[fqued]

By the way, you are aware that a "Talent" was a denomination of money--a rather large amount.

Our English word "Talent" is derived from this Biblical Passage by analogy.

Jesus Parable was about the wise use of that which was entrusted to his servants. Therefore, Tamsey's application of this parable to voting [one of the valuables entrusted to us] is just as good/valid as the English use of the word talent.

Frankly, Tamsey is right on the money [haha - okay it's a bad pun]--the parable is NOT limited to bucks or to natural abilities.

[SteveH]

Sure I am aware that talent originally referred to a monetary amount.

The reason that the meaning of the word is changed is due to the influence of the bible.

"Talent" as used in the bible was an analogy for a G*d-given gift.

Over time, talent changed meaning. The allegorical (biblical) use of the word became the literal. The original meaning of the word talent as a monetary denomination became archaic.

Perhaps someone with a more scholarly bent can check in and confirm one or the other point of view.

[Tamzee]

Perhaps the disagreement over the parable stems from a different interpretation as to what the act of voting means. I consider a vote to be an asset... a small but measurable bit of political power to invest in determining public policy and law. I think some folks feel that voting is personally upholding the values of the candidate to God.... it's just a different way of viewing it, I guess.