By Lynn Voedisch
Things have gone way out of hand when you hear an off-the-wall comment like this one from the Glenn Beck-a-palooza last weekend at the Lincoln Memorial.
A woman was asked about her religious feelings at the event when she was speaking to a New York Times reporter. Jesus, said Becky Benson, 56, of Orlando, Florida, would not have agreed with what she called the redistribution of wealth in the form of the economic stimulus package. She said He also would not have approved of bank bailouts and welfare. The Times quoted her as saying "You cannot sit and expect someone to hand out to you."
Hold on right there. Someone Fed Ex that woman a copy of the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus was all about giving handouts to the poor. In fact his whole ministry was about giving healing, shelter, succor, and aid to those who needed it without any expectation of payment. "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." Remember that phrase, Becky? The meek don't have health insurance, either. We are expected to take care of each other, including the meek ones. It's back to Sunday school for you, Ms. Benson.
It's quite shocking how many so-called Christians have decided that Jesus, their supposed savior, would toss everyone out on the street, kick them to the curb, and say "Good luck to you; better get a good job." This is absolutely, 100% the opposite of what the Christian message is. I'm certainly not your poster child for religious piety. In fact, someone once used the term Renegade Christian, and I think it suits me well. But if I don't like the rigmarole and the fairy tales the church force-feeds so many people, I still love Jesus' message. And I simply won't have it when some Beck-crazed loony starts telling people that the gentle man from Nazareth would tell poor people they have to make it on their own.
It's quite shocking how many so-called Christians have decided that Jesus, their supposed savior, would toss everyone out on the street, kick them to the curb, and say "Good luck to you; better get a good job." This is absolutely, 100% the opposite of what the Christian message is. I'm certainly not your poster child for religious piety. In fact, someone once used the term Renegade Christian, and I think it suits me well. But if I don't like the rigmarole and the fairy tales the church force-feeds so many people, I still love Jesus' message. And I simply won't have it when some Beck-crazed loony starts telling people that the gentle man from Nazareth would tell poor people they have to make it on their own.
Consider this: "See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these."
We are beautiful as we are, ratty jeans and all. Jesus wasn't even into designer clothing.
Article first published as Beck Faith Fest Turns Up Some Crackpot Theology on Technorati.
