The Naughty, Naughty Poor

As I was getting back into real life, post-vacation, I came across a blog, posted by a very conservative, God, Mom, and Rush Limbaugh type. He is very religious, has his own small church, and is a decent sort over coffee.

His blog said that he had been taken aback by a magazine article that talked about the growing rich/poor gap in America, and used the term 'relative deprivation.' It was 'relative deprivation' that got him. He did some biblical research and decided that what 'relative deprivation' really meant was 'covetousness,' which all good Judaeo-Christians know is a SIN.

Gee, that really warmed the cockles (whatever the hell they are) of my heart. The message seems quite clear; "All you members of the quickly growing class of the unemployed, underemployed, fixed income, and generally poorer citizens, who may look at these wealthier citizens and want more for their kids: Stop it! You are filthy sinners, deserving of hell lest you repent and repent fast! Bad, bad people! Because so much of your labor has gone into the pockets of the wealthy, does not mean you can dare to want the value of your work in your pockets! SINNERS! Our Lord, Jesus said that you will always have the poor with you, and since He Is God, who are you, you pitiful souls, to dare to contradict the CEO? "

I could go on, but I think you get my drift. Bullshit is bullshit, even if it is cloaked in the garments of religion.

I would also point out, that the moneychangers Jesus drove from the temple were simply men providing a service to Jews coming from all over the world to worship at the temple, as commanded by their faith. These 'moneychangers' had families they were trying to support, you know, kids to feed, a home to maintain, etc. Jesus, kicked over their tables, scattered their money, and called them thieves. He evidently had little respect for their capitalist endeavor. It wasn't just because they were in the Temple...he called them thieves on top of it. Hmm.

The oligarchs of corprofascism, most of whom are 'Good God-Fearing Christian Men,' according to the current right wing, evangelical apologia, had better take note. If the parousia were to take place today, they may well see that 'knotted cord' in Jesus' hand, as he rolls up his sleeves, and looks their way.

Tim