Obamacare and hateful rightwingers

I like Obamacare or what is also known as the Affordable Healthcare Act.  My issue with it is I don't think it went FAR ENOUGH!  But, it is a start.  It will be a great day when we have single payer. I don't remember Jesus denying healing anyone or charging them for it!  But, many alleged Christians in America today think it is just fine, thank you very much, if you don't have healthcare or go bankrupt getting treatment.  Never understood that "idea" of "Christian love".  These alleged "Christians" are confused, blind and eat the rightwing propaganda and somehow believe that the love of money is actually "Christian" (you can see other posts where I have touched on that subject).

So, when you have a reasonable law that still keeps the Insurance industry involved to make their profits, but actually deliver to people what they pay on, you have crazy responses such as this one--
http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/06/michigan_matt_davis_gop_armed_rebellion.php?ref=fpnewsfeed

Where a former leader of the Michigan GOP says armed rebellion is their only recourse because that is what others will listen to.  WHAT?  What a crybaby.  If you don't get 100% of what you want, armed insurrection is the answer?  And the GOP claims they are the "moral leaders" and have stolen Christianity.  You would think they would actually pretend to a certain extent to fake that they are Christian.

And you have the rightwing Heartland Institute lying about Obama, claiming he is like Hugo Chavez and that Obama "intimidated" Justice John Roberts.  Their lying knows no bounds.  Here is the link--
http://heartland.org/press-releases/2012/06/28/heartland-institute-reacts-obamacare-ruling

My guess is these Heartland nuts claim they are Christians, too.  They probably worship the 10 Commandments, but don't know the one about "Bearing False Witness".  To make it simple for them, here is  a link on the Ten Commandments for Kids--

http://www.the-ten-commandments.org/the-ten-commandments-quiz.html

It is Exodus 20:16 and should be easy to understand "Do Not Lie".   I am sure Fox and rightwing radio will be coming up with numerous lies and I know for a fact that many of their viewers/listeners believe they are Christian.  This is one of the times I agree with former Vice-President's quote in which he said" "It's a terrible thing to waste one's mind or to not have a mind at all".  So true.

And to prove my point even further about having a mind is the stupidity of the right's reaction about moving to Canada.  Canada, which has national healthcare!!!

http://www.buzzfeed.com/daves4/people-moving-to-canada-because-of-obamacare

But, what does Obamacare do that is so offensive?




And this is something Jesus would be against?  No way.  Maybe, these alleged Christians should open their Bibles to Romans chapter 13 which talks about submitting to governing authorities.

Romans 13 New International Version (NIV) Submission to Governing Authorities
13:1 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended.
4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.
5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience
6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.


Wow, we are also supposed to pay taxes so the authorities can govern.  I pay more taxes as a percentage of my income than the richest 1% and I will gladly pay more so those who are in need of health care would receive it.  I wouldn't do it just because I am a good guy, but because Jesus would want me too.

America Bless God

I like the song "God Bless America".  But when I hear it, my reaction is does "America Bless God"?  So, I wondered if there was anything on the internet about "America Bless God" and I found a few sites--a few rightwing sites.  One just blatantly asks for donations and can be located here--

http://www.americablessgod.com/

The site provides little information about itself, but, of course, we should get back to be a "Christian Nation" because of 9-11 and, oh, by the way, send me a donation!  This was the #1 site in the search.

The #2 site in the internet search was a rightwing Christian who wants to bring back "America's Christian Heritage" which if you take the site literally or seriously, would mean a Christian version of Shariah Law and can be found here--

http://www.hismoralbanner.com/about_us.htm

Oh yes, and on this site you can also spend a lot of money and probably help Brent Bullock on his adventure.  But, it seems that his program stopped in 2011 whereas the first group which is just an unnamed rip-off is exploiting 9-11.

What I was hoping for was a site that provided us with information on how Christians should be humble or at least questioning us about our humility.  Instead what I find is red, white and blue "patriotic" sites asking for money and asking us to rewrite our history to fit a version that rightwing conservatives want us to believe is true when it is not.  So, instead of humility, what we get is pride, the exact opposite of what America Bless God should be.  Methinks that maybe we should re-evaluate some passages from God's Word--

Proverbs 16:18-19 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.

Isaiah 5:21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.

Micah 6:8 He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Luke 16:15 He (Jesus) said to them, "You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God's sight."

There are numerous Scriptural verses on humility.  On how we should be humble and God respects that.  But, God doesn't respect the opposite and that is pride.  Sorry to disappoint you but we are an extremely prideful nation and have been for a long time no matter how much we want to deceive ourselves.  We have had many wake up calls throughout our history, but we still want to walk the path of pride and sidestep humility and make the claim we are "God's Children".  I have been told numerous times that "God's thoughts are not our thoughts."  Truer words have never been spoken, but are you listening?

Secular Music

There are many people who call themselves Christians who don't listen to what they call "secular" music.  By that, they mean "non-Christian" music.  Some do it as a way of "purifying" themselves of the secular culture, some see secular music as sinful or satanic and some view it as a way to "get closer to God".  I am a Christian and I embrace secular music and I will listen to what is called Christian music, too.

Christian music is a multi-million, if not billion dollar industry.  We aren't in the age of singing hymns or praise and worship songs for free.  Even if a church wants to play modern Christian music, they have to pay a pretty hefty fee.  Christian music has become a business, with few exceptions, just like secular music.

When I listen to Christian music, what I find is that it is usually about me and God. There is no one else involved.  It is about my condition in relation to Christ.  I think this is why rightwingers or conservatives love Christian music--it really is about self.  Myself and My relation to Christ.  If you are praising God, great.  If you are convicted of a sin and act to change your behavior, great.  However, my guess is that is what doesn't happen.  It is My interaction with My God and we had a good time and I feel better so I will leave it at that.  It is vertically directional, but what it leaves out is the horizontal direction.  What I mean by that is what we need to do as a Christian or if convicted, to be right with God.  That is why I like secular music.  Quite often, secular music points out what is wrong with our human condition and our society and prompts us to think and act on it.  This is something I find that is missing in Christian music--a lot.

Take for example, The Yardbirds song, "Mr. You're a Better Man Than I" from 1965--

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPX0mMiObN4

The Yardbirds lyrics are provoking because they ask us to re-evaluate how we look at others. From the song--
"Could you tell a wise man By the way he speaks or spells? Is this more important Than the stories that he tells? And call a man a fool If for wealth he doesn't strive"--

 Chorus:  Then Mister you're a better man than I Yeah Mister You're a better man than I Oh Mister You're a better man than I Yeah Mister You're a better man than I "

If we begin to think about how we view people, we should hopefully be the ones that start to change for the better.  The way God would want us to change to treat His children.

Motown music also prompted us to think about what we were doing not only to each other, but to the world. Marvin Gaye had an entire album dedicated to the human condition called "What's Going On?" which hit on our problems.  Here is a link to the song "Mercy, Mercy, Me"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkYx--x9wa0

Once watching it, just think about how we are treating the planet God created.  Secular music points this out,  I haven't heard Christian music pointing it out.

There is a lot of trash in secular music, but a lot of good music that points out our human condition.  Secular music is the horizontal music in our lives--it is about our family, our neighbor, our country and our world.  Jesus didn't come to Earth so He could get right with God, Jesus came to Earth so you could get right with God.  That doesn't mean you praise God, sing worship songs, go to church and then hate other people.  Or ignore other people or vote for people who help the rich and harm the poor.  What it means is get your act together and do what is right in the eyes of God.  Secular music  offer alternatives of what we should be doing and a lot of it is starting out that we are in the world together, to live or die together.  Too many people claim they are Christian and love God and then either actively or passively harm their neighbor because they are different than them.  There are too many who blindly support politicians who blame the poor and steal from the poor and middle class while giving monies to the ultra rich and to profitable corporations that don't need it.

This song, "We Take Care of Our Own" from Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band fits a lot of what is wrong with people who claim they are Christian.  The point is we don't take care of our own.  The delusion or ignorance of many rightwing Christians is some may actually listen to this song and think, "yes, we do take care of our own", when the point is we don't (since Ronald Reagan and the Republican attack on the average American) and if you served in the military, are poor, are not white, you are screwed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x8zBzxCwsM

Unfortunately, Iris Dement sums up what rightwing Christianity means for the USA in her song "Wasteland of the Free".  Sorry about the jumpy video--but it is well worth it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhgb9hYjX3g

Dement's lyrics hit the nail on the head with conservative America--blaming the poor for their condition, praising the ultra rich, outsourcing jobs overseas for profits, etc.  I think that is why many who say they are Christian don't listen to secular music.  Secular music can challenge you while Christian music makes you feel good--usually about yourself and your relationship with God.

With Christian music you can be in your own bubble with God.  You can sing songs of praise and worship and feel good about your relationship with Christ and then you can turn around and stab your neighbor in the back and feel justified in doing it. It's OK to listen to Christian music and worship and praise God, but you should also be involved in society--you might learn something along the way!

More Secular songs to get you to think and act as a Christian--

The Hollies--He ain't Heavy, He's My Brother--

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1KtScrqtbc

Bruce Springsteen--If I should fall Behind--

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04mRvBaEku4

Billy Bragg--Upfield--

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnkkxC7BOrM

Punctured

If you get a chance, watch the movie "Puncture".  It is a true story about the medical supply industry and focuses solely on syringes.  Actually, the safety of syringes for medical professionals.  Health care professionals were getting infected by contaminated needles.  There was a retractable safety syringe which would make these same health care professionals safe, very low to no chance of being impacted by a contaminated needle.  Yet, the health care industry fought against it--they didn't care about the health care workers, they just cared about continued profits.

I would suspect that many in the industry who fought against the safe needles would claim they are "Christian".  But, they put profit over health and safety.  I still haven't found the Biblical verse where God puts profit over people.  However, the syringe manufacturers could have made the retractable safety syringe at a profit.  Health care workers everywhere would want to use them.  Sales would not drop and the syringe suppliers would probably charge a little more for these syringes.  As most people realize, these charges would be passed on to the "customer" (ie-patient) regarding their health care coverage.

The manufacturer ended up settling an anti-trust suit for $150 million and retractable syringe sales are available.  The question is why did it have to come to this?  I suspect many involved in this situation would claim they are Christian, go to church on Sunday and do other activities with their church--especially in Texas.  So, we need to ask ourselves--"how can people claim to be Christians when their actions actually harm people for money?"

And I think the answer comes from 1 Timothy 6: 2b-10--

These are the things you are to teach and insist on.
3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching,
4 they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 
5 and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.


They love money first and foremost. Going to church is just a show (we have always had Pharisees in the Church and quite often they are the ones running it).  God sees through our shallowness and remembers.  He remembers those who harm His children for profit.  Unfortunately, this is not unique in America, it is more of the normal.  We can have compassionate capitalism in the United States of America where corporations and businesses make a profit and people aren't harmed.  However, too often money is the #1 priority and if there is a negative outcome--too bad, sue me!  Then when corporations get sued, we get Republican politicians telling us how bad Trial Lawyers are.  Yet, true to form, Republicans won't offer any legislation that helps average Americans but Republicans are the ones to claim they love Christ more than you and go to Church as much as possible (or so they claim).

Here is a link to the Syringe Manufacturer settling in 2004--

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/03/business/03buyer.html?scp=16&sq=Retractable%20Technologies%20Inc&st=cse

The Unloving Conquerors

Geez, the self-proclaimed "Christian" hatemongers and yellers who believe they have to spread the message of Christ's love (LOL, yes it makes absolutely no sense) at the Dearborn Arab Festival make me sick.  Yes, groups such as Bible Believers, Acts 17 Apologetics and the Street Prophets are out there with a hateful message on behalf of Christ (it's not Christ's message, it's these morons out there with their hate filled personalities).  But, they apparently are attempting to conquer the people at the festival and they are doing a mighty poor job of it.  I am sure they feel good about themselves and praise God and claim they are doing God's will.  They aren't.

Just look at those in the Bible who actually talked about the Gospel message.  People went out into the wilderness to see John the Baptist.  John the Baptist didn't go to pagan festivals and try to disrupt them--especially with a hateful message.  The apostle Paul spoke in the public squares (ie--Free Speech Zones) and the Jews would send people to harass and intimidate Paul.  Paul would want to reason or debate them, but he didn't want to create problems.  Quite often Paul left the area.  It was the harassers that wanted to create the problem.  The harassers and intimidaters at the Dearborn Festival are the outside "Christian" groups, but one of them uses the Book of Acts (Paul) as their reason--talk about misinterpretation or delusion--take your pick.   When people found out about Jesus, they sought Him out.  Jesus was loving and kind in most of His interactions.  Even with the Pharisees, Jesus was straightforward, honest and direct.  No where in the Bible is Jesus screaming at the Pharisees or non-believers.  The only time Jesus got angry was when He threw the money changers out of the Temple.

You may be able to find an Old Testament Prophet who may have been a screamer, but I doubt it.  God would tell the prophets His instructions and they would go about doing it.  Usually they were pretty depressed bringing a message of destruction and probably got a lot of harassment from the local population at the time.

Jesus provided us with His words to follow from Matthew 28:16-20--

The Great Commission
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.
17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Jesus tells us to "make disciples" and to teach "them to obey everything I have commanded you."  I am sure Jesus meant that it should be done in the way Jesus taught as a loving person.  Nowhere in that statement did Jesus say to be an asshole.

Hurting Christianity

Oh boy, here is a bunch of alleged Christians doing their best to harm Christianity.  Link here--

http://www.freep.com/article/20120616/NEWS05/120616015/Christian-missionaries-with-pig-s-head-taunt-Arab-Americans-at-Dearborn-festival?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

As you can see they are all older white men, with provocative signs about Mohammed being a "pervert" and the standard "going to hell" sign.  They even had a pig's head on a stake.  What a lovely thing to bring to the Dearborn Arab Festival, a festival co-sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce.

Muslims and pork don't get along.  Just like the Jews and pork don't get along.  I wonder if the "Bible Believers" go to Jewish festivals with a pig's head on a stake yelling at the Jewish people how they are "going to burn in hell".  I highly doubt it.

In my opinion, these "Christians" aren't Christian.  I don't know where they get their information on harassing other peoples and cultures.  Surely, Jesus did not do this.  But, it reminds me of the intro of the DC Talk song, "What if I stumble" which is this:

"The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today
Is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips
Then walk out the door and deny him by their lifestyle.
That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable."


Not only that, but by this group and the other "fighting Christians" who descend on this festival, this hurts Christianity in everyone's eyes.  The Bible Believers, who haven't told us what they believe in, should be proud of themselves driving people away from Christ.  It's time for them to listen to this DC Talk song and repent.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kg6HedZ4xGs

Jerry Springer Evangelism (sorry Jerry)

All it takes is an Arab American Festival in Dearborn, Michigan to bring the alleged Christian lunatics out in full force.  These alleged Christians goals is to make fools of themselves on behalf of Christianity driving potential seekers away in order to get a reaction from the Arab audience.  Which they then put on their website to make themselves feel good about their unChristian behavior and to raise monies from fools across America.

How this relates to Jerry Springer is to get media attention and continue to get fundraising and coverage, you have to do even more and more outrageous things.  And your audience loves you even more and more for it.  Of course, they will spin it about how they are "doing it for Christ" and "God wanted me to do it" and "the Spirit prompted me", etc.  When in reality, it is their own delusional ideas that they are some kind of "warrior for God" that they will disrupt a Pagan festival for attention.  Ruben Israel fits that bill.  He should be on Springer.

See for example, Ruben Israel and the "Bible Believers" here--

http://www.officialstreetpreachers.com/BLOG/Rubens_Story.html

http://www.officialstreetpreachers.com/Rubens%20File/RUBEN%20ISRAEL%20IN%20THE%20NEWS.

As you can see from the material, it is all about Ruben and his "warrior" status with God thrown in for good measure (that is how you raise funds).  Also, both links are incredible for someone who claims they are a Christian.  Self-righteous self-promotion of making an fool out of yourself.  I don't remember Jesus or Paul going into Pagan festivals with the sole purpose of disrupting it for local and perhaps national media coverage.

And this article shows that Israel doesn't want to follow the City of Dearborn's or Wayne County's laws regarding the matter.  But, they will sue you if you don't let them do exactly what they want.
http://dearborn.patch.com/articles/anti-muslim-group-plans-return-to-arab-international-festival

They even hired their own "security force" (ie--thugs) and are importing them from Tennessee.  In the past, the only safety issues have occurred when self-righteous fake Christians have inserted themselves in a confrontational manner into the Arab Festival.  These false Christians created the problem for media attention and so they can sue the City of Dearborn and make even more money off their donor base.

For example, this is what the "Bible Believers" do at the Arab Festival (from the Patch article above)

"The letter from the Center for Religious Expression maintains that last year, when counter-protesters grew unruly in response to the Bible Believers’ signs–which said such things as “Islam is a religion of blood and murder”–Wayne County officers “took the side of the violent Muslims and ordered Israel and his friends to stop their expression.”

So, you have Arabs, many who are Muslim coming to a non-religious event and they have these screaming lunatics with signs shouting at them about their religion while they are trying to enjoy themselves.  And they wonder why Muslims might get upset.  And then Israel and the Bible Believers say they need security because of the Muslims!!!  Unbelievable, it isn't because of the Muslims, it is because you are acting like an ass provoking the Muslims that are in Dearborn to enjoy a non-religious festival.

In the Christian realm we have problems, I admit it.  No one is perfect, that's for sure.  But when we have self-appointed, self-righteous egomaniacs like Ruben Israel in the House, Christianity takes a hit.  Because it's not about Christ, it is about Ruben Israel.