I agree with some of it.

 

Jesus not being white, being a homeless Jew, hanging with lepers, prostitutes, etc.

 

Some of the rest I don't agree with. Jesus not saying anything about pre-marital sex, abortion, etc.

 

He also left out the part that when Christ found himself in the company of prostitutes, the greedy, or other varieties of sinners, he didn't say "You are one of God's children and no one can judge you so do as you like." rather he was usually fond of "Go, and sin no more."

I didn't read the article, but I gather the gist of it from the comments here.

 

The only comment I will add is that Jesus lived during a "political" time w/r/t the Roman Empire and the only thing I can find that he said about it was "give to Caesar what is Caesar's." Thus, my response to modern day assertions that "Jesus would support [x,y,z] policy" or "Jesus commands I vote this way" to be "probably not."

 

You have pretty much hit the nail on the head for what I believe to be the best argument to separate religion and politics. Well, at least Christianity.

 

As you've pointed out, Jesus lived in a very "political" time. Because of that, a lot of Jews expected their Messiah to be a political figure who would deliver them from Roman oppression. But then Jesus comes and he goes out of his way to avoid the political arena. "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and God what is God's," is about the only time he dabbled into politics. Maybe there were other instances I'm overlooking, but that's all I can think of.

 

Having said that, I disagree with the notion that religion and politics should always be kept separate. But I do think what you mentioned is the best argument against the two mixing--at least from a Christianity standpoint.

And having thought about and re-read Mr. Fugelsang's comments, I do think he used one word that is spot-on concerning Jesus: "radical." I think a very good argument can be made that Jesus was a "radical" or what we might call an "extremist." But he was never constantly extreme to one side.

 

For example, he sometimes made what we would call extreme left comments: "Sell all of your possessions, give the money to the poor, and come follow me."

 

Then other times, he would make what we would call extreme right comments: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except through me."

 

So I think his use of "radical" is accurate. And I also think he is correct in saying that some envision Jesus as a white, pro-capitalist, big business fat-cat.

 

But then he makes an error, I think, by trying to characterize Jesus as a peace-loving hippie. He's doing the same thing that people on the right do, except he's applying it to his side of the aisle.

 

When Jesus was alive, people tried to put him in a box. He left earth 2,000 years ago and we're still trying to do the same. I don't think Jesus goes into any box.

And having thought about and re-read Mr. Fugelsang's comments, I do think he used one word that is spot-on concerning Jesus: "radical." I think a very good argument can be made that Jesus was a "radical" or what we might call an "extremist." But he was never constantly extreme to one side.

 

For example, he sometimes made what we would call extreme left comments: "Sell all of your possessions, give the money to the poor, and come follow me."

 

Then other times, he would make what we would call extreme right comments: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except through me."

 

So I think his use of "radical" is accurate. And I also think he is correct in saying that some envision Jesus as a white, pro-capitalist, big business fat-cat.

 

But then he makes an error, I think, by trying to characterize Jesus as a peace-loving hippie. He's doing the same thing that people on the right do, except he's applying it to his side of the aisle.

 

When Jesus was alive, people tried to put him in a box. He left earth 2,000 years ago and we're still trying to do the same. I don't think Jesus goes into any box.

 

Totally fair. But I'm still going to throw up a little in my mouth every time I hear some jackwagon say he/she is "blessed" because Jesus saw fit to give them a fat bank account. Because that, by extension, means they think Jesus is shunning those who are not financially stable.

No matter where anyone stands on any issue Politics and Religion should never mix.

 

 

Yep, never EVER. Yet it always is mixed.