As my blog headline indicates, I don't even believe in Jesus in the traditional sense, so why am I writing this? Primarily because a large majority of the electorate calls themselves Christian, and secondarily because I do believe Jesus lived and probably taught wisely, if only we knew what he really said.
There is another problem in writng this; I don't believe the Bible is an accurate source. Much adding , subtracting and editorializing makes it a lot closer to Greek mythology from my POV. However, scholars have made attempts to figure out what Jesus was most likely to have actually said. My favorite account of this is the Gospel of Q by Burton Mack.
As this fun cartoon points out, the Divine is neither Republican nor Democrat. However, I think Jesus had some liberal/progressive leanings-- hung out with sinners, told the rich to sell their possessions and give to the poor, and had more respect for women than was common in his day. I know conservatives can come up with counter-examples because I googled that and found plenty. So I'll go with something in all 3 synoptic gospels-The Greatest Commandment. Wording differs, but it goes something like "Love the Lord your God with all your mind, heart and soul". Then Jesus adds "The second is like it. Love your neighbor as yourself". The parable of the Good Samaritan appears only in Luke, but is evidence tht Jesus didn't think your neighbor is just a person who lives on your block or cul-de-sac. Your neighbor is anyone in need.
I would like to think that Jesus, if he came across a modern woman considering abortion, would neither hustle her to the clinic nor scare her into continuing the pregnancy, but sit down with her and figure out what was best for her. I believe he would be very sad about abortions that happen for economic reasons. If every mother's and every child's life was truly valued in this society, we would make it financially possible for a mother to raise her own children. As someone who's done it, I can tell you caring for children before they start school is intense work that deserves a decent salary.
One conservative on a bulletin board said that Jesus didn't just give the tired fishermen free fish, but told them where to cast the nets, as an argument for personal responsibility over charity. An important distinction here is that they were able to fish. People who have the skills and opportunity to support themselves should, and may just need a bit of guidance. Charity and government programs are for people who are not able to fish, which may include the very young, the very old, the disabled, those who lack skills and opportunities. If the person can be helped to learn how to fish, great! If not , I think Jesus would say feed them!
Then we get to the issue of charity vs. taxation. Shouldn't giving to the poor and paying for our collective public needs be voluntary? That would be a wonderful way to do it in an ideal world, but it's likely to be inefficient here. If every family had to make their own roads, educate their own children ( though I realize some people do this one successfully), hire their own law enforcement and firefighters,and so on, plus donating to take care of the elderly and homeless,etc, I think they would end up paying more than they do in taxes. Some things just don't work as well on the free market and I would like to add health care to that list. Another reason we need taxation is that many take public goods like roads and education for granted after they've had them a while, and only want to pay for what they can take home or have shipped to their own address. Also , Jesus may have said "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's " He didn't try to get out of paying taxes though it sounds like he was creative about getting the money :-)
I think government should exist to help us do a better, more efficient job of being our brother's and our sister's keeper. Some in the so-called Religious Right do such a poor job of loving their neighbors that I can only think they must not love themselves very much.
When my 11 year-old asked me, I wasn't sure how to answer at first. I'm certainly not a "my country, right or wrong" patriot. My dad, an immigrant from France at age 15, may be more American than me in some ways. He came here for better economic opportunities. I seem much less concerned about the material aspects of the American Dream, much to the annoyance of my kids. Not because I've always been comfortably well-off, either- we were on food stamps for a while.
I have a French name, and an Armenian nose. I love foreign foods and music, yet I'm not a traveler; I like to have these things close to home. I can't get into American Idol or reality shows. In fact, I hardly watch any TV. I think mothers ( or fathers if they choose) should be paid to stay home with their young children. I hear about the more directly representative democracies in other countries, and think that might be a better way. I can be darn close to socialist at times.
Do I belong here in the U. S.? I have to say right now this is not the best country in the world, and if not for family and friends, I might be happier elsewhere. But we so easily could be so much better. We have the tools, our Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and almost everyone can vote now, though counting the vote accurately is in danger.
How do we convince people to use the tools to build a better republic instead of sliding backward into an empire? What can I tell my neighbors of color who have given up on any of those rich white guys doing anything? Can I persuade them that John Kerry is different? Perhaps if I can get them to watch or listen to the convention speeches, OK, maybe I gotta have a house party at last. What about the less than rich , very religious Republicans who have let the Right drive them away from their economic interests with wedge issues? I'm not Christian anymore, but I still know the Bible. Can I convince them that their Jesus wouldn't want the world according to Dick Cheney?
I told my kid I'm patriotic because I participate in the democratic process. I haven't given up yet. It's not time for a "divorce" while there's still hope.
(apologies to anyone who frequents dailykos on the off chance you might have seen this there,too)