Finally sick of this: Minimal-state Jesus

[Berzerker]

What bars it?

For one, Ghost Writer has made a compelling case for Jesus divorcing His teachings from governmental systems. So what's to prevent Christians from utilizing government as a means to promote Christian values?

In addition, liberal democracies are not Caesar. Caesar was an authority largely unacceptable to his subjects. In contrast, democracies are accountable. That's a significant difference?

Jesus didn't force people to follow him, the choice was left to them. Caesar was their reality, their context - I doubt Jesus taught with liberal democracies in mind or that he'd be a fan anyway, he was a king who didn't take votes. I'd expect help for the poor to be least on his list of gripes, but the gripes only get worse with government. Just look at how Christians were slaughtering each other when power became accessible. Had he told his followers to apply for the job of Caesar he wouldn't have spiritual credibility. Its kinda hard to turn the other cheek, forgive others, and respect a golden rule when you're having people killed or jailed for disobedience.

No, David.

Caesar was ruler, David was dead (and not god), and Jesus claimed to be king (and god?)

 

[JollyRoger]

It is not uncommon for those that end up on death row to have delusions of grandeur.

 

[El_Machinae]

Jesus said nothing about abortion

Let the little children come unto me.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

That's disgusting

 

[Borachio]

Perhaps. But it's possible to interpret it two ways.

 

[Angst]

It's pretty surely not about abortion.

 

[BvBPL]

I doubt Jesus taught with liberal democracies in mind ....

Of course He did. He came for all nations and all people with a timeless message to be shared with all people.

 

[El_Machinae]

It's pretty surely not about abortion.

I'm pretty sure, too

 

[timtofly]

It is not uncommon for those that end up on death row to have delusions of grandeur.

Neither would it be common to prophecy that one is going to end up there.

 

[El_Machinae]

I think you might be unfamiliar with rap culture.

 

[timtofly]

I think you might be unfamiliar with rap culture.

There was a rap culture in Jesus' time?

 

[El_Machinae]

Was there !?! They thought it was awesome. There might be a translational issue.

rap culture

rap culture
rap ture

rapture


They loved rap culture.

 

[timtofly]

Was there !?! They thought it was awesome. There might be a translational issue.

rap culture

rap culture
rap ture

rapture


They loved rap culture.

tort ture!

 

[Borachio]

Ma ture!

 

[Angst]

I'm pretty sure, too

Oh. Right. Internet hid the supercool humor thing from me.

 

[Nick Carpathia]

That depends on the kind of vaccine actually. Vaccination can have either positive or negative externalities. There are still some vaccines that use a live (usually attenuated) version of the virus. These usually protect the person getting the vaccine from suffering its symptoms, but can also make him a carrier. If you spend time around those who have been given a live vaccination and have not been vaccinated yourself, then your chance of getting the disease may go up instead of down.

Any negative externalities from spreading around a crippled pathogen is more than balanced out by the positive externality of blocking the spread of a more virulent strain.

 

[classical_hero]

Jesus said nothing about abortion

He never said anything about rape either. Argument from silence is a terrible thing to do.

 

[JollyRoger]

Argument from silence is a terrible thing to do.

Tell that to your buddies in this thread.

 

[Crezth]

He never said anything about rape either. Argument from silence is a terrible thing to do.

He also said nothing about purple flying elephants. Must we conclude the obvious - that he intended us to genetically engineer purple flying elephants and pit them against each other in mortal combat?

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

He said something about rich people as well. But he so didn't mean that!