I can see why the dude is confused, Jesus straight up said “give your money to the Romans” at some point. Stop giving mixed messages bro.
He did not say to give all of your money to them though. He said to give the Romans just the portion that is owed them (and by extension, to anyone you owe money to).
One might note that Judea was conquered territory that frequently rebelled and he was executed for treason, because, among other things, it was treason to deny that the Emperor was a god which is a small problem under Abrahamic faiths.
One might also note that in that context “What is Caesar’s” could be responded to with “nothing.”
One might also note that in that context “What is Caesar’s” could be responded to with “nothing.”
The New Testament is mostly Jesus then Paul repeatedly telling everyone with increasing amounts of frustration,
Reason from principles to situation for yourselves.
Why not both? Pursue the social safety nets, but realize no government will do it just right so help out people directly with your time, talent and money.
And just because a government won’t do it right is no excuse to not try anyway.
Totally agree. This was the reason I posted it
Yeah, Jesus actually said you should pay taxes. Give Ceaser’s things to Ceaser and God’s things to God.
True, but he didn’t say that paying taxes would get you off the hook for helping your neighbor and taking care of the poor.
I’ve read an interesting book that suggests the apostle Paul, or Saul of Tarsus was a Roman plant, a double agent meant to divide the Christian sect.
From his sudden conversion to all subversive things he wrote in his letters, it seems like he’s introduction subservience to Rome into the creed.
Read in that manner, he would be amazed that not only the christians embraced those aspects of his, but that they in time managed to become the main faith of the Roman empire and supercede it by a mile.
Interesting! What’s the book’s name?
It’s called ‘Alias Paulus’ bij Thijs Voskuilen. Unfortunately it’s not translated in english.
Yeah and taking care of each other ain’t Caesar’s, so he can get his grubby mitts off it.
You really think Jesus would be against things like free healthcare, income support, things like that? You think he’d rather people voted for politicians who promise to cut welfare? You count cutting welfare as helping your neighbour and taking care of the poor and needy? Because it looks a lot like making things harder for your neighbour and not giving a shit about the poor and needy from where I’m sitting.
I mean, vote selfishly if you’re going to, but don’t pretend that Jesus came with a message of “look after number one”, “cut welfare” and “cancel programs that help the poor and needy”. That’s not biblical.
/s no see you’re not getting it, you cut all that stuff, but you also volunteer for a couple hours on Sunday so that you get to feel good about yourself. Nevermind how we scale that up to cover everyone you silly billy
Well there’s the grain dole but that was in Rone the city
LOL yea let’s laugh at literally every other 1st world country with universal healthcare while we pay thousands a year for insurance that doesn’t pay out
At least we aren’t CoMmUnIsT tHo!
It’s a common misconception that governments need to collect tax money so that they can finance public works.
In reality, any government that issues its own currency can technically spend as much as it wants to, whether it has the tax base to balance it out or not.
The only reasons to tax are to limit inflation, balance the wealth distribution, and maintain an incentive for people to actually care about your currency.
States that governments don’t need taxes to finance stuff
Lists reasons why governments really do need to do so and that not doing so is a terrible idea
Refuses to elaborate
Leaves
What did he mean by this?
Printing your own money is equivalent to a flat tax, which is bad for the poors.
But you’re spot on, taxes are meant for wealth redistribution.
Wealth is pinned to production and currency is pinned to wealth. You fundamentally misunderstand what wealth, money, and power are and how they function in society. Alienation from society and idealism distort the nature of these subjects. You’re right to question the way these things function, but you’ll not get much further than MMT or other idealist cul du sacs. If you want to understand how wealth operates as a basis for society, they you’ll need to start to study Marx
I just realised I’m at the point where I would probably be okay with the Romans conquering my government and usurping it’s roles
Nobody who says this has ever given housing to the poor or kept a poor family fed. Also, nice use of equating a conquering empire to your own government, as if those were anything closely equal.
I’ll do Jesus’ principals with my actions. You can stick to your platitudes.
Do you honestly think modern superpowers are not “conquering empires?” If so, I worry what you think about “Jesus’ principals [sic].”
Ew, this is just an evangelical right wing talking point. Also who the fuck cares what “Jesus” said can we stop talking about it literally forever thanks
No, no; haven’t you heard? if we don’t read the Bible™, there’s nothing to stop us from killing and raping everyone we meet. /s
Don’t be silly, they don’t take care of the poor and hungry.
#mutualaid #conquestofbread
