defense Department would survive application #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

True Christian is @ALSHARPTON_REV and @DoctorDobson of @FocusFamily is not #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

Abraham & Isaac? Call police, wrestle him down, take Isaac away, charge Abe w child abuse #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

To base policy on uncompromising commitments to God’s edicts is a dangerous thing #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

My supporters consider me the Messiah, the New Jesus #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/6rbpt
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I’m like Moses and Jesus #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

Comprehensive sex education – for kindergarteners! #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

Support homosexuality #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

Memorial service – use Native American ritual and make no reference to the Christian God #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

Skip Christmas service #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

Do not want Nativity scene at White House for Christmas #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

Omit any mention of God from thanksgiving message #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

Give an Easter message – aimed at all faiths #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

Leave Easter sermon 30 minutes early #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

Give statements 4 Ramadan, Eid-ul-Fitr, Hajj, Eid-ul-Adha, Nowruz. Skip Easter statement 2011 #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

Skip the National Day of Prayer. Give a 5 minutes Ramadan greeting. #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

The Muslim call to prayer is the most beautiful sound in the world #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

Study the Quran. Recite the azan. #notmormonbeliefs #romney http://alturl.com/5nwzs

Destroy Israel and push all the Jews into the sea #notmormonbeliefs #romney

America started the AIDS virus to keep Third World in grinding poverty #notmormonbeliefs #romney

Go #Hamas rah rah rah !!! #notmormonbeliefs #romney

We are only able to maintain our level of living by making sure that Third World people live in grinding poverty #notmormonbeliefs #romney

America invented the HIV virus as genocide against Blacks #notmormonbeliefs #romney

America started the AIDS virus #notmormonbeliefs #romney

The government lied about inventing HIV virus as means of genocide against people of color. #notmormonbeliefs #romney

America is still the No. 1 killer in the world #notmormonbeliefs #romney

O yes I say it plain, America never was America to me #notmormonbeliefs #romney

Our enemies may have justifiable reasons to be suspicious of the good faith of the United States #notmormonbeliefs #romney

We have committed more war crimes almost than any other nation in the world #notmormonbeliefs #romney

All of America’s wealth today could not adequately compensate blacks for centuries of exploitation and humiliation #notmormonbeliefs #romney

The question is not whether we will be extremist but what kind of extremist will we be #notmormonbeliefs #romney

Blacks have committed crimes but they are derivative crimes, born of the greater crimes of the white society #notmormonbeliefs #romney

A riot is the language of the unheard #notmormonbeliefs #romney

It is true that blacks do hate whites, but black hatred is not racism #notmormonbeliefs #romney

We have had too much of white love #notmormonbeliefs #romney

There is no use for a God who loves white oppressors the same as oppressed blacks #notmormonbeliefs #romney

Jesus Christ was a poor Black man oppressed by White Europeans #notmormonbeliefs #romney

Divine Racism: The Unacknowledged Threshold Issue for #notmormonbeliefs #romney

9/11 is America’s chickens coming home to roost #notmormonbeliefs #romney

If God is not for us & against whites, then we’d best kill him #notmormonbeliefs #romney

AIDS was created by the US for black geneocide #notmormonbeliefs #romney

Unless God participate in holy activity of black people destroy oppressors by any means disposal, reject his love #notmormonbeliefs #romney

We need the divine love as expressed in Black Power #notmormonbeliefs #romney

Refuse to accept a God who is not identified totally with the goals of the black community #notmormonbeliefs #romney

Kill Gods who do not belong to the black community #notmormonbeliefs #romney

If God is not for us and against white people then he is a murderer, and we had better kill him. #notmormonbeliefs #romney

Accept only the love of God which participates in the destruction of the white enemy #notmormonbeliefs #romney

Not God bless America, no no no, God d*mn America! #notmormonbeliefs #romney

20 years in a racist, America-hating church #notmormonbeliefs #romney

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If you didn’t get the latter half (the ones without the links), it’s referring to Obama’s 20 years of absorbing the rantings of this guy.

And I’m also starting to warm to Romney in general…

“Is it easier to make ends meet? Is it easier to sell your home or buy a new one?”

“Have you saved what you needed for retirement? Are you making more AT your job? Do you have a better chance to get a better job? Are you paying less at the pump?”

“It’s still about the economy. And we’re not stupid.”

“You might have heard that I was successful in business. And that rumor is true. … After 25 years, I know how to lead us out of this stagnant Obama economy and into a job-creating recovery.”

Jesus and the Apostles Tell Us to Work Hard, Save and Invest

After reading this piecein which the writer also cites Bill McKibben in a 2005 essay for Harper’s (The Christian Paradox: How A Faithful Nation Gets Jesus Wrong):

A rich man came to Jesus one day and asked what he should do to get into heaven. Jesus did not say he should invest, spend, and let the benefits trickle down; he said sell what you have, give the money to the poor, and follow me. Few plainer words have been spoken. And yet, for some reason, the Christian Coalition of America—founded in 1989 in order to “preserve, protect and defend the Judeo-Christian values that made this the greatest country in history”—proclaimed last year that its top legislative priority would be “making permanent President Bush’s 2001 federal tax cuts.”

I noted the following:

First, seemingly has no idea that many nominally self-identify as Christians but barely even know what being a Christian entails. Thought exercise: Hey, watch me drink bacon-flavored vodka like the real Muslim I am!

Second, usual incensed outrage that ppl who actually follow Biblical directives (i.e.what he calls Conservatives) DARE claim the term Christian for themselves at the exclusion of the cafeteria, church-on-Easter/Christmas/marriage/funeral-only variety.

Third, cites standard commie agitprop that Jesus commends coerced taxation and welfare redistribution – actual Christian giving is voluntary, and Jesus did commend shrewd investment many times (parable of tenants).

It really is almost a boiler plate liberal, big-welfare, socialist sermonette that the answer to What Would Jesus Do? = pay higher taxes. And exactly what version of the Bible has he been reading that does not have those well known parables Jesus taught about investing (see my citations below)?

So here’s a list of passages in the New Testament related to money and the earthly uses of it (disclaimer: I am not focusing on the heaven vs earthly treasures or God vs Mammon aspects here).

Take a look and tell me whether Jesus and the disciples sound more like Occupy or the Tea Party:

• “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. – Matthew 25:14-30 and Luke 19:11-26

• For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own? – Luke 16:1-14

• All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet. – Acts 4:32-36

• Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. – 2nd Corinthians 9:7

• We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” – 2nd Thessalonians 3:7-10

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And on that note, Conservatives do adhere to the true spirit of Biblical voluntary giving. They give 30% more money despite earning less, and their charitable attitude extends to time and even lifeblood as well.

Add to all the above the many Old Testament passages admonishing idleness or laziness and praising hard work, and you should pretty much get the picture by now.

The sanctity of work is this: That God came to this world, and made furniture.

Devoted Atheist Mom and Writings of Voltaire Reform Drug User & Dealer Convict

Another great testimony for rationalist secular humanism /sarc /snark

LINK to video:
http://player.vimeo.com/video/32400978?autoplay=1%EF%BF%BD

Previously in the series:

• Once Again, Total and Utter Absence of A Loving Supernatural Creator Transforms Drug Addict Into Charitable Role Model

• Indisputably Proven Fact That God Does Not Exist Rehabilitates Hardcore Drug Addicts Into Model Citizens

Constrasted against

• >How Atheism Touches Lives – Stirring Real Life Examples