The Religious Wrong
The Street Prophets tell it like it is:
The Religious Right Abandons the Poor
The Religious Right - a demographic so closely associated with the Republican Party that it is difficult to tell the difference between the two- marked the close of 2005 by completely abandoning the poor by either endorsing the president's budget (a budget that cuts services for the "least of these") or by offering their tantamount support by staying silent as Republican leaders slashed funding for anti-poverty programs.
[snip]
Tim Wildmon, president of the Mississippi-based American Family Association, has been pressuring retailers to make more explicit references to Christmas, and said his 3 million members aren't galvanized by issues like federal spending policy. "The gospel message is about individuals helping individuals," said the son of AFA founder Donald Wildmon. "I don't see it in the Bible where it's the government's responsibility to take care of everyone." Besides, he said, "the budget bores people."
Uh, Tim—you might want to bone up on your Bible (and this is just a sampler)…
(Isa 10:1) Those who enact unjust policies are as good as dead, those who are always instituting unfair regulations,
(Isa 10:2) to keep the poor from getting fair treatment, and to deprive the oppressed among my people of justice, so they can steal what widows own, and loot what belongs to orphans.
(Pro 14:31) The one who oppresses the poor insults his Creator, but whoever shows favor to the needy honors him.
(Pro 21:13) The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and will not be answered.
(Pro 22:16) The one who oppresses the poor to gain his own increase and the one who gives to the rich — both end up only in poverty.
(Pro 22:22) Do not exploit a poor person because he is poor and do not crush the needy in court,
(Pro 29:7) The righteous person cares for the legal rights of the poor; the wicked does not understand such knowledge.
(Pro 29:14) If a king judges the poor in truth, his throne will be established forever.
(Pro 31:9) Open your mouth [King Lemuel], judge in righteousness, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
(Exo 23:6) You must not turn away justice for your poor in their lawsuits.
(Psa 72:4) He will defend the oppressed among the people; he will deliver the children of the poor and crush the oppressor.
(Psa 82:3) Defend the cause of the poor and the fatherless! Vindicate the oppressed and suffering!
(Psa 82:4) Rescue the poor and needy! Deliver them from the power of the wicked!
(Psa 140:12) I know that the Lord defends the cause of the oppressed and vindicates the poor.
(Pro 22:22) Do not exploit a poor person because he is poor and do not crush the needy in court,
(Pro 29:7) The righteous person cares for the legal rights of the poor; the wicked does not understand such knowledge.
(Pro 29:14) If a king judges the poor in truth, his throne will be established forever.
(Jer 5:28) That is how they have grown fat and sleek. There is no limit to the evil things they do. They do not plead the cause of the fatherless in such a way as to win it. They do not defend the rights of the poor.
(Jer 22:16) He upheld the cause of the poor and needy. So things went well for Judah.' The Lord says, 'That is a good example of what it means to know me.'
(Eze 16:49) " 'This was the sin of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters were proud, had abundance of food, and enjoyed carefree ease, but they did not help the poor and needy.
(Dan 4:27) Therefore, O king, may my advice be pleasing to you. Break away from your sins by doing what is right, and from your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps your prosperity will be prolonged."
(Amo 2:7) They trample on the dirt-covered heads of the poor; they push the destitute away. A man and his father go to the same girl; in this way they show disrespect for my moral purity.
(Amo 4:1) Listen to this message, you "cows of Bashan" who live on Mount Samaria! You oppress the poor; you crush the needy. You say to your husbands, "Bring us more to drink!"
(Amo 5:11) Therefore, because you make the poor pay taxes on their crops and exact a grain tax from them, you will not live in the houses you built with chiseled stone, nor will you drink the wine from the fine vineyards you planted.
(Zec 7:10) You must not oppress the widow, the orphan, the foreigner, or the poor, nor should anyone secretly plot evil against his fellow human being.'
(Mat 19:21) Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be perfect, go sell your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
(Jam 2:2) For if someone comes into your assembly wearing a gold ring and fine clothing, and a poor person enters in filthy clothes,
(Jam 2:3) do you pay attention to the one who is finely dressed and say, "You sit here in a good place," and to the poor person, "You stand over there," or "Sit on the floor"?
(Jam 2:5) Listen, my dear brothers and sisters! Did not God choose the poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he promised to those who love him?
(Jam 2:6) But you have dishonored the poor! Are not the rich oppressing you and dragging you into the courts?
