Christianity does not, in fact, connect you to God

[Imran Siddiqui]

The Old Testament also required the stoning of children for disobeying their parents, for example, and the killing of entire populations in conquered lands. Sure you want to go down that road?

I'm just saying the society in which Jesus lived had protections for the poor and he didn't seem to be all mad at that.

And the fact that Jesus got mad at TAX COLLECTORS should be a pretty good sign he wouldn't be in favor of a system that forced everyone to help the poor by means of TAXATION.

He got mad at them for taking more than they were supposed to. Using their power to demand more money than the government asked for. Not for taking money at all.

Is it Godly to rob your rich neighbor and give all of his money to the poor?

It is Godly to ask your rich neighbor that if he wants the benefits of the society that he should help also pay for the upbringing of the poor. Or do you not remember the society of early Christians in Acts? If you wanted to join the society, you were forced to give all your money and property to the group.

But Jesus did have wealthy backers

Say what?!

All that Joseph of Arimathea did was offer Jesus his burial tomb (& was a secret disciple of Jesus's). Jesus went from place to place asking for hospitality or camping in the wilderness, not staying with rich friends of his.

Berz:

Don't forget Jesus rebuking the worker who buried his talent rather then making a investment and getting a better return.

Matthew 25:26-8

You do realize that is a parable right? He wasn't intending it to be literal - he meant that one should develop the talents that God has given them.

[dannubis]

@ BK who succeeds in completely missing the point of the parable of the talents.

How come he is allowed to teach ? ****ing hell...

[Berzerker]

How do you know that you would need a miracle until you've been in that situation?

because I've read the teachings of Jesus and I haven't given all my stuff away, but if he showed up that would make up for my lack of faith

Say what?!

All that Joseph of Arimathea did was offer Jesus his burial tomb (& was a secret disciple of Jesus's). Jesus went from place to place asking for hospitality or camping in the wilderness, not staying with rich friends of his.

If the rich guy - and he was rich - is a "secret" (not so secret after claiming his body from Pilate) disciple of Jesus, he was a backer of Jesus. Whats the problem? I said Jesus had wealthy backers, and he did. And that was part of Jesus' mission, to walk the land preaching the good news. That doesn't prove he couldn't have had wealthy backers, kinda makes it even more important - somebody was helping pay their way.

You do realize that is a parable right? He wasn't intending it to be literal - he meant that one should develop the talents that God has given them.

I thought it was about spreading the word, one guy hears it and spreads it to others while the other guy heard it and did nothing.

[Ben Kenobi]

You do realize that is a parable right? He wasn't intending it to be literal - he meant that one should develop the talents that God has given them.

I also realise that Talents were a monetary unit.

Read the whole parable. "You reap where you have not sown, and you are a harsh master".

It's all about trust. If you don't trust in God and in the future then you will not invest your money in future endeavours. It's both not one or the other, and both require trust in God.

[Ben Kenobi]

How come he is allowed to teach ? ****ing hell...

Ask yourself why they want me back.

[MrFun]

And the fact that Jesus got mad at TAX COLLECTORS should be a pretty good sign he wouldn't be in favor of a system that forced everyone to help the poor by means of TAXATION.

Where did you find out that the taxes that those tax collectors collected, was used to help the poor? This is new information to me.

[giblets]

I also realise that Talents were a monetary unit.

Read the whole parable. "You reap where you have not sown, and you are a harsh master".

It's all about trust. If you don't trust in God and in the future then you will not invest your money in future endeavours. It's both not one or the other, and both require trust in God.

Which is why atheists still invest their money?

[Kidlicious]

I also realise that Talents were a monetary unit.

Read the whole parable. "You reap where you have not sown, and you are a harsh master".

It's all about trust. If you don't trust in God and in the future then you will not invest your money in future endeavours. It's both not one or the other, and both require trust in God.

If you have faith in God then you won't worry about tomorrow. Not investing in risky ventures is righteousness. The meaning of the parable isn't about money.

[Berzerker]

but the guy who made "money" by risking it was applauded by the master

[Ben Kenobi]

If you have faith in God then you won't worry about tomorrow.

Worry is one thing, planning is another.

[Kidlicious]

Berz,
He was loyal to his master, and that's what the servant is suppose to be, but remember its a parable.

Also about the Rich Ruler, not many people give everything to God, but it's still a commandment.

[onodera]

Dude, that's usury. I thought Christians, and especially Catholics, do not believe in usury.

Neither do Muslims.
The parable, however, is not about usury. The other workers didn't simply lend their talents, they invested them and worked hard to make a profit. That's PWE to you: you are given a gift of life, do not simply live through it, do as much during it as you can.

[onodera]

Where did you find out that the taxes that those tax collectors collected, was used to help the poor? This is new information to me.

Bread and circuses weren't for the rich.

[Imran Siddiqui]

If the rich guy - and he was rich - is a "secret" (not so secret after claiming his body from Pilate) disciple of Jesus, he was a backer of Jesus. Whats the problem? I said Jesus had wealthy backers, and he did. And that was part of Jesus' mission, to walk the land preaching the good news. That doesn't prove he couldn't have had wealthy backers, kinda makes it even more important - somebody was helping pay their way.

Secret disciple means he believed in Jesus, but didn't actually, you know, go to hom and or hang out with him. There is no evidence that someone was helping Jesus "pay [his] way". He wouldn't have stayed out in the wilderness that much if that was the case.

I thought it was about spreading the word, one guy hears it and spreads it to others while the other guy heard it and did nothing.

It is more about doing all you can with the gifts God has given you. And also (not that you are saying this) nothing to do with money (just as the Parable of the Lost Coin is not about money ).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parable_of_the_talents_or_minas

[MrFun]

I'd still like to know how David Floydd found out what the taxes were being used for.