In an age where your average Republican politician is thumping the Bible with one hand and trying to strip food from the mouths of the poor with the other, it’s become a sad cliché to point out how little the most outspoken Christians have in common with their charity-preaching, forgiveness-loving messiah. It’s only gotten worse in recent years, with the followers of the man who cured lepers threatening to shut down the government if Obama insists on giving more people access to healthcare.

But while a nudge and a laugh at the silly Christian hypocrites is a good time, it’s worth looking deeper at what’s really going on with the parsimonious haters of the poor who claim to speak for Jesus. The fact of the matter is that right-wing Christians refuse to see their differences with Jesus as hypocrisy. To really understand how religion works in the world of politics, it helps to understand that it’s usually more about rationalizing what you already want to believe than it is about actually studying your religious texts and drawing intelligent conclusions from it.



  1. Dallas says:

    Not only that. There are many white, blond kids on that hungry list. Most Americans would be really upset to see puppy eyed white babies going hungry.

    Having said that, the free food giveaway needs better fraud control. I’m in Miami and it seems every frigg’n fattass here is using that credit card. I was wondering what that card was. My father says it’s the second biggest fraud in South Florida, after Medicaid.

    • Tim says:

      It’s the EBT. The general routine is fat momma comes into the beer store with her man to make sure he doesn’t flirt with the cashier — she throws a bag of chips on the counter to get rung up and then says “Ohh, I think I’ll go liquor-shopping now”; Ten Minutes later, and in front of twenty people who don’t dare discriminate, she swipes her husband’s EBT.

      http://youtube.com/watch?v=o64Fz-KW1Dk

      • Tim says:

        But, just to check my observation, I’m back now. It is worse than I reported; After ringing up the chips, the ‘man’ stands there at the counter with his hands clenched around them looking over his shoulder in the general direction of the back of the store where he assumes his ‘woman’ is grazing… and the beat goes on…

        • Tim says:

          Placeholder people are empowered now; And no, Petco does not yet accept EBT.

          • Dallas says:

            Good summary . I would be outraged some more if Petco takes that card.

            I wonder if the grocery store register checks for beer and pet food

          • Tim says:

            Fuck me running. Seriously, Dallas?? It was a stab at Petco selling hamsters. I…. don’t know anymore. I’m out. see ya’s tomorrow.

    • Hmeyers says:

      Dallas, why do you dance around your chief gripe.

      Most of the religious people you dislike frown upon your lifestyle.

      You could just say that instead of listing the 10 reasons that you don’t really care about that much as the “real reasons”.

      I happen to think the “Church” spending tons of time complaining about a trivial issue like said lifestyle choice is some dwelling on trivial issues.

      But you seem to have bought into it because you are unwilling to mention your top complaint — apparently agreeing with the “Church” implicitly.

      If you see my point. Why not just say what you don’t like — sure bigots will gripe, but they always do that no matter what ….

      • Dallas says:

        I was commenting on the “conservatives strip food from the mouths of the poor” part, not the bible thumping part.

        Since you brought it up…. Actually no, not really at this stage. A decade or so ago I disliked the Christian Taliban (CT) for trying to influence my government about what I do with my crotch. Today, not so much but rather the opposite is true.

        The CT ‘s rhetoric is now helping to alienate them from the younger generation, corporations and ultimately , government.

        I think the pope is trying to get a handle on the loss of deity market share but it may be too late. I now welcome the crazies and wish them excellent air cover.

        I really don’t hide anything. Why should I ? Does the above make sense ?

  2. Captain Obvious says:

    “For he who is not against us is for us.”
    Mark 9:40

    “Whoever is not with me is against me…”
    Matthew 12:30 & Luke 11:23

    The bible was written by politicians.

  3. JimD says:

    They might study the Bible – Matthew 6th:

    And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

    And the rest of Matthew as well, for the Repukes seem not “Christians” but simply sychophants to the BILLIONAIRES AND MILLIONAIRES who want the poor to die, shrivel up, dry out, and blow away !!!

    “And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”

    • Tim says:

      Going through the eye of a needle may not be as impossible as it sounds as it has been documented(really?) that The Needle was an after-hours gate into Jerusalem.

      Unfortunately, none of that seems to work —
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eye_of_a_needle#Christianity

      kamilos, meaning “rope” or “cable” through the eye of a needle would probably leave most bobbos frying and popping. But, have no fear as that one doesn’t really stand the test of timmies, either.

  4. Tim says:

    Burny, Burny, Cut, Cut —

    “…there is a tremendous difference… Not to him, I’m guesssing…”
    http://youtube.com/watch?v=bofDaKjWTNs

  5. Hmeyers says:

    “how little the most outspoken Christians have in common with their charity-preaching, forgiveness-loving messiah.”

    I think this is a good and very fair quote.

    I admire many of the positive tenets of all religions, but when the practice of the religion does not reconcile with the spirit of the religion I find it disconcerting.

  6. noname says:

    Uncle Dave, well said.

    I know I am not perfect (as everyone in this site will scream) but I hope to care more and not less about those in honest need and not judge them harshly.

    Ever since Milton Friedman’s, “The Social Responsibility of Business is to Increase Profits” became Business Gospel, killing the previous Business goal of long term profits by operating with a perspective, the country began circling the drain!

    • Tim says:

      You and Dallas seriously need to watch this whole peice of shit movie.

      http://youtube.com/watch?v=6iAecAtJVdE

      • noname says:

        Yes Timmmy “Distortion of Truth by Association” describes most pig headed Americans and how most consumers and jurors assume false truth is truth! Maybe it’s comforting for people to assume a false certainty as truth in-spite of incomplete data?

        And your point is, ..labels…generalities…patriotism…are too easily slopped into a bigotry? That “maybe” not all EBT users and Friedmanites are evil and not all Keynesianism are saints?

        Yes, yes Timmy I suggest you follow your own advice? You sir, seem far from perfect (who isn’t?)?

        again asking Timmy, your point was?

  7. deowll says:

    Reality check. What you get is a lot of hate from the haters most of whom seem to be liberal Democrats. Okay I only gave five hundred to the local food bank last year. What’s your total garbage mouth?

  8. lionscheet says:

    “For he who is not against us is for us.”
    Mark 9:40

    “Whoever is not with me is against me…”
    Matthew 12:30 & Luke 11:23

    nice 1 Captain Obvious, that’s preaching dualism… already back than…
    its so sad, people keep killing eats other hiding behind there gods

    why they waist so much money on war? they do not need to, the ultimate wipe the world empty weapon have been designed ages ago and still working !

    weapon of mass destruction : religion…

    my god is good your god is bad so u must die, my god is real your god is fake so u must die, you have a god i do not have a god so u must die….. when do we humans grow up and stop believe that lie???

  9. AFG says:

    Preach it brother. Obama is just like Jesus. In fact he is probably Jesus. All hail our Messiah – King Obama.

  10. GoPhuckYourself says:

    The hypocrisy if the non-religious to judge the religious. You’re an asshole, uncle Dave.

    And no, I’m not an anything.

  11. In Your Face! says:

    There’s a Christian LEFT too, you know…

    Personally, I could care less about any religion since I’m more of an atheist. My only objection here is when I (or anyone) am forced to help people I (we) don’t necessarily want to help. And that’s pretty much the crux of the “problem” when you get “right” down to it – BEING FORCED!

    Forced by right-wing hypocritical Christians or left-wing elitist NUTS who happen to have a little bit of power makes no difference when you have to give something up. It’s basically wrong and probably something we all learned in preschool too.

    Quite simply, it should NOT be the job of the government to provide anything for anyone. Rather, the government’s job should be to make sure everyone can provide for themselves!

    We all want things to be fair and that’s really all any government involvement should be in the business of doing – making sure things are conducted fairly. But that’s not to say we need a government to make things equal either. After all, we earn our inequality through hard work or lack thereof.

    So when you take food out of my mouth or from anyone else through more taxation, higher prices, increased fees, etc., and then turn right around and give it to someone else – deserving or not – I find a huge problem with that. I won’t even go into the forced morality issues here. It’s only worse when those confiscated gains are wasted because forcing anyone to hand something over may be necessary in order to maintain a government but it’s something that should only be done with a great deal of thought and AGREEMENT!

    And it’s that agreement thing that still has me seeing red. I don’t approve of Obama care for one huge reason: it was rammed down our collective throats at the very first sign that those in power could actually force us to collectively swallow.

    I’ll even go a step further and say I don’t think the government should be in the business of regulating insurance companies either. NOT that people shouldn’t have health care! So don’t you dare put words in my mouth nor any other republican’s mouth like that — it’s just not true.

    If no one has money to pay for health care then maybe the government should consider paying DIRECTLY just like they already do with farming subsidies, foreign aid or pretty much anything else. Of course, to curtail any costs would require setting some limits. But that’s really it as far as any government involvement should go (short of a total take over, that is).

    Tying to fix some some broken fat cat insurance cartel by getting in bed with them is absolutely the wrong move. Everyone wants health care and we all say we want it to be more affordable too. But who’s to say what “affordable” is when the very entity saying it – the government and their cartel owners – can’t even balance the books nor agree on a budget! And clearly, you’ve already bought their bullshit when you say you want more affordable insurance. Because if the government is going to get involved then don’t think for one second that they won’t get IN and take over! Don’t forget, we’re talking about LAWYERS here!!!

    Don’t bullshit yourself. The “godless left” are just as bad. And in all the ways that matter, I say these leftist lame brains with their new found power are so much WORSE than anyone’s worst Nixon reincarnation nightmares. Of course, only time will tell – assuming we live that long!

    • Dallas says:

      The problem with long, diatribes that cover lots of ground is that it’s hard to pick something to counter argue. Then , you just say ‘oh , fuck it’, and leave 🙂

      Yikes! It’s already tomorrow !

      Can u pick something about the government being bad so we can pick at it ? Full disclosure : I may totally agree with you but I like a good fight!

  12. Jim says:

    “Republican politician is thumping the Bible with one hand and trying to strip food from the mouths of the poor with the other”

    and

    “It’s only gotten worse in recent years, with the followers of the man who cured lepers threatening to shut down the government if Obama insists on giving more people access to healthcare.”

    So Republicans are stripping food from the mouths of the poor and preventing Obama from giving more people access to healthcare?

    Do you not understand that as a nation we are broke. There is a government shutdown coming. Not from Republicans, but from the stupidity of people who believe “Obama can give more people access to healthcare”. As if healthcare were something packaged in a box to be handed out. The liberal line is old and tired. Good luck when the bottom drops out – $17 trillion dollar debt. When it does, who will be to blame for the madness? I’m sad to say the Republicans are actually making more sense these days.

  13. Jake says:

    There is a huge difference between charity, which is what Jesus taught, and government hand outs.

    • noname says:

      Jake, you mean why can’t government handouts be like, how the early Christians pooled their money to help establish and support their churches, feed the hungry and widows?

      How monies were given to them and distributed whatever was needed to the poor and others in need?

      You mean, like in (Acts 5:3–4) how Ananias sold a piece of his property and, instead of turning over all of the proceeds to the Apostles, he retained some of the money.

      You mean how a good Republican Christian capitalist Ananias smartly held-back funding some commie bastard organization?

      You mean: how Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

      And how Ananias dropped dead on the spot?

      Jake, is that the kind of government hand out program you want; no paperwork, no administrative overhead and an all-volunteer (Tennessee) work force?

      Jake, I don’t think you want what Jesus taught?

      • GoPhuckYourself says:

        Jesus didn’t garnish people’s wages to perform charity, though. Or sick a huge government agency against people that didn’t want to have their wages garnished.

        Be careful to replace religion with government. The two are totally different institutions and should remain that way.

        But I get it, progressives want to “force” people to be giving.

        What a bunch of elitist assholes.

        • noname says:

          Sad for you, America has a deep and long history of “progressives” instructed by the Enlightenment belief that progress had universal application to all societies.

          If you are a true and original conservative of American values; you then believe in Americans and you are a progressive!

          Sir, I take it, you are more of a neo-con Tea wetter revolutionary?

        • noname says:

          And the U.S. Government has never killed someone on the spot for Tax Evasion! So what is your point about Jesus again?

  14. noname says:

    All these I don’t like anything government this or Obama that or “You Can Take My Gun from My Cold Dead Hand” should STFU and move to the Amazon!

    In the Amazon you have no worries about any Government handouts, taxes, regulations, …. In the Amazon you have all the food you want and don’t have to share any of it with anyone. In the Amazon all your hard work is rewarded and you live as well as you want too!

    In the Amazon you have a society of one, and no-one else to steal the fruits of your labor!

    • Tim says:

      There’s also that little spiny fish that swims up your pee-pee —

      William S. Burroughs wrote about the candiru in his 1959 novel Naked Lunch, describing it as “a small eel-like fish or worm about one-quarter inch through and two inches long patronizing certain rivers of ill repute in the Greater Amazon Basin, will dart up your prick or your asshole or a woman’s cunt faute de mieux, and hold himself there by sharp spines with precisely what motives is not known since no one has stepped forward to observe the candiru’s life-cycle in situ.”

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candiru

    • GoPhuckYourself says:

      Why don’t YOU move to the amazon, you sick bastard. I have every right to be here just like you. And no, the Constitution doesn’t force me to like anything, including the “oh so holy government.”

      What a prick.

  15. t0llyb0ng says:

    Four little words:

    handouts
    newfound
    pigheaded
    takeover

  16. bobbo, the pragmatic existential evangelical anti-theist says:

    Gee Uncle Dave, I thought those were the best two opening paragraphs I ever read on this forum. Then I went to the link and discovered you failed to quote the material. Well…at least you did post them and that is a good thing.

    During the Great Depression my Daddy did some work for the Red Cross. He got pissed and quit because they would spend a dollar to prevent 10 cents being wasted on people who didn’t “deserve” their help. Daddy thought if you were hungry enough, bored enough, or just felt like it to stand in line for a HANDOUT at some NEWFOUND nourishment soup kitchen you shouldn’t have to put up with some PIGHEADED moral policeman trying to lord their TAKEOVER of government responsibility over you.

    I think Daddy had it right. The deserving poor are okay but the undeserving poor don’t? Ha Ha haahahahahah. Yes. The undeserving poor: fat beer drinkers ((HEY–don’t get personal)). Poor in money, spirit, gumption, imagination, upbringing, education, upbringing==poor by every measurement “but” harmless. Until unfed.

    What is it about reality that makes you so poor yourself?

    …..but I dither.

  17. jim says:

    No. I don’t think I will STFU. By the time Obama, democrats and establishment Republicans are done implementing all of these stupid programs that “help the poor” our country will resemble the Amazon.

    We’re $17 trillion in, the rich are getting richer, the poor are getting poorer, and the political class laugh at us. Divided we fall.

    Enjoy the ride.

    • Dallas says:

      U don’t offer any solutions , just bitch about the obvious. You’re a Teapublican !!

    • noname says:

      “Divided we fall”, that’s a laugh! You diatribe on about yourself, “me” and not “we” as you assert.

      You like to say “Enjoy the ride”; well stop yapping and get off the ride!

      You don’t want the self-govern to inter-share in the fruits of labor to build common use schools, roads,….; move where there is no civilization, possible the AMAZON!

      I am sure with out that vast drain of your energy, vitality, creativity and effort these United States robbed you of, you will create by yourself a magnificent huge Mansion with intricate pyrite inlayed tiki wood decks and chairs with Free AMAZON products!

      Send us a postcard once your done, to show us how foolish we have been!

      You do know, “success is the best revenge”!

      • Tim says:

        You might even gain status amongst the natives by building a giant ammonia cycle freezer that runs on fire thereby giving everyone ice, airconditioning, and a kinder, gentler, more loving and altruistic inquisitive spirit of cooperation — it’s science.

        The Mosquito Coast
        http://youtube.com/watch?v=yVlLMlchMFI

  18. bobbo, the pragmatic existential evangelical anti-theist says:

    The biggest reason the poor don’t work according to the poor themselves is: illness.

    Funny how Obamacare should help address that issue too.

    http://theatlanticcities.com/jobs-and-economy/2013/09/why-poor-dont-work-according-poor/6989/

  19. jim says:

    Solution is to admit that you’ve been duped by the ruling class. Free men accept that life has risk. Politicians never deliver. The utopian society they promise in grand speeches to the gullible masses is a joke. We’re bankrupt.

    • GoPhuckYourself says:

      FINALLY, someone makes sense around here!

      The little “yay team” minds around here were getting me sick. No matter what team they represent.

      • noname says:

        Yea Team, we are the best
        We’re number 1, we’re the Yea Team
        We’ll put you to the test,
        Fighting harder than the rest!

        Yea Team….
        Pump up the action get ready to cheer
        We’ve got a power that you won’t believe
        Yea, we’re the Yea TEAM and we’re tough strong and mean!

  20. bobbo, the pragmatic existential evangelical anti-theist says:

    Having 5 minutes before my bladder needs to be drained, let’s see what jim says:
    9/28/2013 at 5:54 am

    Solution is to admit that you’ve been duped by the ruling class. /// Speak for yourself. otoh==not duped as much as defeated and under the boot of. Duped has a quality of being fooled. I ain’t fooled. Still under their boot though.

    Free men accept that life has risk. /// And unfree men accept the same factors as a burden. ((That is a “deep” message for those who skim fast.))

    Politicians never deliver. /// Not true. The often and mostly don’t deliver, but they deliver on exception according to the vagaries that come into play. If you can’t think of 5 delivered items, you have no business posting.

    The utopian society they promise in grand speeches to the gullible masses is a joke. /// No one has ever promised that. Can you only think you have won weak false arguments of your own creation. Why not try moderated reality for a change. Move from do back checkers to the long game of chess?

    We’re bankrupt./// Highly definitional. Technically and as defined by law===no. You mean too many blustering buffoons that think and legislate similar to how you post? Yes…. bankrupt x3.

    Silly Hoomans.

  21. noname says:

    I am losing it; is bobbo starting to make sense and sound coherent?

    Alright, that is it, where did I hide my big booze stash? A few more bottle swags and it all will be clear as mud again!

  22. NewformatSux says:

    Nice to see liberals using religion to push a political agenda.

    • _GoogleNoAgenda_ says:

      I believe the author is simply pointing out that the right-wing politicians and preachers in this country who claim to be Christian share none of the values that Jesus himself preached and lived by.

      As a Christian and a conservative, I agree with this assessment.

      Personally, I am tired of people spreading hate and authoritarianism in the name of a man who embraced neither.

      It’s a shame that most people who claim to be Christians see no problem with this line of thinking.

  23. NewformatSux says:

    So where are the posts complaining about Obama’s claims to more welfare spending because “I am my brother’s keeper”?

  24. Chuck Moserr says:

    Religion has always been a political tool. The Pharaohs didn’t claim to be the living embodiment of their gods just to make themselves feel good. It was a means to legitimatize their position as ruler. Likewise with Emperor Constantine and the Roman Catholic Church, Likewise with Henry the eighth and the Church Of England. And on and on until today when politicians with local constituencies try to push their agenda onto a national stage.

    • GoPhuckYourself says:

      Another form of religion is government and president worship. Those who worship the flag are just as religious as the Christian. The difference is their god.

  25. R Sweeney says:

    Ah yes, the moral superiority of Robin Hood over Jesus.

    When one gives their OWN property to the needy, it is charity, which builds character in both the giver and the receiver.

    And you will find no greater contributor to charity than Christians.

    On the other hand, when one steals property from others and gives it to the needy, it is theft, which destroys character in both the takers as there is no giver.

    The best example here is to compare “generous” Joe Biden with “greedy” Mitt Romney.

    In the ten years prior to the vice-presidency, generous Joe, who gave YOUR money at the office, could not find it in his heart to give more than $370 per year TOTAL of his own lucre to charity. This is in spite of Biden’s $370,000/yr income during the entire period.

    Greedy Mitt on the other hand voluntarily gave over 35% of his income to charity for EVERY year of the 10 years prior to his run for the presidency, including his entire inheritance from his father.

    • noname says:

      R Sweeney, you are so right!

      Poor vilified Mitt Romney was “very upset” that others don’t follow his exemplary charitable example!

      If you look closely at the video, you can see a halo above Romney!

    • bobbo, the pragmatic existential evangelical anti-theist says:

      …I wondere how much Mitt would give if he stopped trying to buy his way into heaven…..or another planet in the afterlife===or whatever the heck it is that he was going for.

      Just look: voluntary charity doesn’t raise enough.

      Simple.

      • Bobbo's Big Brother says:

        “…I wondere how much Mitt would give if he stopped trying to buy his way into heaven”

        Was this his motivation or did you imagine it in another of your fantasies that probably also included the tooth fairy?

        “or whatever the heck it is that he was going for.”

        Oh, I see here you admit you don’t know what the fuck you are talking about. Good self correction pal.

        “Just look: voluntary charity doesn’t raise enough.”

        You understand the compulsory confiscation of the citizens property by the state doesn’t constitute “charlty”, don’t you?

  26. ECA says:

    The difference comes in 1 form..
    those that BELIEVE..

    You can be forgiven AFTER you die or at the end of your life.
    OR
    Those that believe you must live a CHRISTIAN LIFE ALWAYS..

    • noname says:

      huh?

      you are saved by grace, and not by works, lest any man should boast. The grace is an undeserved favor

      Ephesians 2:8-9

      It’s a Jesus thing; why would God sacrifice his only Son, if you could save yourself or if Budda or Mohamed could save you?

  27. bobbo, the pragmatic existential evangelical anti-theist says:

    Full of Sound and Fury, Bobbo’s Big Brother adds nothing to this thread and says:
    9/29/2013 at 4:08 am

    “…I wondere how much Mitt would give if he stopped trying to buy his way into heaven”

    Was this his motivation or did you imagine it in another of your fantasies that probably also included the tooth fairy? /// Its a tenant of the Mormon religion for the faithful to give the Mormon Church money. To be elected into the leadership of the Church, I assume this tithing is de riguer. You are right if you mean I have not studied the intracacies of the Moron Church—or any other Church/Religion either for that matter. But what is obvious and well known should not be denied just to be a jerk on a forum. Go deeper within yourself.
    xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

    “or whatever the heck it is that he was going for.”

    Oh, I see here you admit you don’t know what the fuck you are talking about. Good self correction pal. /// No, that was a comment about Mitt… not me. Its called basic reading comprehension.
    xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

    “Just look: voluntary charity doesn’t raise enough.”

    You understand the compulsory confiscation of the citizens property by the state doesn’t constitute “charlty”, don’t you? /// Thats right and exactly why you should STOP YOUR STUPIDITY of calling the social safety net a kind of charity. It springs from and services entirely different aspects of society and humanity.

    Got Milk?

    • NewformatSux says:

      > Its a tenant of the Mormon religion for the faithful to give the Mormon Church money.

      Oh, my. Not if the Mormons are actually Crystal Methodists.

    • Tim says:

      Ohh, be nice to bobbo. He touched their balls when he was well past the age to know better and now he feels guilty about it. What is the matter, bobbo? Can’t you even touch anybody’s balls right without worrying they will scream bloody murder about it to Dallas-inspired media outlets?? {just kidding. not really, or something, is it cold in here or is that just AGW consensus??}.

  28. deowll says:

    Ah yes. Another example of free speech being used for hate speech.

  29. Joshua says:

    From under what rock did you crawl? I know a bigot when I hear one…


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