GOP beliefs, philanthropy not mutually exclusive
A recent Gallup poll on religion reported that about 78 percent of Americans identify with some faction of Christianity. With such numbers, it is not surprising that religion plays a major role in the political process and especially in tomorrow’s presidential election. While the political focus of many professing Christians involves issues of morality such as homosexuality, abortion or illicit drugs, others argue that such issues should be left alone so that “religion” is not forced on the general populace. One sociopolitical concern, however, that is often overlooked in regards to religious views is the issue of the poor.
Believers and nonbelievers alike can agree that those professing Christian faith based on the Bible are obligated to help the downtrodden and that a true disciple realizes his or her responsibility to assist the poor. Many calling themselves Democrats are proud of their party’s stance regarding governmental aid and assistance to the poor and decry the Republicans’ apparent disregard for social welfare. The question is, in a populace where the majority says they believe in Biblical guidelines, which side more closely aligns with that scripture? What is the Christian responsibility to the poor, and how should that affect one’s voting?
The New Testament call of Christ to help the poor is often mentioned. John the Baptist told believers: “He that hath two coats let him give to him that hath none, and he that hath meat let him do likewise.” Saint Paul said that “God loves a cheerful giver,” and in the book of Romans it even says to feed one’s hungry enemy. Perhaps most important, however, is a passage found in 1 John which asks how the love of God dwells in someone who does not help his neighbor.
This directive to charity is common knowledge, but how does it apply? The Biblical mandate to assist the poor is written to Christians. The point made is that Christians possess love, derived from God, which should be given to others for the glory and honor of that same God. Unlike a responsibility to simply help the poor, there is a purpose behind this charity: to draw others towards the source of that love.
Nonetheless, as government provides more, less charity is required from Christians, and the Christian duty is alleviated. Instead of those in need seeing love from compassionate people, they envisage a beneficent hand of government (ironically, doling out that which has been exacted forcibly from others by decree). In this upcoming election, 78 percent of Americans should consider which candidate will allow them to best fulfill their scriptural mandate and which candidate will simply create a class of government dependents.