Faith Leaders Meet with Obama to Protect Welfare State

The Foundry/Heritage Foundation ^ | July 23, 2011 | Ryan Messmore

[Clairity]

On July 20, 12 Christian leaders met with President Obama at the White House to voice concerns about the prospect of budget cuts to government welfare. The group included Jim Wallis of the liberal social justice organization Sojourners and representatives from the National Association of Evangelicals, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Salvation Army, and several humanitarian development agencies.

Finally, as critics have rightly noted, some religious leaders speak as if only government entitlements and transfer payments count as legitimate expressions of Christian charity. These leaders therefore ignore the tendency for government welfare programs to foster among those in need unhealthy dependence on the dole. They also ignore the way in which these programs often crowd out civil society efforts to fight poverty, leaving the poor with less personal and comprehensive care.

[Clairity]

They are crazy, if Obama and the Dems raise taxes, there will be fewer people being able or willing to make charitable donations.

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

Exactly!

[ken21]

these are the one world religion,

not people of faith.

[Jedidah]

Those so-called “faith leaders” need to quit lobbying Washington and go home and tell their congregations to:

take care of each other,

accept personal responsiblity,

don’t expect the government to take care of you,

or to do the good works that Jesus told YOU to do.

These so-called “faith” leaders are either socialists using religion to further their politics, or sadly ignorant of scripture.

[Sister_T]

These so-called “church” leaders want the government coffers flowing to “help the poor” so they won’t have to dig into their own offering plates! Bottom line.

[RecoveringPaulisto]

The National Association of Evangelicals hasn’t represented average evangelicals for a long time. Also, Jim Wallis is just a Marxist hack in Christian garb, AKA a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

While many denominations continue to be members, if you notice they only have 776 fans on FB. Yeah, that’s a real popular organization.

[abcc2011]

“these are the one world religion, not people of faith.”

You’re right. It’s not mentioned that they said one mumbling word to Obama about his stance on abortion or same-sex marriage.

The writer of the piece hit the nail on the head too saying, “The fact that Jesus calls his followers to care for the poor is not a mandate for the government to expand the welfare state.” and

“Religious leaders could serve this discussion better by modeling more discernment in their application of ancient biblical wisdom to modern policy issues.”

[Clairity]

I am really disappointed that the Salvation Army participated as well.

[vette6387]

Show me a religion that’s not simply a theological socialist organization. You are absolutely right, we need people of faith, not organized religions. Most of them remind me of the biblical passage paraphrasing: “ many draw near to Me with their lips, but their hearts they are far from Me.”

[vette6387]

Show me a religion that’s not simply a theological socialist organization. You are absolutely right, we need people of faith, not organized religions. Most of them remind me of the biblical passage paraphrasing: “ many draw near to Me with their lips, but their hearts they are far from Me.”

[CounterCounterCulture]

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. ~ 2 Corinthians 9:7

Giving individually, not collectively.

Government coercion, confiscation, and redistribution is not cheerful giving. Neither is greed and class envy, which are traits of those who embrace government control.

[Sister_T]

Amen!

[sickoflibs]

RE :”On July 20, 12 Christian leaders met with President Obama at the White House to voice concerns about the prospect of budget cuts to government welfare. The group included Jim Wallis of the liberal social justice organization Sojourners and representatives from the National Association of Evangelicals, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Salvation Army, and several humanitarian development agencies. The timing of the meeting was significant. One day earlier, the so-called “Gang of Six” in the Senate announced its proposal to address the budget deficit—a proposal that did not confront the explosive growth in anti-poverty spending that is contributing to our nation’s fiscal crisis. And shortly after talking with the religious leaders on Wednesday, President Obama entered budget meetings with congressional leaders. The Christian leaders used their 40 minutes with the President to discuss the Circle of Protection, an ecumenical statement that asks for government anti-poverty programs to be walled off from budget-reduction debates. According to Wallis, “The most vulnerable need a special exemption from all spending cuts.… We told President Obama that this is what God requires of all of us.”
Faith Leaders Meet with Obama to Protect Welfare State

'Jesus would ask Rome to raise taxes on the rich to keep the poor on welfare' Jim Wallace ping!

[Vigilanteman]

So am I. I'd always respected the Salvation Army, even shopped there and dropped a little change in their bucket from time to time.

Now I feel like printing up green protest bills which look like currency with this message:

If you want it from Obama, you won't get it from me.

Lips which kiss a Marxist ass are not fit to kiss Jesus.

[dalereed]

strip every one of them of their tax exempt status!!!

Eliminate welfare, food stamps, section 8 housing, medical care for the welfare, and the earned income tax credit for starters!

[Carry_Okie]

Christian leaders met with President Obama at the White House to voice concerns about the prospect of budget cuts to government welfare.

Then they are not "Christian leaders" because welfare is destructive to charity.

[Carry_Okie]

I am really disappointed that the Salvation Army participated as well.

If that is true they have received my last contribution, until they repent, publicly.

[chris_bdba]

It seems to me that welfare is the exact opposite of wht the bible teaches us.Charity is supposed to be given from the heart not taken at gunpoint by the state.Weren’t we told that if a man will not work he shall not eat?

[chris_bdba]

AMEN!

[Louis Foxwell]

I am really disappointed that the Salvation Army participated as well.

The Army occasionally makes some bonheaded decisions. Contracting with the state to provide services stands out chief among them. Supporting government welfare is in direct conflict with the importance of putting a face on mercy. They know better.