Would Jesus be a Conservative?

In America today we see the term ‘Christian Conservative’ as a redundancy. If you are Christian, you must be conservative. If you are conservative you are most likely Christian. That’s too bad because one has little to do with the other.

As I see it, the very essence of the teachings of Jesus sounds like a liberal manifesto.
In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus teaches us the golden rule, to turn the other cheek, love our enemies, to not sit in judgment of others, and to eschew material things over more important matters. Yet some so-called ‘Christian leaders’ support war, call for retribution, advocate hatred, violence, even death for those they do not like, incessantly express disdain, derision and displeasure with those they disagree with, and all the while living lavishly.

A person who goes through life striving to do right by others, going the extra mile, meeting violence with love, forgiving his enemies, keeping his judgments to himself, and quietly, generously sharing his wealth with those in need would be seen by the right as a classic bleeding heart liberal. Yet it is precisely the life that imperfect Christians are taught to strive for.

So how is it that people who call themselves Christian have aligned themselves with the kind of conservatives who sit in judgment of others, foster hate and derision, prefer to start wars over oil rather than intervene in an on-going genocide, and would gut every program designed to help those in need?

I would ask every Christian who believes the current leadership of this country is taking us in the right direction to go back to the gospels. Think, pray then ask “What would Jesus do?”

And for those that would turn to people like the late Rev. Fallwell, or Robertson, Swaggart, or Phelps for their political guidance, pay special attention to Mathew 7:15-16: “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits.” On second thought, never mind. No sense casting pearls before swine.