Hallock53

As Christians it's easy for us to think of Jesus for what he was, the son of God who bacme the saviour. This is what we celebrate at Christmas and Easter. But we sometimes forget that he was also a man or as some would say the "new Adam". We get a glimpse of this when Jesus responded to the question of what was the greatest commandment. His answer was that first you shall love God above all else and secondly you shall love your neighbor as yourself. We see this played out in the life He lived. He associated with outcasts and those who were less fortunate. He was more concerned about what their needs were instead of what "group" they belonged to or status they held. That is our challenge today to get beyond all the external trappings and try to understand what the true needs of our society are. Of course we still need to recognize Him as Saviour but we also need to know Jesus as a man, the suffering servant and how he responded to the needs of His people. That will help us to become a healthier and more inclusive people.

Good point, I agree totally.

I couldn't agree more. I am an evngelical but many of my political views are even to the left of many Democrats. I poudly proclaim to be very much a liberal with very traditional views on matters of faith and values. Many evangelicals try to refute what the social gospel means. Maybe because the word social reminds them of socialism. But what does Jesus really mean when He commands us to love our neighbors as ourselves and to look out for the least among us? Maybe he's the only true socialist this world has ever seen. It's time for us as individuals and as a nation to look at His example instead of always trying to be king of the hill.

When Jesus was talking about the poor always being among us I think he was
referring to there will always be people living in poverty. This is due
to many factors and doesn't necessarily mean that certain people are for
whatever reason trapped in their present circumstances. As a christian one of the most egregious things I see in today's society is corporate greed and the vast income disparity between the rich and the poor. I think this is much more problematic for our future and and helps to
perpetuate the kind of poverty you mention.

I am also a born again believer but I was weaned on liberal politics and remain a strong liberal to this day so in some ways I find compassionate conservatives as being something akin to an oxy moron. For the most part I support the progressive agenda of the Democratic Party. I am a frequent watcher of MSNBC and admire politicians such as Bernie Sanders. Because of my faith there are some important areas of disaggreement I have with those on the left. The two main ones being abortion and gay rights, but I stongly support their economic views. The biggest difference I see between my own political views and those believers on the right has to do with the duties and responsibiliies of government. I feel that government has an important role to play concerning the poor and the disadvantaged. This shouldn't detract in any way the Church's mandate to look after those same people. Jim Wallis was right in supporting faith based iniatives and I admire his speaking out for the needy whether it is to the church or the government. I see government as a bullwark agtainst capitalism run amok where profit and personal gain become the only measure of success. I cringe when I hear someone like Rick Perry say that he wants to make government as inconsequential as possible.

I have always been opposed to the death penalty. I'm glad someone is taking the high ground for a change and I don't believe the death penalty ever acts as a deterrent. We have to get beyond the eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth mentality and encompass the teachings of Matthew 5. Jesus referred to it as the "better way".

Regardless of whether or not Sandusky is guilty of the acts he is alleged to have committed, for him to be taking a shower with a ten year old boy who has been entrusted to his care is flat out wrong if not immoral. In his interview with Bob Costas, Sandusky admitted to participating in what he called "horseplay". This in and of itself is inappropriate behaviour and extremely poor judgement on his part. When he was seen in the shower with the victims there should have been immediate consequences instead of the ensuing cover up. Anytime you fail to do the right thing the results of that inaction will only make the situation worse.