Faith

‘Love & Justice’: Faith Leaders Come Out Against Fed Budget Cuts to Programs for the Poor

A portion of America‘s religious community is preparing to delve deeply into the nation’s federal deficit and debt debate. These individuals, who are using faith as the basis of their activism, are holding prayer vigils, contacting politicians and launching letter campaigns, are seeking to protect programs that assist America’s poor.

The “Faithful Budget Campaign,” a national coalition that is led by 25 Protestant, Catholic, Jewish and Muslim organizations, is seeking to have great influence in the nation’s ongoing fiscal discussion. On the group’s web site, they explain the reason for their involvement in such intense political issues:

These cuts could impact every federal program under the sun: Social Security, Medicare, nutrition assistance programs, prenatal and infant care, foreign aid, the military, taxes and more. These cuts would be coming at a time when the U.S. poverty rate is at a 45-year high and one in eight people live in poverty.

The campaign essentially seeks to target the 12 Congressional members — the six Democrats and six Republicans — who have been tasked with helping prevent the U.S. from falling off of a financial cliff. This “Super Committee” will be working toward an agreement to cut $1.2 trillion from the nation’s budget by November 23. Newsy has more about the committee:

These recommendations are especially important, as they will serve as a “make or break” in the ongoing partisan gridlock that characterizes the nation’s fiscal debate. The Super Committee will see its inevitable recommendations face votes in both the House and the Senate before the close of 2011.

If there is further deadlock or a defeat of their proposals, as Religion News Service reports, “$1.2 trillion in immediate, across-the-board spending cuts” will be implemented. For this reason, these faith leaders are hoping that an agreement will be met — one that is preferably favorable to their social justice goals.

Earlier today, Fox News analyzed the committee’s goals:

In a letter to the committee last month, the coalition wrote the following:

As heads of U.S.-based religious institutions and faith-based organizations we write to urge that implementation of the debt ceiling agreement not cause further hardship to vulnerable and impoverished individuals and families. Called to love and justice, we must reaffirm as a nation hallowed bonds of mutual concern to ensure that our struggling sisters and brothers receive the assistance they desperately need…

The multi-faith coalition would like to see cuts to the poor kept out of any final agreements that are made regarding federal budget cuts. This call also extends to foreign aid, as signatories believe that it’s essential that America help to save lives abroad, while “…helping build a more stable and secure world for all people.”

Faith leaders have launched prayer vigils and have even begun targeting the home districts of the 12 government officials who take a lead role in deciding the nation’s fiscal fate. On November 13, the group will hold a “Super Vigil” outside of the White House, with other events happening at the same time across the nation.

Randy Block, the director of the Michigan Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Network, says, “We have to make our faces visible, not just to represent our faith, but also to let elected officials know that people of conscience are paying attention to these issues.”

With some experts saying that it will be essential to cut into entitlements and with the ongoing partisan bickering coloring the conversation, one wonders if these faith leaders will be able to see their wishes realized.

Back in July, some of the leaders associated with the movement were arrested at the U.S. Capitol building when they refused to leave the rotunda (they were praying there for 90 minutes despite being asked to leave).

The group was protesting against Republican views on the federal budget. Watch the arrests, below:

Interestingly, among those arrested was Rev. Michael Livingston, the head of the leftist National Council of Churches and Rev. Jennifer Butler, the executive director of Faith in Public Life (we have profiled the far-left views of both of these groups in the past).

A complete list of resources and information about the campaign can be found here.

(H/T: RNS via Huffington Post)

Comments (139)

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  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:41pm

    If the churches such as these would get off their socialist duffs and do as the bible teaches; living and doing what they are preaching, then we could make a major difference in the homeless and poor here in the nation.

    Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • wbalzley
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:52pm

      I don’t wish to be rude, but I get tired of hearing such general statements. Get off their “socialist duffs” and do WHAT? Using what resources?

      Report Post »  
    • Marci
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:55pm

      If they were true churches, they know that they are to be charitable, not expect the government to be. Growing up, the churches I went to always had a pantry, housing, etc. for this.

      Report Post » Marci  
    • Locked
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 4:05pm

      The issue is that churches and local charities are not enough to cover the needs of the homeless, poor, and those below the poverty line. Without a doubt they help; but they are not sufficient to help everyone. The government helps more people, but they also help those who don’t need help.

      However, I feel we‘re getting to the point where even the government can’t afford to help as much. It isn’t socialism or fascism; it’s reality. With the money the government has (or rather, the debts it is starting to pile up), everything needs to be cut back. The unfortunate result is that some people who are barely making it as is will lose out.

      I hope the churches step up to fill this gap, but attendance and tithing are down almost across the board. It‘s unrealistic to think that it’ll change; perhaps the only option is to pray for a miracle to sustain these poor souls until the economy improves and they can live without government assistance.

      Report Post »  
    • ltoney65
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 4:13pm

      I’m a Christian and according to the teachings of Christ, it’s up to the Churches to tale care of the poor, not the government. After all, who took care of them when there was no such thing as welfare or entitlement programs. There is nothing in the Bible that says take from those who have and give it to those who don’t. What it does say is don;t give them a fish but teach them how to fish so they can feed themselves Which is exactly what this country was founded on. So put that in your pipe and smoke it!!!!!

      Report Post »  
    • Lloyd Drako
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 4:15pm

      “If the churches such as these would get off their socialist duffs and do as the bible teaches; living and doing what they are preaching, etc.”

      Do you know for certain that they do not live and do what they preach? I did not realize it was either/or, as between faith-motivated charity and calling on the government to do more.

      Report Post » Lloyd Drako  
    • Therightsofbilly
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 4:24pm

      @LOCKED

      Tithing is down because government takes too much.

      It is all by design.

      Report Post » Therightsofbilly  
    • wbalzley
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 4:35pm

      @Locked: Actually the Law of Moses made many provisions for the poor. A portion of all the farmers fields were set aside for the poor, and all gleanings (second gatherings) were to be given to the poor.

      In addition, every person was to be given a plot of land for an inheritance. This land could be rented, but never sold, and could be used as the individual saw fit.

      Also, lenders were not allowed to charge compound interest (usury) to their fellow Israelites, although they were permitted to charge interest of their ENEMIES. Every seven years all debts were to be expunged.

      Finally you had alms….

      Report Post »  
    • Locked
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 4:41pm

      @Billy

      I‘d argue it’s because the economy is down; multiple studies show that tithing is related to economic prosperity, but prosperity’s connection with the tax rate is tenuous. When people have more, they give more; but they have much more with a good economy than with a slightly lower tax rate.

      Of course, the economy is indicative of the failure of present administration to adequately address fiscal issues facing the country, so in the end the government does bear a good amount of responsibility.

      Report Post »  
    • Locked
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 4:47pm

      @WBALZLEY

      Oh, there is most definitely a good case to be made that churches and temples should help the needy, and they do. I‘m saying that it’s not enough to cover nearly as many people as the government reaches. If it were, those following the Bible would have made sure that no one starves. Yet even today we have starvation in our country (and even before we had the concept of social welfare, people would starve).

      This means one of two things: either Christians are not following the idea of providing for the needy found in the Bible, or the number of people in desperate need of help exceeds the amount that churches can provide. I believe the issue is the second; Matthew 26:11 states that we’ll always have the poor among us, even with Jesus’s teaching, and I think this means Jesus knew the faithful alone cannot support the mortal needs of mankind. Government makes up the difference, but now we don’t have the money for it with all the other spending we have. Everything needs to be cut back.

      As said, sometimes you need to make decisions that are tough for one segment of society unless you want all of it to fail.

      Report Post »  
    • kmichaels
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 4:55pm

      [wbalzley
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:52pm
      I don’t wish to be rude, but I get tired of hearing such general statements. Get off their “socialist duffs” and do WHAT? Using what resources?]

      Using their own liberal/socialist/celebrity monies. Is that too hard for you to understand? You liberals claim you want to help the poor more. Well, send them some of your own money. Collectively you can come up with billions of dollars. So, start dishing it out so that we can see you are more than hot air.

      Report Post »  
    • kmichaels
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 4:57pm

      [Locked
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 4:05pm
      The issue is that churches and local charities are not enough to cover the needs of the homeless, poor, and those below the poverty line.]

      Pure fresh Bullcrap. There is plenty of local charities to help the actual poor. The problem is that the way liberals “help” the poor is to teach them incorrect principals and “help” them to be poor forever.

      Report Post »  
    • kmichaels
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 4:59pm

      [wbalzley
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 4:35pm
      @Locked: Actually the Law of Moses made many provisions for the poor. A portion of all the farmers fields were set aside for the poor, and all gleanings (second gatherings) were to be given to the poor.]

      Today’s government sponsored poor would be too putout to go and pick their own food. That requires actual work.

      Report Post »  
    • kmichaels
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 5:07pm

      Jim Jones was a social justice liberal “preacher”. Whatever happened to him and his followers?

      Report Post »  
    • V-MAN MACE
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 5:10pm

      CUT AID TO THE POOR!!!

      Don’t the Federal Reserve and the IRS out of our government. It’s NOT a cancerous TUMOR!!

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ImWOuB7YNk

      [sarc]

      Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
    • I-HATE-THE-WORD-DISENFRANCHISE
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 5:11pm

      When discussing solving the debt crisis without addressing the fraud in social security, medicaid, medicare is kinda pointless. The answer is either do away with all entitlements or offer a reward for video proof of someone whom is faking their disability. If proven, the informant receives in one lump sum what the faker would receive in a year. If your proven to be fake than you will be banned from s.s. or any benefit until you reach retirement age and after all collected benefits have been paid back. This is a coast to coast problem rural or city.

      Report Post »  
    • Locked
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 6:20pm

      @Kmichaels

      “The issue is that churches and local charities are not enough to cover the needs of the homeless, poor, and those below the poverty line.]

      Pure fresh Bullcrap. There is plenty of local charities to help the actual poor. ”

      Then between the churches and the government, no one in the US has starved, been malnourished, lacked housing, or clothing, right? And in countries without a social support system but a large Christian community, these conditions do not exist at all?

      Try to read before responding; it is not -enough-. I never said churches don’t help; I said the exact opposite, in fact. Or maybe a person without a home, wearing rags, but who gets a cup of soup a day from a charity isn’t poor enough to be “actual poor” in your words?

      Report Post »  
    • wbedding
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 6:32pm

      i equate these so-called “religious” groups to ACORN…looking for a government hand out to fluff their personal bank accounts. if they were true “religious” organizations, they would help first and not expect anything in return. social justice = redistribution of wealth = socialism.

      Report Post » wbedding  
    • pavepaws
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 8:38pm

      Let them step up to the plate.

      Report Post »  
    • Amos37
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 10:36pm

      Did anyone else notice how all these “Christian” churches were working with muslims? What God are they following, definitely not YHWH from the Bible that both the Jews and Christians are supposed to be following. False religion looking for the false government to do their part…hmmm…kind of sounds like the two beasts from revelation. Does anyone else notice this is going exactly the way God told us it would go? How many homeschoolers are out there doing their job of studying EVERY day? Jesus, come quickly!

      Report Post »  
    • 4truth2all
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 11:17pm

      Yo Locked:
      Not to take issue…in your post 10/27 @4:47pm you mention Jesus statement of the poor always being with us and the faithful not being able to completely manage that need. I would agree with this but go a step further. Jesus knew the world / people as a whole would reject Him and His ways and that is why the poor remain. If the world lived as His followers did in Acts, ALL needs would be met. Reject Christ, and you reject His ways. That is why myself and others would like to see this nation turn back to God more than it ever was. You wanna fix our problems…..that’s how you do it… but people don’t want Christ, so we get what we got.

      Report Post »  
    • jb.kibs
      Posted on October 28, 2011 at 12:05am

      The well meaning, when it comes to creating laws, are just as dangerous as tyrants.

      Report Post »  
    • obfuscatenot
      Posted on October 28, 2011 at 8:15am

      Those of us who tithe and then some are humbled by the greatness a few dollars can do. Sadly, through the government the desired results are not there. These are not true believers. I’d love to give MORE to local charities, but can’t because most of our money goes to the State.

      Report Post »  
    • G.W. Dobbs
      Posted on October 28, 2011 at 8:35am

      Yes, Sir, “We” (Christians) need to emphasize doing our duties under God and get the Government OUT of our lives. These “men of Religion” do NOT undrstand that they are pawns being manipulated in this game of life. Welfare is a duty of the CHURCH, not of the STATE. God sees to our needs when we are obedient to His Word.

      Report Post »  
    • Leader1776
      Posted on October 28, 2011 at 1:35pm

      @Locked
      Sorry, but it is socialism. What do you call paying a huge percentage of the populous to sit on their posteriors, supply forty separate social programs to supply goods and services to the poor, allow [welcome] illegals to do work Americans won’t do, supply mortgages to people that can’t afford them, place regulations and restrictions on job creation. This is all redistribution. Yes, there is crony capitalism, but that is a small part of the problem.

      Remember, we‘ve had a war on poverty since the 60’s. Supposedly there is more poverty than ever (although that definition has shifted) and this is after multiple trillions of redistributed tax dollars spent on that failed leftest program. That is most definitely socialism, clear and simple.

      Report Post » Leader1776  
    • JBN71544
      Posted on October 28, 2011 at 3:49pm

      You are right, the churches get weekly contributions to help the poor but most churches now are more interested in giving the pastor a high salary, fancy house, cars, and building bigger buildings…………..when they should be helping the needy……….I know churches that when the needy come around needing help they refer them to a govt. agency. they get tax excepmptions to fulfill this kind of work and not just to keep the pastor in luxury and build big buildings and take the money to raise more money. they surely have fallen short with not fulfilling their Biblical responsibility

      Report Post »  
    • dnewton
      Posted on October 28, 2011 at 6:52pm

      It is getting hard to pay the note and keep the utilities on in some churches. The poor have to get in line behind the bankers and the electric company.

      Report Post »  
  • hi
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:40pm

    Unitarians are more like political action groups and organizers rather than a church. However , there are real Christians who believe the government should take care of the poor. They fail to realize that rewarding. Ad behavior just produces more bad behavior. For example a young girl on welfare will intentionally get pregnant in order to get free housing , monthly payment and medicaid.. They do not marry the father of their child. Then this goes on for generations. They are slaves of the paultry government handouts and this goes on for generations. There is no hope and no dreams for these folks.

    Report Post » hi  
    • wbalzley
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:55pm

      And what system do you propose to replace the current system of welfare? How would you care for the poor? What is YOUR solution?

      Report Post »  
    • kmichaels
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 5:02pm

      [wbalzley
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:55pm
      And what system do you propose to replace the current system of welfare? How would you care for the poor? What is YOUR solution?]

      Have those capable of work work for their own living. This eliminates 95% of the poor right off the top. The rest can be handled by private charities. Any questions?

      Report Post »  
    • 4truth2all
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 11:24pm

      Unitarian Univeralist Social Justice Network
      my money ain’t going there….

      Report Post »  
  • Timothy_Reid
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:35pm

    It’s the job of the church (regardless of the denomination) to take care of the poor and downtrodden. It is not and should not be the governments job. The line between charity and socialism (wealth redistribution) is in whether you give of your own free will or whether you are forced to supply funds. If these groups really want to help out they would increase the charitable contributions. Or better yet get together to figure out how to help people with an interfaith fund pooled from all sects and help out individual communities regardless of faith or lack thereof.

    Report Post »  
    • wbalzley
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 4:00pm

      Do you believe that churches are better equipped to handle welfare? Why? Do they have access to more funds? Can they provide better care? What makes a church better than the government?

      Report Post »  
    • SHvnDave
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 4:41pm

      Blazley

      The closer the fix is to the problem, the better it will solve the actual problem and lower the cost. Millions are wasted on people that would try to get “handouts”. For the Govt to stop all fraud would spend more to admin any program than it would deliver for services. The local church is much better positioned in the community to know who really has need and who is gaming the system. The church can administer both the command to “Feed my Sheep” and the directive that “if a man will not work, let him not eat.” If Federal spending is reduced, the giving to church-like organizations will increase at twice the tax reduction rate – so, the money will be there.

      Christians that promote Federal and State spending on the poor are doing so to deflect their personal responsibility to take care of ALL our brothers and sisters. It is so easy when you can simply vote to take another man’s money and use it to pay for a responsibility that God Gave to us. The Bible tells us that it is better to give than to receive – this means that you are giving up a real blessing (by giving to the poor) and replacing it with a real curse (taking money from others for your use).

      The charge against the Church at Laodicea was “You say, ‘I am rich. I have become wealthy. I don’t need anything.‘ Yet you don’t realize that you are miserable, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.”

      Report Post » SHvnDave  
    • kmichaels
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 5:06pm

      [wbalzley
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 4:00pm
      Do you believe that churches are better equipped to handle welfare? Why?]

      Because churches live where the people are. One on one help, given to those that one can see with their own eyes that they actually need the help. Why would anyone with brains think that the government is better equipped? Especially when so many liberal leaders are demonstrably more interested in helping their careers than actually helping the poor.

      LBJ, example of real liberal motivation, said that the democrats had to give blacks something. Then he added, “not enough to make a difference, just enough to keep them quiet.“ In other words just enough ”help” to buy their votes.

      Here is a test. Are blacks better off today having voted mostly democrats for the last 60 years? Easy answer is NO, NO, NO. They are worse off than any other group in America.

      Report Post »  
    • Timothy_Reid
      Posted on October 28, 2011 at 1:14pm

      @blazely my apologies for not responding sooner. However the two responses that are not mine make very good points. I would like to add to those points by reiterating that if it is left to the churches REAL charity is happening. Which means honest care for others instead of the current systems in place where everyone complains about what is taken from them and tries to reduce it as much as possible, the government revenues by setting up the admin for it drawing more money into their coffers and taking from those in need, and worst of all using those in need as political pawns in their little chess game. When people give of their own free will all parties benefit. There will always be those who take advantage of any help that is offered, and it is for our creator to judge them not us. It is for us to be of service to them.

      That being said I will repeat, forced charity is no charity at all.

      Report Post »  
  • Locked
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:35pm

    Sorry, the budget needs to be cut. I agree it‘s unfortunate that people won’t be able to receive as much, especially when they need it, but sometimes you need to cut off a foot to get out of the bear trap. I hope other programs that aren’t necessary for survival are cut first, but everyone needs to tighten their belts.

    Fiscal conservatism is needed for the country to survive. It‘s just unfortunate that people who really don’t have any other options may die because of it. I hope their communities can help them.

    Report Post »  
    • Therightsofbilly
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 6:54pm

      For a very brief moment there, I thought maybe, just maybe you coming down off that fence of yours.

      But I was wrong.

      Report Post » Therightsofbilly  
  • Eliasim
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:33pm

    People are so retarded.

    Report Post »  
    • kmichaels
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 5:11pm

      Whereas you seem to be the most retarded in any room you enter.

      Report Post »  
  • RabbiDRJerkins
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:33pm

    I will never be able to understand how people who claim to be of the Lord would advocate a violation of his Word because it is “for a good cause”. The Muslims makes sense, their entire ideology is about abuse and fear so welfare is right up their alley, but those of the Judeo-Christian faiths should know better.
    Theft is theft, even if you give it to the poor. The government produces nothing, and has nothing that it did not take away from the one(s) who labored for it. It is not government’s money or assistance to give. The followers of the Lord can not relieve themselves of their responsibility to help those in need simply by passing the buck and expecting someone else (like government) to do it.
    May the Lord forgive them for their foolishness.

    Report Post » RabbiDRJerkins  
    • wbalzley
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:48pm

      The government produces nothing? The government our founding fathers gave us was intended to control the “Issuing power” or in other words the ability to print money. Every dollar you have ever received has been produced by the government (through the FED).

      Second, that money has been used to create new technology. Computers, Satellite Communications, GPS, Cellular Phones, even the INTERNET were developed using government money.

      Contrary to popular belief, printing money is not always a bad thing, so long as the money is invested in NEW Manufacturing Capacity. I recommend studying MACRO-Economics. Remember: MV=PQ

      M = Amount of Money
      V = How fast it gets spent
      P = Prices (inflation)
      Q = Quantity of Goods / Services (JOBS)

      Report Post »  
    • kmichaels
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 5:23pm

      [wbalzley
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:48pm
      The government produces nothing?]

      Hate to break it to you mr deluded, but even the government printing money does so by spending taxpayer dollars to get it printed.

      Report Post »  
  • elosogrande
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:28pm

    We might want to know where the billions of tax-free dollars collected by faith-based organizations and other non-profits really go. A substantial amount leaves the country, untaxed, to spread the word in foreign countries. This is perfectly okay with me, but I don’t think these folks should have a say as to how our tax money is spent, because…THEY DON’T PAY TAXES!

    I wonder how much money would flow into the treasury, if all “non-profits” were subject to the same tax structure as the rest of us. Whether it’s the Catholic Church or Acorn, tell me why all of these 501c3 organizations should be tax exempt.

    If you could check the books for many of these organizations, you might find that they pay fairly spectacular bonuses at the end of the year to help burn up that filthy excess cash lying around.

    Report Post »  
    • garyM
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:36pm

      There are many true churches out there preaching the Gospel and teaching what the Bible says but no near enough of them. There are impostures like these who are supporting the protest who don’t have a clue who God is or what He says. A real church of Jesus Christ would not support a protest that had real substance.

      Report Post »  
    • kmichaels
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 5:25pm

      [osogrande
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:28pm
      We might want to know where the billions of tax-free dollars collected by faith-based organizations and other non-profits really go. A substantial amount leaves the country, untaxed, to spread the word in foreign countries. This is perfectly okay with me, but I don’t think these folks should have a say as to how our tax money is spent, because…THEY DON’T PAY TAXES!]

      What is the product that they are producing that they should pay taxes on? Private donations support churches, and guess what moron, all of the donors are TAXED enough already. So go away you self deluded fool.

      Report Post »  
  • garyM
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:26pm

    These so-called faith leaders are modern day Pharisees!

    Report Post »  
  • joe1234
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:24pm

    these ‘faith’ groups have faith in the government.

    these programs the faithless groups have faith in DON’T WORK…they keep people dependent and in poverty…which is the point of those programs…create more reliable democrat voters….

    these people are evil and vile…wanting to turn the whole country into detroit.

    Report Post » joe1234  
  • garyM
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:24pm

    Seems like I remember a religious group called the Pharisees telling Pilot when he asked them if Jesus was their KING, there reply was: : WE HAVE NO KING BUT CEASAR, CRUCIFY HIM!
    Does this sound familar? Where was the Pharisee’s faith, in government right!

    Report Post »  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:32pm

      A fine point you have made. I agree.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • vennoye
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:42pm

      You are totally right…….but the Pharisees are only symbolic of ALL religious systems. All religious systems are made by man. When so many religious systems are all depending on man (government) instead of GOD, our religious systems have big problems!

      Report Post » vennoye  
    • momprayn
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:47pm

      People never change.

      Report Post »  
  • Arc
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:24pm

    All this new religious congrgation will need to do is establish what lobbyist are associated with the Golden 12 and go after them.

    Most congregations I’ve been associated with would rely on the benevolence and charity of its members and keep politics out of it.

    Report Post » Arc  
    • Eliasim
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:26pm

      The thing about handouts is that the more handouts you give the more the receivers become slothful, and have even more babies that grow up to be slothful that need more handouts that lets them have babies, and on and on. You people are the problem.

      Report Post »  
  • Lantern
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:22pm

    “one that is preferably favorable to their social justice goals”
    ———————————————————————
    More of this “Social Justice” crap. What‘s the justice in giving tax money to people who won’t work, take drugs, have babies only because it increases the amount of money they get, etc?
    Social justice is another word for socialism, even the playing field, take from the rich, give to the poor, workers of the world unite.

    Report Post » Lantern  
  • Abraham Young
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:22pm

    Welfare only works when there is INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY. The collectivist mindset of the social justice do-gooders is a load of HOOEY. They want to use other people’s wealth rather than create it. Wealth is created by individual responsibility. It is destroyed by theft, coercion, and government confiscation. Collectivists go home and learn economics and learn how to CREATE and GENERATE wealth, not STEAL it.

    Report Post »  
    • wbalzley
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 4:54pm

      Socrates moment: What is wealth? Where does it come from? How is it created?

      Report Post »  
    • kmichaels
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 5:30pm

      [wbalzley
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 4:54pm
      Socrates moment: What is wealth? Where does it come from? How is it created?]

      It is never created by governments is the simplist answer. However certain fools wish that the government had more control of other people’s wealth. You for one. You seem gung ho to confiscate wealth from the people and let the government decide how to best spend it.

      Which makes you sort of a nitwit, to say the least. How is that for a Socrates moment?

      Report Post »  
  • garyM
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:19pm

    Just in whom do these so-called faith leaders have faith in? The government! Have they made for themselves false Gods, have they caused the people to look to the government for their needs instead of a Holy God?

    Report Post »  
    • Abraham Young
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:26pm

      Let’s be REALLY honest and admit that the occupiers are thinly veiled Marxist shills who are not above using threats violence and intimidation. They seek to justify their actions based on the supposed misdeeds of other people. THERE IS NO JUSTIFICATION for this adolescent misbehavior. If you want CHANGE, CHANGE YOURSELF into a person with character, who can generate and create wealth and amass it , rather than a leftist shill who wants to use government force to steal the wealth.

      Read Animal Farm, occupiers, and see if you don’t see yourselves in it.

      Report Post »  
    • wbalzley
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 4:27pm

      @AbrahamYoung: And what would you call the banks that threatened anarchy and martial law unless they received $700 billion in bailouts?

      Report Post »  
    • kmichaels
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 5:42pm

      [wbalzley
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 4:27pm
      @AbrahamYoung: And what would you call the banks that threatened anarchy and martial law unless they received $700 billion in bailouts?]

      Obama’s and democrats dearest of friends. Ask Barney Franks what he thinks of bankers.

      Report Post »  
  • Therightsofbilly
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:19pm

    3…….2……..1………

    (Mandatory small case)

    Report Post » Therightsofbilly  
  • Abraham Young
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:17pm

    I’m tired of social justice. I want individual justice. I don’t want collective salvation, I want my free will.

    I can care for my family and extended family and local community. When you get the federal Leviathan OFF THE BACKS or our local communities we can survive and thrive. It’s the FEDERAL LEVIATHAN which is crushing the poor, it is not the American public.

    Report Post »  
  • pscully17
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:17pm

    Stop the Government expansion!! More Money in my paycheck, equals More money I will be charitable with.. keeping the money locally for necesaary services. Please quit advocating the abuse of Taxation… for every 1000 dollars the Government collects, 5 Bucks gets returned to the communities… and I think my estimate is high… wouldnt it be better to CUT the Government programs, and unleash the power of generosity from the local communities? Historically, the charity dollars dwarf the money made available through government agencies… Cut Government Taxes, and I guarentee your local Charities will overflow!!!

    Report Post »  
    • wbalzley
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 4:43pm

      That depends on the government programs that get cut. Most of the money that the government spends goes to private companies that use it to pay wages and purchase raw material from other companies (that also pay wages). This money eventually makes its way around until it impacts every business in the economy.

      How much do you benefit from government spending?

      Report Post »  
    • kmichaels
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 5:40pm

      [wbalzley
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 4:43pm
      That depends on the government programs that get cut. Most of the money that the government spends goes to private companies that use it to pay wages and purchase raw material from other companies (that also pay wages).]

      There are two large expense areas in the government. One of the largest is welfare, which does not go to private companies. The other is defense, which does go to private companies. And it is this class of government spending that liberals hate the most.

      If idiot liberals had there way, the bulk of federal government would go towards sending checks to “the poor” in order to buy the votes.

      Report Post »  
  • GhostOfJefferson
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:16pm

    Notice the big push right now. I’m noticing it not just here, but on other sites where media matters type lurk to attack people. They’re trying to co-opt thing that “non-leftists” like or believe in, things such as religion, Jesus, soldiers, the bill of rights (well, they try anyway), etc. It’s rampant in most of the leftists posting on this board, and it’s very recent, and it matches perfectly the word coming down from the “masters” that we’re seeing in these kinds of news stories.

    Talk about orchestrated. Can you imagine belonging to an ideology where you gave up all pretense of individuality like this? And watch, as the new orders come down from The Party, their talking points will instantly change and focus precisely on the diktat of The Party. What a scary bunch of people.

    Report Post » GhostOfJefferson  
    • Abraham Young
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:23pm

      Hear hear, you are correct sir. Lemming hearted hordes is all they are. Greed motivates them as much as anything else, they think they can use government to steal taxpayer money.

      Report Post »  
    • Lantern
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:27pm

      It’s certainly weird to see people on the left, who claim to be free thinkers(atheists), saying they believe in God, but as soon as I hear the word “social justice”, I know who it is.
      My daughter, a freshman in college, just joined a bible-study group. I told her that if she hears the word “social justice” to run as fast and far away from them as she can.

      Report Post » Lantern  
    • netmail
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:29pm

      They are termites…We know a house can be saved if they’re exterminated in time. We also know what happens if they are not.

      Report Post »  
  • lukerw
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:16pm

    Salvation is based upon a Personal Relationship with GOD… where Christians believe that Christ will Testify for the individual, if the individual Testifies for Christ by doing Actions. No Government… No Church… required! If your action is to give to the poor, then give according your Ability! All else is BS!

    Report Post » lukerw  
  • marhee9
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:16pm

    The entitlement mentality is so out of control right now, it’s not even funny. Not only do they not want to cut spending, they want to expand free programs. In Connecticut, they want the government to give free diapers to the poor. If you‘re so poor that you can’t afford diapers for YOUR child, perhaps you shouldn’t have a child until such point as you can afford them. How much else do I need to do for those that refuse to take care of themselves? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlIS6gRq32Q

    Report Post »  
    • momprayn
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:53pm

      Yes – that also shows you how the “work ethic” has been destroyed in this country — ever heard of cloth diapers??? I know b/.c I used to have to use them b/c I couldn’t afford the “new” disposable ones. But that means more………..“work”. You have to launder them. Oh no!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
      Sickening.

      Report Post »  
    • wbalzley
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 4:45pm

      On the other hand, the time you spend washing dirty diapers might be better spent earning a paycheck, inventing the next ipod, or curing cancer…

      Report Post »  
    • kmichaels
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 5:45pm

      [wbalzley
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 4:45pm
      On the other hand, the time you spend washing dirty diapers might be better spent earning a paycheck, inventing the next ipod, or curing cancer…]

      Lots of wealthy people changed their own kids diapers. Diapers that they bought themselves. And unlike you liberal dopes, they still managed to invent things.

      Report Post »  
    • marhee9
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 5:46pm

      @momprayn – That was exactly the same reaction my wife had, you both couldn’t be more correct.

      Report Post »  
  • Abraham Young
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:15pm

    Yeah yeah yeah same old shenanigans use the poor as a shield for government tyranny. We have seen that tactic over and over. Let us give our own charitable contributions to whom we will. The poor will be better off. I want my money back from the government so I can distribute to the needy. That way I KNOW problems will get solved.

    Report Post »  
  • netmail
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:14pm

    Because capitalism is failing largely due to government actions, there is NO MONEY for welfare and entitlement programs anymore. That’s a fact. Im all for setting up bulk food distribution centers for the truly needy, but all the frills and abuse of many of today’s programs?? Hell no….The kind of change we need is more economic growth thru renewed freedoms and more efficient use of entitlement and welfare funds in general. Simple isn’t it? Make it happen in 2013.

    Report Post »  
  • pjmarshake
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:12pm

    As faith based leaders, they should be asking what the church and communities can do, not looking to the government to provide programs.

    Report Post » pjmarshake  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:18pm

      Well you see, all these “devout” religious leaders are working for programs that are funded by government dollars to help the poor etc. If you cut the goverment program they will not get a paycheck. They live off the taxpayer. Not all that different from the way ACORN worked.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • Therightsofbilly
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:23pm

      Gonzo has it right.

      Report Post » Therightsofbilly  
    • pjmarshake
      Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:47pm

      GONZO,

      Unfortunately, you are correct but that tells me that they are not truely based with a faith in God.

      Report Post » pjmarshake  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:10pm

    The “Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Network”? Now that doesn’t sound leftist at all…just doing god’s work. Modern day money changers in the temple…get the whip.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
  • pap pap
    Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:08pm

    Why does everybody think that restructuring entitlements is the same thing as cutting entitlements ?

    Ain’t necessarily so.

    Report Post »  
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