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Drudge Retort: The Other Side of the News
Saturday, July 05, 2025

Pastor Paul Drees, a progressive Lutheran pastor, explains why giving tax cuts to the ultra wealthy, while taking away the basic needs of the most poor in your country, is not a Christian action. He contrasts what is written in Christian scripture (many Bible verses address helping the poor, being kind to the less fortunate and turning away from greed) to the actions currently being taken by the American government.

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The massive bill would would reduce income by 2.9% per year for the bottom 20% of households, according to the Yale analysis, and raise income by 2.2% per year for the top 20%.

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-- CNBC (@cnbc.com) Jul 1, 2025 at 7:00 PM

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Too bad you got wet for an 80 year old Socialist, you ------- ----.

#1 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2025-07-04 10:59 PM | Reply

Laura Mohr,

You have consistently sided with this cretin. Let that sink in.

#2 | Posted by BellRinger at 2025-07-04 11:07 PM | Reply

You have consistently sided with this cretin. Let that sink in.

Posted by BellRinger at 2025-07-04 11:07 PM | Reply

At least he doesn't support traitors to the United States of America.

#3 | Posted by LauraMohr at 2025-07-04 11:16 PM | Reply

Ballwasher the cowardly FAGAT.

You're a ------- -----, boy.

#4 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2025-07-04 11:17 PM | Reply

Laura,

I actually think he nailed it right at the start.

His first sentence was, "America is not a Christian nation."

Then, he spent the rest of the video building an argument that America should be, and shaming Christians who don't agree with him.

Really?

If we're going to turn America into a Christian nation, you don't get to cherry pick which parts of Christianity apply. You either take the whole thing, cross and all, or admit you're just using Christianity to push a political agenda.

Honestly, he should've just stopped after the first sentence.

It was the only honest thing he said, before trying to gaslight Christians into doubting their faith.

#5 | Posted by BillJohnson at 2025-07-04 11:36 PM | Reply

He's spot on about everything that he said. You can't rebut anything that he said BillJohnson.

#6 | Posted by LauraMohr at 2025-07-04 11:52 PM | Reply

Laura,

"He's spot on about everything that he said. You can't rebut anything that he said, BillJohnson."

Actually, I did rebut it.

He said, "America is not a Christian nation," then spent ten minutes preaching like it should be while shaming Christians who don't support his political agenda.

That wasn't theology. It was political proselytizing pretending to be the Gospel.

You're free to believe that. Just don't pretend you speak with divine authority on what Christianity demands.

#7 | Posted by BillJohnson at 2025-07-05 12:13 AM | Reply

You're free to believe that. Just don't pretend you speak with divine authority on what Christianity demands.
Posted by BillJohnson at 2025-07-05 12:13 AM | Reply

I don't have to speak with Devine authority. The Bible does it for me.

#8 | Posted by LauraMohr at 2025-07-05 12:20 AM | Reply | Funny: 1

Laura,

Did you see a recent post of mine? I'll repost it here...

A lot of people believe Christianity is about forcing the government to take money from working people and give it to those who've chosen a lifestyle of dependence.
But in one of Paul's New Testament letters to the church in Thessalonica, Paul addressed believers who were refusing to work and relying on others to support them.
Paul's words were clear. He wrote, "If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat." (2 Thessalonians 3:10)
That's not just a suggestion.
It's Christian teaching, written by Paul, who shaped much of the New ersonal Testament.

End--

Don't assume I personally agree with everything in this bill because I don't. My point here is Christianity is about freedom and personal responsibility and not being shackled to the government for survival all your life.

#9 | Posted by BillJohnson at 2025-07-05 12:33 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

First of all The Apostle Paul didn't know Christ. He came after Christ. Secondly the Bible directs His followers on how to live. A large portion of that is taking care of the sick feeding the poor visiting the incarcerated. Etc etc.

#10 | Posted by LauraMohr at 2025-07-05 12:41 AM | Reply

Laura,

And this "priest" seems rather oblivious to what America actually represents under the Constitution,

A nation that protects religious freedom, not one that enforces religious doctrine through government policy.

(and spare me the whataboutism)

#11 | Posted by BillJohnson at 2025-07-05 12:43 AM | Reply

Laura,

"First of all, the Apostle Paul didn't know Christ."

You talk about Native Americans.

You're aware they passed down stories with vivid accuracy across generations using oral traditions, without written language. It was a cornerstone of their culture.

So why do you doubt that Paul, who lived in the same era as Christ and was surrounded by firsthand witnesses, couldn't understand and faithfully teach His message?

It's true that Paul could not have known Jesus in a physical sense, but Paul knew Jesus through direct revelation and his teachings were affirmed by people who knew Jesus personally, including apostles who had walked with Him during His ministry.

Paul wrote many letters to growing churches preaching the message of Jesus Christ and dealing with some issues facing the new churches and conflicts members were having with each other. The churches copied the letters and shared them with other churches. These letters became part of the New Testament in the bible.

Let's not act like truth only counts if it comes directly from the original messenger.

#12 | Posted by BillJohnson at 2025-07-05 01:13 AM | Reply

"they passed down stories with vivid accuracy across generations"

Don't lay down any dough on that.
The stories in those oral info cultures change. Always have, always will.
Unless they're using formulaic sounds telling a tale nobody understands, e.g. abba-zabba-doo.
Text, written and/or verbal, changes on repetition.
That's just the way it is.

#13 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2025-07-05 06:30 AM | Reply

"vivid accuracy"?

How the ---- would you know?

#14 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2025-07-05 10:26 AM | Reply

My point here is Christianity is about freedom and personal responsibility and not being shackled to the government for survival all your life.

#9 | POSTED BY BILLJOHNSON

Then you have no point and are just another fool if you believe that.

Christianity is NOT about freedom. And I am pretty sure Jesus was ok with starving people taking handouts from their governments. They took handouts from him didn't they?

And you are definitely NOT A FREE THINKER.

Christianity (much like Islam) is about submission to the will of a God.

A god invented by men. Made up by men. And men have decided what this made up god says and means. As they have decided what all the gods men have made up say or mean. Men interpret the "will of God" through the writings of other men and various other means (like signs and prophecy) and then they tell other men what to do and say based on that they think.

I hate to break it to you. Your "higher power" is just you.


#15 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-07-05 11:33 AM | Reply

Christianity is about freedom ...

There is a very good reason we separate church from state in America.

If the Christians ruled this nation we would definitely NOT be as free as we are.

#16 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-07-05 11:39 AM | Reply

Doc,

Many cultures developed systems specifically designed to preserve information with accuracy. Native American tribes and other indigenous groups passed down complex genealogies, migration paths, and historical events often with surprising consistency. Their oral traditions are considered legitimate sources of historical information when used alongside other evidence. I'll admit, the word "vivid" may have been overstated.

I'm no expert on that subject, but I only used it as a relatable example for Laura.

As for Paul, he knew people who had personally traveled with Jesus extensively, so his testimony carries a great deal of weight. Many books of the New Testament were written within a generation of the events and were preserved to give future believers both an understanding of Jesus and a foundation for Christian faith.

Now, back to this thread and the video.

The man in the video said the things we're called to sacrifice such as money, pride, comfort are "all for the benefit of the marginalized."
That might sound noble on the surface, but it misrepresents the heart of Scripture.

Jesus didn't call us to surrender everything so that one group could gain. He called us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. The purpose of sacrifice is obedience and worship and not political or ideological activism.

Honestly, the man in the video reminds me of certain pastors I've seen who pressure their congregations into tithing using guilt and shame. The language is different, but the tactic is the same.

Yes, Christians are called to love their neighbor, care for the poor, and show mercy but those actions flow from a changed heart, and not from pressure to follow a political narrative dressed up as compassion. We are to follow Christ.

What this man is promoting isn't biblical sacrifice. It's a sanctified version of wealth redistribution wrapped in religious language.

It actually reminds me of something I personally witnessed years ago. I had a job demonstrating a product, and one day I ended up at an elementary school affiliated with Jerry Falwell. A teacher there showed me a memo requiring employees to give 10% of their paychecks to Falwell's church. That was the moment my impression of him changed. Tithing is biblical, but coercion like that is misguided.

And so is the message in this video.

#17 | Posted by BillJohnson at 2025-07-05 12:15 PM | Reply

Donner,

"If the Christians ruled this nation we would definitely NOT be as free as we are."

I think that was understood from the beginning of America by men who knew history and were aware of how power had been abused in the name of religion.

For centuries there have been people who distort Christianity for financial gain and power. Even the early churches had similar problems.

That's not a reflection of Jesus or His message. It's a reflection of human nature and the failure of those who twist His message for their own agenda.

Sort of like the man in this video.

#18 | Posted by BillJohnson at 2025-07-05 12:31 PM | Reply

a full day of stuff planned...

adios.

#19 | Posted by BillJohnson at 2025-07-05 12:37 PM | Reply

For centuries there have been people who distort Christianity for financial gain and power. Even the early churches had similar problems.

Because here we do not believe in monarchs and that absolute power corrupts absolutely.

...

That's not a reflection of Jesus or His message. It's a reflection of human nature and the failure of those who twist His message for their own agenda.

Sort of like the man in this video.

#18 | POSTED BY BILLJOHNSON

The man in the video was speaking of Christian values. He was speaking the truth as he saw it. What did he say that was not the truth?

What twisted agenda do you think the man in the video has?

The man in the video is obviously a Christian relaying what he feels is the message Jesus wanted us to hear. Which part do you disagree with exactly?

#20 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-07-05 12:46 PM | Reply

a full day of stuff planned...

adios.
#19 | POSTED BY BILLJOHNSON

No worries. I will check back later for your answers.

#21 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-07-05 12:47 PM | Reply

Donner,

"Which part do you disagree with exactly?"

I explained that already.

It seems like you didn't read what I wrote or didn't comprehend my meaning.

#22 | Posted by BillJohnson at 2025-07-05 01:09 PM | Reply

a full day of stuff planned...

At least 32 minutes worth.

#23 | Posted by REDIAL at 2025-07-05 01:17 PM | Reply

Yes, Christians are called to love their neighbor, care for the poor, and show mercy but those actions flow from a changed heart, and not from pressure to follow a political narrative dressed up as compassion. We are to follow Christ.

Christianity emphasizes a call to sacrifice for the benefit of others, particularly the marginalized. It is what your Christ told you to do.

Christians are called to offer their entire being to God, which involves being willing to give up privileges and comfort to help the weak.

If you are not doing that then you are not following him. Are you?

"Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?'"

Now. Would you like to discuss what "Deny himself", "Take up his cross", and "Lose his life for my sake" mean?

#24 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-07-05 01:31 PM | Reply

I'll start ...

Deny himself: This means putting God and others before personal desires, comforts, and privileges. It is about actively choosing to prioritize God's will and the needs of others over personal convenience or self-interest.

Take up his cross: This symbolizes a willingness to face hardship, suffering, and sacrifice for the sake of following Jesus and serving others, just as Jesus carried his cross. This can involve giving up earthly possessions, ambitions, or even risking one's life.

Lose his life for my sake: This emphasizes the idea of a complete surrender to God and his purposes, even to the point of death, if necessary. This is a radical call to discipleship that requires a willingness to give up everything for the sake of the gospel and serving the weak.

#25 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-07-05 01:33 PM | Reply

Donner,

"Which part do you disagree with exactly?"

I'm opposed to anyone, left or right, using Bible verses to push a political agenda.

You're fine with the guy in this video doing it, but if a conservative politician started quoting scripture to his constituents, you'd probably be outraged.

It's not the message I object to. It's the manipulation.

If he took off the white collar and spoke as just another citizen, no problem. But when someone invokes religious authority to promote a political agenda, that's crossing a line.

I took offense of Pastors who use shame to promote tithing, even though its Biblical, and I take offense of the man in this video doing the same.

I have nothing else to add.

#26 | Posted by BillJohnson at 2025-07-05 02:16 PM | Reply

You're fine with the guy in this video doing it, but if a conservative politician started quoting scripture to his constituents, you'd probably be outraged.

Don't pretend to know how I think.

He is not a government employee as far as I know. Nothing he says will "outrage" me. Nor should it. I may disagree. But in this case I do not.

He is a Christian talking to other Christians.

He is not speaking to me. I already know the Truth that he speaks.

I am however outraged when ANY government employees politicians use "scripture" or promote their personal religious beliefs while in a public office. Like MAGA Mike does for instance.

Government employees cannot use their official authority or government resources to proselytize or promote their religious beliefs in a way that violates the Establishment Clause. This means they generally cannot pressure, coerce, or discriminate against others based on religion, or create the impression that the government endorses a particular faith.

#27 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-07-05 02:29 PM | Reply

It's sort of ironic the way Christian preachers shame their congregation, in the same breath as teaching forgiveness.

Fearing God is Biblical but burdening people with shame, when the heart of Christianity is shaking off the past and being reborn, is contradictory.

What makes it worse is they are doing it for secular goals like political power or a church meeting a budget.

#28 | Posted by BillJohnson at 2025-07-05 02:30 PM | Reply

"It's sort of ironic the way Christian preachers shame their congregation, in the same breath as teaching forgiveness."

It's ironic that you feel no shame for denying your Christs teachings.

#29 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-07-05 02:32 PM | Reply

Redial,

I'm waiting on my wife.

#30 | Posted by BillJohnson at 2025-07-05 02:32 PM | Reply

Donner,

Just curious. Are you saved?

Where are you coming from in all this?

Are you a believer speaking from faith and a personal walk with God, or someone outside the faith trying to use Scripture as a weapon when it suits your needs?

#31 | Posted by BillJohnson at 2025-07-05 02:42 PM | Reply

It's not the Scripture that's the problem.

It's the dishonesty behind how it's being used to manipulate people for secular reasons regardless how compassionate it sounds.

#32 | Posted by BillJohnson at 2025-07-05 02:55 PM | Reply

But it was founded on Christian principles.

#33 | Posted by MSgt at 2025-07-05 03:13 PM | Reply

Such as?

Only white male property owners could vote.
Slavery was legal.
It overthrew a king, who derived his power from God

Biblical? Christian?

Errrr ..m

#34 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2025-07-05 03:17 PM | Reply

"Just curious. Are you saved?"

Am I a Christian? No.

Am I saved? Yes. But not by what your limited narrow minded Christian thinking would allow for, of course. I am saved (immune) from the stupidity of rigid Christian dogma. Or any religious dogma for that matter.

While I accept the truths of many religions including Christianity I am not beholden to any of them or any man.

You don't have to be a "believer" to understand Christianity. You do have to be a Christian "believer" to be able to deny the truths found in all religions.

#35 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-07-05 03:20 PM | Reply

But it was founded on Christian principles.

#33 | POSTED BY MSGT

"As the Government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion...".

-Thomas Jefferson

#36 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-07-05 03:27 PM | Reply

From another angle, I do not agree that it is good or right or required as a Christian to enable people to the degree liberals are wanting.

It's not just the abuse of scripture I don't agree with.

I also disagree with liberals and how they think people should be pampered and enabled to waste their potential.

It is Biblical that people should be held accountable for themselves and their own welfare.

Using the Bible the way this video is saying is making people look to the government for guidance and survival instead of a personal relationship with God and becoming self reliant.

We've seen what decades of enabling has done to the economy and society.

#37 | Posted by BillJohnson at 2025-07-05 03:30 PM | Reply

You're a pathetic racist that wishes "those people" would "know their place".

Beam, mote buddy.

#38 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2025-07-05 03:56 PM | Reply

-- It is Biblical that people should be held accountable for themselves and their own welfare.

More nonsense, same source. Being accountable and taking care of one's own is an honorable goal; it just doesn't always werk out that way in real life.

Which is why some of Jesus' most famous and oft repeated quotes are about taking care of others (whether that's individually or as a group doesn't matter as to who needs and who gives the care).

;;

34 "Then the King will say to those on his right, Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

37 "Then the righteous will answer him, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

40 "The King will reply, Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'

41 "Then he will say to those on his left, Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'

44 "They also will answer, Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'

45 "He will reply, Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

46 "Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

www.biblegateway.com

that's really pretty clear about how a person, or a nation, should treat the poor, downtrodden, the sick, the stranger, the immigrant, or their neighbor and supposedly Equal fellow earthling.... especially a person or nation that likes to call themselves, "Christian".

#39 | Posted by Corky at 2025-07-05 04:22 PM | Reply

But it was founded on Christian principles.

#33 | POSTED BY MSGT

"Christian" principles are to feed the hungry, heal the sick, clothe the naked, don't seek riches, give what you have to help the poor, money is the root of all evil, etc etc etc etc.

That's straight from Christ's own teachings to the disciples. THAT is the Christ in Christianity.

This bill is as anti-Christian as it could be; kicking millions off of health insurance (they tried repeatedly to overturn the PPACA too) and slashing food stamps all while giving more riches to the richest among us.

That's the polar opposite of anything Christ taught.

#40 | Posted by AMERICANUNITY at 2025-07-05 04:25 PM | Reply

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