Representative Cecil Brown (D-Leftover) submitted this column to JJ:
In recent public statements, both Gov. Phil Bryant and Speaker of the House Philip Gunn have raised the issue of religion and how it affects their work in the public offices they hold. Gov. Bryant told a group of school kids that Christianity “shapes his world view.” He went on to say that his Christian faith leads him to oppose abortion and support the display of nativity scenes on government property. He has also opposed any and all efforts to create health care exchanges and has opposed Medicaid health insurance expansion.
Speaker Gunn said he opposes expansion of Medicaid health insurance coverage for the poor because, he argues, that his reading of the Bible indicates that “It is not the government’s job to take care of its citizens” and that “people should not look to the government for their provision, their dependence or their joy.”
I read these opinions and thought how different they are from how Christianity and the Bible inform my own world view. For the religious community, caring for the poor and the sick is a timeless obligation. And while clearly the church and the non-profit community have a role to play in fulfilling that obligation, I believe that the government, as a human institution created under the authority of God, also has a role to play. When we consider the expansion of Medicaid in Mississippi, for example, we are looking at an opportunity to fulfill Christ’s declaration that “these signs shall follow them that believe . . . they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” (Mark, 16:17-18) Certainly we cannot be like Jesus “healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people,” (Mathew, 4:23), but we can facilitate healing by offering health care to the hundreds of thousands of poor Mississippians who are currently uninsured through the expansion of the Medicaid program and a state-based health insurance exchange.
If, in fact, the government has no role to play in caring for its citizens, we would not sanction federal aid for hurricane victims. The federally subsidized flood insurance program would be totally privatized. We would abandon the federal school lunch program. There would be no need for the Mississippi departments of health or mental health. We would shut down Meals on Wheels and the federal unemployment insurance program. Medicare and Medicaid would be eliminated. All federal assistance for the creation of small businesses would be repealed. Obviously the people of this state and this country, through their elected representatives, have decided that these government programs serve important social welfare needs.
Certainly the Speaker and the Governor should look to their faith to help guide the important decisions they make. However, neither they nor any other humans are infallible. There are many people of great faith who believe that Christ clearly calls on us to serve people in need, and this government “of the people, by the people, for the people” gives us one more way to do so.
For many Christians, caring for the poor, the sick the needy is a duty that comes from God. For that reason, God’s people should not stand aside when we have the opportunity to extend health insurance to thousands of low-income working Mississippians through the Medicaid program and a state-based health insurance exchange.
Cecil Brown
Mississippi House of Representatives
Jackson, MS
601-362-8383
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Cecil Brown on the Bible and government
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37 comments:
I recall reading the Jesus supported taking the initiative and supporting the poor personally and within the community, not voting for others to confiscate wealth at gunpoint to parcel it out based on perceived "need".
And while clearly the church and the non-profit community have a role to play in fulfilling that obligation, I believe that the government, as a human institution created under the authority of God, also has a role to play.
Give us the Bible reference for that Brown.
Charity comes from the heart not a governmental directive.
That would be Representative or Mr. Brown for you, zero loser at 2:23.
liberals dont beieve in God so Cecil is full if S#$%!!!!
Imagine if all the evangelicals and liberation theologists got together one day and realized, "You know what? This is just a book of crazy, ahistorical legends from the bronze age. We should give it about the same weight in public policy decisions as we give the Zoroastrian Avesta and the other 457 'holy' texts from that period."
@ 2:44
Lighten up Francis.
Since Mr Brown thinks it reasonable to stretch his adversaries' position to say that the conclusion of their logic is that absolutely no government assistance be provided to anyone, it must also be reasonable to stretch his logic to the conclusion that government should provide 100% to everyone all the time.
Hey Cecil. Fat Bobby and Brandon want you to come over, talk some strategy and down a dozen cheeseburgers, each, with them. Then y'all can talk in tongues and bray like Donkeys at the moon.
Your party know about as much about healthcare as the Kenyan knows about living within budgets and thrift.
The problem Brown has is he thinks all his thoughts are ALWAYS correct. He is, has been, and will always be a short know it all.
Eighteenth century thinking has finally gotten Mississippi to the twentieth. The future's bright which this rational thinking leading us!
ABC affiliate KLTV reports:
WASHINGTON D.C. (KLTV): God fearing Americans at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Saturday told President Obama and his National Park Service Brown Shirts to go fuck themselves.
facepalm, 7:06.
Agree w/ 7:06 and 7:45. How could Rep. Brown have attached his name to such a truly weak column? Don't we have any leaders in our party better than these?
Dear Cecil: Research shows that low-income and minority students benefit the most from public charter schools. Where was your Christianity worldview on that vote?
separation of church and state
If government is not the place to help the poor then neither is it the place to preach to them. The Governor would be very busy in the church discharging those duties, but he tends toward a churchy government.
But Governor did not send the column or letter. Cecil did
I enjoyed Mr. Brown's essay. Everyhing he said is true.
One question for those on here who have spoken out against it. How much do you tithe to your church?
My guess is zero, for most.
Mr. Brown's whole premise isn't "true".
It is not the job of "government" to take care of people. I suggest Mr. Brown go get an education on the foundation of THIS government. Relative to our system of government, government is not some autonomous benevolent entity set to rule, govern or watch over the People.
That would be why government for the People, by the People and for the People is so important. The absolutely only reason why our governments have become caretakers of the poor is because of the progressive notions that we are not free individuals but are people given rights by our government, that social justice is on the same plane as legal justice and government should use it's powers to enact that social justice, the People have slowly been the boiled frog and accepted the government taking more and more of their earned income and wealth in order to perform more and more social functions over pure governmental functions.
Society is benevolent by nature when allowed to be. Society tends to become less so and much more ambivalent and offended when forced to give by threat.
People like Mr. Brown can easily opine about how honorable it is to take care of the poor and infirmed when he's doing it with someone else's money that is confiscated by enacted law. It's wholly un-Christian to do it under the guise of being Christian-like and a slap in the face to the teachings of Jesus Christ.
We are the government. It's not some unidentifiable entity. You are represented. You can run for office.
The social contract of a democracy is that you must accept that your opinions and your ideas might not be persuasive and acceptable to others.
Quoting selective Biblical passages to support even evil doings has been done throughout the ages.
Jesus also fed all at his Sermon on the Mount rather than berate the people for not bringing their own food and he named those who are blessed. He turned over the tables of the money changers in the Temple. He sumitted himself to authorities rather than ask his followers to rise up and destroy those who would crucify Him.
We are urged throughout the Bible to tend to our own sins and get our own houses in order before casting stones at others. We are told repeatedly that none of us are without sin and should be humble.
I would point out that not all Christians or religions oppose abortion. Those who are do not oppose abortion are Jews,Presbyterian Church ( USA), United Church of Christ, Christian Church ( Disciples of Christ),Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Daay Saints,United Methodist Chruch,Moravians, Quakers,and Unitarians. And, indeed, not even all Catholics oppose abortion as there is Catholics for Free Choice.
So even on abortion Christians don't agree. That some Christians are so puffed up as to believe only their denomination speaks FOR God is rather anti-Christian as the point of Christianity is to be led to a life pleasing to God.
Mississippi is highly conforming but if you imagine your fellow Americans to be heathens or stupid or " liberal" because they don't conform to your narrow opinions on politics, you are mistaken.
A little reminder from our friends over at Merriam Webster....
the·oc·ra·cies
Etymology: Greek theokratia, from the- + -kratia -cracy
Date: 1622
1 : government of a state by immediate divine guidance or by officials who are regarded as divinely guided 2 : a state governed by a theocracy
de·moc·ra·cies
Etymology: Middle French democratie, from Late Latin democratia, from Greek dēmokratia, from dēmos + -kratia -cracy
Date: 1576
1 a : government by the people ; especially : rule of the majority b : a government in which the supreme power is in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation
Though Judeo-Christianity provides a remarkably solid foundation for a personal moral compass, the ramifications and oxymoronic paradoxes it creates as a basis for a mode of governing cannot be understated. (See Europe Middle Ages). If you open the gates and depart the Bible Belt, most well educated professing Protestants will echo this sentiment. Our GOP better wake up and realize this "Tickle-me-Elmo" social rhetoric is losing steam rapidly, especially in the 18-35 demographic. We're ushering towards globalization and it's all about the dollars and cents.
See, 4 years of a worthless PoliSci degree did finally come in handy for something....
Applauding you 8:38 am!
YAWN ... SSnnnoooorrreeeee ... ZZZZZzzzzzz
10:39 am I had you in my class in junior high. I shouldn't have passed you but I felt so sorry for your parents.
8:38
People who disregarded Biblical principles put Lenin, Hitler and Mao into power. That didn't work out so well. I'll take the Middle Age excesses over that bunch.
Please point out someone who is seriously pushing a theocratic government. One can believe that truth transcends the latest polling data without clamoring for a theocracy. People of faith have just as much right to a voice in the public area as those who do not.
8:11 Have you noticed the religions/denominations you cited are in decline? Maybe the hierarchy should take note of the people who are voting with their feet by leaving.
Cecil, nice try in justifying the government from a biblical worldview! Your only problem, nowhere in the bible does it say the government should dictate choice. I believe that is why we are given free choice from the One above. Your twisted, warped view, out with the Pres. Time for you go as we'll.....
3:32. "Have you noticed the religions you cited were in decline?" So is the Southern Baptist denomination. Wonder why. Hint: it's not because they haven't been vocal enough in using the political system to force their opinions on the public. It's also not because they aren't conservative enough.
4:04. You think the law shouldn't dictate free choice? What do you think a law is? It is hard to find a law that doesn't. Including those favored by conservatives (example: abortion laws, drug laws, etc).
Genesis 2:15 "The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it."
Don't see anything about just sitting back and letting everyone else support you because you are LAZY.
8:54am It's fascinating that a Christian would choose to support their political stance by quoting the Old Testament and ignore the teachings of Christ.
Did He come and hang out with the rich? Did He urge political activism? Did He urge you to judge your fellow man ? Did He urge you to hurl insults and treat others with disrespect? Did He plot to be King? Or did He teach arrogance or humility or, did He preach love and generosity? If you are a Christian, you will follow His example not be led by those who seek political power or claim to be preachers but live like royalty and build monuments to themselves.
Look at what Reed did in the Choctaw Indian scandal. There is where the Truth of mixing politics and religion is to be found.
A Christian participates by urging morality and finding HONEST representation, not by trying to force their DENOMINATIONAL beliefs on their fellow citizens!
You continue to falsely believe that all Christians politically agree to the point of accusing those who don't of not being "real" Christians. You ignore what Paul says about that at your immortal peril!
"And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country."
Guess this does not apply anymore
Nothing wrong with caring for sick and needy. but not all needy have to remain that way. programs are available for a reason, not for a living as some think
10:56 so, you disagree with 8:54
you think Jesus DID endorse laziness, right? that was 8:54's only point.
@October 12, 2013 at 2:23 PM
While reading this post, the first thing that jumped off the page was the exact item you highlighted.
I too would like chapter and verse on that one.
Bravo to October 13, 2013 at 7:16 AM (Mr. Brown's whole premise isn't "true".)
"That some Christians are so puffed up as to believe only their denomination speaks FOR God is rather anti-Christian as the point of Christianity is to be led to a life pleasing to God."
My denomination doesn't guide my soul, Christ does. The Bible is the only reference book. Period.
@8:38
"and it's all about the dollars and cents." I believe I see where your reasoning may have a problem.
"nowhere in the bible does it say the government should dictate choice. I believe that is why we are given free choice from the One above" bravo.
11:34 am both of you are sitting in judgment to decide " laziness". You don't know if someone has the IQ of a turnip or non-visible disabilities or is on meds for psychiatric problems that leaves them OTL.
You make assumptions ( including that charity ever has taken care of all in need) based on bias rather than on reality.
There is that " eye of the needle" verse. Did you miss it? Did you miss that " the poor in spirit" are blessed?
Jesus wasn't preaching to the powerful or the wealthy. He was preaching to the poor and wretched and giving them hope.
6:28 11:34 here. I was talking to someone else (10:56) about their fractured logic.
But since you butt in, let me explain that I am one of those people who gets asked to fill out medical papers regarding "disability". When some is disabled (FYI - I DO know whether they have "the IQ of a turnip" (what an appallingly insensitive way to refer to our mentally retarded brethren) or have non-visible disabilities or take psychiatric meds).
I also know when they are lazy. For instance, I saw a 21 year old man who looked inrobust good health and I noticed his insurance was Medicare/SSI. I asked him why he was disabled. He said he was born with a clubfoot, which was repaired surgically when he was 6 months old. Apparently the operation was a roaring success since he was quite reknowned as an athlete in high school. But, "disability" is a permanent determination, so he planned to keep on collecting for the rest of his life. You're paying for it, so I thought you'd enjoy having your eyes opened to how the system works.
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