Posted by
voice_of_reason on Wednesday, February 28, 2007 8:44:44 PM
I'm not a Biblical scholar, but .. consider the following:
"It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." (Matthew 19:24)
"Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God." (Luke 6:17-26)
"Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will."
(Romans 12:1-2)
"Then Jesus went to work on his disciples, “Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?” (Mathew 16:24-26)
There are numerous references in the Scriptures, as well as in sermons, that extol the virtues of self-sacrifice, renunciation and other 'virtues'.
In most denominations, the most stirring sermons occur when the pastor gave real-world examples of self-sacrifice.
Of course, there are numerous references and parables that support hard work as well as the proper utilization of ones talents.
It is therefore natural (and maybe even right) that religious people develop a sense of morality that is based on altruism. And, I'm not here to say that it is wrong to help one's fellow-man. Just that if altruism/self-sacrifice are raised on the pedestal as universal values, then it becomes impossible to argue the IMMORALITY of well-intentioned socialist ideas.
It is also the reason that many good people are naturally drawn towards socialist ideas in their early years. After all, there are centuries of morality built into the creed of self-sacrifice as a virtue.
What I would like to see is conservatives arguing their case in economic or political terms w/out the support of altruism-inspired rhetoric. Imagine a foreign policy debate that was based on American self-interest and security, and did not begin with "we must help the poor, starving people of ____."
In most cases, we DO put a premium on American self-interest. But we always seem to seek the cloak of a self-effacing, morally liberal position that resonates with the UN-types.
Conservative (and some liberal) leaders of a few generations ago didn't seek that false mantle - it is a relatively new dichotomy in our politics. But it ties us up in knots!