Discover Yahoo! With Your Friends

Explore news, videos, and much more based on what your friends are reading and watching. Publish your own activity and retain full control.

To get started, first

YOUR FRIENDS' ACTIVITY

    Barack Obama and the Gospel of O

    This story comes from the Yahoo! Contributor Network, where individuals publish their unique perspectives on some of the world’s most popular websites.
    Do you have a story to tell? Become a Yahoo! contributor

    COMMENTARY | In his address at the National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday morning, President Barack Obama made a reference to Jesus' teaching that says "for unto whom much is given, much shall be required."

    Of course, Obama is referring to his desire to raise taxes on the rich in order to give more to those who are already taking from government. We're also pretty sure Jesus wasn't talking about being forced to be kind and generous.

    Where Obama gets it wrong is that Jesus is not talking about one group forcibly taking from another but instead people giving of their own accord to the less fortunate, when they have it to give. There is a difference.

    Instead, Jesus teaches that if we give to those in need, we will have a better chance at entering Heaven, but the gift must come from the heart. Jesus warns us in Matthew 6:1 to "Beware of practicing your piety before men to be seen by them: for then you will have no reward from your father who is in heaven."

    In fact, Matthew 6:3-4 goes on to tell us we should give in secret and not let others know of what we are doing, "But when you give alms, do not let your right hand know what your left hand is doing, so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

    Having our taxes raised is certainly not "in secret."

    In any reference Jesus makes to the matter, they all use the term "giving," nowhere do we see anything about be forced to give, which is what taxes are, and what Obama is advocating. Instead of raising taxes for the rich, wouldn't it be better to lower them for everyone else? Wouldn't that allow for those of us who would like to give to the poor to be better able to do it?

    It's great that President Obama is trying to show us what a good Christian he is, but he needs to read his scriptures a little closer. When he does, he will also see there is nothing bout Socialism in there either.

     

    31 comments

    • badidea  •  3 mths ago
      Thank you Barack for completely interpreting the bible based on your own twisted beliefs. Much like the maggot trying to suck blood from a stone. Way to go on showing your true colors. No religion here. Too bad.
    • Independent Voter  •  3 mths ago
      Do you thing for one minute that Obama respects the bible, he comes closer to respecting the Koran. He can pick and choose what scripture to take out of context from the bible without retrobution, but the Koran he cannot, because of deadly retrobution from his islamist brothers and his Kenyan Royalty.
      • Xiao Tsung Qi 3 mths ago
        "he comes closer to respecting the Koran"

        Could you be more specific, and list policies that support your claim?
    • Joseph  •  Las Vegas, Nevada  •  3 mths ago
      It's not really charity when you are threatened with losing everything you own and incarceration if you don't comply. That's more like extortion.
      • hx 3 mths ago
        Amen. I call it coerced compassion.
    • RURU  •  Atlanta, Georgia  •  3 mths ago
      The dictator twists the scriptures just like he does everything else. I seriously doubt that he ever reads the Constitution much less the Bible.
    • Steve  •  Dallas, Texas  •  3 mths ago
      What's sad is so musch of the public buy's into his rhetoric and voted this guy in.He wouldn't make it in the private sector.I can't imagine 4 more year's.
      • '12ain'tsoonenuf 3 mths ago
        He had a private sector job for only a few months and said: "I felt like I was on enemy territory."
      • Liberty 3 mths ago
        We will survive this Muslim Socialist. What's of more concern is the mind-set of the lemmings who voted him their prince of fools. How does one fix stupidity?
      • Lisa 3 mths ago
        did you guys watch the stone cold look of the Christian audience right after he read that passage? You could tell they all know he is trying to fake the christian faith and it was very obvious he didnt get away with his deception. I guess he fake alot of things but when it comes to the Inspired Word of God, then God made sure we could see thru his con game. Thank ya Jesus!
    • thewyzeguy  •  Orlando, Florida  •  3 mths ago
      Bear-ack Oblunder quoting the Bible? Raindrops keep falling on my head! Most people who have money today, it was'nt GIVEN to them, they and thier families worked for it, which is a hell of a lot more than can be said for MR. Community Organizer! The only thing he has ever done in his life is pit one group of people against each another! Antagonist! Of course Jesus did'nt WORK either, he just wandered around drinking someone else's wine and eating thier cheese like the good hippie he was. I think Oblunder used the wrong passage from the Bible though, it does say that man shall earn his daily bread by the sweat of his brow, or words to that effect, in other words, if you want to have something WORK for it. His message must have come from reverand wright, who is all wrong.
    • Mike  •  3 mths ago
      Yeah, right, like Obama reads the scriptures. Obama reads written speeches, teleprompters, and screened positive press that glorifies him.
      • KEH 3 mths ago
        he reads the koran
    • hx  •  3 mths ago
      O is throwing Jesus under the bus, or selling Jesus, for another 4 years of royal perks.
    • K  •  3 mths ago
      If obama believes the words he spoke, ""for unto whom much is given, much shall be required."
      it would seem he would give way more than 5% of his income to charity, and would show more discretion in the lavish parties and trips he takes at taxpayer expense, and perhaps even forgo his salary as president. A more fitting quote would be "render to Caesar what is Caesars and unto God what is God's". Although Obama seems to fancy himself to be God, so perhaps that is no different to him.
    • The Real Wingman  •  3 mths ago
      The Gospel of OH NO mas.
    • whatamess  •  Dayton, Ohio  •  3 mths ago
      The Bible is a common refuge for scoundrels.
    • Toothpick  •  3 mths ago
      OPINION: The quote "for unto whom much is given, much shall be required" does not align itself with either interpretation registered here. What is being said is that all man are not in fact created equal and those having a greater where-with-all than others are expected to help those of a lesser where-with-all, but not for praise or profit. Those that see shall lead the blind. Those that hear shall enlighten the deaf. Those of strength shall protect the weak. Those who can speak shall speak the will of those that can not. The way in which Obama has used the scripture is consummate only to his lack of understanding and strong desire to be regarded and some kind of savior. The important thing to remember is that good deeds shall not be levied for praise or profit, and he seeks both. No Obama 2012!!!
    • '12ain'tsoonenuf  •  Fresno, California  •  3 mths ago
      Here's a couple Odumba missed!
      "If you don't work, you don't eat." What the Holy Spirit said to the lazy socialists in the early church.
      "Thou shalt not commit adultery. And for you dudes and sluts who can't keep your pants on or your legs closed:
      "Thou shalt not murder." That includes innocent babies as well as child molesters and murderers. Dems think Odumba's wars are murder just like Bush's, right?
      "Thou shalt not lie." Still waiting for those C-Span hearings on OdumbaCare.
      "Thou shalt not bear false witness." He's misquoting Mitt's words.
      "Thou shalt not covet." You have no right to steal other people's money to spread it around.
      "Thou shalt not steal." When will he pay his "fair share" of the taxes he cheated on with his Resko Mob deal?
      "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy" Not the Beast's counterfeit sun worship day.
      "Until heaven and earth passes away not one jot or tittle will pass from the law.
      "If you love Me keep My commandments."
    • lloyd  •  3 mths ago
      What I find sad, OBAMBAM's father got a FREE education on our tax dollar! Then thanks to AFFRIMATIVE ACTION ,obambam and mooshelle got a free ride on our tax dollar, not paying off their student loan till they got into the White House.
    • ED  •  Washington, District of Columbia  •  3 mths ago
      Obama twist the constition just like the preachers twist the bible
      • ED 3 mths ago
        constitution
      • Rick 3 mths ago
        Just like the BAD preachers twist the Bible. There are plenty of good preachers and I know many personally. I will admit that there are way more bad preachers and false teachers than there are good preachers, but the fact remains that there are still a lot of good ones and it is your responsbility and to your benefit to find one of the good ones and let God use him to help you and help others through you.
    • gonzo  •  3 mths ago
      He's not "taking from the rich to give to the poor", he's saying the rich need to pay taxes like everybody else. You teabaggers like to twist the facts, but it just shows that you're not even close to being a Christian, you also have a ways to go to be a human being as well....
    • Ultimately  •  Royal Oak, Michigan  •  3 mths ago
      wow, using a bible verse to push his political agenda for personal gain..........wonder how Allah is going to get his bang from Obama?
    • A Yahoo! User  •  3 mths ago
      Treasonous to the Constitution and Treasonous to the word of God. He is insane.
    • eric  •  3 mths ago
      The Antichrist will eradicate changes to the rules that govern a society ( constitution) slowly and methodically one by one using false fear of others to justify these changes
    • eric  •  3 mths ago
      he is the antichrist
    [ [ [['Connery is an experienced stuntman', 2]], 'http://yhoo.it/KeQd0p', '[Slideshow: See photos taken on the way down]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['Connery is an experienced stuntman', 7]], ' http://yhoo.it/KpUoHO', '[Slideshow: Death-defying daredevils]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['know that we have confidence in', 3]], 'http://yhoo.it/LqYjAX ', '[Related: The Secret Service guide to Cartagena]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['We picked up this other dog and', 5]], 'http://yhoo.it/JUSxvi', '[Related: 8 common dog fears, how to calm them]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['accused of running a fake hepatitis B', 5]], 'http://bit.ly/JnoJYN', '[Related: Did WH share raid details with filmmakers?]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['accused of running a fake hepatitis B', 3]], 'http://bit.ly/KoKiqJ', '[Factbox: AQAP, al-Qaeda in Yemen]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have my contacts on or glasses', 3]], 'http://abcn.ws/KTE5AZ', '[Related: Should the murder charge be dropped?]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have made this nation great as Sarah Palin', 5]], 'http://yhoo.it/JD7nlD', '[Related: Bristol Palin reality show debuts June 19]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have made this nation great as Sarah Palin', 1]], 'http://bit.ly/JRPFRO', '[Related: McCain adviser who vetted Palin weighs in on VP race]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['A JetBlue flight from New York to Las Vegas', 3]], 'http://yhoo.it/GV9zpj', '[Related: View photos of the JetBlue plane in Amarillo]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['the 28-year-old neighborhood watchman who shot and killed', 15]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/white-house-stays-out-of-teen-s-killing-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/cv/ip/ap/default/120411/martinzimmermen.jpg', '630', ' ', 'AP', ], [ [['Titanic', 7]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/titanic-anniversary/', ' ', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/b/4e/b4e5ad9f00b5dfeeec2226d53e173569.jpeg', '550', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['He was in shock and still strapped to his seat', 6]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/navy-jet-crashes-in-virginia-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/cv/ip/ap/default/120406/jet_ap.jpg', '630', ' ', 'AP', ], [ [['xxxxxxxxxxxx', 11]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/russian-grannies-win-bid-to-sing-at-eurovision-1331223625-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/1/56/156d92f2760dcd3e75bcd649a8b85fcf.jpeg', '500', ' ', 'AP', ] ]
    [ [ [['did not go as far his colleague', 8]], '29438204', '0' ], [ [[' the 28-year-old neighborhood watchman who shot and killed', 4]], '28924649', '0' ], [ [['because I know God protects me', 14], ['Brian Snow was at a nearby credit union', 5]], '28811216', '0' ], [ [['The state news agency RIA-Novosti quoted Rosaviatsiya', 6]], '28805461', '0' ], [ [['measure all but certain to fail in the face of bipartisan', 4]], '28771014', '0' ], [ [['matter what you do in this case', 5]], '28759848', '0' ], [ [['presume laws are constitutional', 7]], '28747556', '0' ], [ [['has destroyed 15 to 25 houses', 7]], '28744868', '0' ], [ [['short answer is yes', 7]], '28746030', '0' ], [ [['opportunity to tell the real story', 7]], '28731764', '0' ], [ [['entirely respectable way to put off the searing constitutional controversy', 7]], '28723797', '0' ], [ [['point of my campaign is that big ideas matter', 9]], '28712293', '0' ], [ [['As the standoff dragged into a second day', 7]], '28687424', '0' ], [ [['French police stepped up the search', 17]], '28667224', '0' ], [ [['Seeking to elevate his candidacy back to a general', 8]], '28660934', '0' ], [ [['The tragic story of Trayvon Martin', 4]], '28647343', '0' ], [ [['Karzai will get a chance soon to express', 8]], '28630306', '0' ], [ [['powerful storms stretching', 8]], '28493546', '0' ], [ [['basic norm that death is private', 6]], '28413590', '0' ], [ [['songwriter also saw a surge in sales for her debut album', 6]], '28413590', '1', 'Watch music videos from Whitney Houston ', 'on Yahoo! Music', 'http://music.yahoo.com' ], [ [['keyword', 99999999999999999999999]], 'videoID', '1', 'overwrite-pre-description', 'overwrite-link-string', 'overwrite-link-url' ] ]
    Loading...
    • Man tells police he killed NY boy Etan Patz in 1979 Barbara Goldberg and Chris Francescani
      New York Police Department Commissioner Kelly announces the arrest of Hernandez in relation to the case of Patz in New York

      NEW YORK (Reuters) - Police on Thursday arrested a New Jersey man who they said had confessed to the 1979 killing of 6-year-old Etan Patz in a case that drew national attention to the plight of missing children and had frustrated law enforcement officials for more than three decades. New York Police Commissioner Raymond …

    • SANTA FE, New Mexico (Reuters) - Two raging wildfires in southwest New Mexico merged on Thursday to become the biggest blaze among fires that have torched forest and brush in parts of five Southwestern states. Blazes in rugged, mountainous areas of Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah have forced the evacuation …

    • ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Reuters) - A Finnish climber has died after falling some 2,000 feet while attempting to ski down a notoriously steep chute on Mount McKinley in Alaska, the National Park Service said on Thursday. Ilkka Uusitalo, 36, fell from an elevation of 17,800 feet through snow, ice and rocks on Wednesday, before …

    • OKLAHOMA CITY (Reuters) - A 16-year-old boy who police said confessed to shooting into a crowd and wounding eight people outside an NBA basketball game made his first appearance on Thursday before a judge, who set his bail at $160,000. The boy was arrested on Tuesday and was charged with eight counts of shooting with intent …

    • WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama said on Thursday he will nominate Allison Macfarlane, an expert in nuclear waste, as the nation's top nuclear safety cop, seeking to turn the page on a period of bitter acrimony at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Macfarlane, a geologist, will face the challenge of making …

     
    Add your ideas and help make it happen. Join the conversation.
    Should Bill and Donna take on more risk to boost their business?
    How Josh's comment on a Remake America video laid the groundwork for something bigger.