Kerry quotes the Bible to question Bush's compassion

AP ^ | 03/28/04

[Pokey78]

St. Louis - Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry is quoting the Bible to question President Bush's claim to be a compassionate conservative.

Kerry campaigned from the pulpit today at New North Side Baptist Church in St. Louis.

He told worshipers, ``The Scriptures say, 'What does it profit, my brother, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?''' The Massachusetts senator added, ``When we look at what is happening in America today, where are the works of compassion?''

Kerry noted that three (m) million jobs have been lost since President Bush [related, bio] took office.

Kerry is Roman Catholic, but has chosen to ignore the pope's directive that Catholic politicians do all they can to stop abortion. In an interview with Time magazine, Kerry said, ``I don't tell church officials what to do, and church officials shouldn't tell American politicians what to do in the context of our public life.''

[alnick]

Kerry campaigned from the pulpit today at New North Side Baptist Church in St. Louis....campaigned from the pulpit...

Isn't that illegal?

[GraceCoolidge]

In an interview with Time magazine, Kerry said, ``I don't tell church officials what to do, and church officials shouldn't tell American politicians what to do in the context of our public life.''

Here's a newsflash, Senator Kerry: The church officials are not telling "you" (even the all important you you you) what to do. They are telling Catholics what their obligations are under the faith. If you claim to be Catholic, then this applies to you... and only because you claim to be Catholic. If you had the decency to find a faith that complies with your moral compass (whatever it may be) there would be no issue. This controversy has nothing to do with being a politician. It has everything to do with being a Catholic. The same obligation applies to any Catholic. The real problem is that you think you get a special exemption because you are a "politician." When you get to the pearly gates, I have a feeling that your "don't you know who I am" attitude isn't going to be a big help. The doctrine of the Catholic church does not include as asterisk stating "not applicable to politicians in the context of their public life."

[silverleaf]

I think the good Senator misquoted the Bible.
Or perhaps he was simply quoting from the as-yet unpublished "Gospel According to Job" so loved by Howard Dean.

Mark 9:36,37
"For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?
Or what shall a man give in exchange for his own soul?"

BTW- Good questions for a man like John Kerry to ponder.

[yankeedame]

Satan also tried to use scripture to tempt Jesus!

Amen! As my mother (RIP) used to say, "Even the devil can quote Scripture for his own purposes."

[F16Fighter]

"Satan also tried to use scripture to tempt Jesus! Amen!

As my mother (RIP) used to say, "Even the devil can quote Scripture for his own purposes."

My exact thoughts...

[plain talk]

``The Scriptures say, 'What does it profit, my brother, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?''' The Massachusetts senator added, ``When we look at what is happening in America today, where are the works of compassion?''

Kerry is a fool to go there. Bush HAS works of compassion and has demonstrated his faith. Kerry has done nothing to reflect he has any faith in anything except the God of Liberalism. And in Kerry's 'works' one sees a lot of lying, cheating and stealing.

The Bible teaches about the heart and about voluntary compassion. Involuntary confiscation of money to give to someone else (stealing) is not biblical compassion. And besides, Bush's prescription giveaway program is the biggest expansion of Medicare in decades. So, Kerry exposes himself as both ignorant of the Bible and a liar in a single statement.

[sgtbono2002]

I am a lapsedcatholic, there are many reasons, They dont really matter to most I suppose. The Local Priest came to me the other day and asked if I wouldnt like to come back to the Church, I told him that I couldnt because the Church allow people like Pelosi, Kerry, Kennedy to make a mockery of the Church. I told him when the Church excommunicates Kerry and Kennedy I may come back.It wont happen.

[altura]

I think the problem is ... JF'n was not using the big, black floppy Bible ... the one Clinton and Jesus used.

[Outraged]

``The Scriptures say, 'What does it profit, my brother, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?''' The Massachusetts senator added, ``When we look at what is happening in America today, where are the works of compassion?''

Scriptures, like the Constitution and statistics, need only apply when they suite selfish ends, by DNC/socialists like Kerry...He even takes them out of context and reveals his utter abject knowledge of Christianity when he does.

"Teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime", John "I never fall you S.O.B" Kerry...And would you care to illuminate the passage that advocates homosexuality in the Bible, oh mighty theologian?

[el_texicano]

And they should just as quickly lose their tax free status for allowing political campaigning in their church.

[crz]

AHHHHH Someone thought of it! I am convinced of it, and it sounds like you are also.

[Mike Bates]

``When we look at what is happening in America today, where are the works of compassion?''

Compassion? Let's talk compassion. Per Byron York at National Review: "In 1995, according to published reports, Kerry reported a taxable income of $126,179, and charitable contributions of $0."

Michael M. Bates: My Side of the Swamp

[af_vet_1981]

John Kerry has neither good works nor good faith. His campaign strategy against President Bush is curious though. I speculate he is fighting for votes amongst Americans with black skin who consider themselves Christian.

[Aquinasfan]

``When we look at what is happening in America today, where are the works of compassion?''

Kerry is Roman Catholic, but has chosen to ignore the pope's directive that Catholic politicians do all they can to stop abortion.

``I don't tell church officials what to do, and church officials shouldn't tell American politicians what to do in the context of our public life.''

AAAAAAAAUUUUUUURRRRRGH!

[Aquinasfan]

As I understand it, he typically donates $00.00 to charity. One year he slipped and actually gave $135.00 to ??? Questioned on it, he explained he had two kids in college; as Howie Carr pointed out, however, that same year he found $6,400 to buy a motorcycle.

Thank God for Howie Carr.

[Rummyfan]

Even the Devil can quote Scripture to his purpose!

[armymarinedad]

NEWS ALERT- Bible sales soared last week due to Sen Kerry's demand that he quote scripture in his speeches. His entire staff had to purchase Bibles so they could due research. When staffers asked "What's a Bible?" Kerry was quoted as saying, "some dumb book conservatives read".

[OldFriend]

Guess Kerry is an atheist. None other could stand on the pulpit of a Church and tell blatant lies without fear.

[Esther Ruth]

The outcome of giving our tax dollars to Kerry and his socialist programs would not be "good works unto God" but service unto Satan. He would take money given to us by our Holy and Righteous God and use is to glorify the Devil because that who he serves and honors. How dare he mock our God, mock His Word and His people who sincerely seek to honor Him every day by using His Word against US.

[RBroadfoot]

JFK is just one of many rotten Crats, but we really shouldn't misstate his record of tax-deductible donations.

According to the National Review (http://www.nationalreview.com/york/york200403220840.asp)
he contributed only small amounts up to 1995. (1991, $0; 1992, $820; 1993, $175; 1994, $2039; 1995, $0.) From 1991 to 1995, Kerry "earned" about $625,000 and donated about one-half of 1%.

At first thought, you'd think that the Kennedy clan would gotten him to kick in more than to Special Olympics alone. But, look, Teddy knows that dating rich and famous babes cost serious bucks and don't leave anything for the needy.

Now that he's married to the Heinz heiress, Kerry no longer has to pick up the check. So, he has boosted his charitable contributions to the 10-13% range, based on his income alone. (1996, $14,325; 1997, $21,795; 1998-2001, unknown; 2002, $18,600)

But, it's still chump change. Forbes puts the Heinz fortune at $525 million; at a very conservative 5% return, that translates to around $25 million of income per year. Teresa Heinz evidently files separately, so I don't know how much she contributes.

In comparision, GWB contribute over $300,000 in a single year.