The Gospel of Supply Side Jesus

[CoasterMatt]

Discuss..

[sleepyjeff]

It really isn't funny at all and furthermore has no point.

http://www.lyingliar.com/lies/jesus.htm

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by sleepyjeff

It really isn't funny at all and furthermore has no point.

http://www.lyingliar.com/lies/jesus.htm

A) I don't think it was meant to be funny (satire ? humour/comedy)
B) It has a point, just (IMO) a weak and unsubstantiated point.

Al Franken is a sometimes comedian who fancies himself a political commentator. He's sometimes okay as the former and really sucks as the latter.
____________________________________

On the whole, I sometimes feel sorry for most of the major organized religions. Christianity, Catholicism, Judaism (to name a few) have taken a lot of heat as religions because of the actions of some of the so-called leaders and some of its membership. On the whole, I don't believe these religions to be bad: just the actions of some of its membership who claim to act on behalf OF the religion.

It is often a struggle for me to not hate the religion as a whole because of the idiotic actions of the few.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

Entertaining link, Jeff.

IMHO, If Jesus had the same attitude that some, not all, of his followers seem to display, there would have been a whole lot less healing going on.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

I happen to believe that the ol' JC had some really effin' terrific ideas. Too bad many of his modern followers have trouble pulling the plank out of their eyes before pointing out the sliver in others'.

[CoasterMatt]

I don't agree with the Supply Side Jesus cartoon either, I simply posted it to see where the discussion would go.

And as for the plank/sliver comment, LSPE - dead on!

[wendybeth]

I do happen to know that there is at least one religion that believes if you have a lot of money, that means you are in God's favor- they equate money with righteousness, at least within the confines of their congregation. I won't say which one, but I have had quite a few arguments with members from this church on this subject.

I thought the cartoons were funny, primarily because they comment on how Christianity is often corrupted to advance economic/political agendas.

[Alex]

"The single most cause of atheism in our world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips but walk out of the church doors and deny Him with their lifestyle. This is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable." Brennen Manning

I would call this nonsense. The lack of any requirement that you actually live a life of faith or dedication to call yourself a Christian (or most other religions) makes it all the easier to not be an atheist.

I would say the biggest cause of atheism is that pretty much every religion has latched onto a god or gods that refuse to make themselves apparent and rather manifest through the mumblings of so-called prophets (and generally they did it just once, millennia ago). The secondary reason is that scientific advancement of our understanding of the universe has relegated these gods to an every shrinking unobserved segment of the universe making their existence all the more unlikely. When you have a mechanical explanation for rain and thunder saying that it is a sign the gods are angry and the Jesus is pissing in heaven seems a little sillier.

As for supply side Jesus I'm just glad Al Franken is doing something that doesn't require listening to him talk. It doesn't matter to me if it is funny or accurate satire, just so long as the man doesn't speak the world is a better place for me.

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

I would call this nonsense. The lack of any requirement that you actually live a life of faith or dedication to call yourself a Christian (or most other religions) makes it all the easier to not be an atheist.

I disagree, Alex.

While I like the quote, I think the word "athiest" may not be the best choice.

However, I agree with the sentiment of the quote wholeheartedly.

If someone claims to be a Christian and yet does not attempt to live according to the tenets of Christianity, why would someone then consider Christianity to be something of interest at all to them? Why would there be a need or desire to participate in something with no practical application or meaning?

I would suggest that when Jimmy Swaggart had his fall, not many people were saying "Cool! I want to be a Christian because that means I can have hookers, too!". Rather, I would figure the vast majority of those who cared to have thoughts about it were thinking "There goes another hypocrite Christian leader". No one likes hypocrisy. To claim to have a faith in the Christian God and yet make no attempt to live up to what the teachings of the faith entail (not talking about making mistakes, as no one is perfect) is the ultimate turn off.

[Alex]

If you want to chang the word atheist to something else then we can have a different discussion. But I have never met an atheist who says "you know, I don't believe in god because religion just isn't rigorous enough these days, but boy, back in the 1400s I'd have been all over that like an Inquisitor on a witch."

Considering that the vast majority of "Christians" I know seem to think that Christianity means nothing more than going to church on Easter I will stand by my claim that more people claim Christianity because it is too easy to do than reject it because it is too easy to do.