The Gospel According to Hillary: Clinton should be praised for calling immigration bill unbiblical

....Still, the media and common Hillary-haters could not help but characterize her statements as anything but a naked election-grabbing ploy. But it seems unfair to question the sincerity of a former Sunday school teacher who attends church more regularly than President Bush. Rather, Clinton should be applauded for adding a compassionate Christian voice to a debate dominated by the religious right’s divisive agenda......

Imagine if Jesus were alive today. How might he react to the plight of an impoverished Mexican worker living just miles from America whose wife and two children are beginning to display signs of malnourishment because the worker’s wages are so paltry? If only the worker could make it across the border, he could earn twice as much money. He realizes the risks, as entering America without documentation is illegal and dangerous. But to this father, immigration restrictions pale in comparison to the survival of his offspring. So he crosses the border, hoping to send home wages that will sufficiently feed his family. Would Jesus condemn such a man, and report him to the authorities? Or would Jesus offer him food, shelter, and counsel?

The clearest answer to this question comes from the story of the good Samaritan. In response to a follower asking who exactly Christ is referring to when he says “love thy neighbor,” Jesus presents the story of a Samaritan who aids an injured Jew. Jesus’ praise of the compassionate foreigner leaves little question that Christ would exhort his followers to help a man in need, regardless of citizenship.

The immigration bill which passed the House of Representatives last December, and was introduced in the Senate by self-proclaimed Christian and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, criminalizes exactly what Jesus asks of his followers–aiding illegal immigrants. And of all people, it was Democratic Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton who had the courage to point out the hypocrisy of many Republicans who claim to espouse Christian values but attempt to criminalize Jesus’ teachings.

“It is hard to believe that a Republican leadership that is constantly talking about values and about faith would put forward such a mean-spirited piece of legislation,” exclaimed Clinton. “It is certainly not in keeping with my understanding of the Scripture because this bill would literally criminalize the Good Samaritan and probably even Jesus himself.”

As a Christian who feels the same way, I cannot help but praise Clinton’s audacity to point out the hypocrisy of her Republican counterparts. Yet some critics, most notably President George W. Bush, have criticized Clinton for her remarks. But does that mean Clinton and other Democrats hoping to make arguments in the name of religion should be silenced?

Quite simply, no. To the contrary, Democrats with strong religious and moral convictions should be encouraged to speak out on account of their faith. For too long, Republicans have enjoyed a monopoly on the public dialogue about religion. They have invoked Christian arguments to voice opposition to selected issues like abortion, gay marriage, and stem cell research. Yet simultaneously they advocate social policies, such as this draconian immigration bill, that are antithetical to the beliefs of many Christians. In fact, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Protestant-led Sojourners Magazine have both called upon their followers to oppose the bill. And this spat over immigration is occuring less than three months after Congressional Republicans ignored the pleas of 150 religious leaders who staged a nonviolent protest against a budget bill that proposed cutting $40 billion from education, health care, and child support for low-income families while giving tax cuts to the rich.

For too long Democrats have allowed Republican Christians, who claim to support “life” while advocating capital punishment, to seize the sole authority to dictate what Christians believe. Democrats such as Clinton must not be afraid to speak for the thousands of Christian Americans who vehemently oppose the Republican agenda.

Some may worry that encouraging Democrats to cite religion will turn America into a theocracy. But religion is already a force in American politics as evidenced by a poll that found that 90 percent of Americans say they want a President who believes in God. Having a multitude of religious opinions in a healthy public dialogue will not turn America into a theocracy but instead help create a consensus about our country’s shared values. Such a debate would be preferable to the monopolization of religion in the public sphere by the single version of Christianity promoted by the religious right.

The alternative would be to silence both sides; that is, forbid Democrats and Republicans from bringing any sort of religious argument into the public debate which, at best, would compromise their freedom of speech, and at worst, would force politicians to make up phony reasons for why they feel a certain way about certain issues. As many religious politicians point out, it is difficult if not impossible for them to separate their most deeply held convictions into “religious” and “non-religious” components.

Still, the media and common Hillary-haters could not help but characterize her statements as anything but a naked election-grabbing ploy. But it seems unfair to question the sincerity of a former Sunday school teacher who attends church more regularly than President Bush. Rather, Clinton should be applauded for adding a compassionate Christian voice to a debate dominated by the religious right’s divisive agenda.

Loui Itoh ’07 is a government and comparative study of religion concentrator in Quincy House.

I still think she is holding so much damaging information about Washington-ites, that it won't happen

Since Mena,AR ...and blow nose Will...Hillary is IN with the IN crowd....

Starr wouldnt/couldnt pin anything on Hubby (or her) of any consequence with a trail of evidence as wide as the interstate...

Aint nothing gonna happen to her unless they order it...Paul is toast...

imo

21 posted on 04/05/2006 7:37:33 AM PDT by joesnuffy (This 'Guest Worker Program' Is To Border Security as 'Campaign Finance Reform' Is To Free Speech)

Jesus taught us to submit to the rulers over us...IE to obey the laws of the land we are in....even if the laws are unjust we are to submit to them. He never said we had to like it either.

I wonder whether Jesus would question why the government of Mexico is doing so little for their own people?

100% agreement. Hey by the way, I just got compared to an "Alien Space Nut" because I quoted scripture...I am just about done with FR

To think we have at least 25 years of this babble left to go. I can't believe that we are being punished like this. I am serious unless she wins the Presidentcy, we are going to hear from her for 25 long Senate years. The only other way is if we can get someone in their to beat her which is really doubtful. I bet people thought the same thing about Ed when he ran in 1980. People probably thought oh man get him in the White House to shut his hole, but that didn't happen and 25 plus years later we still have to listen to his drivel...Somebody has to agree with me on this. It is just too frightening a thought.

The hypocrisy of the left leaves me speechless.

Any conservative saying "Christ", "Christian", "Jesus".....ANYTHING in the public square, is mocked, pilloried, and marginalized. "Saint" Hillary, indeed. gag.

Imagine if Jesus were alive today. How might he react to the plight of an ~~impoverished Mexican worker~~ Ivory Tower elitist living just miles from America a regular blue collar worker whose wife and two children are beginning to display signs of malnourishment because the worker’s wages are so paltry? If only the worker could ~~make it across the border,~~ get another tax cut, he could earn twice as much money. But because the Ivory Tower elitists in the Main Stream Media have convinced many people that tax cuts are "only for the rich" - it isn't likely to happen. What would Jesus think of such a man, who would help prevent the tax cut that would help the low-income worker simply for political purposes?

Yes. Just imagine the outrage if Bush denounced a piece of legislation as "unBiblical" or contrary to Scripture. He would be mocked as hateful and stupid. Just the other day there was a post which criticized Bush because he appears interested in doing God's will -- we've come to the point where this is thought outrageous in a public servant. But the Dems have no problem announcing that they have a private insight into how Jesus would react in any given situation.

"should be applauded for adding a compassionate Christian voice to a debate dominated by the religious right’s divisive agenda......

Ok I am trying my best to not remark in an unChristian like manner :)

The persecution on has to stomach for spreading the gospel as Christ asked. I wonder if the one that called you "Alien Space Nut" would be able to pick up a Bible with eyes open and without holding their breath? Very seldom to I reply on FR as I really wonder about the intelligence level of a few of the posters. God Bless (and let me put on the fire suit).

Would the Good Samaritan prevent the protection of babies in the process of being born from being slaughtered? That is what Clinton and Clinton stand for.

Satan quotes the Bible and so do his children.

This woman has no business teaching the Bible. She does not even begin to understand it.

The parable she refers to does not say anything about anyone breaking immigration laws. It does address racial prejudice, but illegal immigration is not about racism, it is about national security.

Few of those who want to stop illegal immigration are motivated by racism. It is an unfair insult for the liberals to make such accusations for merely wanting to protect our borders.

32 posted on 04/05/2006 8:18:18 AM PDT by unlearner (You will never come to know that which you do not know until you first know that you do not know it.)

Saint Hillary the Hilarious is....well, hilarious. She calls the Immigration bill (illegal alien bill in fact)unbiblical. How interesting.

Are we to believe that Co-President Hillary argued against President Bill when he vetoed two very Biblical bills outlawing partial birth abortion, during their joint reign as America's first team Presidency? Are we still stupid enough to believe one single word from either member of that duo?

The only thing Biblical about the Clinton's is the disaster of Biblical proportions their very existence has been for the USA.

Hmmmm?? I seem to recall that Jesus said, "Render unto Ceasar what is Ceasar's".

I believe that was referring to the LAW ABOUT PAYING TAXES, and out of Jesus' own mouth - HE had just nullified what Hillary said.

It galls me when NON-CHRISTIANS try to tell me, a Christian, what Jesus said or did not say. Yes, He was full of compassion - but He also believed in OBEYING THE LAW. You can't separate the two.

Thank you Lord.

But the Dems have no problem announcing that they have a private insight into how Jesus would react in any given situation.

Now, that oughta be worked into a tagline.

Reminds me of the anti-war sign; "Who would Jesus bomb?"
(of course I always reply; "Ever heard of Sodom & Gomorrah?")

The Rush Limbaugh morning update discussed something about Illegals and being a felony....and a previous vote and Democrats....I'd like to know more about this.

Here are some details of that vote:

Hillary Has Her Come-to-Jesus Moment

Apparently the Hildebeast doesn't read the NY POst.

http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/64092.htm

April 6, 2006 -- It took a jury less than four hours yesterday to convict an illegal immigrant of raping and murdering a vivacious stay-at-home suburban mom - and then luridly bragging about it to her friends and family on her stolen cellphone.

I'll bet you didn't know that if Jesus were alive today,He would let kids be raped,old people euthanized,babies butchered and better than that He would want us all to make lots of money on everyones misery......Thats how you get to heaven...I thought everyone knew that,obviously the liberals are the only informed christians in usa!!!!!!

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