WWJVF - Who would Jesus vote for?

Carolina Morning News ^ | 23 Oct 04 | Bob Cuttino

[real saxophonist]

WWJVF - Who would Jesus vote for?

By Bob Cuttino

Special to the Carolina Morning News

Grammarians would change that to "For Whom Would Jesus Vote?" Many Republicans and Democrats would gasp at such a question, saying it's a "slam dunk."

It helps me to ask, "Who would Moses or Jesus or Francis of Assisi or Albert Schweitzer vote for were they American citizens?" So look through the eyes of these and Isaiah or Micah who desired to see "swords beaten into plowshares" and "peace in the valley."

First, Jesus would vote! He commanded us to pay taxes and render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, which I interpret to mean enter into the body politick. He even performed a miracle to pay taxes with a coin from the mouth of a fish (and it may take many miracles for us to pay the taxes which will be necessary to emerge from a world of disorder).

To vote is your way of witnessing, your voice in government and your stand for the well-being of your fellow citizens in health, education and welfare.

Second, Jesus would have an advantage over us. "Man looks on the outward appearance, God looks on the heart." (Samuel)

He would know where there is sincerity and where there is hypocrisy, saying what is "politics" over actual intent or truth. "Not those who say to me, 'Lord, Lord,' but those who do the will of my father in heaven." (Matthew 7:21)

He would not decide by one's claims but by one's fruits: "By their fruits shall you know them.

" With the stakes so high and the race so close this year, both major presidential candidates have made extreme charges and extreme promises.

Third, I believe Jesus would go with the candidate with the greatest world view who sees sacred value in all people, not just Americans or a few with vested interests.

The Jewish way of saying "hello" or "goodbye" is "shalom" (peace). The Muslim way of saying the same is "salim" (peace). English-speaking people say hello, which could be "health-to-you." Spanish speaking people say "buenas dias" (good day).

Jesus, Moses, the prophets and great people of history should ask "Who is most likely to establish peace and goodwill, to help the masses have good days, to make health and education available for the largest number of people in this country and the world?"

I have a problem with both parties seeking to dodge taxes. We are familiar with the term "sin tax" which is applied to alcohol, tobacco, gambling, etc. Both parties act as if taxation is a sin. I have a problem with the honesty and integrity of this approach.

Taxation is the process used by governments to pay for public services such as streetlights, paved streets, police protection, national defense, schools and teachers.

Ben Franklin said there are two certainties, death and taxes. Chief Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes said "Taxes are the price paid for living in a civilized society."

I guess I see taxes and tithes as cousins. The tithe came through Moses when they had no country but a society that needed to care for widows and orphans and the poor. The tithes provided food and necessities for those unable to care for themselves during the time the children of Israel were a "theocracy" (rule by God) before a monarchy or democracy.

What would you think of a minister who said, "Come to my church - we ask only 5 percent, the lite tithe?"

That society was built on the premise one out of 10 people would be indigent and the community should pitch in to provide basic needs. There were also "thanksgiving offerings" above the tithe to give extra help.

Reduce taxes or charge the expenses necessary today to be spread over the lives of our grandchildren? Maybe we need the voices of Abraham and David to speak to us.

When Sarah died, Abraham asked to buy Machpelah's cave for a burial place. "You are so great and famous, you can have it for nothing," the people said. "No," Abraham answered, "I will pay the full price for it."

David, buying the spot from the Jebusites on top of Mt. Moriah where the temple would stand, was offered the land free because he was king. He answered, "No, I will pay the full price."

To appeal to Americans to avoid taxes in order to get something for nothing or let someone else pay for it is not appealing to our noblest side.

Taxes could be reduced if presidents would forego their salaries, and senators and congressmen and all public servants; or if volunteers taught in our schools and built school buildings; or if servicemen fought wars at their own expense and manufacturers built planes and ships and bullets and bombs from their surplus profits. Taxes could be reduced if "pork barrel" items were removed from our budgets and a screwdriver's price wasn't inflated to $50 in government contracts.

I think Jesus would want you to vote for the candidate and platform you feel led by prayer and study to support, the one who would make it a better, safer world. I think Jesus would want you to let these and future candidates know you are going to really know the issues, check past records, and vote for what will make a better future being guided by your conscience and your highest sense of morality. Vote!

Bob Cuttino of Beaufort is a retired minister and a university instructor of religion.

[Just mythoughts]

Christ told Peter to fish from the "RIGHT" side of the boat and Peter was not fishing for fish.

[netmilsmom]

Hey Bob!
Why don't you give a few more bucks in taxes and lift some of the burden of mine?

Or better yet, take my niece, her wiccan husband and their baby daughter off the welfare rolls. If each of you wonderful people who feel that you don't pay enough taxes would take on one family, it would be a great burden off the rest of us.

I'll even take on the baby for you.

[atomicpossum]

For the last time, dangit: Government programs do not equal christian charity.

[Grut]

Jesus would be an illegal (non-citizen) voter.

[Little Bill]

Because GOP equals "Gods Own Party", the answer is rather obvious.

[MKM1960]

Mr. Cuttino,

I hope that you are not insinuating that Kerry is that man. If you are, not only does that dog not hunt for geese, it also applies to his religion. As to paying full price, Gigolo and the Euro-whore have shown by their limited tax returns, they have no interest in it. So therefore by a process of elimination you must be endorsing Bush. The old joke is: Chinese proverb: Man with hand halfway in pocket feels stupid. Man with hand all the way in pocket feel nuts. Mr. Cuttino reach in your pocket, find yours and say what you mean.

[randita]

I guess I see taxes and tithes as cousins. The tithe came through Moses when they had no country but a society that needed to care for widows and orphans and the poor. The tithes provided food and necessities for those unable to care for themselves during the time the children of Israel were a "theocracy" (rule by God) before a monarchy or democracy.

If a tithe and taxes are one in the same, as the author implies, logic would follow that if I submit proof that I tithe to my church, then my taxes should be reduced commensurately. I'll buy that.

[SpookBrat]

Interesting thoughts, but I do not agree that taxes = tithes.

[Popman]

I have a problem with both parties seeking to dodge taxes

Brother Bob, always check your premise.

The last time a democratic party tried to lower taxes Moses really could have voted!

[Bandaneira]

Moshiach...

[DugwayDuke]

"The tithes provided food and necessities for those unable to care for themselves during the time the children of Israel were a "theocracy" (rule by God) before a monarchy or democracy."

It follows then that the requirement to tithe went away when the monarchy was established and Saul was selected as King of Israel?

"First, Jesus would vote! He commanded us to pay taxes and render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, which I interpret to mean enter into the body politick."

[Popman]

That is an urban legend

Not true.

[.cnI redruM]

I tend to think that either candidate would be an idiot to announce Jesus would vote for him personally. It sort of reminds me of John Edwards claiming that he would make Christopher Reeve walk again.

[Vigilanteman]

Jesus also said "Suffer the little children to come to me," not 'it is okay to stick stick scissors in them or suck their guts out until they have fully emerged from the womb.'

[MKM1960]

Please we have already had problems with one photoshopped JFK picture. We do not need this before an election.

[Just mythoughts]

"not 'it is okay to stick stick scissors in them or suck their guts out until they have fully emerged from the womb.'"


It was JFKerry that said in the last debate "we are all God's children".... JFKerry presents himself a very religious man, a man of all religions.. yet he opposed the law making this atrocity illegal.

[catpuppy]

Taxation is the process used by governments to pay for public services such as streetlights, paved streets, police protection, national defense, schools and teachers.

No problem there.

But when taxes buy "art" that isn't, teachers that don't, services that aren't; when taxes fund outrageous programs that do nothing more than indulge the fantasies of elite do-gooders with nothing better to do than to spend the money earned by others; when taxes are used to buy votes so that ever more taxes can be taken from the successful, then what the writer calls "taxation" becomes confiscation.

[Fruitbat]

This self-proclaimed expert on Jesus is missing a few key pieces of data from Scripture. Anytime someone simply cites "Samuel" as a source, you should immediately raise an eyebrow!

Jesus wouldn't vote! It would detract from the far more important message of salvation and from Jesus himself. He sure as Peter and Paul would not vote for a person as immoral as John Kerry.