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 Progressive evangelical Rev. Jim Wallis is spearheading the "What would Jesus cut?" campaign.
February 28th, 2011
10:11 AM ET
New budget campaign asks 'What would Jesus cut?'By Dan Gilgoff, CNN Belief Blog Co-Editor A coalition of progressive Christian leaders has taken out a full-page ad that asks “What would Jesus cut?” in Monday’s edition of Politico, the opening salvo in what the leaders say will be a broader campaign to prevent cuts for the poor and international aid programs amid the budget battle raging in Washington. “They’re talking about cutting bed nets for malaria and leaving every piece of military spending untouched,” said the Rev. Jim Wallis, who leads the Christian group Sojourners, referring to Republican spending proposals for the rest of this year. “Are we saying that every piece of military equipment is more important than bed nets, children’s health and nutrition for low-income families?” said Wallis, whose group paid for Monday’s ad. “If so they should be ashamed of themselves.” The ad and the broader campaign are aimed mostly at a spending measure passed by the Republican-led House of Representatives that cuts $61 billion from current spending levels, including cuts to Head Start, the Women Infants and Children (WIC) program and international aid programs. Senate Democrats consider those cuts draconian and won't pass them. The faith leaders behind the "What would Jesus cut" campaign are also lobbying the Obama administration to forego proposed cuts to programs like college grants and heating assistance to low-income Americans in the 2012 federal budget. House and Senate negotiators are trying to find consensus on a temporary spending measure to avert a government shutdown. Republican House Speaker John Boehner is pushing a short-term spending plan that would cut $4 billion. Monday’s “What would Jesus cut?” ad is signed by dozens of Christian leaders, including evangelicals like David Beckman, president of the charity Bread for the World, and author Brian McLaren. "Cutting programs that help those who need them most is morally wrong," Beckmann said in a statement. "Reducing the federal deficit is critical for our nation's long term health but it should not be done at the expense of the most vulnerable. When Jesus talked about how God will judge nations, he said that God will focus on what we did or did not do for the neediest among us." Sojourners recently ordered 1,000 “What would Jesus cut?” bracelets for its supporters to send to their representatives in Congress, then ordered 2,000 more when the initial batch ran out. The group says its backers have sent 10,000 "What would Jesus cut?" emails to Capitol Hill. Wallis said that he and other Christian leaders are meeting in Washington this week to strategize on ways to prevent lawmakers from cutting programs it supports. They are urging cuts in defense spending instead. “The most corrupt government spending is military spending,” Wallis said. “Its cost overruns, outdated weapons systems, welfare checks to military contractors.” “This is a biblical choice of swords into plowshares directly and the House Republicans want to beat our ploughshares into more swords," he said. "These priorities that they’re offering are not just wrong or unfair, they’re unbiblical.” On Sunday, Boenher gave a speech that framed the government’s mounting debt as a moral issue. "We have a moral responsibility to address the problems we face. That means working together to cut spending and rein in government - not shutting it down," Boehner said. "This is very simple: Americans want the government to stay open, and they want it to spend less money. We don't need to shut down the government to accomplish that." Boehner's remarks were included in a speech he delivered to the National Religious Broadcasters annual convention in Nashville. soundoff (1,281 Responses)« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Next »
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ctually someone else brought out a better point. If all these people want extra money to help the poor then TAX THE CHURCHES!!! No more freetax ride for the churches and there will be plenty of money for all the programs that Jesus won't have to cut. Brilliant. Just watch them scatter when they realize that their churches are going to have to pay. There should also be a special excise tax on televangelists.
We must remember that Jesus was about doing more with less and doing it with Love.
Hey everybody, remember a little thing called separation of church and state? Personal beliefs are not public facts and have NO BEARING on government operations. Until human beings develop room-temperature superconductivity, cold fusion, and matter to energy/energy to matter technologies, there will NEVER be enough resources to support the needs of earth's EVER-growing human population. Therefore, all of you do-gooders should do the U.S. taxpayers a favor and practice your personal religion and/or socialist ideologies within the confines of your own lives and stay OUT of everyone else's.
Why don't these idiots read the bible? John 12:9 " You will always have the poor among you but you will not always have me". But today's idiots know that there are endless supplies of everything and no one should do without. Cut my taxes and increase your church donations.
Maybe Jesus would surprise Wallis and his friends by asking them why the Church isn't doing these things instead of the government. As a Christian of the more conservative stripe, that's the way I read the gospel.
And while I'm not a knee-jerk Republican, Boehner has a good point when he counters that the deficit (that is, debt and taxes) is equally a moral issue. So we have two conflicting gospel issues here; maybe the problem is that the question presumes that Government is the Savior.
What a lot of hogwash!! This is happening because those rotten to core republicans HAD to keep their trillions in tax cuts. And Jesus is going to have plenty to say about that on judgement day. Super funding of a military that destroys entire countries and it's people is another issue. Bring our troops home; let them live a normal life and raise their families. That alone would create plenty of dollars to fund everything that needs to be done in this country. Plus, the poor, the disabled, the dying, the homeless, the seniors, the veterans, and the jobless would have what they need to survive. Maybe then we could become a nation of peace and good will, a nation to be proud of, a nation that others want to emulate.
What would Jesus say? He's already said it. ' In as much as ye have done unto one of the least of these my brothern, ye have done unto me'. St Matthew 25:40 Verse 41 speaks of what will happen to those who do wrong to the 'least'.
Mankind has been given his free-will and the tools to follow a good life. By his own choice, man has determined his own
destiny. Another opportunity has been given to those in power to do the right thing. Will they? Boenher has the audacity to publically declare cutting the budget on the backs of the 'least' of us, a moral issue. And to say it is that is what the American people want.
Ha!!! Do not speak for me, Boenher!! I stand firm in Jesus' court. And I say, "Boenher, do the right thing for the people you claim to represent'.
This is a sad attempt at liberalizing Jesus. I find it amusing that alot of liberal readers are posting comments bashing Jesus and religion. I'm not liberal but ill let you guys in on a little secret you dont seem to be clued into. By liberalizing Jesus' message, the media is attempting to win the "religious vote." They dont actually care about Jesus or being accurate in His message...so wise up and stop fighting your own party's propaganda...just pretend to like Jesus like they do.
Oh My God sweet jesus christ, you are so smart! I wish i could be just like you!
Right, 'liberalizing Jesus' message.' That would change it to "love one another" from GIVE ME ALL YOUR MONEY OR DIE, right? Because Jesus didn't say we should build a better world, or help the poor and sick, or be faithful and true.
Thank you! Finally, someone who is paying attention to what Jesus would actually give priority to! Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
With budget cuts, the shoe is always on the other foot.
This is a sad attempt at liberalizing Jesus. I find it interesting that alot of liberal readers are posting comments bashing Jesus and religion. I'm not liberal but ill let you guys in on a little secret you dont seem to be clued into. By liberalizing Jesus' message, the media is attempting to win the "religious vote." They dont actually care about Jesus or being accurate in His message...so wise up and stop fighting your own party's propaganda...just pretend to like Jesus like they do.
This is a sad attempt at liberalizing Jesus. I find it interesting that alot of liberal readers are posting comments bashing Jesus and religion. I'm not liberal but ill let you guys in on a little secret you dont seem to be clued into. By liberalizing Jesus' message, the media is attempting to win the "religious vote." They dont actually care about Jesus or being accurate in His message...so wise up and stop fighting your own party's propaganda...just pretend to like Jesus like they do.
Well I don't think jesus would be impress by money or gold or people who have a lot of these things. Or by people that like to pass judgement on others. I think he would tell churches to sell their gold and churches. To have faith in him that the church will survive because the church is in the hearts of the people, and how they care for one another, and not in material things. Remember his sermon on the mound was outside.
It's a spiritual man that religions are made from. It is a religious man that politics are made from.
JTKerry, St. Louis, MO
I wrote an wrote an essay before and it is stuck in "moderation" – maybe I was too "excessive".
Ha!
Anglican
Steve. Are you prepared to draw the line? Who is too poor, and who is not. Christ did not differentiate. We must not as well. Of all I care for, all are less fortunate than I.
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What would i draw a line when one has already been drawn. So we should not root out fraud? Yes Christ did not differentiate but He did say just a little something about STEALING!
Steal? Who are you talking about. The homeless, the addicted, the street walkers who are mentally ill? Everybody is always worried about those who are dishonest. The dishonest will always be around. To cut off the poor in order to cut off the dishonest is dangerous.
Anglican
Steal? Who are you talking about. The homeless, the addicted, the street walkers who are mentally ill? Everybody is always worried about those who are dishonest. The dishonest will always be around. To cut off the poor in order to cut off the dishonest is dangerous.
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Those on public assistance and KNOW they don't need it , those who are not reporting change that will not longer make they eligible are STEALING! Again, yes we have to help the poor but at the there are those who can work but don't! You better worry about the dishonest, you are paying for them. But I guess it is just easier to raise taxes than to battle fraud , right? Nobody is saying cut off the poor! lets be serious about battling fraud at the same time! That is what I am saying!
Steve. You sound more politically conservative than Christian today. Christ never asked for payment or evidence of employment before He healed someone.
Anglican
Steve. You sound more politically conservative than Christian today. Christ never asked for payment or evidence of employment before He healed someone.
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??? we are talking about welfare, public assistance!
Jesus would see that people, excuse me, crooks are using churches as tax shelters and tax all churches. This would generate a huge amount of tax revenue, especially from the Country of Catholic and the Baptist Corporation.
Frankly, I would like to see Jesus immediately remove all Oil, Money and other precious metals from the world and tell the citizens of the planet to work to better themselves and their fellow man.
It is nice to see that some people are standing up for what is right. Matthew 26:44-45 reads somewhat like this, and I am paraphrasing, Lord when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or homeless, or without clothes, or sick, and did not provide what you needed? He answers saying when you turn your back on the needs of others, then you turn your back on me. This is a mandate to provide care for your fellow man regardless of who they are. This country gives assistance to big business by giving ridiculous tax breaks. Let's not mention the big bailout of banks. It is not the poor or needy that strain the system. It is the senseless greed and selfishness that pervades our society. Does any man really need to make ten, twenty or forty million dollars a year or more. Does any man really need a 10,000 square foot home or more than one. The answer is no! The fact is that greed is never satisfied. If every large corporation paid their fair share of taxes, and all taxes were made fair and equitable, then we would not be in this position. I do not care about any rebuttal to this post. This is a big part of the problem.
Thank you Steve.
I don't think jesus should be worried about our deficit, he needs to focus more on how to keep Priests from raping little boys.
You obviously don't understand gods plan. He gave those little boys free will. They chose to be....
Wait a minute.
Jesus never endorsed the idea of using the point of the Roman spear to help the poor. He encouraged people to look into their hearts and give voluntarily, cherrfully. Our excessive taxation actually DISCOURAGES people from giving to help the poor. Why should they, when the government is doing it?
Show me where he says anything about what Caesar should be using tax dollars for. Show me where he says "the government shouldn't help the poor". Please, I've asked several people for the Biblical evidence for this and no one has given it to me.
Typical reasoning of a "Christian" for not helping anyone.
A "Conservative Christian" is an oxymoron.
By making it part of our national priorities to assist the poor and hungry, we're lowering the burden on any one member of our country by sharing it amongst all. Of course, there are plenty who wouldn't participate if given the choice, just as there are plenty who wouldn't pay for wars, corporate welfare, etc. There's no spear being used here - we created a government expressly to make these kinds of decisions on our behalf.
I could watch the story of Jesus on the Sci-Fi Channel just like I watch star Trek. When jesus does it it's a Miracle. When anybody else comes back from the dead turns water to wine or cures people of Disease it Sorcery..but Jesus performs Miracles not SORCERY.
It should not be "what would Jesus cut" but "what would we cut with the spirit of Christ in mind".