Socialism is not necessarily related to Christianity

By Jim Thompson
HCP columnist

The religious left likes to say, “Jesus never asked a leper for a co-pay.” This slogan has been around for at least seven or eight years.

Some media outlets are noting that the religious left may be in an ascendancy. Cited as a leader in this movement is the Rev. William Barber III of North Carolina and the organization “the Poor People’s Campaign.”

Those aligned with Barber and such groups are attempting to provide a liberal progressive outlet for Christian principles.

In 100 years of progressive liberalism, such movements have tended to fail. They fail because they pick and choose what parts of Christianity they wish to co-mingle with their politics.

Let me illustrate why the track record for such alliances is not good. I’ll use myself as an example. I strongly believe in personally helping the poor in whatever way is necessary based on their needs at the time. It could be food, shelter or health care, you name it.

For instance, I always have $5 McDonald’s cards in my wallet and pass them out generously to the indigent I meet on the street. (You would be surprised how many who claim hunger reject them and ask for money, even while standing in front of McDonald’s.)

I believe it is our responsibility to share our good fortune as often as we can: give until it hurts.

What I do not believe in is having the government do this job which the Bible clearly assigns to Jesus’s followers. The government is often corrupt, inefficient and wasteful when it comes to confiscating my money and determining where to spend it. Further, asking non-believers to participate in programs designed to mimic what we as Christians are commanded to do ourselves just does not make any sense (and is likely a large source of the corruption and dissatisfaction).

So, back to “Jesus never asked a leper for a co-pay.” It is a disingenuous mixed metaphor, if you please. For the rest of the statement is this: “Jesus never asked the government for any help, because He did not need any help from the government.”

He fed the people, healed the sick and raised the dead without asking anyone for even their Social Security number. Jesus further said his followers could do the same if they had faith.

Some, like Mother Teresa, have shown they did have the faith to do this. Another of such stature whom I personally knew was Anna E. Tomaseck (there are several spellings of her last name). Look her up. She was from Canton, Ohio.

All that governments ever did for Jesus was crucify Him when it became popular to do so. Yet, Jesus told us we should pray for our government leaders, obey their laws and pay their taxes. He said to do these things unequivocally, without regard for the political affiliation, generosity or barbarousness on the part of the government. That is quite a command.

I find it particularly amusing when those who apparently are not Christian attempt to use what they think are Christian teachings to chastise conservatives such as me on what our political stance should be, indeed to question our political stance vis-à-vis our Christian views.

Jesus tells us, more so than in nearly any other area of the focus of his teachings, that our Christianity and our obedience to our government are distinct and unrelated. In no other area of life does Jesus offer such a separation or compartmentalization of our activities.

Simply pray for our government leaders – no matter who they are.

Jim Thompson, formerly of Marshall, is a graduate of Hillsboro High School and the University of Cincinnati. He resides in Duluth, Ga. and is a columnist for The Highland County Press.