Real Jesus Versus Republican Jesus

There are multiple ways to interpret this passage. I see it as a flat out rejection of the Roman Empire, and money and wealth in general. The message is not to pay your taxes and be a good citizen. The message is to give away your money and live without it, because it really belongs to the guy who’s picture is on the coin, not you. There is no money in the “Kingdom of Heaven”.

You have to understand that most people in Judea especially, and throughout the Roman Empire in general were not citizens at all. Conservative estimates place about a third of the population of the city of Rome in slavery. Your interpretation really only makes sense through the lens of modern Liberalism. (i.e. John Locke, etc.). This passage has been routinely used by governments to justify taxation, but I have a hard time finding a statist perspective in the gospels at all; an interpretation far more in line with the time that the gospels were written.

Republicans have constantly and consistently opposed gay rights. The bigotry is supported by the pastors that have been personal friends of republican presidents. The Westboro Baptists are the few honest Christians in the public sphere. Fred Phelps preaches what his G-D told him to.

I think there were several points the artist was trying to get across with this comic. He’s not showing ignorance (he correctly quoted scripture whether in or out of context), but rather he’s simply trying to make a point that America has over idealized Jesus and his teachings.

And speaking of ignorance and bias, I don’t believe once in this comic was the thought ever expressed that Jesus would in fact be FOR “loose living” and “bed hopping”….nope, i just read it again and nowhere did i get that from this. It simply states that the Bible gives no opinion on abortion and, as is only right, you are free to do with your body what you wish but at the end of the day are wholly responsible for whatever trouble this may have caused for yourself or others. I also wonder what sort of Christian would put women who get abortions into quotations as though these women aren’t actually women at all but horrible, without moral, monsters. That is unfair and completely sexist (as many times the man is pushing just as hard for the abortion as well).

Your own prejudices and unfair judgments aside, the MAIN POINT of this comic in my eyes, however, was to simply point out the fact that Christians in today’s society use “Jesus” and “The Bible” to justify everything. This country was founded so that people were free to practice their own religions and believe what they wanted. Separation of church and state was always a key issue for this country, and no matter how hard you try…you’ll never be able to legislate morals, Jesus or no Jesus. So at the end of the day, this comic is simply speaking out against those people in America who have simply taken what are simply morality stories and turned them into a whole lot of bullshit that makes it impossible for this country to remain completely free and democratic.

Now, if you’d like to thank Jesus for the many people that are hurt, killed, and ridiculed in “His” name simply because they are gay, think marijuana should be legalized, or don’t believe in God well then by all means do so.