Much controversy has been roiling around the federal budget bill that narrowly passed the senate yesterday, and I will say that I have read the “high points” as described by supporters and detractors but have not read the bill. It seems clear to me that a lot of rich people will get richer and poor people will get poorer, and many of those poor people will lose access to health insurance and other life-giving programs. This is all about the cruelty of some – not all – of the haves against the have-nots, and while this cultural class war has been going on for all of human history, it is deeply disappointing that this amazing country has so many people who buy into it.
I would guess that most of the senators who voted for this bill would deem themselves to be religious people, whether or not they attend regular services. People on both sides of the aisle talk about God and so-called family values, but I have heard more of this over the years from Republicans. This doesn’t mean they are better or worse people; it means that conservatives tend to be more religious, as least in their words, than progressives. Which is what makes voting for this bill so disturbing; my understanding of Hebrew, Christian, and Muslim Scriptures is that there is an obligation to care for people who struggle to care for themselves. The Sabbath was meant for all people and animals in Israel – even the aliens in your land, God said, get a day off. In Matthew 25, Jesus said that those who do not do for the least among you will go to hell, because we need to treat every person as if they were Jesus. I am not as well educated in Islam, but the Koran also requires care for the poor.
Religious bullies fought to keep slavery intact. Religious bullies are, in some states, forcing teachers to post the 10 Commandments in their classrooms. Religious bullies have waged war and stolen property and now, have legislated against the poor. It seems clear to me that they either haven’t read the Scriptures they love to force on people, or they don’t care. But God cares. And so should the rest of us.
Prayer – Holy God, forgive us when we misuse Your name and the words about You for our gain. Amen. Today’s art is an editorial cartoon from GayCalgary.com, an on-line magazine for the LGBTQ community.