It's happening again people are invoking the name of Jesus to manipulate their opinion of how things ought to be. There are two issues that people are sounding off about and trying to convince others what Jesus would do or say. I am responding to the issue of how, according to Mr. Lawrence and Mr. Gould, Jesus would or would not support Obamacare. Jesus tells us something very profound when it comes to government and how to consider it. He says, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and render to God the things that are God's."
Caesar represents the government. By this, he means we should pay taxes if that is the law. I think Mr Gould is attempting to mix Caesar and God together. Jesus obviously kept them separate. Now, we are each free to believe and opine however we wish. But, a tax is a tax, not a "donation," as Mr. Gould says. If I did not have to pay taxes, I would have a lot more to give to help take care of my fellow man.
So, I believe that Jesus does want us to care for each other. He obviously lived His life that way. But, please don't use Him or His name when talking about things belonging to the government, namely taxes. Obamacare has been called a 'tax' by the Supreme Court, and so it is. I'd much prefer not to have taxes in order to follow my heart and give more in the way I choose. I simply don't think the government has proven to be a good steward of our money. I don't think Jesus would ever want anyone to mandate giving to one another. How then is one free to give from the heart, as Jesus wants us to?
Eileen Robbins
Knoxville
Submitted by Virtual Newsroom
