How would Jesus vote?

[NVMojo]

How would Jesus vote?

For the first time in decades, Democrats are trying to give the religious right reasons to vote for candidates other than Republicans

October 8, 2006

In 2004 Las Vegas insurance salesman Michael Alires was a hard-core, "I love Clinton" Democrat. Then he discovered Jesus.

His boss ribbed him, telling him it was "only a matter of time before you begin voting Republican."

"Nah," Alires recalls saying, "Jesus is a Democrat. He hangs around with shady characters, has the hippy haircut and he's all about love. He's gotta be a Democrat."

His boss disagreed. Jesus has billions of dollars under his control and it's all tax-free, he said. So he's a Republican.

Today, Alires is a pastor-in-training, having quit the insurance business to work as an assistant at South Hills Church Community in Henderson. He's not so sure these days how Jesus would vote. But he knows the debate over that question is playing out across the country. As the Nov. 7 election approaches, Jesus' affiliation is up for grabs to a degree not seen in a quarter-century.

Ever since Jimmy Carter, a Southern Baptist, left the White House, evangelical Christians and conservative Roman Catholics have powered a religious conservatism that has placed them squarely behind the Republican Party and lifted many national and congressional candidates to power.

more...

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/sun/2006/oct/08/566625931.html

From the same newspaper:

WWJD in the booth?
Based on responses from interviews with 16 religious leaders across the denominational and political spectrum, here's a look at what Jesus might have had to say on some hot topics:


The situation in Iraq: Known as the "Prince of Peace," Jesus tells his followers to love their enemies and put away the sword. While some Christians take Jesus' words to mean an absolute pacifism, other thinkers believe there are times when going to war might be more moral than ignoring an injustice. Christians are divided on Iraq, and more are questioning whether the U.S. presence in Iraq is just.

Immigration: In God's commands to take care of the poor and needy, he also includes the immigrant, who was to be welcomed and aided to become an equal member of the community. Many pastors advocated for the U.S. to have a high wall (meaning tight security) but also wide-open gates that encouraged legal entrance.

Global warming: Man is responsible for taking care of God's creation.

Abortion: Jesus never speaks on abortion, but Jewish Scriptures speak of the sanctity of life and a God who has a plan for each person from the womb.

Gay marriage: Jesus spoke little on sexual morality and never on homosexuality. He defines adultery as even looking at another person with "lust in your heart," but he also forgives an adulteress, telling the religious leaders of his day that "he who is without sin should cast the first stone."

more links to national stats on this same story ...

[babylonsister]

1. Sorry, I don't give a good goddamn on how Jesus would vote,

but I consider myself a very righteous person who
probably believes the same way Jesus/God/Goddess does,
not so much talk, more action. Ya gotta believe!

[NVMojo]

3. I hear that but you can't believe how many people haven't thought of it

while they were using Jesus name to commit atrocities in honor of GWBush ...and it never occurred to them ...scribes, pharisees ...

I was surprised that this newspaper spent so much ink on this story, though ...

[lvx35]

2. Abortion is the issue to deal with.

I think for even a lot of moderate evengelicals, gay issues are more skin-deep than they appear. But the abortion issue runs deep. We need a Dem who can explain from a spiritual perspective why he doesn't want abortion illegal, which Kerry failed to do in the 2004 debates.

edit: actually, there needs to be a lot more talk about this in general on the spiritual left. I spiritually see it as about the definition of life involving a free will, (which a fetus, esp. a zygote clearly doesn't have) but other people see it in different ways they need to make clearer. so evangelicals can realize the matter is not set in stone, and clear things up.

[Erika]

4. When the GOP turn prolife in support of Mothers, OK

Europe currently gives new mothers a paycheck to stay home and take care of their child for the first two years. All of their needs are met.

That is prolife. The GOP would never do this sighting entitlement programs.

I would love to see the dems pushing legislation for free health care and subsidies of mothers/infants for the first two years.

[lvx35]

6. And there you go!

That's what the dems need to put forward when these issues come up in debate... :)

[True_Blue]

5. Would Jesus vote for warmongers, liars and hypocrites...

or would he vote for peace, to help the poor, the sick, and for the environment. If Jesus were here right now, the Republicans and Christian Coalition would crucify him all over again. They are exactly like the biblical Pharisees.

[dogfacedboy]

7. The man known as Jesus Christ has been dead for a long time.

There is no way for anyone to ask him how he would vote.

[natrat]

8. with a paper ballot :)

[POAS]

9. Damn, you beat me to it.

Trust but verify

[Uncle Joe]

10. Before he voted, I believe Jesus would place his hand

on the Diebold voting machine and say "demon come out"! Then he would vote to save his daddy's and mamma's creation from our cannibalistic stupidity.