Rep. Cramer used the Bible to justify hunger. Here’s what we did about it.

[Coyotl]

http://www.faithinpubliclife.org/blog/rep-cramer-used-the-bible-to-justify-hunger-heres-what-we-did-about-it/

Congressman Kevin Cramer (R-ND) recently cited Bible verses to justify cutting $40 billion from the Supplemental Food Assistance Program (SNAP) – also known as food stamps – taking critical food assistance from seniors, children, veterans and Americans with disabilities. Given the Bible’s overwhelming mandate to care for the poor, this didn’t sit well with us. Together with James Salt from Catholics United, we caught up with Rep. Cramer to ask him if he stands by his words.

Rep. Cramer told us “if you’re going to throw Bible verses around, you should understand the context.” Of course, the very verse cited by the Congressman was taken out of context. Thessalonians 2:3-10 says “He who does not work shall not eat,” but Paul wasn’t trying to force the poor to go hungry, he was telling the Thessalonians to not be idle while waiting for the second coming of Christ.

Here’s the context that actually matters in this debate: SNAP benefits amount to a meager $1.50 per meal, and most people who count on this support are children or the elderly.

Rep. Cramer claimed that this legislation wouldn’t be “taking food from people who suffer,” but in reality 1.7 million Americans who can’t find work in this difficult economy – and up to 170,000 veterans – will lose critical supports that put food on the table.

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[gopiscrap]

1. fucking asswipe

what about these words in the bible: "What so ever you do to the least of my people, that you do unto me" and these words: "When I was hungry, you gave me to eat and when I was thirsty you gave me drink"? "Feed my sheep"?