Upstream | February 02, 2012 | 245 comments

Obama gets Biblical on Republican tax critics

source: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/02/02/obama-gets-biblical-on-republican-tax-critics/

KB723
By David Edwards
Thursday, February 2, 2012 13:36 EST

President Barack Obama proved on Thursday that conservatives don’t have a monopoly on using religion to advocate for specific public policies.

Speaking to a group of mostly-conservative politicians at the annual National Prayer Breakfast, the president quoted scripture in a effort to get Republicans to support a fairer tax code and caring for the poor.

“When I talk about our financial institutions playing by the same rules as folks on main street, when I talk about making sure insurance companies aren’t discriminating against those who are already sick or making sure that unscrupulous lenders aren’t taking advantage of the most vulnerable among us, I do so because I genuinely believe it will make the economy stronger for everybody,” Obama explained. “But I also do it because I know far too many neighbors in our country have been hurt and treated unfairly over the last few years. And I believe in God’s command to love thy neighbor as thyself.”

“And when I talk about shared responsibility, it’s because I genuinely believe at a time when folks are struggling, at a time when we have enormous deficits, it’s hard for me to ask seniors on a fixed income or young people with student loans or middle class families who can barely pay the bills to shoulder the burden alone. And I think to myself, if I am willing to give something up as someone who has been extraordinarily blessed, give up some of the tax breaks that I enjoy — I actually think that’s going to make economic sense.”

He added: “But for me as a Christian, it also coincides with Jesus’s teaching that for unto whom much is given, much shall be required.”

“Treating others as you want to be treated, requiring much from those who have been given so much, living by the principle that we are our brother’s keeper, caring for the poor and those in need, these values are old and they can be found in many denominations and many faiths and among many believers and among many non-believers. They’re values that have always made this country great when we live up to them, when we just don’t just give lip service to them, and we just don’t talk about them one day a year.”

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/02/02/obama-gets-biblical-on-republican-tax-crit...

Watch this video from CNN, broadcast Feb. 1, 2012.

"Excellent job BO, beat the Bastard Bible Thumpers with their own Bible, BRAVO!!!!"
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245 comments // Obama gets Biblical on Republican tax critics

  • Gravity_Man
    • 0
      Gravity_Man  

    • The tally so far is Obama Biblical 77, Romney Biblical 0. Romney needs a big fat ACE to catch Obama, something Uber-Biblical enough to be a 78 vinyl, and pop the O-man in his ivegotthissewedup mouf.

    • 4 months ago
  • Gravity_Man
  • WalmartRamen
    • +1
      WalmartRamen  
    • Image

    • Matthew 22:21...
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Render_unto_Caesar

      This phrase has become a widely quoted summary of the relationship between Christianity and secular authority. The original message, coming in response to a question of whether it was lawful for Jews to pay taxes to Caesar, gives rise to multiple possible interpretations about under what circumstances it is desirable for the Christian to submit to earthly authority.

    • 4 months ago
  • Paratus
  • Mitekillem1
    • +2
      Mitekillem1  

    • Compare the policies of any "Christian" Republican and the effects of those policies against those of liberals and democrats, then compare them with the teachings of Jesus.
      The results are very shameful to the GOP....and somewhat ironic as the democrats and liberals are not "known" for being strictly Christian, but of being of a larger diversity of faiths. Even more embarrassing are the policies set forth by "atheist(s)" as even they contribute more good will toward man-kind than the "good Christians" of the GOP.

    • 4 months ago
  • Gravity_Man
    • -1
      Gravity_Man  

    • Giving the religious groups a tax break is blatant AND UNLAWFUL Favoritism against atheists and anyone else who chooses not to attend church.

      The playing field is dippier than West Virginia roads. Should the Federal Gov't be subsidizing Religion? Not the last time I checked.

      Make the big Xmas/Easter egg babies grow th' heck up and ante up.

    • 4 months ago
  • JangoFetish
  • OlBlue
  • HarukoHaruhara
  • Truthitswhatsfordinner
  • Truthitswhatsfordinner
  • OlBlue
  • noxidereus
    • 0
      noxidereus  

    • What politicians say about god was invalidated as soon as they started printing god on our money in the 1950's as part of the McCarthyist anti-communist propaganda campaign. Our economic system is far from godly, if one would define a god as a benevolent god who cares for the downtrodden. The only reason for mixing religion and politics is to create propagandistic support for politicians or their agenda. God does not belong in politics even when used to promote something good... But it's worse when the Republicans use it to take away women's rights and to discriminate against homosexuals and stuff like that.

    • 4 months ago
  • Joeydee44
    • +2
      Joeydee44  

    • Bravo! How moving to hear the President disclosing elemens of his personal spirituality. Those who view religious groups simply as a resource to tap into for funding and votes could take a lesson from this speech and better strive to conduct themselves in a manner that embraces the values they claim to support.

    • 4 months ago
  • Truthitswhatsfordinner
  • Gravity_Man
    • 0
      Gravity_Man  
    • Truthitswhatsfordinner:

      When the Japanese ambassador was talking peace it was a time to stand watch & take action. A President quoting Bible Scripture is delivering a Msg of Intent to all World Religions.

      Are they listening? Probably not. The axe will fall quickly on their neck.

    • 4 months ago
  • Gravity_Man
  • Paratus
  • Gravity_Man
    • 0
      Gravity_Man  
    • Gravity_Man:

      I seriously doubt any tax-paying Christians will be fed to lions. They'll just be pushed back inside the churches where they belong, more than likely anyway => "PUT IN THEIR PLACE" you might say. Perhaps made to pay some property taxes.

      That would be worse than an axe anyway. Touch their money and they'll scream like they're facing lions in a Roman Coliseum.

      Should be fun to watch actually. Get to see the Pope crying like Jimmy Swaggart caught chasing prostitutes.

    • 4 months ago
  • Mitekillem1
    • +3
      Mitekillem1  
    • Paratus:

      Not only did he use the Bible and the teachings of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, but he did so successfully, and obviously with the power of the spirit of the Holy Ghost.

      Mathew 19:24 - And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
      Luke 12:48 - But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

      Mark 12:14-17 - 14And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?

      15Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it.

      16And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar's.

      17And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him.

      So, money is not private property. It is the property of the US government. As listed on the bill of every dollar "Federal Reserve Note". It is not money, it is a coupon in place of actual money. Who's face is upon it, none other than the faces of past leaders and founding fathers. -I'm sorry but you are wrong again. They are not confiscating anything, other than their own property, which you have on loan from the Federal Reserve.

      Mark 12:31 - And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

      (Jesus speaks of religious/political leaders)
      Mark 12:38 And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,

      39 And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:

      40 Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.

    • 4 months ago
  • Truthitswhatsfordinner
  • OlBlue
    • +1
      OlBlue  
    • Truthitswhatsfordinner:

      Only the good parts, ha ha.
      All of our presidents have been overtly Christian but few have been asked to walk the religious tightrope as B.O. He's damned if he is by some and damned if he isn't by others. As with his having to defend stated place of birth, his education, his patriotism, on and on.

    • 4 months ago
  • Truthitswhatsfordinner
  • snoskier
  • faye59
  • jennilamb007
  • Gravity_Man
  • Gravity_Man
    • +1
      Gravity_Man  
    • jennilamb007:

      Capitalists using a (hahaha) "church" as a tax shelter is AN EVIL THING TO CHRIST. I say lower the front scoops on the Soylent Green trucks. Come back loaded down with enough money to build the space platforms, in-out hop-offs to Outer Space and let's go Space Spelunking.

      Between the eyes Obama; aim mercifully between the eyes.

    • 4 months ago
  • Gravity_Man
    • 0
      Gravity_Man  
    • Gravity_Man:

      It's only fair when all obey the law. The nation's economy is being bled dry by church-escaping rats. They come out to make the money then they carry as much they can back into their ratholes (churches).

      This rat agression will not stand man. Rule of Law. Do it.

    • 4 months ago
  • OlBlue
  • Gravity_Man
  • OlBlue
  • Gravity_Man
    • 0
      Gravity_Man  
    • OlBlue:

      My first job was in a dish room and the restaurant AC ducts ran just above our head. About midnite the RATS CAME OUT and walked atop the ducts.

      I know plenty about rat genitals, and visuals, and habits. And when one crawls up in the wallspace on the hottest week of summer and dies it stinks an awful stench few can stand.

      I have a lifelong passion against RATS.

    • 4 months ago
  • OlBlue
  • Gravity_Man
    • 0
      Gravity_Man  
    • OlBlue:

      I should've went on to become a veterinarian, so that during the nighttime I could don a cape and drive around ridding the city OF ITS RATS... in special ways that would make it look like normal die-offs of the rat population, and no one would suspect. Hmm. CHEMTRAILS!!!

    • 4 months ago
  • Gravity_Man
    • 0
      Gravity_Man  
    • Gravity_Man:

      That's IT! That's where they got that from! Roy Rogers & Dale Evans when they finished their shows they always ended with that song => Happy Trails to You-o-o-o, until we meet again!!!

      They were giving us the Kiss-Off in 1959!!!

    • 4 months ago
  • OlBlue
  • Gravity_Man
  • COMMONSENSEFORCOMMONGOOD_COM
    • +2
      COMMONSENSEFORCOMMONGOOD_COM  

    • Fighting HellFire with HellFire is logical. But why should the People's key representative be pleading with predatory corporate right extremists and vulture capitalists, for money which they have stolen from America? Why isn't the People's key representative kicking ass and strategizing how America is going to get back it's stolen wealth from the vampirous corporate right?

    • 4 months ago
  • Truthitswhatsfordinner
  • OlBlue
  • coolplanet
  • CaptainBeefheart
  • coolplanet
  • The_Wanderer_Kansas
  • supermanrico
    • +7
      supermanrico  

    • President Obama said the right thing. The hypocrite republicans always say that they are christians . Well, they're not. Being christian means to care for the poor, they don't care for the poor!. They were against the public option in health care to protect the special interests of Health insurance companies who care about profits and NOT the people. Is that christian?. The republicans are NOT christians. Just a bunch of hypocrites that go to church to ask Jesus to protect the rich!!. Hypocrites. Thats exactly what Obama call them but using "presidential" words. Great mr President!.

    • 4 months ago
  • snoskier
    • +5
      snoskier  

    • Blaming Christians for scandalous actions, beliefs, wealth, etc. is very similar to the attempts by the Nazis to blame the Jews for every social, economic, and malaise suffered by the Nazi people. I hope you will remember that the actions of the few, are not the beliefs of the many.

      As the uninformed blame all of Islam for the actions of a few, it is similarly very easy to criticize the actions of SOME Christians and assign those beliefs to everyone who truly follows Christ. This is bigotry.

      My beliefs, and many of my fellow believers, follow the teachings of Christ, which is totally incongruent with what I see widely pandered by the GOP, and the GOP candidates. I feel they are at variance with Christ, and with my beliefs.

      My LOVE of Christ has made me progressive, not regressive. LOVE wins.

    • 4 months ago
  • noxidereus
    • +1
      noxidereus  
    • snoskier:

      I think it's great that your Christianity is a positive influence in your life. I don't think you have to be worried about the majority of the country blaming all Christians for the stupidity of the few though. Christians are a huge majority so I think most people get that all Christians can't be lumped together. I hope that someday more people realize that the deceitful on-their-sleeves religiosity of politicians is mostly for show... to trick people out of their votes and to control people and doesn't stem from love.

    • 4 months ago
  • JanforGore
  • OlBlue
    • +2
      OlBlue  
    • snoskier:

      I think most here would totally agree with you. I do. I think we are all condemning the actions of the few, not the many. The few are the hypocrites and liars who use religion to their own selfish purposes and make it tough for good people like you. Keep the faith!

    • 4 months ago
  • unimatrix0
  • JohnA
  • CaptainBeefheart
  • nanac
  • jennilamb007
  • deane
    • +2
      deane  

    • The wealthy create loopholes to increase their wealth, and Christians create loopholes to ignore the consequences of those actions. Imagine if all lobbyist referenced the bible to guide them in their actions, would Romney still be paying only 15% on 43 million made over 2 years, I do not think so.

    • 4 months ago
  • bobbi777
  • thedirtman
  • bobbi777
    • +7
      bobbi777  

    • I love how President Obama turned the tables on the conservative religious fanatics. These people should know by now if you talk the talk, then walk the walk. Having the wealthy chip in and pay a fair share of taxes is not "compulsory charity". Not only do we need to increase revenues coming into the government, it''s the right thing to do. As for wisdom, this country and its leaders need all they (we) can get, regardless where it's from. A little thoughtful consideration goes a long way.

    • 4 months ago
  • HarukoHaruhara
    • +10
      HarukoHaruhara  

    • I'm not a fan of ANY politician evoking God, but it was the Republicans who really co-opted Jesus 30 years ago and claimed they were the party of Christ, and by definition, the other party were anti-Christ.

      Let's look at the frontrunners in the "Party of Christ." One is a two-time divorcee who cheated on two wives repeatedly, then rails that Obama is insulting his religion by being in favour of birth control.

      The other one just said, "I'm not really concerned about the very poor."

      Well, GOP voters .... Christ was really concerned about the very poor...

    • 4 months ago
  • snoskier
  • noxidereus
  • Naumadd
    • -1
      Naumadd  

    • I do not believe I am my neighbor's keeper nor they mine, but I have a heart and if they need help and ask it, I will do what I'm able to help. I do not believe in obligation to do so nor do I believe they have any obligation to myself.

      I believe many human beings have it in them to look after each other because they wish to, not because it is owed. Voluntary charity is a redundancy, compulsory charity a contradiction.

      As for the bible, there are far better thinkers and writers from which to draw one's guidance than that.

    • 4 months ago
  • Plue
  • KB723
  • thedirtman
    • +10
      thedirtman  

    • I can't remember another time when there has been rhetoric like the conservative rhetoric today. No Christian, Hebrew, Muslim, or other religion or philosophy has been so insufferable. No political rhetoric, not Reagan, Nixon nor Hoover came up with such stink.

      I think Obama is putting it where he believes it should be. And he's right to do so.

    • 4 months ago
  • HarukoHaruhara
  • KB723
  • thedirtman
  • snoskier
  • KB723
    • 0
      KB723  
    • snoskier:

      Hi snoskier, I took the rest of the evening off, no work today cos of the Blizzard like conditions, slept in this morning, too cool a three day weekend... =)

    • 4 months ago
  • nardo1224
  • KB723
  • OlBlue
  • KB723
  • Gravity_Man
    • -2
      Gravity_Man  

    • Representing the moral decadents of the world I suggest NO TAXES on the Rich. They'll come clawing tooth & nail back to US soil (bringing their wealths with em to start new businesses).

      However, half of what they make has to be shared equally across their worker payroll.

      HAHAHAHA Nothing new under the sun here, move along.

    • 4 months ago
  • warman1138
  • KB723
  • Plue
  • OlBlue
    • +16
      OlBlue  

    • Next time he should go Samuel L. Jackson on them with this little speech:

      "The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of the darkness. For he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know I am the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon you."

      That may get their attention.

    • 4 months ago
  • treewolf39
  • KB723
  • DEM46
  • Plue
  • Truthitswhatsfordinner
  • Lisayou
    • +9
      Lisayou  

    • I am glad the the Pres turned it around on the GOP but I don't think there is a place in Government for religion of any kind.

    • 4 months ago
  • KB723
  • bike10
  • KB723
  • DEM46
  • cmc101
  • cantucwearebrothers
  • KB723
  • cantucwearebrothers
  • KB723
  • DEM46
  • DEM46
  • Truthitswhatsfordinner
  • cmc101
  • cantucwearebrothers
    • -1
      cantucwearebrothers  
    • DEM46:

      Simply because he doesn't come off as a total and complete sleaze ball. Not to say that he's everything everyone hoped he would be, but he does appear to at least be a decent human being even if he is a career politician.

    • 4 months ago
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