Jesus Commands us to LOVE Our Neighbor.

“If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn't help the poor, either we have to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are, or we've got to acknowledge that He commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition and then admit that we just don't want to do it.” or so says Stephen Colbert.

I, however, must protest. Vigorously protest!

Stephen Colbert - quit putting up a Strawman. Do Something Yourself. As a Christian it is YOUR responsibility. YOU! God has provided you with money, now act like a good steward of His money and use it for good. As a practicing Catholic, I'm sure you donate to charities, but I also bet you can do more. You have fame and connections, use what God gave you to start or help an organization that is serving the needy as Jesus commands. And then leave me alone so I can do the same. Quit advocating for the government to take the money God has provided to me, so they can misuse it. Allow me to allocate the money God has entrusted to me.

Christians and the government are NOT the same thing. The Good Samaritan was NOT a government official. The Good Samaritan spent his own time and his own money; put his own life on the line to help a stranger. The Good Samaritan didn't petition the government for further taxation to pay for robbery victim aid while they pocket as much as possible behind closed doors.Jesus didn't advocate for government control. Jesus advocted for personal responsibility. He said YOU are responsible for your neighbor.

Colbert's remarks in the sketch the above quote was taken from show that he believes that today, Jesus would be a Liberal Democrat. Colbert's remarks are definitely in support of government taxation and unquestioned welfare distribution.

Colbert's entire TV persona is a Strawman. The fallacy that Republicans and Libertarians who don't support big government and heavy taxation or unlimited welfare are just plain mean. We are uncaring and unloving; we don't want clean water or roads or schools; we somehow want people to die. I know that sounds over-the-top, but those are things I, personally, have been accused of by liberal friends. People that have known me for years. People that have worked with me on charitable projects.

Obviously, I don't think Jesus would be a Liberal Democrat. I also dont' think he'd be a Republican. From everything I've read and studied in the Bible, Jesus was all about Love and Relationships - with a little self-empowerment thrown in. The government isn't about Love and relationships with the government are always in the governments favor.

My opinion is that when the government taxes and taxes and then hands it out to those they deem worthy (individuals or companies), it diminishes the relationship between people. The very relationship that is so essential in the Bible. After the government has forcibly taken your money and redistributed it, the natural response is that you've done your duty and have no further personal obligation. You've already given of your fruits to help the needy - it just involved a middle man. The personal relationship between you and your neighbor is severed. How can there be love in a relationship that doesn't exist?

As I originally said, the Good Samaritan didn't take the injured man to the welfare office or the free clinic. He took him to a private place, hired someone to help, went on about his business (presumably to ear more money, maybe not), and returned to make sure the injured man was OK and that the innkeeper was justly rewarded for his service. A relationship of caring was established between all three players.

What government welfare and taxation often amounts to is letting people not feel guilty for not personally getting involved. Afterall, that's the government's job. It also lets those in control of those  who run government programs fill their pockets with a little (or a lot) extra money.

Just for the record, I do realize that some people will fall through the cracks if we leave charity up to the churches and other groups. People fall through the cracks with government assistance, too. It is a Christian's calling to look for those people, and help them.

I do realize that Colbert donates to several charities. But he isn't living the life of Mother Teresa and he should quit throwing stones. As he advocates higher taxes, I have less money. Less money to help my neighbors with - and trust me - I'm a more frugal middleman than the U.S. Government.

P.S. Colbert's name calling and sarcasm doesn't strike me as a great Christian role model.