Posted on 03/29/2010 8:34:14 AM PDT by MsLady
Dear Church,
The passage of the recent health care bill by the U.S. federal government was a significant piece of legislation that will go down in history as a tipping point in the life of this nation. This bill was almost 50 years in the making, and the process of getting it passed was no small feat. I feel compelled to share with you some of my thoughts about what has occurred, and some possible ways that the church of Jesus Christ in America may be able to respond to this legislation. I am convinced that the church needs to be informed regarding what is occurring in this nation, as well as have a Biblical response to some of these significant events. The church must not continue to be silent. What I’d like to do in the next few minutes is take a look at this new health care bill first, from strictly a legal perspective, and then as a follower of Jesus from a Biblical perspective. I urge you to please take a few minutes to read through this. I do believe this directly applies to your life and will be worth the time you spend to consider what I’m about to share with you.
A legal perspective
As you may be aware, this new healthcare law mandates that each and every American purchase and be covered by some type of health insurance. This is truly historic as this is the first time in the life of this nation that the American government has required its citizens to engage in economic activity and purchase something simply for being alive. This is different, for example, from being required to have auto insurance because individuals are not required to own a car or drive. It is a choice. I do not have a choice regarding being alive, however, and thus being required to purchase health insurance. This will have a dramatic affect on our nation as there is an estimated 46 million Americans who currently do not have health insurance, but will now be forced to purchase coverage either out of their own pocket, out of taxpayer’s pockets, or a little of both. While many people will continue to debate whether or not this is a good thing, one thing is certainly clear about this government requirement for citizens to purchase something under the penalty of law.
It is unconstitutional.
This nation is a democratic republic whose federal government is given the ability to govern by the powers expressed in the federal constitution. The only way that the federal government can be legally given power to do something that the U.S. constitution does not specify, is by constitutional amendment. Any authority that is not expressly given to the federal government by the U.S. constitution falls to state and local governments. This is not my opinion; rather this is clearly spelled out in the 10’th amendment to the U.S. constitution:
“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” (10’th amendment, U.S. constitution)
The U.S. government has the expressed power to impose taxes, print and regulate money and monetary policy, regulate interstate commerce, etc… there is nothing in the U.S. constitution that allows the federal government to demand that its citizens engage in economic activity and buy something however. This new health care law demands that all citizens obtain health insurance or pay a fine. This demand is not constitutional no matter how essential politicians may consider health care insurance to be.
Let’s be clear; the penalty for disobeying this law is a fine and is not a tax. There is a difference between a fine and a tax. The federal government has the power to tax you, but not to demand that you obtain insurance or be fined. This is new territory and is an entirely new power that the federal government is attempting to impose on its citizens without the proper constitutional authority. Because of this violation of power, many groups and at least 14 state attorneys general are bringing suit against the federal government in hopes that the courts will strike down this law as unconstitutional.
A Christian perspective
Just because a law may be unconstitutional and un-American however, does not necessarily make it unbiblical. I’d like to take a few moments to speak to you not as an American, but as a follower of Jesus. While I am an American citizen, scripture states that I am also a citizen of another kingdom. Scripture implores us to respect governmental authority and obey the laws of the land we’re living in. It is also true, however, that the kingdom of God takes precedence over the laws and governments of mankind if there is a conflict. That is the question that should be asked by each Christian in regards to this new law. Does this new healthcare law pose a conflict for me as a follower of Jesus who belongs to the kingdom of God?
YES…
While I do not expect everyone to agree with my assessment and follow my example, I feel compelled to share with you my response to this new law. Many American Christians will not be immediately affected by this new law because many are already covered by health insurance of some sort. Many will continue to be covered by their insurance providers with no change in the short term. This is not the case with my family however. My family and I are apart of the 46 million people who have had no medical insurance coverage, and I am thankful to be in this position for such a time as this!
My family and I have gone without health insurance for almost 4 years now. When I was an institutional church pastor, my family and I were provided with medical insurance by our supporting church. After I left that position to engage in the ministry that we are now involved with (illuminate), we lost medical insurance coverage. The price to obtain new health insurance was not an option for us after that. A lack of health insurance, however, is not an excuse to not obeying God and following Him where He leads, so we decided to follow Him and trust him to take care of us. He always has!
Just before this healthcare bill was passed, I decided that my family and I will not be purchasing health insurance anytime soon and if we are fined by the federal government because of this decision, we will not be paying that fine as well. I am convinced that this new law is an immoral law that I cannot participate in for a couple of reasons.
1. This new law will greatly expand the culture of death and infanticide to new levels in this nation.
I have heard the misguided reasoning of some suggesting that abortion rates will actually decrease as a result of the economic benefits of many due to new access to health care. This is naive thinking at best and comes from believing the lie that crime is rooted in economic inequality (Marxism). Remember, abortion is murder and murder is a crime. Scripture teaches that crime (violating God’s law) is a result of an evil heart and does not come from a lack of money or health care. Scripture clearly teaches that the real problem with the human race is not a lack of money or resources; rather it is a sinful heart and rebellion against God.
Because abortion services have been defined as ‘reproductive health’ issues for many years, unfortunately the loopholes in this bill will ensure that abortions will greatly increase as a result of this bill. Don’t take my word for it; this legislation was hailed as victory by Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood is the largest promoter of child murder both in the U.S. & in the world. I could go on and on about how bloody and evil this organization is, but that is another article for another day. I simply say that Planned Parenthood, in keeping with the principles of its founder, would not celebrate anything that was not good for the culture of death. They never have. Every Christian should be aware of the history of Planned Parenthood, and know why its founder started this organization. You will be horrified. This organization receives millions of tax payer dollars annually as well.
The Supak amendment that congressman Stupak tried to introduce to the U.S. House of Representatives was opposed by Planned Parenthood and was rejected by the House. Had Stupak’s amendment passed, it would have strictly restricted federal dollars going to pay for abortions. Because this amendment did not pass, unfortunately there are now many loopholes regarding abortion funding in the new healthcare law. As a state & U.S. senator, and now as president, Barak Obama’s actions have defined him as the most aggressively pro-death politician to occupy the White House in history. His pledge to sign an executive order, (which can be undone with the stroke of a pen), to protect life in regards to this new healthcare law cannot be taken seriously. I’m afraid that it was simply a stunt by the president to get this bill passed. In my opinion, trusting Obama to protect human life is like trusting Adolph Hitler to protect the Jews.
2. The second reason that this law is immoral is because it is based on the lie that healthcare is a necessity.
This lie states that a vital right and necessary component of life is medical insurance. I know that the world’s system teaches this here in the west, but shame on us in the church for believing this! I can’t tell you how many Christians take jobs that they should not take simply because of the health benefits. Many times this causes them to live in places that they should not live, and distracted from doing the things their heart desires to do simply because of health benefits! There are worse things in life than losing health benefits. The necessity of health insurance is a western invention that is crippling the church from taking stands that need to be taken.
Did Jesus have health insurance?
Did the early church?
Do most of the people living in Africa, Asia, or the Middle East today?
No! I remember seeing believers in China and India faithfully serving God and living life without health insurance and they were just fine. I know of poor Chinese and Indian pastors and evangelists who travel the county on foot or on bicycles doing the work of the LORD. Do you really think they have health insurance? Do you think they would refuse to do what the LORD asks of them because of a lack of benefits? If they get sick, they pray for healing and are healed. If not, they rest until they get better, or they die. This is a way of life for most of the world, and we in the west are no different.
For the most part, my family and I have not been to the doctor for the past four years, and we are fine. I am the healthiest I have ever been, and I rarely get sick. If we get sick, we pray for healing or we rest because that is our primary care options! We are fine. Benefits, or the lack thereof, will not prevent us from being obedient. If we ever need health care in the future, I’m sure the LORD will provide it as He has done in the past, but I refuse to be forced into an immoral system based on a necessity that simply does not exist. Much of the church does not have the credibility to speak out against this healthcare bill because of the hypocrisy of their actions based on this lie that health care is a necessity. Let me say this again…
HEALTH CARE IS NOT A NECESSITY! (Who told you that it was?)
Did you know that there is no ‘public option’ in this healthcare bill that was just passed? That means that this healthcare bill is built upon the back of the private healthcare industry. While most Christians opposed this bill out of the fear that tax payer dollars would go to subsidize private health insurance policies that cover abortions, many refuse to see that their current private medical insurance providers already cover abortions in their medical coverage! How can you oppose your tax dollars going to pay for abortions or to fund organizations like Planned Parenthood who promote and perform abortions and not be opposed to funneling your money to your current insurance provider who most likely already pay for the abortions of their policy holders? Would you do business with an organization which funnels money into the sex slave industry or which supports genocide? No way! This is not different in any way.
If you cannot find a medical insurance company that refuses to cover the murder of babies, are you willing to drop your medical insurance provider because they take your money and cover the murder of other people’s babies?
If you were not willing to do it when medical insurance was an option, will you do it now that it is mandated? Civil disobedience against this law will only happen if we reject the lie that health care is a necessity. Healthcare is not a necessity, and yes I am advising that Christians disobey this new healthcare law.
No doubt that many of my evangelical friends will quote this statement from Jesus as justification for not opposing this new law:
“…Then render to Caesar (government) the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” (Luke 20:25)
This scripture states that some things belong to the government, and that ALL things belong to God. This was a brilliant statement made by Jesus that in no way gives man’s government authority it was never intended. The right to take innocent life cannot be rendered to government because it does not belong to government. This right belongs to God alone and has been the basis of our law as well. Since it is not government’s right to take innocent life, this right cannot be passed on to citizens or insurance companies as well.
Because the government has no inherent right to take innocent life, they have no authority to mandate that I purchase immoral insurance policies from companies that promote and fund this illegal activity as well. If they do, I will not abide by this law the same way Daniel did not abide by the law that stated he could not pray to God, or the way the early church disobeyed Roman law by refusing to pray to Roman gods, or the same way the church in Asia and the Middle East currently refuses to stop assembling together despite laws against it.
Remember, many of us get frustrated when we feel powerless. Many feel stuck because we have mistakenly perceived politicians in Washington to have let us down, now we are stuck. This is not the case at all. No person or government has the authority to order us to engage in immoral economic activity unless we let them. They can pass a law, but it is only affective if we abide by it. Can you imagine what would happen if the approximately 50-100 million Christians who opposed the health care reform bill would simply opt out of the system, and refused to pay the fines?
What if 50-100 million people joined these federal law suits?
What if 50-100 million Christians in this nation left the current system and joined Christian health co-ops that refuse to cover abortion, yet help create a ‘pool’ that serves to help offset medical expenses? There are national groups like this in existence now even though they may not satisfy government requirements for health insurance coverage. ( www.samaritanministries.org , or www.medi-share.org )
While civil disobedience against this immoral law is only a suggestion, there is coming a time in which true followers of Jesus will have to engage in civil disobedience and opt out of the world’s system of commerce and living. This is clearly expressed in scripture. If we take the Bible seriously, then we know that there will be a time in which people will be required by the government to take the ‘mark of the beast’ as it is described in the New Testament simply to conduct business and live. This system will not develop overnight; rather I am convinced that the ‘666’ that scripture speaks of is a symbolic perfection of man’s system that is already here now. (Rev. 13:17-18) If we are dependant upon man’s system for life and not on God’s system, when that time comes will we be ready for that day? This era could be closer than we think it is.
While the church has been entirely too quiet regarding the holocaust of abortion in this nation, it is my prayer that this new healthcare law will cause all Christians to evaluate the role they may be passively playing by being apart of the current system. Before we see a re-awakening and purifying of the American church, the issue of abortion will certainly have to be dealt with. I’ll leave you with these commands from scripture:
“Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE," says the Lord. "AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you…I heard another voice from heaven, saying, "Come out of her, my people, so that you will not participate in her sins and receive of her plagues;” (2 Cor. 6:17, Rev. 18:4)
For this re-awakening,
Jamal Jivanjee Link to Jamal's website
If you would like to view previous articles, you can access them by going to Link to Jamal's website and clicking on the “writings” link.
That’s a good read!
According to the supreme law of the land, our constitution, if and when the federal government becomes tyrannical in nature, it is not only the right, but duty of the people to rise up and overthrow it.
One could argue that this includes defunding said government by refusing to pay taxes as well.
While i’m not advocating this, I do question how such a stance lines up with biblical principle.
He makes some excellent points. One of his points that I hadn’t even thought of was, the not paying the fine because it will fund abortion. One of those DOH, moments for me.
I agree with you. As far as paying the taxes, I don’t know. I think that’s one of the things we really have to pray about. I always think about what Jesus said about taxes. But, the fine on the healthcare bill is an entirely different matter all together.
No King but Jesus!
ping
Good article!
I guess it doesn’t really matter.... regardless of what we do, this government is going to self implode on it’s own debt.
The big question is what form will the recovery take?
Obama is banking on being able to re-write the constitution as a result of the country’s default.
Yup, our only loyalty is to the Constitution not the President, not the Congress, and not even the people should they desire something that violates the Constitution. We either believe we have certain inalienable rights endowed to us by our Creator, or we don’t. That is the bottom line that separates Patriots from Fascists.
Bump dat!
I appreciate your analysis. I am unsure of the direction you are suggesting here though.
THIS man got it!
~Ronald Reagan: Farewell Address to the Nation, January 11, 1989
I’m going to say something that may not set well with some. Oh well. This is what I’m sensing from many years of knowing God. America isn’t mentioned in the bible anywhere that I can see. I believe it’s very possible that in order for the man of sin, anti-christ, to take over the planet, America has to seese to exist the way it is today. Could happen because of moral, economical collapse. Which is what appears to be happening today. Could be the rapture(pre/mid, I don’t know), or any number of things or combination of things. But, I think that the only thing that has been standing in the way of anti-christ is America. America has kept evil all over the world at bay for many, many years. Just a thought.
Many citizens had no idea that members of Congress could retire with the same pay after only one term, that they didn’t pay into Social Security, that they specifically exempted themselves from many of the laws they have passed (such as being exempt from any fear of prosecution for sexual harassment) while ordinary citizens must live under those laws.
The latest is to exempt themselves from the Healthcare Reform that is being considered.. .in all of its forms. Somehow, that doesn’t seem logical. We do not have an elite that is above the law.
The self-serving must stop.
This is one proposal that really should be passed around.
Proposed 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution:
“Congress shall make no law that applies to the citizens of the United States that does not apply equally to the Senators and/or Representatives; and, Congress shall make no law that applies to the Senators and/or Representatives that does not apply equally to the citizens of the United States”.
Thank the Hollywood idiots like John Stewart pimping us “humor” in the form of disgusting gays and shots of colonoscopies. THis is the whole meaning of this politics and how it is backed by defecating on the innocent the way pedophiles try to make dung on babies fun. THIS GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS THAT. THESE RINOS, THESE DEMOCRATES, THEY ARE THE STUPID AND THE FILTH RELIGION, FORCING UPON US THE MEDIOCRITY OF THE BIG TENT.
My previous posts on the matter, need we say more. It’s complete corrupt money....
Irony that the BUsh McCain Kabal called us isolationists when they are the ones denying us access to wholesome markets which do not force us to “have sex” with abortion and planned parenthood.
ANy time there is an add about taking care of myself and my bills, I turn the TV off. This is a bunch of pleading of the government for good money that they turn into crap to these thugs.
They want to punish me, slap me in the face, hate my word, well, I tend the other cheek. I will not buy insurance under these circumstances, and if I am forced to, I will go Munchausen syndrome on them. And this is how you resist this bull crap: YOU TANK IT. I am not paying for some screw head drug addict’s habits.
Don’t you know, it’s racist and hateful to not want to have unsavory gays and blacks forced onto you, along with not paying for their drug fix. (sarc off)
Seriously, this bill is total insanity and disaster. We are hostage to a bunch of gangsters we need to get rid of.
France is completely addicted to prescription medication and the people are complete lemmings.
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Tea-Party Candidates Face Hard Reality of Campaigns [”The Movement Will Fail If.....”]
Monday, March 29, 2010 8:20:52 AM · 7 of 17
JudgemAll to Senormechanico
They all better get organized and united on it, because this forcing people to pay other people they do not know is pimp business. Forcing ugly prostitutes on someone is just that: forcing some on welfare and others forced to pay for that welfare. It’s expolitative on both ends of the spectrum. This is nonsense.
The corruption stems from the fact that some cities full of drug dealers sell products and get taxes from drug dealers’ properties. That means they do not want to get rid of the drugs and the prostitution. It’s completely gone out of hand, and either we repeal this unconstitutionality (+- Odinga type Rodney King provocation from self pimping blacks coming from ZERO), or we are going to have to pimp liberal slaves to more benign worthier industry and start preparing to some form of dictatorship by all becoming cops and enforcers of this obvious new order.
Right now, it’s really a mixed bag the way things are going and a serious contender would ally at the grass root but also appeal to good heads of the industry about the madness befalling us right now.
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Tea-Party Candidates Face Hard Reality of Campaigns [”The Movement Will Fail If.....”]
Monday, March 29, 2010 8:14:24 AM · 4 of 17
JudgemAll to Clintonfatigued
It’s clear the government is force pimping/huslting their gay and SEIU health care ACORN prostitutes on us. Then after that comes the illegals whom they will channel to force pimp on the taxpayer by making them take mandatory health care and wellfare.
Look folkes, this movement has to have a good focus on message, and the way this message works is that it is NOT A SINGLE ISSUE MESSAGE. It is clearly a true conservative’s message. This drug pushing, gay prostitute pushing, SEIU and illegals pushing on us via this socialism has got to stop. It is out of hand and illegal as enforced and mandated by the government. It’s much bigger than just a bunch of “angry taxpayers”, it affects all Americans of all walk of life.
They can put all the self-serving laws they want, there are some laws they will not be able to avoid: the gears fall in place no matter the power, because, invest your nation and your electors into mediocrity, deny Heaven to some, you get mediocrity in the end banging at your door.
These criminals will pay dearly. For a while they got away with it because they had the decency of keeping content and quiet, but now they are exposing themselves more and more obsenely and arrogantly. The Fed. gov. is toast, the cops they are are going to be the ones running their jails.
This is a total embargoing of America from quality at their own hands. They are building their own cage and giving themselves lollipop salaries. So be it. The free bears no care for rank and money in a land of slave officers carrying “no good deed” coupons.
They can put all the self-serving laws they want, there are some laws they will not be able to avoid: the gears fall in place no matter the power, because, invest your nation and your electors into mediocrity, deny Heaven to some, you get mediocrity in the end banging at your door.
These criminals will pay dearly. For a while they got away with it because they had the decency of keeping content and quiet, but now they are exposing themselves more and more obsenely and arrogantly. The Fed. gov. is toast, the cops they are are going to be the ones running their jails.
This is a total embargoing of America from quality at their own hands. They are building their own cage and giving themselves lollipop salaries. So be it. The free bears no care for rank and money in a land of slave officers carrying “no good deed” coupons.
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