Steven Colbert on our "Christian Nation's" treatment of the poor:

[ehrnst]

"If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn't help the poor, either we've got to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are, or we've got to acknowledge that he commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition and then admit that we just don't want to do it." ~ Stephen Colbert

[CurtEastPoint]

1. Oh, SNAP! n/t

[Roland99]

21. two snaps with a twist!

[G_j]

2. right on

:applause:

[ChoppinBroccoli]

3. Going Up As My Facebook Status In 3.......2.........1..........

That'll get the fundies, right-wingers, and Teabaggers' panties in a wad just in time for Christmas.

I absolutely love Stephen Colbert (in a very manly, heterosexual way, of course). And the fact that a lot of the right-wingers are too dumb to realize that he's making fun of them makes it that much better.

[DailyGrind51]

73. I did the same thing! :-)

[nyrnyr1994]

76. ^^^^ this

Love it, oh snap indeed :)

[Pacifist Patriot]

81. Me too.

[elocs]

4. A comment I made this morning in my city's paper concerning Christmas:

elocs said on: December 21, 2010, 7:32 am

Christmas aside, it would be nice if more believers would put Christ back into Christian because far too many of them are anything but Christlike in their words and actions, lacking both compassion and empathy.

Would that more Christians lead their lives by the words of Christ in the book of Matthew:

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Yes, it is virtually certain that Jesus was not born in December and there is no Biblical admonition that Christians celebrate his birth. It's too bad that more Christians do not know and live by the words of Jesus.

[Roy Rolling]

6. Amen! LOL

Yeah, the true interpretation applied to modern times would be that today's ruling political elite and corporations are nothing more than the ancient money-changers and religious bigots that Jesus came to destroy, not worship as (mostly Republican) morons do today.

[bobbolink]

18. That's my favorite verse and it can't be repeated too often.

Funny.... it's hardly ever heard anymore.

Thanks for posting this. :yourock:

[kath]

68. Al Franken quoted it on the Senate floor a few weeks back: "You know, I'm Jewish. So I don't know

the New Testament all that well. But I know Matthew. 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of my brethren, you did for me.' I went to a union hall not long ago. Building trades. A carpenter came up to me. Big strong guy. Rough, calloused hands. Tears in his eyes. He had gotten just a little bit of work here and there in the last 18 months. He said to me, 'I never took unemployment before. I hate it. But if it weren't for my unemployment insurance, I wouldn't be in my house.'

Making tough choices means doing one thing and not another. And right now, we're faced with that choice. If we can't agree to help people like that carpenter by continuing emergency unemployment benefits, how can we live with ourselves? How can we think that we're doing our jobs? The choice before us is clear this holiday season-lend a hand to those who simply can't get by without the help, or give $100,000 in average tax cuts to people making over a million dollars.

Where are our values? What are we doing here? It's almost Christmas. We'll be leaving here to go spend time with our families. We've got jobs, we've got great jobs. I think this is the greatest job, trying to make people's lives better back in Minnesota. So I ask again, what are we doing here?" http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x9688346

[Enthusiast]

27. Nice job, elocs. nt

[Mnemosyne]

35. I John 4:20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar:

for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

:hi:

[butterfly77]

42. I have always told my children...

this verse since they were little children..

[Roy Rolling]

5. Reply when I said that...

A devout Christian friend of mine wrote in response to my email saying Republicans are just as "sinful" as they accuse Democrats. His response was, "if God were to choose, He would choose to be a Republican"

[Frustratedlady]

7. I think not! Certainly not the Repugs I know.

I always point out that the teachings of the Christian churches must have changed since I was a child, as people sure aren't following them anymore.

You can use that argument so many ways and by subtly bringing it up in answer to many news items the "staunch--Bible-thumping" folks I know send me, I've found they start looking inward and realize they aren't being Christian in many of their thoughts and deeds. It takes a while, but it works.

And, of course, I only send THEM articles on the fraud and sexual misconduct of their fellow Repugs. You pile a few of those up and they start to see that even though both parties have problems in some areas, the Repugs pile up many more instances. Eventually, my friends change their attitudes and make comments about the Republican party not being what it used to be. Yeah, you've got that!

[eShirl]

14. "if God were to choose, He would choose to be a Republican"

What we DO know is that he chose for his son to be raised Jewish.

[chervilant]

55. Really?

What would REALLY catapult our species evolutionarily forward? Could we collectively acknowledge that our species' oral mythologies have metamorphosed into a mosh pit of modern 'religions,' none of which can honestly claim to represent a 'supreme' diety? Can we collectively acknowledge that our various religions are born of fear, and remain the basic underpinnings of most--if not all--of our major global conflicts?

The Christ myth is especially poignant to me, because who WOULDN'T want to be Christ-like? And, isn't this WHY we hold 'Christ' up as an ideal?

[blondeatlast]

16. He'd choose neither party. He had some strong opinions of those

who profess their faith publicly and there was considerable contempt of the moneychangers at the temple.

[BlueMTexpat]

22. I always get a kick out of the "devout" Christians who are so sure

that they know exactly what God "would" do - or even that God is a "He." :eyes:

At least I am intelligent enough to "know" neither. And if it is "devout" Christians like that who are destined for Paradise, then I'd just as soon not go there at all. For me, that alone would be Hell.

[AlbertCat]

30. "if God were to choose, He would choose to be a Republican"

Cheesus and Gouda on a Ritz!... Religion is ridiculous! Fucking ridiculous.

[paparush]

77. Supply Side Jesus Agrees

http://www.buzzflash.com/contributors/03/09/17_franken.html

[keith the dem]

8. This was as fiery of a sermon that I've ever heard on MSM!

Thank you so much for posting this.

Colbert is said to be a devout Christian, He definitely showed it that night.

[blondeatlast]

15. He's Catholic and a Sunday School teacher. When he did "This Week in God" on TDS, he knew

his stuff.

[Enthusiast]

29. Catholics aren't even Christian!

:sarcasm:

[TheMadMonk]

37. Nah, Catholics can very well be Christian. The Church however... /nt

[blondeatlast]

44. Heh! nt

[jwirr]

9. Wonderful. He has hit the nail on the head.

[Poboy]

10. Excellent!

[donheld]

11. Right on

[Matariki]

12. Hence "Warrior Jesus", "The Feminization of Christianity", and the current attack on Methodists

for being "Socialists".

http://www.amazon.com/Church-Impotent-Leon-J-Podles/dp/1890626198

[femrap]

13. Colbert

rocks....light years ahead of jon.

[old mark]

17. K&R -

[bobbolink]

19. Finally, someone speaks up for us.

And it turns out he is a comedian.

:shrug:

Not a politician.

Not a spiritual leader.

A COMEDIAN.

Shame.

[TheMadMonk]

38. I've repeatedly noticed that for quite some time now: Pop culture rags for news...

...and newspapers and other "legit" outlets for the pop culture puff pieces.

For a hard hitting expose on the worst of government shenanigans turn to Rolling Stone and Vanity Fair. To discover who is bumping hips with who in Hollywood, the front page of the New York Times is the place to look.

Stephen Colbert has been setting barbs like this for years. Including very famously right in Gee Dub's face.

And traditionally comedians have always found some of their best material in institutional hypocracy.

[kath]

69. Don't read Vanity Fair, but IMHO Rolling Stone has the best political reporting

out there - real investigative journalism, which is rarer than hen's teeth these days. Very well written, too.

Will have to check out Vanity Fair.

RS's "Make-Believe Maverick" , about John McCain, should be read by everyone, even though it was written 2 years ago.

[FiveGoodMen]

20. The Christians have made it clear for decades that Jesus and his teachings have nothing to do with

their religion.

Christian is as Christian does.

[AC_Mem]

59. "Christian is as Christian does"

Great statement. There are not allot of true "Christians" that I know, those who actually walk their talk. I've tried on many faiths before I decided I didn't need to wear the cloak of organized religion. Being connected to some kind of Source, loving wherever you can, being compassionate and following the golden rule of "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" covers it all in my opinion.

Of course, this seems to be a lesson I came into this life to learn because I have encountered hypocritical so-called "Christians" all my life. It's been a journey to find my own spiritual core. Perhaps that is why I am such a strong Liberal/Democrat. While they are far from perfect, they stand for what I believe is the right thing to do for our fellow man.

Happy Holidays,
Annette

[fascisthunter]

23. they aren't christian as much as they are hiding behind something sacred

something they themselves can't understand. The very liberals they hate are the closet people to christs and his teaching. They also claim the flag is there like a fucking prop, but when it comes to thanking the veterans by taking care of them when they come home, they could give two shits.

[DeSwiss]

24. K&R

[Enthusiast]

25. But but

how will we follow the commandments of Ayn Rand?

[pleah]

26. K&R!!

[WillyT]

28. HUGE K & R !!!

BRAVO !!!

:applause::applause::applause:

:patriot:

:kick:

[me b zola]

31. K&R!

[pacalo]

32. Bingo! Frankly, I'm surprised that these new-age, so-called "Christians" haven't

re-written biblical history to justify their selfish, greedy motives?

Can they see themselves at all?

:rofl:

[Lindsey]

33. Was this on his show? Does anyone have a link? Thanks! n/t

[pacalo]

47. I don't know, Lindsey, but I'm kicking for an answer for you, if anyone knows.

[SydneyBristow]

52. It was from his show last week...LINK

Thursday at the very end of his first bit...
http://www.colbertnation.com/full-episodes/thu-december-16-2010-amy-sedaris--paul-simon

Edited to add link :)

Syd

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

40. The Bible is being re-written to eliminate liberal references

From "Conservapedia":

The Conservative Bible Project is a project utilizing the "best of the public" to render God's word into modern English without liberal translation distortions. A Colbert Report interview featured this project. We completed our translation of the New Testament on April 23, 2010.

Already our translators have identified numerous pro-abortion distortions that omit or twist clear references to the unborn child.

Liberal bias has become the single biggest distortion in modern Bible translations.

more

LOL, conservatives still think Stephen Colbert is one of them.

[pacalo]

45. OMG -- thanks for the link! The weird get weirder & weirder.

[baldguy]

82. Jesus, talk about man creating God in his image...

How do you say "blaspheme" in Conservative?

[Quasimodem]

41. Ahem.

The Conservative Bible Project - Rewriting the Bible, Conservatively

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2257143/the_conservative_bible_project_rewriting.html?cat=9

[pacalo]

46. Thanks. Goes to show they're as transparent as a pane of glass when we can predict

what they will do.

Unbelievable.

[OswegoAtheist]

54. They have.

Conservapedia started a "new interpretation" of the Bible.

Oswego "I'd put up a link, but no. Just... no." Atheist

[pacalo]

61. Hahaaa! That's okay, Oswego, I've got an idea where to find the info. :)

[AC_Mem]

60. Please don't call them "new age"

It gives us "new age" old hippies a bad name!

:)

[pacalo]

62. Will do. Let's call them Neo-Christians. Or Elmer Gantryans.

:hi:

[AC_Mem]

63. Perfect!

:grouphug:

[Mafia Killer]

87. HypoChristians

a term I coined 20 years ago......
that's when I realized, most people who claim to be the most Godly,
are usually the most crooked, perverted, selfcentered, egotist....without a shred of
humanity.

[pacalo]

90. That's something we should keep in mind: those hypocrites have always been around.

It's just that their rabidness flares up every other generation; when it does, it catches on like wildfire to those who are the weakest, leaving the rest of us gasping for sanity.

Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[Prophet 451]

70. They have

The current version is that, while giving to the poor is a good thing, having the government provide for the poor is anti-Jesus. Note, I didn't say it made sense.

[Pacifist Patriot]

75. On-going project, but it's been an oral tradition for quite some time now.

[Martin Eden]

34. Quotes by Gandhi:

"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."

"The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and left untried."

[alturn]

36. The Christian community ignores data showing the Christ is physically here for a reason

Colbert gives a reason why the story of the reappearance of the Christ has been virtually ignored by those in the Christian church (Colbert had raised this issue earlier this year through the blind of interviewing Raj Patel). There is nearly no interest in the Christian community in the information or the documentation of what he has said or done since the Christ arrived in London in July 1977. Much is because the Christian church has become a billy club and reason to do many things diametrically opposed to the teachings of the Christ. So when the Christ came back and started providing a deeper explanation of the teachings found in the New Testament, there really was no market for his teachings within the Christian community.

As things deteriorate economically, particularly in the US, this situation will likely change.

"Jesus was concerned about disparities between rich and poor. “In the eyes of the Lord, no one is rich or poor.” One should try to realize the Self. Thus one will use what one needs and pass on the excess. Jesus should have taught at that time: “Be not attached to riches or poverty”; “When you try to preach, you create nothing but limitation.” The true teaching is, “I am with you if you are honest, sincere, detached.”
If you preach out of a personal desire, to cling to power, to maintain your position, you create “positive fear” because no one has experienced the Almighty.
The moment you experience the Almighty, you are no longer what you were. You merge into Light straight away. This is why the Lord gives a vision in the form the mind can understand and the spirit can absorb.
But Jesus was attached to that which he wanted to achieve (parity between rich and poor; justice). As his teaching was relative (because it was submerged in opposites), the Lord gave him a vision of Light. Then Jesus knew that the relative and the absolute are the two sides of Light. Jesus realized, in mind, spirit and body, that it is the same Light. Then silence prevailed. He was satisfied.
“Even if you have reached a very high state of evolution, you cannot say ‘I am the Lord.’ You can simply say, ‘I am the messenger of the Lord.’”
- the World Teacher Maitreya through an associate August 1988 as reported in Share International magazine

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

79. Huh?

[baldguy]

39. K&R

[boppers]

43. Off to the greatest!

K&R

[babsbunny]

48. link?

[malaise]

49. Colbert is correct

narcissistic capitalists and people caring for the poor are opposites. Christianity is just a mask they use to rip off more folks. They should all be asked to choose publicly between their money and their gawd. The majority would pick their money or the mere dream on money.

[myrna minx]

50. K&R n/t

[beam me up scottie]

51. This isn't a christian nation.

At least it wasn't supposed to be.

So sick of hearing that...

[ck4829]

53. K&R

[pa28]

56. Maybe they'll adopt "supply side Jesus" as official cannon.

Sure would solve all of those pesky contradictions they experience about charity and the poor.

[maryf]

57. K&R

whatsoever you do unto the least of my brethren you do unto me...

[NRaleighLiberal]

58. so brilliant - and so sad that it is the truth. K and R. n/t

[ChoppinBroccoli]

64. Right-Wing Bible-Thumper's Response

I posted this as my Facebook status earlier today, and look what Miss Right-Wing Bible-Thumper had to say in response:

"We should definitely help those who CANNOT help themselves, but for those of us who can work, but choose not to, the Bible has these words: 2 Thessalonians 3:10-"For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat." That's one big condition that Mr. Colbert perhaps overlooked."

Whenever these Bible-thumpers feel the need to chime in, it always makes me wonder why the people who quote the Bible the MOST are ALWAYS the ones know the LEAST about it. You try to remind them of what Jesus taught, and they will faithfully, 100% of the time, counter you with Old Testament scripture. As predictable as the tides. Why do they not recognize the FACT that, according to THEIR OWN SCRIPTURES, the second Jesus died, every Old Testament law (also known as the Mosaic Laws--laws of Moses) was overturned? I swear, it's like trying to tell them what the Constitution says, only to have them say, "Oh yeah? Well that's not what the Articles of Confederation say!!! So there!!!" Again I ask, why is it that I, the most non-religious person they'll ever meet, always know more about THEIR faith than THEY do?

[Capitalocracy]

71. Faith tends not to last long under scholarship.

No offense to any here that do have a deeper understanding of their religion and its history and continue to believe it.

[CBGLuthier]

74. Paul was a bigot and a misogynist

The bible would be improved by the removal of his epistles.

[AsahinaKimi]

65. Great statement however its being

played to "the choir" so to speak. I wonder how many of those people of which he refers watches his program? Yes, there are a few dumb Republicans, but on the whole, they are probably not fans of Colbert, like Democrats are.

[burrowowl]

66. Good on Colbert!

Long Live Liberations Theology!

[Waiting For Everyman]

67. It's worse than not helping... we MAKE people poor who weren't before.

Lots of them. More and more all the time. And not just here, it's global. How shameful is that? What excuse is there for that? What legitimate reason is there for that?

None. Zip. Furthermore...

If these RW "Christians" had any sense at all, or believed at all, they'd be dead-scared about what's coming to them for what they're doing. They are the group who thinks they are smooth enough to con God. That's real dumb, for "a believer".

And of those who claim to be Christians as a power-trip but don't in fact believe at all, they think they are smooth enough to use God as a con. They are instead the scum of humankind, the lowest of the low. Just my opinion but I personally think both categories of fakes are in for a surprise.

[DailyGrind51]

72. The "Christian" Right believes that "Atalas Shrugged" is a book of the Bible!

[zehnkatzen]

78. There's already a group that pretends Jesus is just as selfish as they are …

… and that's "The Family". This you all know.

[paparush]

80. Acts -2 :44

44.And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45.and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. 46.Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47.praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.


...living in common, selling their property and possession and sharing them with all..but..but..but.. that's MY Hummer2.

[uncommon]

83. Communist.

:)

[paparush]

91. Amen, brother!

:-)

[bluethruandthru]

84. I posted this as my facebook status today.

I think it will make all my right wing fundie high school friends' heads explode! :)

[shanti]

89. i did that yesterday

most of my extended family are wingers. i got one weird response from a cousin that i didn't understand, and one like from an old schoolmate, but nothing else :shrug: guess it shut 'em up!

[Overseas]

85. K&R ! //nt

[nradisic]

86. Amen...

Enough said...

[shanti]

88. k&r