Jesus loves war and free enterprise

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Profile Robert Waite
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Message 942656 - Posted: 24 Oct 2009, 23:12:31 UTC
Last modified: 24 Oct 2009, 23:13:19 UTC

I've been the recipient of quite a few email messages that seem to be promoting some strange Christian points of view.
They all seem to have a Christian slant on topics such as the Iraq war, invading Iran or even something as insane as promoting a Christian point of view in supporting corporate domination of a western democracy by means of the free trade agreements and the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP).

I'm not a religious kind of a guy. I actually believe the world would be a better place if people would throw out the ancient crutch of religion. But I'm not going to tell people what to believe.

I just want to know where I can find something that supports the belief in war and unchecked free enterprise in the Bible.
I have read the book and have no idea of how anyone can draw the conclusions found in some of these internet emailings.
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Message 942677 - Posted: 25 Oct 2009, 0:56:27 UTC - in response to Message 942656.  

I can't say its in the bible but I do know that at least 3 crusades were run for similar reasons


In a rich man's house there is no place to spit but his face.
Diogenes Of Sinope
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Message 942964 - Posted: 26 Oct 2009, 19:04:19 UTC - in response to Message 942677.  

Well, the bible doesn't specifically outline an endorsement for capitalism as it works today, but the concepts are reflected on in various parts. The first part to look at in attempt to reconcile a system of government can be found in Romans 13:1-7 for example,
1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3For 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 he will commend you. 4For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. 6This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. 7Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.


So first we see the expectation to submit to authority. Although it defines authority as good, and the only people that have to fear are wrongdoers (which is highly subjective, because someone in Burma wanting to support free elections is defined as a wrongdoer there), despite the subjective values we're also told to, "obey laws of the heaven and earth".

So on that and that alone some Christians can just ignore the details and regard the US government, or the institutions they employ as, "good". Not all Christians do this, but it is a source of scriptural substantiation for those that do.

Next, while capitalism is not explicitly endorsed and defined, we can see examples of it in practice, and see that it doesn't apparently anger God.
Poverbs 11:1
The LORD abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delight.


So here one can argue that fair trade is accepted. Or there's;
I Corinthians 3:8
"Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one:and every man shall receive his own reward
according to his own labour."


I could go on and on, but we see from a labor, product, and government control standpoint, one is perfectly capable of stating rather accurately that the bible does support capitalism.

Of course, there are many verses that seem to go against it. The bible is full of contradictions on many things, economic and labor systems are no different. But then again, people of various different Christian denominations all having something or other that they sweep under the rug. The point is this; one can use scripture to argue for capitalism. But another can also use scripture to argue against it. These inconsistencies are precisely why Christians themselves cannot agree upon what the bible says.
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Message boards : Politics : Jesus loves war and free enterprise


 
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