“What you give away can never be taken from you.” I recently heard this and the statement’s been resonating with me since. In more than recent years, I’ve noticed a genuine fear which seems to have lead people straight toward selfishness. Don’t get me wrong, in no way do I feel like blaming and finger pointing. I suffer from the affliction myself, mainly around chocolate and pasta. I look at the food, and start to worry there won’t be enough; that it won’t last forever. I do this with money too. Fortunately for me, this state of mind has become so uncomfortable that I notice it sooner than later, and can make the decision to be happy even though I know things will run out.
I was raised in a loving and respectful Christian environment. In it, I learned that Jesus wanted humanity to be generous, forgiving, supportive and loving in every aspect of life. If you come across people who are hungry, feed them. Someone who’s cold, give him your coat. To people who are down, and not “being all they can be”, give them kindness and respect, not advice and condemnation.
That said; I genuinely want to know how certain, other viewpoints are honestly justified. If this is a Christian Nation, how is it that citizens are so afraid of losing anything or everything here? Why is sharing so difficult? What about “reaping what we sow” aka “what comes around goes around”? I’ve always understood a Christian’s true and final home to be Heaven, and that it’s very difficult for a rich person to get in. It’s easier, I heard, for a camel to get through the eye of a needle. Jesus shared His fish and bread without reserve, and I feel pretty safe in saying He believed in Free Healthcare with all that healing and comforting He did pro bono. I think perhaps the only request put forward by Jesus when He healed people, was that they continue to share with others the same loving kindness He showed them. Why don’t Christians do more of this?
For me, if you call yourself a Christian, you are putting yourself in a very generous category of human being. Your mission then becomes giving everything necessary to establish peace and relieve suffering. Drug addicts, hookers, “the least of us”, are your hearts ache, and your active participation aiding their health and comfort is a primary interest. Joking about them and their pain is your sin. Requiring someone who may be weak or impoverished to do, say, or become anything to merit Christian compassion to me, is sinful. Relieve suffering first, become acquainted and ask questions later! Now that’s Christian!
So how is it that any single Christian…or 25% of this Christian Nation is against “shared burden” healthcare? What is it about sharing burden that’s so frightening when our mission as a Christian Nation is to do all things necessary toward freedom and equanimity? We’ll spend fortunes on wars in efforts to bring health, peace and freedom to nations with different religions and cultures. Yet this Christian Nation is reluctant to agree on regulating the power the Corporate Healthcare Industry has over its own people. Christians choosing to limit and deny physical health, mental peace, and financial freedom for our own people in our own Christian Nation just boggles the mind!
It’s as if this Christian Nation, or 25% of it, is behaving in accordance with the side that seems to have a very small chance of getting into Heaven. I’d have to judge that as a serious misalignment.
As human animals we have a responsibility to ourselves to survive. No one can deny it; survival of the fittest is the rule. I thought choosing to be a Christian meant willingly combining, and sometimes overriding, that natural survival instinct with the desire to empathize so caring can occur, and we can all survive together – no one person surviving “better” on the hardship of another. Some would say I’m idealizing. I say I’m simplifying. The willingness to embrace kindness, share blessings, and demonstrate gratitude is enriching enough. I can’t imagine trying to hold all of that zest for life AND the idea that there isn’t enough of everything to go around. The two ideas are completely incompatible. Yet, Americans willingly live out apathetic, zombie-like lives, with fear based “it’s all going to run out so I better buy more” mentalities. Some are so afraid of what they might lose they are incapable of sharing at all, to the point of flat out denying “the least of us” any hope for change. They slap a label on it and call it “Christian” or “Capitalist” or “Free Market Society” and hold dearly all of the treasures this world has to offer. They don’t want to lose anything. That’s not saying much for a Christian Nation with many treasures that must surely be in Heaven.
Personally, I couldn’t care less whether someone is a Christian, a Muslim, a Buddhist, a Satanist or an Atheist. At healthcare reform rallies Americans have been known to drive by shouting “FU#K THE POOR!” Forget religion. That is the most UNAMERICAN thing I’ve EVER HEARD. Definitely not something a Christian Nation can get behind. Not without compromising Jesus, Heaven, Billy Graham, all of the Saints and every last river of gold. My question is, how “rich” were my fellow Americans who yelled that obscenity? Do they have healthcare? Perhaps they showed up as a reminder that our education system should be next on our overhaul list, right after healthcare, but before immigration and equal marriage rights.
I’m going contact my representatives and let them know I’m voting for whoever votes yes for Healthcare Reform. That I will be watching to see how they vote and I will be researching to find who pays into their campaigns. I will ask my conservative friends to stand with me, and tell their republican reps the same thing. I already have two friends who’ve done it! That’s two votes NOT going to a republican touting ‘no on healthcare’ in my area. You can’t call yourself a Conservative Christian, vote no on healthcare, and then get away with big money from the health insurance industry, Mr. Campbell. We’re waking up to our own hypocrisy, and in so doing, waking up to yours. Working for NO REFORM is siding with selfishness. Jesus wasn’t selfish, was He?
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Comments
It would be nice if this really were- well, not a Christian nation, but one inspired by the values of Christianity. Because those core values, such as helping others and loving thy neighbor are not exclusively Christian by any means. Most of the major religions of the world embrace those things. And it would be nice if more actual humans did the same.
I agree, the core of all religion is essentially good. And I get that religion helps so many in too many ways to ever know. I've always been far too distracted by my own thoughts or feelings to blindly follow any one set of rules.
It seems to show just where people's thoughts are. And it's creepy. The part I don't get is how they don't perceive being on the wrong side of the issues based on thier own values. Doesn't anybody ever self reflect any more? Is empathy still a human emotion? Aren't Americans tired of being afraid of everything yet?
Personal responsibility - local action - giving after the needs of your own family are meet (not wants) - real Christians - not the others. I suppose you don't know what a real one is.. that is part of the problem. You say that we are on the "wrong side of the issues based on (our) values". But you don't know the Bible OR Jesus' values. You don't seem to know how the founding fathers viewed this dilemma of helping the needy. Check the Constitution - the federal government has NO enumerated power the help the needy. Therefore it is a State issue to decide, and if your State does nothing then the people need to do it. And many Christians do help the needy all over the world. Check it out: World Vision, Compassion International, churches and para-church operations: Joyce Meyer Ministries, Feed the Children, CBN, etc.
Where is my head at? I must take care of my family (wife, kids, mother, etc - even when sick or dying), I must help the starving, ones without water, elderly, and widows who have no support, help the children out of dumps in Guatemala, persecuted pastors, and Christians in the East, help others learn to care for them selves after I help them onto their feet.
Don't you know that Christian giving is very high. And then there is the likes of Mother Teresa and my friends the Vanaria's and Coot's, John and Paula Homles. These few have influenced Ghana, Philipines, Africa, India, Papua New Guinea, and the USA to learn how to know WWJD?, and how to support themselves, care for others, give, have mercy, and love the unlovable. They have helped the poor, the abandoned, people and kids with AIDS, and more.
I look up to these people, They live like Jesus.
"I've never stated that Christians MUST do anything. I simply pointed out that the Christian lifestyle I've come to know supports healthcare for all. Like all of us, I prefer we accomplished this in the least costly manner possible. But if sharing our wealth is what prevents us from supporting healthcare for ALL, then I believe some self reflection is necessary - expecially in circles - (any circle, not just Christian) where people find themselves driven by fear of loss or change.
I don't really care if Americans want to be hypocrites or not, people always do thier best. If people knew better, they'd do better.
I was raised in a very selfless Christian household. For many years now I've found it difficult to relate to Christians who believe they have any entitlement to material things, wealth, etc. I once heard a preacher say "God Wants Me To Have A Mercedes!" That blew my mind! If I were a regular part of that congregation I'd have written him and advised I would no longer tithe toward his Mercedes, I want my donations going to people in real need.
This Healthcare Reform is for people in REAL NEED. I don't think it'll be perfect, but it's a step in the right direction."
Thank you for a response to me blog.
While you are correct "you never said we MUST".. You certainly can't understand why many.. won't, or are "fearful", etc.
By the way I liked your comments in most all of the above blog. You are right that many "Christians seem to be selfish, and voices like yours are needed to remind us of these truths. But I have a question. Are not many Christians giving of themselves and there prosperity to help others here and around the globe. Christians in the US have been one of the most generous groups in helping starving families in Africa, Haiti, and in the US. Medical missionaries (I know 3 personally), giving fresh water wells to villages around the world, my mother is a part of the Heifer International program. There are many millions of dollars given to help families with aids, children with education, and releasing women from slavery. And more should be done.
If this were a theocracy, you would have a better point.
I think most of the people I know that oppose this healthcare proposal, do so based on a host of reasons but not that "I don't care about the poor".
Medicare helps seniors, but it is 36 trillion in debt. Social security has been managed poorly. I would have prefered it to be a personal saving vehicle, but it has financial problems. The President said yesterday that the primary reason we need this bill is due to the "deficeit" problem (i.e. that Medicare is making our debt problem into a crisis). Our government is not financially responsible.. They need to solve the debt problem first.
The bill is not for the poor only. If it were just for the poor it would be easier to agree too (if it was financially sound). So I would agree that we (Christians should help the poor). But changing the entire healthcare system in this manner is not necessary.
Is it fear? Some fear that government in encroaching on our personal freedoms. They make some good arguments for that view.
Also, The federal government has no Constitutional authority to start a universal healthcare system, or to own GM, or to overturn contract law in the Oval Office. This concerns people. A stimulus bill that has cost the country jobs - was not read by our representatives. That concerns me.
People want a chance to see the Bill, consider it's implications, and talk about it.
I am glad you were raised in a caring home. I hope your parents and church taught you that New Life in Jesus is what will change the world. Generosity, patience, love and forgiveness is needed in our world. Thanks for sharing with me.
But is not the expectation of a health care entitlement
As you know, our country has a two party system (I know there are more, but for the sake of reference, I'm speaking of the two main ones) In Bush's earlier years 2000-2006; I felt our country was going too far in a conservative, Christian/Totalitarian direction. Patriotism, religion, and self- righteousness seemed like a packaged deal; take it or leave it. I feared a woman's right to govern her own body may be in question, and the statement "This is a Christian nation, if you don't like it then leave" seemed to be on the edge of many citizens lips, when it wasn’t actually being spewed out. My views were treated as unpatriotic, and “ungodly”. (How any human can be seen as ungodly is a mystery to me.) While they were in power a war was pursued and achieved, in retaliation I know. But I feel the injury sustained on 9/11 was not served by going to war, and served even less by going into Iraq. I had healthcare the entire time during Clinton, and less than 40% of the time during Bush. Additionally, I spent more out of pocket on healthcare with Bush in the few years I was covered, than in the entire decade of the 90’s. (Or at least I’ve been billed more, I refuse to PAY the bills) Our schools lost programs, and our roads decayed. I mean really, this is what I experienced. Don’t get me wrong. I’ve always voted, paid my taxes, participated in civic duties, I was a VFW Junior Girls’ President for two years (my Dad was in WWII), and I protested the war peacefully. But I’d never felt the way I did during the last eight years. I couldn’t bear to watch the news, and didn’t from 2002-2006. Fear seemed the sickness, and it appeared that blind patriotism and religion was the favored anecdotes by many.
I see that with the Dems in power the other side is shouting "Socialism!” I know our two sides are fundamentally different at many levels, but I’m sure we’re more alike than we get credit for, at least in the media anyway. There’s still plenty of fear to go around. I’ve got my gripes. For one, I want more troops OUT of Iraq, and NOW. For what it’s worth, I think the capitalist side of things…a side I can appreciate by the way, may need to be balanced out by some “progressive social policies”, “our socialist agendas”, call it whatever you want.
You said: “The bill is not for the poor only. If it were just for the poor it would be easier to agree too (if it was financially sound).”
I don’t understand why you’d consider it if it were for the poor only. I think it should be offered to everyone. I certainly don’t want to see people who work for healthcare companies lose their jobs, but it would be nice if Insurance Corporations realized it’s in their best interest to make the American Consumer Numero Uno, instead of their profits. I do realize there are additional ways of accomplishing this. (Salary caps on CEO’s …in my opinion they should be set at $300,000 per year. Six zeros only.) I think that would make things even out REAL fast. Having the wealthy participate only encourages the betterment of a public option where healthcare is concerned.
Our Middle Class Might ReSurface. Right now all there is, is Super High Class, and Low; those who sell or participate in the sale of pharmaceuticals and healthcare and those who have to buy it. I’d like for the healthcare industry to take less of our money. For years now, we haven’t been deciding to pay them our money, they have been TAKING it.
I don’t really see how the gov’t is trying to start a Universal Healthcare System and I don’t think they saved GM to own it. For the record: I would have let GM, AIG, and all of Wall Street go down in flames. I would have allowed, even encouraged, a second depression (I’m a total survivor. I don’t give into fear easily). And yes, our representatives have their heads up their youknowwhats. On that my friend, we agree whole heartedly! I stop paying attention to them the second they start telling me what religion they are, or what their moral convictions are….who cares? Are they going to do what the people tell them? I believe in the majority rules deal, completely. If I were a leader, and my constituency asked me to vote abortion illegal, I would have to do it, for I would be a representative of the people. Obviously I’d never run on that conservative a platform, that would be making promises just for votes. My point is, if the minds of the people change, so must the votes of their elected reps. Our leaders should be “wishy-washy”, they better be able to roll with whatever the majority wants, any thing else is far too authoritarian for this country.
Lastly, you said “Our government is not financially responsible. They need to solve the debt problem first.” Well, the Dems helped our country get a handle on it in the 90’s. In 2000 there was a surplus. By 2006 we were 8.3 Trillion Dollars in debt. What kind of solvent management was that? I’d like to be sure that all those fearing the expense of healthcare now, were also protesting the expense of war and deregulation of corporate America back then. I know I was. Where were all the people that are carrying guns now at town halls, then? We sure could’ve used their intimidating ways in 2003 to stop the war! I’m not mocking. Perhaps many of them did show up to stand against such expensive and aggressive government policies of war.
If only Bush had taken the many opportunities he had to serve his people, and peace in the world, we might not be in the financial crapper we’re in today. Instead he chose fear, war, revenge, manipulation, and greed; and rode it all out after labeling himself a “Christian” for the votes. While conservatives are keeping watchful eyes on the Dems, looking for traces of “government takeovers”, their not seeing corporate America for the monstrous, devouring beast that it is. The gov’t effectively can’t take over anything, in 4 or 8 years it’ll all switch out again. But those corp execs have the complete ability to take the money they’ve stolen from Americans who must pay into the cycle of sickness and greed, and run. Where's the fear of those monsters? Gun toters should be showing up at the CEO's front doorsteps for causing an American bankruptcy every three minutes.
We have a man who wants to offer Americans healthcare. And we have Americans hate him for it. We had a man who gave Americans more dead sons, daughters, husbands, wives, sisters, and brothers on top of 9/11, as well as untold numbers of dead innocent Iraqis, put us into debt, and crossed into dark and immoral territory, while doing it. Where is the hatred for the latter? Where is the fear of that man? Where was the fear of his deregulating because he’s completely in bed with Corporate America? Not middle or low America that is you or I. To him, you and I were never more than cattle. To fed for money, led for money, and slaughtered for money.