The next day at the National Prayer Breakfast, President Obama expressed just the opposite point of view. Here are some excepts, along with the corresponding bible verses.
... the biblical call [is] to care for the least of these –- for the poor; for those at the margins of our society. To answer the responsibility we’re given in Proverbs to “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.” (Proverbs 31:8-10)...
John tells us that, “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” (1 John 3:17)
There were, of course, some misapplied biblical references to "Am I my brother's keeper" (Genesis 4:9) and "For unto whom much is given, much shall be required." (Luke 12:48). But Obama made his point: he's a better Christian than Romney.
Still if I were writing Obama's speech, I'd have thrown in Proverbs 29:17, just for Mitt "I'm not concerned about the poor" Romney.
The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.
So we've pretty well established that Mitt isn't much of a Christian. But we already knew that. He's a Mormon.
And what the does Book of Mormon say about poor people?
Plenty, as it turns out. Here are some excerpts.
Ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to perish. (Mosiah 4:16)Ye ought to impart of the substance that ye have one to another. (Mosiah 4:21)
Impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath. (Mosiah 4:26)
They did impart of their substance, every man according to that which he had, to the poor, and the needy, and the sick, and the afflicted; and ... they were liberal to all. (Alma 1:27-30)
Yea, he saw great inequality among the people ... turning their backs upon the needy and the naked and those who were hungry, and those who were athirst, and those who were sick and afflicted. (Alma 4:12)
Will you persist in turning your backs upon the poor, and the needy, and in withholding your substance from them? (Alma 5:55)
So I guess Mitt Romney isn't a very good Mormon either.
7 comments:
Mark Twain called the Book of Mormon "chloroform in print." Maybe Romney fell asleep while reading it.
http://brettcottrell.blogspot.com/2012/02/mark-twain-on-book-of-mormon-chloroform.html
Yeah, it's going to be interesting when Romney takes the nomination. The Republicans will have to vote between a multi-millionaire who embodies all of their financial ideals, or Obama, who has better values and seems to have a lot of other "Republican" stances, such as with national security, drone warfare, etc.
I'm generally pleased with Obama as president (he's not perfect, but such is politics) but I roll my eyes every time he feels the need to quote the Bible to justify himself. Why do the Democrats, who are obviously not the party of religious fundamentalists, continue to condescend to us this way?
I really hope someday soon we can have a competitive candidate for President who is an open atheist.
Romney donated millions of dollars to the poor last year. What did you do?
"I really hope someday soon we can have a competitive candidate for President who is an open atheist."
Not a chance "in hell" Ian. She would not be able to take the Oath of Office, (sworn on the bible).
Is that before or after he outsourced their jobs? Also what do you wanna bet it was a for the tax break he won't tell us about. He is still a politician, no not an American hero the opposite!
A lot of Christians and Mormons do not understand what their religious scripture has to say about the poor, inequality, social justice, etc. I am working on correcting that with the Book of Mormon. If you are interested, I am in the process of publishing dozens of articles on everything the Book of Mormon has to say about inequality, and related topics.
http://unconventionalinquiry.blogspot.com/2015/08/introduction-what-does-book-of-mormon.html
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