sergeriver
Cowboy from Hell
+1,928|7182|Argentina
Broadly speaking, liberalism emphasizes individual rights. It seeks a society characterized by freedom of thought for individuals, limitations on power (especially of government and religion), the rule of law, the free exchange of ideas, a market economy that supports free private enterprise, and a transparent system of government in which the rights of all citizens are protected.

A politician is an individual who is a formally recognized and active member of a government, or a person who influences the way a society is governed through an understanding of political power and group dynamics.

After watching a lot of documentaries about Jesus, there is enough evidence to say Jesus did exist and there is no evidence at all he was the son of God.  But there is a lot of evidence that Jesus was a liberal "politician", at least you can think that reading his sayings.  You can say he was a politician because, although he wasn't part of a government, he had great influence over people and he had great understanding of politics.
Let's take a look at some quotes of Jesus, according of course to The New Testament:

Peacemaking, not War Making: Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. [Matthew 5:9]  Resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. [Matthew 5:39]  I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despite-fully use you, and persecute you.[Matthew 5:44]

The Death Penalty: Thou shalt not kill [Matthew 5:21]

Crime and Punishment: If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to cast a stone at her.[John 8:7]  Do not judge, lest you too be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. [Matthew 7:1 & 2.]   

Justice: Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.[Matthew 5:6] Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy [Matthew 5:7]  But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.  [Matthew 6:15]

Corporate Greed and the Religion of Wealth: In the temple courts [Jesus] found men selling cattle, sheep and doves and other sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. [John 2:14 & 15.] Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. [Luke 12.15.]  Truly, I say unto you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. [Matthew 19:23] You cannot serve both God and Money. [Matthew 6:24.]

Paying Taxes & Separation of Church & State: Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.  [Matthew 22:21] 

Community:  Love your neighbor as yourself. .[Matthew 22:39]  So in everything, do to others as you would have them do to you.[Matthew 7:12.]  If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. [Matthew 19:21] 

Equality & Social Programs: But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. You will be repaid at the resurrection of the just. [Luke 14:13 &14.]

Public Prayer & Displays of Faith: And when thou pray, thou shall not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.  But thou, when thou pray, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret… [Matthew 6:6 & 7]

Strict Enforcement of Religious Laws: If any of you has a son or a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out?  [Matthew 12:11] The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. [Mark 2:27.]

Individuality & Personal Spiritual Experience: Ye are the light of the world. [Matthew 5:14]

Was Jesus the First Liberal Politician?
CameronPoe
Member
+2,925|6980
You know something: I think he was a socialist.

Community:  Love your neighbor as yourself. .[Matthew 22:39]  So in everything, do to others as you would have them do to you.[Matthew 7:12.]  If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. [Matthew 19:21]

Equality & Social Programs: But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. You will be repaid at the resurrection of the just. [Luke 14:13 &14.]

Last edited by CameronPoe (2007-01-10 16:44:20)

usmarine2007
Banned
+374|6792|Columbus, Ohio
Yes.  Friggin hippie always wore sandals.
sergeriver
Cowboy from Hell
+1,928|7182|Argentina

CameronPoe wrote:

You know something: I think he was a socialist.

Community:  Love your neighbor as yourself. .[Matthew 22:39]  So in everything, do to others as you would have them do to you.[Matthew 7:12.]  If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. [Matthew 19:21]

Equality & Social Programs: But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. You will be repaid at the resurrection of the just. [Luke 14:13 &14.]
You could say he was a socialist indeed.
Turquoise
O Canada
+1,596|6830|North Carolina
Jesus probably was a socialist.  His values do seem more liberal than conservative.  Granted, Christianity borrows a lot from other religions of the era.  Mithraism is remarkably similar in certain regards.
EVieira
Member
+105|6903|Lutenblaag, Molvania
He had a great marketing team, thats for sure
"All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered;  the point is to discover them."
Galileo Galilei  (1564-1642)
unnamednewbie13
Moderator
+2,072|7197|PNW

Political labels are grossly misused. Many who call themselves 'liberal' are not liberal, by definition of the term. Many who call others 'liberal' do so incorrectly, by definition of the term. As with conservatives.

By that excerpt from Wikipedia, I support liberalism. However, I disagree with much of what 'liberal' politics, as is labeled in the US, has to offer.

Turquoise wrote:

His values do seem more liberal than conservative.
Like how he got all pissed off in that one temple where people were doing business...

Last edited by unnamednewbie13 (2007-01-10 16:55:54)

Turquoise
O Canada
+1,596|6830|North Carolina

unnamednewbie13 wrote:

Turquoise wrote:

His values do seem more liberal than conservative.
Like how he got all pissed off in that one temple where people were doing business...
LOL...  pretty much...

Obviously, I'm not Christian myself, but it is funny how so much of Christianity is commercial, yet Christ was very anti-materialistic.
sergeriver
Cowboy from Hell
+1,928|7182|Argentina

unnamednewbie13 wrote:

Political labels are grossly misused. Many who call themselves 'liberal' are not liberal, by definition of the term. Many who call others 'liberal' do so incorrectly, by definition of the term. As with conservatives.

Turquoise wrote:

His values do seem more liberal than conservative.
Like how he got all pissed off in that one temple where people were doing business...
According to the definition of the term, he seemed pretty liberal to me.
usmarine2007
Banned
+374|6792|Columbus, Ohio
He is not liberal.  That whole teach a man to fish thing is a prime example.  Liberals believe in welfare, JC did not.
CameronPoe
Member
+2,925|6980

usmarine2007 wrote:

He is not liberal.  That whole teach a man to fish thing is a prime example.  Liberals believe in welfare, JC did not.
If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. [Matthew 19:21]
Bertster7
Confused Pothead
+1,101|7007|SE London

lol, Socialist, Hippie - ah the sweet, sweet irony.

Turquoise wrote:

Jesus probably was a socialist.  His values do seem more liberal than conservative.  Granted, Christianity borrows a lot from other religions of the era.  Mithraism is remarkably similar in certain regards.
Mithraism certainly is similar (some might say exactly the same but with different names (and Mithras was born from a rock not a virgin birth - but the rest of the nativity is taken from there)). But only to more modern Christianity after the Romans gave it it's makeover. They liked to do that with religions. The links between Christianity and Mithraism make a lot of sense, since the biggest problem the typical Roman citizen had with Christians was their unwillingness to join the army and Mithraism was a religion embraced by soldiers. After Christianity was rebranded there were far fewer problems with Christians being unwilling to serve in the army.
sergeriver
Cowboy from Hell
+1,928|7182|Argentina

CameronPoe wrote:

usmarine2007 wrote:

He is not liberal.  That whole teach a man to fish thing is a prime example.  Liberals believe in welfare, JC did not.
If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. [Matthew 19:21]
He was a commie, lol.
Turquoise
O Canada
+1,596|6830|North Carolina

usmarine2007 wrote:

He is not liberal.  That whole teach a man to fish thing is a prime example.  Liberals believe in welfare, JC did not.
Good point...  Maybe he was a populist.  He seemed to accept people for their differences, but he wanted to curb behaviors he saw as immoral.  The whole "hate the sin, not the sinner" fits him best, as far as I can tell.  Populists also seem to share his mentality of thinking in terms of community, while still encouraging people to make something of their lives.
usmarine2007
Banned
+374|6792|Columbus, Ohio

CameronPoe wrote:

usmarine2007 wrote:

He is not liberal.  That whole teach a man to fish thing is a prime example.  Liberals believe in welfare, JC did not.
If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. [Matthew 19:21]
rofl
unnamednewbie13
Moderator
+2,072|7197|PNW

sergeriver wrote:

According to the definition of the term, he seemed pretty liberal to me.
Exactly. But liberal as to the definition, not to the common usage.

Turquoise wrote:

unnamednewbie13 wrote:

Turquoise wrote:

His values do seem more liberal than conservative.
Like how he got all pissed off in that one temple where people were doing business...
aLOL...  pretty much...

bObviously, I'm not Christian myself, but it is funny how so much of Christianity is commercial, yet Christ was very anti-materialistic.
aAnyone who has a Jesus Christ Superstar education in religion knows that he was upset that the place was being treated like a cheap bazaar.
bYes. Funny, that.

Last edited by unnamednewbie13 (2007-01-10 17:02:29)

Turquoise
O Canada
+1,596|6830|North Carolina

Bertster7 wrote:

lol, Socialist, Hippie - ah the sweet, sweet irony.

Turquoise wrote:

Jesus probably was a socialist.  His values do seem more liberal than conservative.  Granted, Christianity borrows a lot from other religions of the era.  Mithraism is remarkably similar in certain regards.
Mithraism certainly is similar (some might say exactly the same but with different names (and Mithras was born from a rock not a virgin birth - but the rest of the nativity is taken from there)). But only to more modern Christianity after the Romans gave it it's makeover. They liked to do that with religions. The links between Christianity and Mithraism make a lot of sense, since the biggest problem the typical Roman citizen had with Christians was their unwillingness to join the army and Mithraism was a religion embraced by soldiers. After Christianity was rebranded there were far fewer problems with Christians being unwilling to serve in the army.
I didn't know that army enlistment was a significant part of that conflict.  Thanks for the info... 
sergeriver
Cowboy from Hell
+1,928|7182|Argentina

Turquoise wrote:

Bertster7 wrote:

lol, Socialist, Hippie - ah the sweet, sweet irony.

Turquoise wrote:

Jesus probably was a socialist.  His values do seem more liberal than conservative.  Granted, Christianity borrows a lot from other religions of the era.  Mithraism is remarkably similar in certain regards.
Mithraism certainly is similar (some might say exactly the same but with different names (and Mithras was born from a rock not a virgin birth - but the rest of the nativity is taken from there)). But only to more modern Christianity after the Romans gave it it's makeover. They liked to do that with religions. The links between Christianity and Mithraism make a lot of sense, since the biggest problem the typical Roman citizen had with Christians was their unwillingness to join the army and Mithraism was a religion embraced by soldiers. After Christianity was rebranded there were far fewer problems with Christians being unwilling to serve in the army.
I didn't know that army enlistment was a significant part of that conflict.  Thanks for the info... 
You always learn something new from religious threads, that's what I love about 'em.
EVieira
Member
+105|6903|Lutenblaag, Molvania

Bertster7 wrote:

After Christianity was rebranded there were far fewer problems with Christians being unwilling to serve in the army.
What changed in Christianity to make enlisting christians easier? I had never heard of this...
"All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered;  the point is to discover them."
Galileo Galilei  (1564-1642)
Bertster7
Confused Pothead
+1,101|7007|SE London

Turquoise wrote:

Bertster7 wrote:

lol, Socialist, Hippie - ah the sweet, sweet irony.

Turquoise wrote:

Jesus probably was a socialist.  His values do seem more liberal than conservative.  Granted, Christianity borrows a lot from other religions of the era.  Mithraism is remarkably similar in certain regards.
Mithraism certainly is similar (some might say exactly the same but with different names (and Mithras was born from a rock not a virgin birth - but the rest of the nativity is taken from there)). But only to more modern Christianity after the Romans gave it it's makeover. They liked to do that with religions. The links between Christianity and Mithraism make a lot of sense, since the biggest problem the typical Roman citizen had with Christians was their unwillingness to join the army and Mithraism was a religion embraced by soldiers. After Christianity was rebranded there were far fewer problems with Christians being unwilling to serve in the army.
I didn't know that army enlistment was a significant part of that conflict.  Thanks for the info... 
Not conflict as such. The early Christians were persecuted by the Romans, not because they held different beliefs, but because of their (as the Romans viewed it) antisocial behaviour. Not serving in the army (which was quite central to Roman life, lots of Romans served seeing it as their civic duty) and not performing sacrifices to Gods were the main factors that caused these tensions.
Most who worshiped Mithras were soldiers and this merger of Christianity and Mithraism seems to have solved that problem.
Early Christianity had deeply pacifist roots, that all changed after the Romans decided to adopt it as their religion.
sergeriver
Cowboy from Hell
+1,928|7182|Argentina
Being Jesus a liberal, socialist, populist, why is that most of the atheists are from this wing, and most of the conservatives are religious people?
Bertster7
Confused Pothead
+1,101|7007|SE London

EVieira wrote:

Bertster7 wrote:

After Christianity was rebranded there were far fewer problems with Christians being unwilling to serve in the army.
What changed in Christianity to make enlisting christians easier? I had never heard of this...
You know Constantine changed Christianity to suit the Romans, right? Exactly as the Romans had done to many religions before.

Read up about it (and Mithras). You'll be suprised.
Kmar
Truth is my Bitch
+5,695|7026|132 and Bush

Didn't he surrender? He must have been Liberal.
Xbone Stormsurgezz
DesertFox-
The very model of a modern major general
+796|7110|United States of America
Oh...my...God...
Kmar
Truth is my Bitch
+5,695|7026|132 and Bush

DesertFox423 wrote:

Oh...my...God...
Oh.. my.. science
Xbone Stormsurgezz

Board footer

Privacy Policy - © 2025 Jeff Minard