The Central Message

The central message of Buddhism is not "Every man for himself!"
Jamie Lee Curtis as Wanda

I Think Wanda might have some thoughts on the GOP's understanding of Christianity as well: The central message of Jesus was not "keep out the immigrants". Harold Meyerson has a good op-ed in today's Wa-Po on the subject tittled "Hard-liners for Jesus". In the piece Meyerson adroitly makes the point that today's GOP evangelical world view has more in common with the views of the 1920's KKK., than any reasonable reading of the Gospels social agenda. I would argue that the GOP is to Christianity as the Tonton Macoute is to justice.

Here is a quick rundown on some disconnects with the GOP Jesus vs. the man portrayed by Mark, Mathew, Luke and John. Let's look at the Gospel Jesus:

Their Jesus was NOT in favor of capital punishment. In fact the ONLY PERSON he promised paradise to was a convicted criminal dying alongside him on Golgotha.

Their Jesus expressed NO opinion on gays. Johns Gospel does mention a "disciple whom Jesus loved" and makes note of a naked guy in the garden scene at Gethsemane.

The Gospel Jesus was a strong advocate for the poor, and touched the infectious gladly. At no point do the Evangelists mention an admonition to quarantine the sick.

Their Jesus did not advocate personal prosperity as a sign of God's favor, in fact he is on record as demanding the rich give their wealth to the poor. Also, while he was said to have dinned with Tax Collectors, he is not recorded to have issued any calls for a tax cut on the top 1% of Judea.

The Gospel Christ also made some very inconvenient remarks about Love and Enemy's. It is quite impossible to square any doctrine of pre-emtive war with the teaching of this Rebbe from Nazareth.

The GOP has never been about the agenda of heaven, it has always been closer to baby Doc than the baby Jesus.

But don't take my word for it, just ask Wanda.