V6M@PSUVM.BITNET (02/12/85)
Dave's posting will NOT be indented. My comments will begin with **
There was a recent newspaper article about a governmentfficial who wrote favorably about state religion to a group of
hurch schools. This did not disturb the Reagan administration.
t should disturb everyone who is a Christian; after all, Jesusas put to death by the cooperation of the official political
**
the problem here is that this makes Christ look like a political
activist instead of the Savior. The mechanism employed is IRRELAVENT to
the fact of His death which was necessary for salvation. Possibly He chose
such a death to emphasize the aspect of sacrifice. That is part of the
Mystery of the Redemption.
** VJM
This was two years ago, then negotiations failed altogether.eanwhile, we have a government which borrows a staggering deficit,
s if there is no tomorrow, to primarily support defense-related
ndustries and militant political states (at least one is really
ne that doesn't give a damn about starvation in Africa or human
ights in Third World nations. It's purpose seems to be to employ
y shirking its moral responsibility to those who are suffering.
**
As I remember both the government and private organizations (such
as Catholic Relief Services) are rushing supplies. So is the UN and
the US does pay for the UN..
and
The economy is NOT geared toward massive weaponry procurements at the
national level let alone the international level.
He does raise a valid question about moral responsibility of government
but WE DO NOT HAVE unlimited wealth in the US. We do reasonbly well in
his areas of concern given what we have.
*****
ased on military production, and a state religion that brain-washes
ts citizens, a state religion that is opposed to the teachings of Christ,
eplacing charity and nonviolence with state propaganda mixed with
elf-fulfilling apocalyptic imagination. The mad Emporer Nero may have
ad time to fiddle while Rome burned, then to blame it on the Christians.
ut how much responsibility do we Christians have if we wait to seeow long the Emporers will fiddle while the good Earth burns.
David Harwood
*** Some poor imagery here of the Christian being an Ecologist..Quite trendy.
Good point though of how far do we go in support of our government.
Remeber though that National Defense IS A VALID RESPONSIBILTY of a
government. Our budget spends about ONE THIRD on the military!!!
Hardly excessive in proportion to the running of the gov't and to
social programs which are still funded..By the way only 1/3 of the
debt interest can be blamed on the military if all departments share
equally in revenues either taxes or loans.
I infer from Dave that he wishes to spend at least the predominant
share of the budget on "social concerns". What happens when the deficit
continues to rise under social programs???????
The Government must defend its people. It may make life easier for some
but this is covered under Christian Charity and is subject to review.
Once a safety net is established it is morally difficult to remove it.
BUT NOT IMPOSSIBLE.
The tone of Dave's article is right out of the Christian left's littany
of criticism. My response is out of the Christian right's littany of
frustration :-)
*****
Marchionni